1918] AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY — AGROTECHNY. 207 



and of " open " and " closed " flowers of Chrysanthemum cinerariccfolium of 

 both Dalmatian and Japanese origin are submitted. 



The manganese content of both stems and flowers was found to vary so much 

 and the difference in amount to be so small in these two parts of the plant as 

 to render valueless any method for estimating the amount of powdered stems 

 in an insect powder from its manganese content. 



The Japanese pyrethrum contained more manganese than that from other 

 countries. This is indicated as being probably due to the high manganese con- 

 tent of the volcanic soils of Japan. An increase in the manganese content of 

 ])yrethrum was found to be accompanied by a slightly higher nitrogen and 

 phosphoric acid content. 



Potato utilization possibilities, H. C. Gore (Proc. Potato Assoc. Atner., S 

 {1916), pp. 70-75). — This is a brief discussion of the manufacture of potato 

 starch and dextrin and of potato drying^ together with a method developed by 

 tlie author for drying potatoes, practicable in small factories or on farms. 



A preliminary report upon the making' of potato silage for cattle food, 

 L. A. Round and H. C. Goke {Proc. Potato Assoc. Amer., 3 {1916), pp. 75-79).— 

 The authors have found that the use of from 2 to 5 per cent of corn meal mixed 

 with crushed potatoes insures an acid fermentation which converts potatoes 

 into a good silage. The process can be carried out on either a large or small 

 scale, and with reasonable care the losses are negligible. 



The potatoes should be first well washed and then properly crushed. The 

 container in which the fermentation takes place must be tight and so covered 

 as to exclude as much air as possible. 



The resulting product is indicated as being very desirable and to be eaten 

 freely by cattle. Although eaten less readily by hogs at first, they soon learn 

 to eat it. 



The market for sunflowers {Rhodesia Agr. Jour., IJf {1917), No. ^, pp. 508- 

 516). — This is a brief report from the Imperial Institute of the United King- 

 dom, the Colonies, and India on utilization of and markets for sunflowers from 

 Rhodesia. 



It is noted that practically the only industrial purpose to which plant pith 

 is applied at present is in the manufacture of pith helmets, and that for this 

 purpose the sunflower pith appears to be less suitable than the others commonly 

 used. This point, however, is being investigated further. The pith can not 

 be employed as a substitute for wood and cotton in the preparation of cellu- 

 lose on account of its low yield and physical condition. Its possible use as 

 material for packing in the sheathing of ships and for stuffing life-saving appli- 

 ances for use at sea is being investigated. 



The material is considered unsuitable for use in feeding stuffs on account 

 of its indigestibility and high absorptive capacity for fluids. Since no experi- 

 mental work appears to have been done in this connection, it is indicated that 

 feeding trials should be carried out. Its admixture with molasses is indicated 

 as probably a suitable way of feeding the material. 



After the removal of the pith from the stems a good yield of pulp is obtained 

 which, however, is only suitable for the manufacture of common brown paper, 

 since it can not be satisfactorily bleached. The best method of using the stems 

 at present is indicated as being either to chop them for use as manure, since 

 they contain nearly 5 per cent of potash, or to burn them and use the ash, 

 which contains nearly 50 per cent of its weight of potash. The ash might also 

 be employed for the extraction of crude potash as is now done in Russia. 



Evaporated apples, C. S. McGillivbay {Canada Dept. Apr., Health Anim. 

 Branch Bui. 24 {1917), pp. 38, figs. S3). — This is a report on the evaporated 

 apple industry in Canada. The general topics treated are different types and 



