706 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



On the digestion of urine in the determination of nitrogen by the Kjeldahl 

 method, P. B. Hawk {.Jour. Aiiki: VIicdi. .Voc, ^!> (1907), Xo. 11, pi). 163Jf~ 

 1637). — A comparison of methods. In no ease, according to the author, could 

 the uriue be satisfactorily digested in less than 30 minutes. 



On the determination of the constituents of nitrated mixtures, G. Coffetti 

 and G. Maderna (Gaz. Chim. ItaL, 37 {1907), II, No. J, pp. 13-17; abs. in Chem. 

 Zetitbl., 1907, II, No. 12, p. iOi>S).— Methods of determining total acidity, sul- 

 phuric acid, aud nitrous acid are described. See also a previous note (E. S. R., 

 19, p. 109). 



On the determination of free phosphoric acid in superphosphates, W. 

 MoLLER {Chrni. /An.. 31 {1907), So. 72, pp. 879, H80 ; abs. in Jour. ('hem. Soc. 

 [London], 92 {1907), No. o'fO, II, p. 813). — The author disagrees with Schultze's 

 statement that no method yet proposed for this purpose gives reliable results, 

 and maintains that the conventional oxalate method, in which 20 gm. of the 

 superphosphate is shaken with 1 liter of w'ater for one-half hour is satisfactory. 

 It is stated that the insoluble phosphates are attacked by the free acid very 

 slowly because of the protective action of the calcium sulphate present. 



The accuracy of analysis of fertilizers, H. Bousset {Rev. Gen. Vlihn., 10 

 {1907), p. 309; abs. in Chem. Ztg., 31 {1907), No. 91, Repert. No. 83, p. 562).— 

 A critical consideration of the errors accompanying sampling, weighing, filtering, 

 washing, titration, and other analytical operations leads to the conclusion that 

 in commercial analysis it is not practicable or necessary to attempt to secure 

 accurate results beyond the first decimal place. 



Feeding stuffs and fertilizers, Tacke {Arch. Dent. Landw. Raths., 31 {1907), 

 pp. lo0-237). — A sununary of the work of the German experiment stations on 

 feeding stufi:' and fertilizer control presented at the general meeting of Ger- 

 man agricultural officials in 1907. 



Elementary analysis of proteids containing phosphorus, M. Dennstedt 

 {Ztschr. Physiol. Chem., ■12 {1907). No. 1-2, pp. 181-183). — A critical discussion 

 of methods. 



The estimation of starch in potato, L. Pellet and Metillon {Bill. Assoc. 

 Chim. iiucr. et Distill., 2>, {1907), No. 12, pp. 1720-1730, fig. /).— A modification 

 of the Baudiy method is reported for the determination of starch in potatoes 

 and a method is described for estimating starch for commercial purposes which 

 involves the use of some special laboratory apparatus. 



Detection of rice or maize flour in wheat flour and wheat-floui products, 

 G. Gastine {Bui. Hoc. Chim. France, }. ser., 1 {1907), No. 16-17, pp. 960-965).— 

 The analytical methods described depend upon the microscopical characteristics 

 of different cereal starches. 



The formation of volatile sulphur compounds in meat and their influence 

 on the detection of added sulphites, A. L. Winton and E. M. Bailey {Jour. 

 Amer. Chem. Hoc, 29 (1907), No. 10, pp. 1^99-1503).— The determination of 

 volatile sulphur compounds when meat of different sorts was allowed to 

 decompose showed that although the results were not always uniform the 

 amount of sulphur pi'esent as SO2 during the first 4 days was in most cases 

 inconsiderable and that the amount present as hydrogen sulphid, except in the 

 case of veal, was so small that it could not be determined. " With or without 

 the use of CuSOi during these days there would have been no danger of declar- 

 ing sulphites ijresent when none had been added." After the fourth day some- 

 what larger amounts of sulphur as SO2 were obtained, but the maximum amount 

 obtained from beef was 1 mg. and from pork 0.8 mg. on the nineteenth day. 

 " These results are especially valuable, since Hamburg steak and sausages ai"e 

 the meat products commonly preserved with sulphites."' 



