1910] METEOROLOGY. 615 



drawn as the result of experimental evidence that the most satisfactory method 

 Is the manufacture of press cake. Analyses are given of the rice bran before 

 and after conversion Into press cake. 



Concerning carbon dioxid formation in thickened fodder-beet juice.— A 

 contribution to the so-called frothy fermentation, II. Claasskn (Ztst hr. Ver. 

 Deut. Zuckerindus., 1918, No. 746, II, pp. 105-109).— In connection with the 

 drying of fodder beets, the juice obtained from the press cake has been utilized 

 in the manufacture of a table sirup. From observations of the behavior on 

 boiling of the press juice of fodder beets which had previously suffered some- 

 what from frost, the author concludes that the so-called frothy fermentation 

 of massecuites and sirups Is due, in most cases, to a reaction between Invert 

 sugar (or other decomposition products formed from the sugar on heating) 

 and amino acids. The presence of oxygen Is considered necessary for the 

 reaction, but the formation of crystals Is thought to be without marked in- 

 fluence on the process. The extent of the fermentation Is thought to depend 

 chiefly upon the variety, properties, and amounts of the amids and amino acids 

 present In the juice and upon the kinds and amount of decomposition products 

 of the sugar. 



Utilization of breweries for dehydration, P. M. Grempe (Ztschr. Qesam. 

 Brauw., !,l (1918), Nos. 24, pp. 169-171; 25, pp. 175-177).— The practicability 

 is pointed out of utilizing the equipment of breweries for the drying of fruits 

 and vegetables, and suggestions are given for the selection and preparation of 

 the food materials to be dried and the method and time required for drying 

 different substances. 



Fruit drying, G. Staldeb (Das Obstdorren. Aarau: Emil Wirz, 1917, pp. 28, 

 figs. 20). — This handbook includes a brief discussion of the importance of 

 fruit drying, instructions as to the choice of fruit and its preparation for 

 drying, and descriptions with illustrations of various drying machines. 



Araucaria araucana (A. imbricata) and its resins. — Its relations to other 

 conifers, J. Angli (Bol. Acad. Nac. Cien. C6rdoba, 23 (1918), No. 1, pp. 1-84, 

 pis. 2, figs. 19). — This is a study of A. araucana from the point of view of the 

 commercial exploitation of the gum resins obtained from It. It consists of a 

 brief account of the geographical distribution and botanical characteristics of 

 the tree, a classification of coniferous trees, and a description of methods of 

 tapping the trees, followed by a discussion of the analytical methods employed 

 and results obtained in the separation of the gum resins of A. araacana into its 

 constituents. 



By agitation with anilin, resins were obtained to the extent of 72.8 per cent 

 of the original gum resins; agitation with hot water, gums 15.G5 per cent; 

 residue from the above operations, waste material, 5.95 per cent ; fractional 

 distillation at from 99.5 to 100.5°, water 5.6 per cent. 



The resins are thought to be suitable for the manufacture of varnishes and 

 the gums as a material for gluing cartons and boxes. 



METEOROLOGY. 



Subjects for research in meteorology (U. 8. Mo. Weather Rev., 40 (1918), 

 No. 12, pp. 566, 567). — Among the 50 subjects listed, 2 relate to agricultural 

 meteorology, namely, correlation of weather and crops, Including mathematical 

 correlation of monthly mean temperature and total monthly precipitation with 

 crop yield ; and effect of temperature, rainfall, and sunshine on plant develop- 

 ment, including intensive aud direct comparison between weather factors and 

 plant growth. 



