8 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



starch were present in large quantities, which is considered as probably largely due 

 to a change in the starch occurring during the preparation of the sample for analysis. 

 It is recommended, therefore, that the analysis of the nitrogen-free extract matter 

 should be made on the fresh undried sample. The starch contents varied indirectly 

 witli the amount of dextrin and solul )le starch determined. The average composition 

 of the marketaljle jiotatoes grown in 1899, calculated to the original substance, was 

 as follows: Moisture 79.41 per cent, crude ash 1.26, crude protein 2.28, crude fiber 

 0.36, reducing sugars 0.09, dextrin and soluljle starch 1.35, starch 1-1.51, ether extract 

 0.06, and undetermined 0.68 per cent. 



Composition of nitrogen-free extract matter in artichokes, C. H. Jones and 

 B. O. White {Vermont Sta. Rpt. 1901, jjp. 217-219). — Analyses of the nitrogen-free 

 extract matter of 14 samples of artichokes obtained at different intervals during the 

 season are reported. The average composition of 6 samples dug in November cal- 

 culated to the original material was as follows: Moisture 79.59 per cent, crude ash 

 1.51, crude protein 2.12, crude fiber 0.74, reducing sugars (largely levulose) calcu- 

 lated as dextrose 0.70, sugars (levulin and a sugar resembling sucrose) calculated as 

 sucrose 12.05, inulin 1.92, ether extract 0.08, and undetermined 1.29 per cent. 



Concerning- the sugars and organic acids in tropical fruits, A. Bokntkaegek 

 {Staz. Sper. Agr. Hal., 34 {1901), No. 10, pp. 975-992; Zlschr. Untersuch. Nahr. u. 

 Genussmtl., 5 {1902), No. 4, PP- 145-155). — The fruits studied included Diospyroa 

 lotus, D. virginiana, D. kaki, Sorbus domestica, Mesinlus gerinanica, Arbutus unedo, Musa 

 sapimtmm, and Eryobotrya japonica. 



The constituents of corn pith and elder pith and the occurrence of arabin 

 and xylene together in plants, C. A. Browne, .ir. {Inaug. Diss., Gottingen, 1901, 

 pp. 51; Bcr. Dent. Chein. GeselL, 35 {1902), No. 8, pp. 1457-1467).— The author reports 

 investigations carried out in the laboratory of Prof. B. Tollens. The composition of 

 the two kinds of pith, as determined by the Weende method, was as follows: 



Composition of corn pith and elder pith. 

 [Air-dry condition.] 



The percentage of pentosans obtained by distillation with hydrochloric acid (1.06 

 sp. gr. ) ranged from 24.45 to 27.04 per cent for corn pith, and was 18.81 per cent for 

 elder pith. A mechanical separation was made of the fibrovascular bundles of corn 

 pith from the fundamental tissue, and each examined separately. The latter consti- 

 tuted about three-fourths of the pith. Analysis showed practically no difference in 

 the percentages of pentoses, fiber, and nitrogen-free extract in the two parts, but the 

 fat and protein were somewhat higher in the fibrovascular bundles. Both kinds of 

 pith were found to contain xylose in relatively large quantities and arabinose as well, 

 from which the author is inclined to the belief that in very many cases, and perhaps 

 in all, the mother substances of these pentoses occur together in nature. 



The materials were hydrolized with dilute sulphuric acid and with acid sulphite 

 of calcium, and various other experiments were made. Both kinds of jiith were 

 found to contain much cellulose which was not in free condition, but in combination 

 with lignin substances, pentosans, galactan, etc. Pure cellulose was prepared by 

 Cross and Bevan's chlorin method. This pure cellulose, although it gave none of 



