198 



The investigation was hampered by the guinea pigs experimented 

 on refusing to take oats — a diet which loads to scurvy in these 

 animals. Several new nitrogenous compounds were isolated from 

 the lime juice, however, and a continuation of the investigation 

 will in all jsrobability lead to the recognition of lime juice as a 

 valuable source of anti-scorbutic substances. — Ai!:;riciiltiiral Xctcs. 



COTTOX PICKER. 



A description is given in the Experiment Statioti Record, for 

 December, 1912, of a new cotton picker, the mechanism of which 

 consists of a 16-inch cylinder, 12 inches long, on which are 

 mounted twenty spindle shaft frames each carrying seven spin- 

 dles, making 140 picking fingers in all. As the cylinder revolves, 

 the spindles are caused to revolve at high speed as they stand in 

 a vertical position, and the cotton wraps around them. When 

 they come to a horizontal position they are thrown out of gear 

 and the cotton is stripped ofT and passed to a basket in the rear. 

 It is claimed that this picker will do the work of froiu ten to 

 twelve men. re(|uiring only a team and driver. 



FATE OF TUBERCLE BACILLI OUTSIDE THE 

 ANIMAL BODY. 



A very extensive investigation of the mode of dissemination 

 and outside behavior of the organism causing tuberculosis in ani- 

 mals comprises bulletin No. 161 of the University of Illinois Ag- 

 ricultural Experiment Station. The author of the paper is Dr. 

 C. F. Briscoe. 



In the summary of the bulletin it is stated first, that there are 

 four recognized types of tubercle bacilli ; human, bovine, avian, 

 and a type that infects cold-blooded animals. The tubercle ba- 

 cillus does not form spores, nor does it secrete a soluble toxin, 

 though the fact that poisons are produced is well recognized, since 

 tubercles can be brought on in animals by the injection of dead 

 cultures. 



The author next ])roceeds to emphasize the importance of defi- 

 nite knowledge as to the powers of vitality of the organism out- 

 side the animal body, namely, its cajiacity for resisting conditions 

 of environment inimical to its existence. 



The tubercle bacillus, although it docs not form spores, is one 

 of the most resistant s])ecies of bacteria ; it can, however, be killed 

 in a few minutes tf) a few hours when exjiosed to direct sunlight. 

 The time of killing is less at higher .'dtitudes, but it is ten to fif- 

 teen times longer in dilTused light. 



