METEOROLOGY. 121 



although various menihers of the group show differences id litis rospect. This is of 

 importance in connection with the solution of the cell walls by ferments during 

 germination. — w. H. KRUG. 



Bacteria, -what they are and -what they do, C. E. Marshall (Michigan sin. 

 Bui. 189, pp. 59-95, figs. 26). — This is a general treatise on the subject, including a 

 glossary. 



Bacteriology and chemistry of sauerkraut fermentation (Arch. Hyg.,29(1896) 

 pp. 56-95). 



METEOROLOGY. 



Notes on the climatology of the sugar beet, E. M. Boggo 

 (Arizona Sta. Bui. 23, pp. 22-37). — A table is given which shows the 

 altitude; maximum, minimum, and mean temperatures; depth of rain 

 and melted snow; and total depth of snow for each month of 1806 

 at 42 stations in Arizona and at places in other States where sugar- 

 beet factories have recently been in operation or are in course of con- 

 struction, namely, Alvarado. Chino, Salinas, and Watsonville, Cali- 

 fornia; (J rand Island and Norfolk, Nebraska: llddy. New Mexico; 

 Lehi, Utah; Staunton, Virginia: and Menomonee kails. Wisconsin. 



"Although tlie sugar beet is a native of the shores of the Mediterranean Sen. it 

 has reached its highest perfection as a vegetable and its greatest importance as a 

 commercial product in more northerly countries. This Beeming parados is due to 

 the industry and thrift of the inhabitants of colder regions rather than to any 



superiority of climate." 



While the beet may not require a hot climate, the data here reported 

 clearly show that it can nourish in a hot climate where other condi- 

 tions are favorable. The climate of Arizona is such that it is not 

 necessary to provide for storage of the beets, but they can be left 

 in the ground until wanted at the factory. The season of planting- 

 may also be so regulated that the "campaign** of the factory may be 

 extended and the acreage which may be served by each factory largely 

 increased. There is little or no ram between the time of maturity of 

 the crop and the harvesting to start new growth and thus reduce the 

 precentage of sugar and purity, and rain seldom occurs during the fall 

 and early winter when the factories would be operated. 



"While high temperature seems not to ho necessary, sunshine is essential to the 

 development of a large percentage of sugar in the beet. . . . 



"Arizona leads all other sections of the United States in high percentage of sun- 

 shine. New Mexico is a good second to Arizona in this element, and its good effect 

 is shown in the remarkably high percentage of sugar obtained from the crop worked 

 by the factory at Eddy, New Mexico, which is the highest known. So sensitive is 

 the sugar beet to the influence of sunshine that a few cloudy days just before the beets 

 are harvested will materially reduce the percentage of sugar. 



"In some localities in other States the crops of young beets have, been destroyed 

 or severely damaged by hard winds. In most parts of Arizona damaging winds are 

 infrequent, or occur mainly before the season of planting. 



"From all considerations it seems that climatic conditions in Arizona are favora- 

 able to the largest tonnage per acre and the highest percentage of sugar. A prac- 

 tical difficulty which will perhaps l>e experienced may be to prevent the beets from 

 growing to excessive size, for it is not the largest beeta which are most profitable. 



