808 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.40 



The determination of the content in oil of oleaginous seeds, R. Riazzo {Ann. 

 ('him. Appl. [Rome], 10 (1918), No. 9-12. pp. 130-133 ) .—The author discusses 

 the extraction of oil from seeds, and outlines necessary precautions to be taken 

 to insure accurate results. 



A method for the purification of certain azo dyes, H. A. Lubs (Jour. Indus. 

 and Engin. Ghent., 11 (1919), No. 5, p. ^6). — The method consists essentially in 

 precipitating the dye from a hot aqueous solution by solid sodium acetate and 

 purifying it by repeated digestion with hot alcohol. The method is said to 

 remove both inorganic and organic impurities usually present in commercial 

 azo dyes, and to be of particular value if the compound is to be used for 

 pharmacological purposes. 



Practical industry of preserving food, N. F. Olivan (Industria Practica de 

 las Conservas Alimenticias. Barcelona. Spain: Lihr. Domingo Rib6, 1917, pp. 

 184, fl0& SI). — This book contains a preliminary section devoted to a theoretical 

 discussion of the problems Of food preservation and a description of machinery 

 required in the food preservation industry. This is followed by a detailed 

 di scription of methods employed for the conservation of meats, fruits, vege- 

 tables, etc., by heat, refrigeration, and desiccation. 



Muscadine grape paste, C. DEAKINQ (17. 8. Dept. .\gr.. Farmers' Itul. 1033 

 (1919), pp. 13). — This publication gives general directions for making paste 

 from muscadine grapes i K. S. I:., i'.'s. p. 114). Suggestions arc given as to the 

 variety of fruit to use. the methods of Obtaining pulp, the different sweetening 

 agents that may be used, and the cooking, drying, cutting, and storing of the 

 product. Variation in products obtainable by the use of paste from different 

 varieties of grapes and by combining the paste witii fruits, mil . are 



described. 



Cholam (A. sorghum) as a substitute for barley in malting operations, 



B. YlSWANATH, T. I.AKSHMANA ROW, and I'. A. R AC, H N ATII A S W A M I AVYAM.VK 



(Mem. Dept. Agr. India, ('hem. Set:. 5 (1919), No. J,, pp. 117-129).— This paper 

 deals with investigations conducted with the object of finding a satisfactory 



substitute for barley from among the common South Indian cereals. After a 

 preliminary examination of the malting capacities of paddy (Orysa •■**«•) i 

 cholam {Andropogon sorghum), ragi (Bteueku OdtttOana), tenai {Setaria 

 italica), maize {Zea mags), and cumbu (Pcnnisctum tuphoiileum) cholam was 

 selected as the most suitable grain for malting, and barley and cholam malts 

 prepared under like conditions were compared as to percentage of soluble mat 

 ter, acidity, and diastatic activity. 



The results of the first two determinations showed the cholam malt to be 

 sound in the technical sense. It was found to be more active diastatic illy than 

 barley malt according to the iodin test, hut less active as determined by the 

 copper reduction method. This apparent discrepancy was shown to be due to 

 the fact that in the hydrolysis of starch by the cholam malt the proportion ot 

 dextrin to glucose is greater than in the case of barley malt. 



The authors conclude that cholam. which is much cheaper and more available 

 in India than barley, may be used wholly or partially as a substitute for barley 

 in malting operations. 



How to make cider and vinegar, C. I. Lewis (Oreg. Countryman. 11 (191 8), 

 No. 1. pp. 16-18). — The fundamentals of good vinegar manufacture are dis- 

 cussed, and the causes of common failures are pointed out. 



METEOROLOGY. 



Rainy days and rain probability in the United States. R. PeC. Warp 

 (Gcogr. Rev., ? (1919), No. 1, pp. ',!, -JS, figs. 2).— The subject is discussed with 



