332 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



that substance a!^ known in animals. The methods of determination are fully 

 described. 



Denitrification, II. Weissenberg {('enthl. Bakt. u. Par., 2. Aht., 8 {1902), j)p. 

 166-170; abs. in Jour. Chem. Soc. lLondori'\, S2 (1902), No. 477, IT, p. 470).— A brief 

 account is given of observations on the behavior of denitrifying organisms under 

 different culture conditions. 



Department of bacteriolog-y, E. F. Pernot ( Oregon Sta. Rpt. li:02, pp. 67-6!)). — 

 A brief report is given of experiments with cultures of bacteria in the preparation 

 of vinegar from waste prunes and other fruits. The bacterial fermentation of corn 

 silage was also investigated, and a number of cases of supposed bacterial diseases of 

 animals are reported. 



Report of the Moscow Bacteriological Agricultural Station for 1901, S. 

 Severin {Riv. in Izr. Min. Zeni., 1 {1902) , No. 23, pjp. 478,479). — An investigation 

 was made of the bacterial preparation Alinit, and 2 organisms were isolated from it. 

 These organisms were found to possess no property of increasing the yield of cereals. 

 The experiments were carried out with the application of the dry cultures, as 

 recommended by the distributers of Alinit. The station also made an extended 

 study of the process of fermentation of the dough in the preparation of l)lack bread. 

 The stability of dry cultures and their resistance to winter temperature was also 

 investigated. It was found that these cultures as prepared bj' the station do not 

 retain their vitality longer than 4 months. They were not affected, however, by 

 low temperatures, even when subjected to a temperature of —20° C-. In addition to 

 the above, the station reports investigations on the influence of micro-organisms on 

 insects. — f. fireman. 



The relation between the so-called Alinit bacteria, Bacillus ellenbachen- 

 sis, B. megatherium, and B. subtilis, B. Heinze {Centbl. Bakt. v. Par., 2. 

 Abt., 8 {1902), Nos. 13, pp. 391-395; 14, pp. 417-435; 15-16, pp. 449-453; 17, pp. 

 513-519; 18-19, pp. 546-556; 20, pp. 609-626; 21, pp. <?(5,?-6(59).— Comparative studies 

 are reported on the relation between the organisms which are mentioned above. 

 Their identity has been often claimed, and the author conducted a long series of 

 cultures and experiments to ascertain their true relationships. A tabular summary 

 is given, in which the more important biological phenomena of each species is 

 shown. Based upon his observations, the author claims that in no case should the 

 so-called Alinit bacteria be confused with B. megatherium, although agreeing in some 

 superficial characteristics. The resemblance to the hay bacillus, B. subtilis, is still 

 more remote. 



Nitrogen assimilating bacteria, (terlach and Vogel {Centhl. Bakt. n. 

 Par., 2. Abt., 8 {1902), No. 21, pp. 669-674). — Experiments are reported with a 

 species of bacteria that is recognized as belonging to the group called Azotobacter by 

 some authors. The species under investigation was isolated and cultivated for some 

 time and culture media of known composition inocculated with the organism. After 

 20 to 25 days the nitrogen content of the medium was determined, and in every case 

 Avhere inoculation material was used there was a decided gain in nitrogen. Greater 

 gains were obtained where grape sugar was added to the nutrient medium than where 

 it was (lisi)laced by calcium propionate. 



Notes and observations on nitrifying bacteria, R. Helms (.If,'- '^'f'^- ^^i^ 

 South Wales, 13 (1902), No. 2, pp. 21.5-222, pi. i).— Notes are given on agricultural 

 bacteriology and its progress, and the action of nitrifying bacteria is described. The 

 results of inoculation experiments with nitrifying organisms, as shown by the growth 

 of wheat in pots, are given. Field experiments were conducted with the same 

 organisms, but no definite results were o))tained. 



The aerobic retting of flax, L. Hauman (.Iv/?/. Itisi. P((steur, 16 {1902), N'o. 5, 

 pp. 370-385; L'Ing. Agr. Gembloux, 12 {1902), No. 11, jip. 513-516).— The retting of 



