24 EXPERIMENT STATION RECOED. [VoL 37 



decomposition of the organic material in the soil and the character of the life 

 processes in the soil affects the influence of such substances on soil acidity." 



The rotary kiln for lime burning — descriptive and comparative, J. G. Jones 

 (Nat. Lime Manfrs. Assoc. Bui. 15 (1914). pp. i6).— The rotary type of kiln 

 for lime burning is described. In a comparison with the vertical kiln it is 

 stated that the rotary kiln has the advantage of better and more uniform burn- 

 ing of the lime. 



Soil acidity and the liming of Iowa soils, P. E. Bbown (Iowa Sta. Bui. 151, 

 abridged cd. (1915), pp. 22, fig. 1).— An abridged edition (E. S. R., 32, p. 212). 



Fertilizer analyses, H. B. McDonnell (Md. Agr. Col. Quart., No. 75 (1916), 

 pp. 30). — This report contains the results of actual and guarantied analyses of 

 687 samples of fertilizers and fertilizing materials collected for inspection in 

 Maryland from February to June, 1916, inclusive, together with a brief discus- 

 sion of lime in mixed fertilizers as a drier and filler. 



AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 



The progressive development of the wheat kernel (Washington Sta. Bui. 

 1S6 (1911), pp. 25, 26). — A summarized report is given on studies In which it 

 Is stated that inorganic materials are high In the young plant, the largest 

 amount of potassium nitrate occurring in the root and stem just before the 

 formation of the spike, after which time It gradually decreases. Free mag- 

 nesium falls to a minimum during the formation of the aleurone. while free 

 phosphate rises rapidly to a maximum during the development of the sporogen- 

 ous tissue, falling to a minimum after the development of the sex cells. 

 Asparagin is considered a very important nutritive substance for growth and 

 it was found together with fructose in all young growing regions. Pectic sub- 

 stances on the stigma are considered especially Important in reducing the ab- 

 sorption of water by pollen grains. 



From fertilization of the egg to the mature grain, there is a constant trans- 

 location of nutrient materials to the growing embryo from the leaves and glumes, 

 these including fructose, glucose, asparagin, arginin. hlstidin, and leucin. Any 

 excess sugar Is at once condensed into starch. Excess asparagin and amino 

 acids remain as such in the endosperm cells until desiccation of the grain be- 

 gins. Aside from aleurone and protoplasm, in the endosperm just before ripen- 

 ing of the grain are found nsp.iragin. arginin. hlstidin. and some leucin. but no 

 glutamin. On desiccation of the grain, protein appears in the storage cells and 

 the amino acids and most of the a.sparagin disappear. The formation of storage 

 protein In wheat is believed to be a condensation process that takes place on 

 dessication of the kernel. 



Translocation of seed protein reserves in the grrowing com seedling, C. J. 

 V. Pfh-tibone and Cor.xelia Kennkdt (Jour. Biol. Chcm.. S6 (1916), No. 2, pp. 

 519-525, figs. 2). — The authors describe studies claimed to show that amino 

 acids are present in the flowing sap of corn seedlings. The fact that these 

 compounds are always present in the seed, rootlet, and plumule, coupled with 

 the demonstrated migration of nitrogen, is held to indicate that the trans- 

 portation of reserve building proteins of the .«;eed occurs in a manner analogous 

 to the transportation of protein food supplies In the animal organism. It is 

 proposed to investigate further certain phenomena suggesting that a portion of 

 the nitrogen may be transported In the form of sofluWe protein or protein hydro- 

 lytic products of the peptid type. 



The relation of amid nitrogen to the nitrogen metaboUsm of the pea 

 plant. B. .'>r-KE and W. E. Totttngham (.Jour. Biol. Chrm.. 26 (1916). So. 2. pp. 

 5S5-548, figa. S). — The purpose of thi$ investigation was to determine whether 



