METEOKOLOGY. 117 



134, 135, figs. 3). — This describes the methods of synthesizing sodium cyanid by 

 the older and newer methods. This substance is being introduced in metal- 

 lurgical work, and it is predicted will eventually find much use as a substitute 

 for potassium cyanid for fumigation purposes in agriculture. 



Winery directions, F. T. Bioletti {California Sta. Circ. 119 {1914), PP- 8). — 

 This circuhir gives directions for the use of pure yeasts and also for fermenting 

 dry red wine and dry white wine. In addition tabular data are included relat- 

 ing to avei'age yields, temperature corrections for the Balling saccharometer, 

 the Balling degree and sugar of must and alcohol of wine (based on California 

 analyses), and notes on wine fermentation. 



Manufacture of dried veg'etables, fruits, etc., V. Valvassori {Bui. R. 80c. 

 Toscuna Ort., 3. ser., 17 {1912), No. 8, pp. 207-211, fig. i).— This deals with 

 methods for drying fruits and vegetables, and the time required. An illustra- 

 tion is given of the drying apparatus used. The product is termed "Julienne" 

 in Italy. The cost of manufacture is also considered. 



Experiments in the desiccation of wild berries, G. Lind {K. Landthr. Akad. 

 Ilandl. och Tidskr., 52 {1913), No. 3, pp. 172-191, figs, ii).— Tests were made 

 in 1912 with blueberries and Scandinavian cranberries {Vaccinium oxycoccus). 

 The methods and apparatus used in collecting and drying them are described, 

 and the apparatus is illustrated. The author is of the opinion that this method 

 of utilizing wild berries will prove to be of great economic importance to 

 Denmark. 



Production of dextrin and its use, E. Parow {Ztschr. Spintusindus., 35 

 {1912), Nos. SS, pp. 507, 508; 39, p. 519; ahs. in Jour. 8oc. Chem. Indus., 31 

 (1912), No. 20, pp. 1001, 1002). — A discussion of the classes of material made 

 from potato, maize, and cassava starch, the methods of manufacture, the com- 

 position of the commercial product, and the amount of production in Germany, 

 Great Britain, and the United States. 



A new agricultural industry: Sugar from millet, P. H. Chevalier {Bol. 

 Mill. Agr., Indus, c Com. [Brazil], 2 {1913), No. 4, PP- 171-173).— This discusses 

 the possibility of obtaining sugar, alcohol, feed cakes, and cellulose from millet 

 stalks. A comparison is made with the corn plant. 



METEOROLOGY. 



Agricultural meteorology and wireless telegraphy, L. M. Geanderye {Vie 

 Agr. et Rurale, 3 {1914), A'o. 23, pp. 628-630, figs. 4).— Recent applications of 

 wireless telegraphy in the dissemination of weather forecasts by the meteoro- 

 logical service of France are described and details of the apparatus and methods 

 used are given. 



Analysis of very small quantities of gas as applied to the examination of 

 air, P. A. Guye and F. E. E. Germann {Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. [Paris], 159 

 (1914), ^^0. 2. pp. 154-157, fig. 1). — ^A special form of pressure apparatus for 

 this purpose is described. 



The meteorological aspect of the smoke problem, H. H. Kimball {Mellon 

 Inst. Indus. Research, Smoke Invest. Bui. 5 {1913), pp. 51, figs. 4). — This is a 

 report on a study of this question in Pittsburgh and surrounding districts. 



The results show that in the business section of Pittsburgh the limit of visi- 

 bility is about one-tenth the limit in the open country, and that the chemical 

 intensity of the sunlight is about 25 per cent less. The effect of the smoke 

 upon temperature is to raise the minimum temperature materially, especially 

 during the warm mouths of the year. 



