764 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



found to be simrioiis. Ki'iuarks are also given on the iuterprftation of results of 

 butter analysis, with eoni]>ilation8 sliowin<f the average composition of butter. 



An apparatus for airing and cooling fresh milk, B. Boggild (Mdlkeritid., 7 {1S94), 

 jyp- 717-721). 



Bacteria in their relation to the dairy, O. Ligghu [Minnesota Sta. Upt. 1S93, pp. 

 £59-290). — A popular and quite comprehensive paper on bacteria and other micro- 

 ^irgauisms, tlieireft'ect on milk and dairy jtroducts, sterilizing and pasteurizing milk, 

 use of pure cultures in butter making, etc. The information appears to be wholly 

 ■compiled. 



The Colibri butyrometer {Tidskr. Landiman, 15 (1S94), pp. 905-907; Nofd. Mejeri 

 Tidn., 9 (1894), p. 573). — The apparatus, which is essentially a modified Babcock 

 milk test, is manufactured at Stockholm; it is a hand machine, arranged for 20 

 bottles. 



Warning against the use of preservatives for butter (Tidskr. Landtmdn, 15 

 {1S94), pp. 915-918). 



TECHNOLOGY. 



Grass-tree gum, J. H. Maiden (Ar//. Gaz. N. 8. Wales, 5 (1894), No. 

 ]1, j)p. rt^.s-756').-;-Xotes oil this resiu, tho spe(;ie.s of Xanthorrha'a exud- 

 ing it, its coliectiou, and uses. X. kastiUs exudes tbe resin most abun- 

 dantly, but it is also secreted by X. arborw, X. australis, X. preissii, 

 and X. tateana. The gum varies in color from yellow to dark red, and 

 also in consistency. It was used by the natives for fastening on the 

 heads of spears, and is now used as a substitute for sliellac and in candle 

 making. It has also been eiHi)l()yed medicinally in cases of dysentery. 

 Experimental notes, analyses, and a bibliography of the sulyect are 

 included. 



On the quantity of wood gum (xylan) contained in different kinds of -wood, 

 J. Okujiura (College Af/r. Bill., Tokyo, Japan, vol. ;?, Xo. 2, pp. 76-78). — Determina- 

 tion of the quantity of wood gum in 21 kinds of wood. " The Ooni ferae are comjiara- 

 tively poor in wood gum and Ternstrcemia and Melia are also poor. Cupuliferie 

 are richer, .Juglans, Magnolia, Cladrastis, Acauthopanax, etc., are still more so." 



Essential oil of hops, A. C. Chapman (Jour. Chem. Soc. London, 1895, .Jan., pp. 

 .54-63). 



On certain changes in fats as they become rancid, A. Scala {Ann. Inst. Ifjiin. 

 Sper. (Roma), 6 (1804), pp. 353-362 ; ahs. in Staz. S/;er. Agr. Ital., 27 (1894), No. 4, pp. 

 424, 425). — The fats investigated were butter, hog's lard, and olive oil. These were 

 exposed to light and air and allowed to become rancid. The iodin numbers decreased 

 constantly as rancidity advanced. To oleic acid rancidity Avas chiefly due. By 

 oxidation it breaks up into similar compounds, liberating glycerin, which in turn is 

 oxidized and trausfurmed. As rancidity increases the ether numbers ascend, indicat- 

 ing the formatiou of aldehydes and oxy acids. 



On the fat content of palm nuts, H. Noiiulinger (Ztschr. angew. Chem., 1895, 

 Xo. 1, pp. 19, 20). 



AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING. 



The ten-block system of numbering country houses, A. L. Bancroft (Cali- 

 fornia ittaie Bd. Hort. Bpt. 1893 and 1894, pp. 173-186, figs. 28).— Ku illustrated paper 

 giving in detail an ingenious scheme for blocking otf and numbering country roads 

 and houses according to a decimal system. Samples of its successful operation are 

 given and the method is summarized as follows: 



