712 EXPEKIMENT STATION KECORD. 



Observations on the production of vinegar in cellars, W. B. Alwood and R. 

 J. Davidson ( Virginia Sta. Bui. 127, pp. 61-71). — A further preliminary study is 

 given on the ijroduction of vinegar under ordinary farm conditions (E. S. R., 9, p. 

 1094). Casks holding 50 gal. each were filled with fresh cider on different dates and 

 stored in an ordinary underground cellar having a temperature ranging from 50 to 

 60° F. A record is given of the chemical changes that took place in the conversion 

 of the sugar to alcohol and the alcohol to acetic acid. The cider thus stored reached 

 its maximum alcohol content in from 23 to 44 days after placing in the cellar. It 

 required from 350 to 418 days' storage before the acetic acid content had reached 3 J 

 per cent. Vinegar analyzing less than 3t per cent is stated to be too weak to put on 

 the market. Very good vinegar was produced in every instance, but the system is 

 not recommended when vinegar is made in sufficient quantity to warrant a generator. 



Parallel with this experiment, 3 series of flasks were filled Avith 200 cc. each of 

 sterilized cider and kept in a culture oven ranging from 80 to 82° F. for periods vary- 

 ing from 2 to 12 days. One series of flasks was sown with a drop of strong yeast 

 culture. Another series was seeded with the yeast and in addition with a drop of 

 vinegar ferment {Bacterium aceta). The tabular record of analyses given shows that 

 no acetic acid was formed in the flasks during alcoholic fermentation. In one series 

 the vinegar ferment was added at the end of 16 days, at which time alcoholic fer- 

 mentation had apparently subsided. The formation of the acetic acid in these flasks 

 did not take place in a regular increasing ratio in accordance with the time elapsing 

 after adding the ferment. This was owing, it is thought, to the absence of sufficient 

 oxygen in the flasks. 



New process in olive-oil making- ( California Fruit Grower, 21 {1902), No 761, p. 

 IS).— It is stated that by the use of centrifugal force from machines similar to the 

 modern sugar house centrifugal machine, 10 per cent more olive oil has been ob- 

 tained. 



Tanning materials, G. E. Colby ( California Sta. Rpt. 1S99-1901, pt. 2, pp. 255- 

 259). — ^Analysis are reported of 25 samples of canaigre roots and chips, 15 of wattle 

 barks, 3 of oak tan barks, 1 of Chinese gall nuts produced liy Ap>]iis eJiinensis in 

 leaves of Rims .<<emialatii, and 2 of commercial tannin. 



The average results of the analyses of canaigre show a tannin content of 30.6 per 

 cent. Experiments conducted to determine the production of tannin in plants 

 grown from different sections of canaigre root showed that the greatest increase in 

 tannin yield is obtained by planting the upper section of the root. In these tests 

 Avhen the whole root was used the t:innin in the new growth was 8,680 times that 

 found in the seed root, and when the top section alone was used the tannin of the 

 new growth was 29,305 times that of the original section. 



The results of analyses of the wattle barks produced at the Santa ^Monica Station 

 have already been noted (E. S. R., 12, p. 995). Analyses of the bark from black 

 wattle trees grown at Berkeley showed 41.40 and 50.05 per cent tannin in the air- 

 dried substance. The bark from the main trees, branches, and large roots of the 

 silver wattle showed, respectively, 35.53, 31.87, and 34.48 per cent of tannin. The 

 bark from golden wattle trees showed 41.60 per cent tannin. 



Textile fibers of commerce, W. I. Hannan {London: Charles Griffin A Co., 1902, 

 pp. 236, ill.). — A handbook on the occurrence, distribution, preparation, and uses of 

 the animal, vegetable, and mineral fibers used in cotton, woolen, paper, silk, brush, 

 and hat manufactures. 



Chemical technology of textile fibers — their origin, structure, prepara- 

 tion, -washing, bleaching, dyeing, printing, and dressing, G. vox GEORCi- 

 lEvics, trans, by C. Saltek {London: Scoff, Greemoood & Co., 1902, pp. 306, figs. 47). 



The art of paper making, A. Watt {London: Crosby Lockvood & Son, 1901, 2. 

 ed., pp. XII -^ 260, figs. SO). — This contains chapters on cellulose; materials used in 



