METEOROLOGY. 715 



fat varied from 0.53 to 0.98, with an average of 74. The removal of the cream 

 increased tlie ratio above 1. 



A new constant for detecting partial skimming of milk, R. Ledent {Bui. 

 ^oc. Chim. Bely., 28 (19U), No. 7, pp. 229-234; abs. in Ztschr. Angeio. Chem., 

 27 {lOlIf), No. 99, Referatenteil, p. 699). — In this work an attempt was made 

 to bring the ratio of casein to fat as determined by Van Dam (see above) into 

 relation with Cornalba's figures. 



The value of the refractometric examination of calcium chlorid serum of 

 milk for the detection of added water, E. Ackeemann and C. Valencien 

 {Milchiv. Zentbl., JfS (JOlJf), No. 13, pp. 3J,5-349).— The views expressed by 

 others as to the value of this method (E. S. R., 18, p. 811) are presented and 

 discussed, and results with 108 samples of composite milk are reported. The 

 data include the fat-free dry substance and refraction. By adding 7 per cent 

 of water to each of the samples the fat-free dry substance was found to vary 

 between 9.19 and 8.63 per cent and the refraction from 38.2 to 37.3 per cent (11 

 samples 38.2 to 38, and 97 samples 37.9 to 37.3 per cent). The Swiss food book 

 calls for 8.5 per cent fat-free substance. 



The refraction of milk serum, L. Kiss (Kis^rlet. Kozlem., 17 (1914), No. 1, 

 pp. 24-34; abs. in Milchw. Zentbl., 43 {1914), No. 18, p. 475).— The refraction of 

 the calcium chlorid serum of milk diluted with water and preserved with 

 formaldehyde or bichromate of potash was studied. 



It was found that the refraction of the calcium chlorid serum falls after the 

 milk is diluted with water. For each 1 per cent of water added up to 10 

 per cent the refraction drops approximately 0.25°. Of the preservatives recom- 

 mended for keeping milk samples only formaldehyde has an inappreciable 

 influence on the refraction. On the other hand if 0.1 per cent potassium 

 bichromate is employed the refraction rises from 0.3 to 1.1° and with 0.05 per 

 cent potassium bichromate from 0.1 to 0.65°. The calculation of the specific 

 gravity with Wiegner's formula from the refraction of the calcium chlorid 

 serum yielded very good results. 



Quevenne's lacto-densimeter and the calculated extract in milk, E. Isnaed 

 {Ann. Falsif., 7 {1914), ^'o. 68, pp. 327, 3.28).— It is claimed that milk sold as 

 whole milk whose density is less than 1.030 and a skim milk with a density 

 of less than 1.032 must be considered watered. 



Society of German Potato Driers {Ztschr. Angew. Chem., 27 {1914), No. 30, 

 Aufsatzteil, pp. 278, 279). — This is principally the yearly report of the society, 

 but gives an account of the status of the industry. 



METEOROLOGY. 



Rainfall and agriculture in the United States, B. C. Wallis {Mo. Weather 

 Revieic, 43 {1915), No. 6, pp. 267-274, fig. i).— Continuing studies noted in a 

 previous article (E. S. R., 33, p. 318), the author attempts to correlate rain- 

 fall conditions and the growth of various crops, particularly wheat, rye, barley, 

 oats, corn, tobacco, and cotton, in the United States. 



The results show that the sequence of crops tends to be consistent through- 

 out the country and further indicates that "(1) the wettest month is usually 

 avoided for harvesting operations ; generally the harvest is taken in the period 

 following the rainfall maximum. The rainfall maximum of sections G and H 

 [including mainly the east Central States] falls early, so that harvesting may 

 begin in June. In the central Eastern States, however, the harvest tends to be 

 completed before the rainfall maximum occur,s. This circumstance is strikingly 

 illustrated in the cotton States, where the cereal harvests are gathered before 

 the heavy rains and the maize and cotton crops after the maximum has passed. 



