[Vol. 36. 1917] AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY AGROTECHNY. 711 



The fermentation of silage, cause of silage fermentation, soft corn ear silage, 

 rape silage, other silage crops, and general precautions to be observed in the 

 preparation of corn silage. 



Philippine beeswax, H. O. Bkill and F, Agcaoili {Philippine Jour. Set., 

 Sect. A, 11 (1916), No. 1, pp. 15-18).— The constants for a number of samples 

 of Philippine beeswax, including the specific gravity at 15.5° C, melting point, 

 saponification value, acid value, ester value, ratio number, iodin value (Hanus), 

 unsaponifiable matter, and clouding point, are submitted In tabular form. 

 Comparative analytical data of Japanese, Korean, and Philippine beeswaxes are 

 also included. 



The relation between the toxicity and the volatility of creosote oils, E. 

 Bateman {Jour. Indus, and Engin. Chem., 8 {1916), No. 12, pp. 1094, 1095, 



flff. 1). 



On the sulphonphthalein series of indicators and the quinone-phenolate 

 theory, H. A. Lubs and S. F. Ackee {Jour. Amer. Chem. Soc, 38 {1916), No. 12, 

 pp. 2772-2784). 



Some compansons of methods for determining nitrogen in soils, W. L*. 

 Latshaw (Joiir. Indus, and Engin. Chem., 8 {1916), No. 12, p. 1127). — The 

 bumping during the distillation of ammonia in nitrogen determinations in soils 

 was obviated by sufficient dilution of the mixture after the digestion. The 

 heavy metals from the .soils contained in the digest were considered to be the 

 cause of the bumping, and it was found that where no mercury was used there 

 was no bumping. The Gunning method proved satisfactory in respect to elimi- 

 nating the bumping, but required considerable time for digestion, in some cases 

 as much as four or five houi's. The time of digestion, however, was reduced to 

 an average of two and a half hours by the use of from 0.08 to 0.1 gm. of copper 

 wire as catalyst. 



The method for the determination of nitrogen in soils used at the Kansas 

 Experiment Station is described in detail. Comparative analytical data show 

 no marked differences between this method and the Official Method. 



Total carbon in soil by wet combustion, C. J. Schoixenbeeger {Jour. Indus, 

 and Engin. Chem., 8 {1916), No. 12, p. 1126).— The author, at the Ohio Experi- 

 ment Station, considers the wet combustion volumetric method of Ames ana 

 Gaither (E. S. R., 32, p. 805) to be capable of yielding results which compare 

 very favorably with those obtained from furnace combustion and gravimetric 

 determinations. The changes suggested in the procedure consist of the use of 

 a mixture' of phosphoric and sulphuric acids, instead of sulphuric acid alone, 

 with chromic anhydrid as the oxidizing agent; the substitution of barium hy- 

 droxid for sodium hydroxid as the absorbent for cai'bon dioxid ; and the replace- 

 ment of the modified Camp absorption tube by Meyer's absorption apparatus 

 or the bead tower described by Truog (E. S. R., 34, p. 504). 



Comparative experimental data with the furnace combustion gravimetric 

 procedure, the Parr method, and the old wet combustion volumetric method 

 indicate the accuracy of the modified procedure. 



Note on the results of analyses of fertilizer samples taken with different 

 styles of samplers, F. B. Carpenter {Jour. Indus, and Engin. Chem., 8 {1916), 

 No. 12, pp. 1144, 1145). — Some analytical data are submitted which show the 

 great variation in results of samples taken by several individuals with various 

 forms of samplers from the same lot of homogeneous material carefully pre- 

 pared. A form of sampler which closes was found to give results on ammonia 

 nearest to the theoretical amount. 



The importance of uniform methods of sampling fertilizers is indicated. 



The action of mineral acids on natural phosphate, A. V. Kazakov {Iz 

 RezuVt. Veget. Opytov Lab. Rabot {Rec. Trav. Lab. Agron.), Moskov. Selsk. 



