502 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.40 



Globulin of the coconut (Cocos nucifera). — I. Preparation of coconut glo- 

 bulin. Distribution of the basic nitrogen in coconut globulin, C. O. Johns, 

 A. J. Finks, and C. E. F. Geksdokst {Jour. Biol. Chem., SI [1919), Vo. 1, pp 

 lJf'J-153). — A method of preparing coconut globulin from coconut press cuke 

 is described and the following analyses of the globulin reported: 



Analysis of coconut globulin (Van Slyke method) : Amid N 7.99 per cent, 

 humin N adsorbed by lime 1.41, humin N in amyl alcohol extract 0.11, cystin 

 N 0.96, arginin N 29.5, histidin N 3.G8, lysin N 6.41, amino N of tiltrate 45.44, 

 and nonamino N of filtrate 4.6. Basic andno acids in coconut globulin: Cystin 

 1.44 per cent, arginin 15.92, histidin 2.42, and lysin Jj.S. 



The free annuo nitrogen as determined with the Van Slyke microapparatua 

 was found to equal nearly one-half the lysin nitrogen. 



Determination of the distribution of nitrogen in certain seeds, J. F. l'.ia.w- 

 steb and C. L. Axsbkbg [Jour. Biol. Chun.. M (1319), Wo. .i. ;</<. 867 571).— 

 This is the report of an investigation conducted at the Bureau of Chemistry 

 of the U. s. Department of Agriculture of the applicability of the Van Slyke 

 method of protein analysis to the direct analysis of seeds. 



To determine the possible effect Of plant nucleic acid <>n tlie results of such 

 an analysis, yeast nucleic add was bydrolyzed 25 hours with '_'i> per cent hydro- 

 chloric acid and subjected to the usual procedure. The analysis reported indi- 

 cates the presence of 15 per cent «.f arginin nitrogen. As yeast nucleic acid 

 dues not contain arginin, its presence in the hydrolysate is thought to be due 

 to decomposition of the guantn, adenln, and cytosin of the nucleic add, and to 

 indicate that in the determination of the distribution of the nitrogen in mate- 

 rials containing nucleic acid by the Van Slyke method erroneous results may be 

 obtained because Bome of the purln and pyrtmldin nitrogen appears in the 

 argiidn fraction. 



A table is given of tbe nitrogen distribution in certain seeds and seed prod- 

 ucts as determined by the Van Slyke method, the results of which agree fairly 

 well with those previously reported by Crindley, Slater, et al. (B. S. R,, •"■!. 

 p. -112). 



Ash absorption by spinach from concentrated soil solutions, 11. H. Titri:. 

 o. V. Black, and J. \v. Kki.iy i.iour. Apr. Research [V. £.], U) {1919), Wo. i 

 pp. tB 95, fifft. i). in com tion with a study of spinach blight conducted co- 

 operatively by the Bureau of Plant Industry of the r. s. Department of Agri- 

 culture and the Virginia Truck Station spinach plants were grown on tlie 

 grounds of the Truck station at Norfolk In beds given heavy treatments of 

 fertilizer salts, singly and in mixtures. The plants were divided Into roots and 

 tops and the ash constituents were determined, both as percentages of dry 

 material and ns percentages of the total ash. The results, which are presented 

 in tables and graphs, are summarized as follows: 



The best results were secured in plats receiving a complete mixture having a 

 basic or neutral character in the soil (sodium nitrate, basic slag, and juntas 

 Blum sulphate); next best with acid phosphate and with sodium sulphate; 

 poor in plats receiving heavy treatments of sodium chlorld, sodium nitrate, and 

 acid complete mixture (l to 2 tons per acre) ; poorest with potassium chlorld. 



"A study of the ash showed the highest total ash in the tops in plats with 

 sodium chlorld, calcium carbonate, acid phosphate, and manure: lowest with 



potassium Chlorld and basic complete mixture. The highest ash was in roofs 



accompanied with acid phosphate and manure, the lowest with potassium 

 chlorld and sodium sails. General excellent condition of the crops does not 

 parallel high ash absorption, tbe besl and poorest plats having plaids with low 

 ash. 



