AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY AGROTECHNY. 705 



of constituents of fats— fatty acids, alcohols, phospholipines ; and the physiology 

 of fets— biochemical synthesis of fats and higher fatty acids, physiological oxida- 

 tion of fats, and the role of fats in vital phenomena. 



The estimation of nitrogen as ammonia, A. Gregoike {Bui. Soc. Chiin. Belg., 

 21t {1910), Xo. J. pp. 221-223. fig. 7).— The author recommends titrating the 

 ammonia directly. Results obtained in a test of the direct and indirect methods 

 showed the former to possess advantages over the latter. The control test with 

 platinic chlorid indicated that no danger exists in regard to loss by the direct 

 method of titration, but for safety's sake the author recommends the use of a 

 series bulb tube, which is illustrated in the article. 



Estimation of the nitrate nitrogen as ammonia, C. Fradot {Ann. Chim. 

 Analyt., 15 {1910), No. 6, pp. 219-223).— This is a polemical article with reference 

 to the methods of Pozzi-Escot. Salle, and the author (E. S. li., 22. p. TOG; 23, p. 

 213). 



A simple qualitative and quantitative method for separating nitrous from 

 nitric acid, W. M. Fischer and N. Steinbach {Ahs. in Chciti. Zty., 3Jt {1910), 

 No. 69, p. 613). — To the mixture containing the nitrite and nitrate add methyl 

 alcohol, and while passing a stream of air through the solution add dropwise a 

 known volume of titrated sulphuric acid. The methyl nitrite ester which forms 

 boils at — 11°C. and is removed by the air current. No nitrate ester forms during 

 the process, not even when a large amount of methyl alcohol is present. 



The influence of chlorin upon the determination of nitric nitrogen, R. 

 Stewart and J. E. Greaves {Jour. Amcr. Chcm. Soc, 32 {1910), No. 6, pp. 756, 

 757). — The results show that chlorin when present in amounts as small as 2.638 

 parts per million has an influence on the ultimate results obtained by the 

 phenyldisulphonic acid method. 



Laboratory methods for organic nitrogen availability, C. H. Jones {Jour. 

 Indus, and Engin. Chcm., 2 {1910), No. 7, pp. 308-311). — Previously noted from 

 another source ( E. S. R.. 23. p. 9). 



The errors in determining nitrogen in the soil, E. A. Mitscherlich and 

 E. Merres {Landic. Jahrb., 39 {1910). No. 3, pp. 3.'i6-367). — When sampling soils 

 in the field for the purpose of studying the transformations in the nitrogenous 

 compounds of the soil, the authors recommend taking one boring per square 

 meter of soil, the number of samples depending upon the results obtained and 

 their correspondence to the conditions as they really exist. 



The errors which depend upon rendering the soil air dry for analysis can be 

 so eliminated by the method of Pfeiffer and Ehrenberg (E. S. R., 18, p. 617) 

 as not to enter in when determining the assimilable nitrogen. Nitrogen 

 transformations in the soil can be well detected if the observations are confined 

 to the assimilable nitrogen. Soil extracts should be preserved in carbon dioxid. 



Soil humus as determined by different methods, S. Leavitt {Jour. Indus, 

 and Engin. Chcm., 2 {1910). No. 6, pp. 269-271). — The results are reported of 

 comparative quantitative tests with Stoddart's liumic acid,** Mooers and Hamp- 

 ton's humus (E. S. R., 19. p. 714) and the official methods with fertile and poor 

 clay loam soils. The author states that many of tliese soils probably contain 

 the humus largely in the form of protein or protein-like bodies, and that this 

 fact would explain the low results which were obtained with Stoddart's method. 

 It was also found that the humus matter in various soils differs considerably in 

 composition. 



Use of phenols in the analysis of alkaline earths, L. Lindet {Bui. Soc. 

 Chim. France, J,, scr., 7 {1910), No. 10, pp. /,3.',--'i39 ; ahs. in Analij.'it, 35 {1910), 

 No. Ifl3, p. 373). — The alkaline earth metal oxids dissolve easily and completely 



"Jour. Indus, and Engin. Chem., 1 (1909), No. 2. p. 72. 

 65483°— No. 8—10 2 



