AGEICULTURAL CHEMISTRY — AGROTECHNY. 511 



The distribution of nitrogenous bodies in woman's milk, A. Fkehn {Ztschr. 

 I'hi/siol. Chcin., 65 (1910), No. '3, pp. 266-2S0) .—Com\mr\ns the results obtained 

 witli those of other iuvestisators, it is concluded that in deteruiiniiifi the nitro- 

 gen distribution in woman's milk much depends on the method employed. Witli 

 Eugel's method and 27 samples of woman's milk the casein content was between 

 30 and 53.6 per cent of the total proteids present. For 100 gm. of the milk the 

 limits were between 0.4 and 0.7 per cent of casein. In 10 further samples 

 the casein content fluctuated between 0.72 and 1.26 gm. for 100 cc. of milk, and 

 this represented from 48.7 to 65.9 per cent of the total nitrogen content. The 

 total soluble proteid content was between 38 and 51.3 per cent. Additional esti- 

 mations made were residual nitrogen, that is, filtrate from casein-free filtrate 

 treated with phospho-molybdic acid. 



Variations can also talie place in an individual milk where the same method 

 is employed, and which is probably due to the variant physiological condition 

 of the nurse. 



The champignon, an indol-producing plant, M. Lowv {Chcm. Z!g., 3If 

 (1910), A'o. 39, p. S'/O). — This is a continuation of tiie work previously noted 

 (E. S. R., 22, p. 709), and shows that the coloration produced in an aqueous 

 extract of the champignons with sulphuric acid is due to indicau. 



Ascertaining the physical and chemical constants of goose fat, ,1. L. Mayer 

 (Druggists Circ, J'/ (1910), ^'o. 3, p. 106). — A description of the chemical and 

 physical constants of goose fat, comparisons being made with the figures given 

 in various handbooks on the analyses of fats. 



The nature of the acid-soluble phosphorus compounds of some important 

 feeding materials, E. B. Hart and \V. E. Tottingham (Wisconsin Sta. Research 

 Bui. !>. pi>. 95-106). — Previously noted from another source (E. S. R., 21, p. 60S). 



The spontaneous heating of hay, F. W. J. Boekhout and J. J. <). de Vrifs 

 (Versing. Landbouivk. Onderzock. Rijkslandbouwprocfstat. [Netherlands], 

 1910, No. 7, pp. 26-Ji8, fig. 1). — A portion of this work has already been noted 

 (E. S. R., 22, p. 70). The authors further find that the acidlike gases which are 

 emitted during the process are due in part to the formation of formic acid. 

 Analyses of such hays show that a diminution in the pentosan and nitrogen- 

 free extractive substances takes place during the process. Iron supiiosedly 

 acts as a catalyzer. 



The analysis of silicate and carbonate rocks, W. F. Hillebrand (U. 8. Geol. 

 Survey Bui. 4^2, pp. 239, figs. 27). — A revision of Bulletin 305. previously noted 

 (E. S. R., 19, p. 209), the more important changes and additions being as 

 follows : 



"The preparation of the sample has been much modified in the endeavor to 

 meet the need for one that shall not have taken up water from the air or have 

 suffered oxidation with respect to ferrous iron or sulphid during grinding. 

 The effect of fine grinding on the composition of the sami)le has necessitated 

 changes in carrying out certain determinations, notably that for ferrous iron. 

 The chapters on water have been rearrangetl, and that devoted to general 

 considerations is now introduced by a section on the role of hydrogen in min- 

 erals. . . . That on sulphur has been supplemented by a section on the errors 

 involved in the determination of sulphur as barium sulphate and their avoid- 

 ance or correction. Many other minor additions and alterations have been 

 made." 



Plasticity and coherence of clays and loams, A. Atterberg (Cliein. Ztg., 31f 

 (1910). \os. J,2. pp. 369-311, figs. S; >,3, pp. 319, ,380).— The author has estab- 

 lished 6 limits for the plasticity and coherence of clays and loams. In order to 



