14 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. [Vol. 35 



A rapid pycnometric method for " gravity solids " in cane-sugar fac- 

 tories, H. S. Walker {Jour. Indus, and Engin. Chem., 8 (1916), No. 3, pp. 262- 

 264 ) . — ^A procedure using a modified pycnometer with specially constructed cor- 

 rection tables is described in detail. In the proposed method the average error 

 is greatly reduced. 



Theories on the formation of molasses from the standpoint of phases, 

 T. VAN DEN Linden (Meded. Proefstat. Java-Suikerindus., 5 {1915), Nos. 14, pp. 

 419-436, figs. 5; 16, pp. 447-476, figs. 10; Arch. Suikerindus. Nederland. Indie, 

 23 {1915), Nos. 27, pp. 1033-1050, figs. 5; 87, pp. 1389-1418, figs. 10).— The 

 author reports the results of his investigation of the 3-phase system, saccharose 

 and nonsaccharose material and water, and indicates its probable application in 

 practical sugar manufacture. 



A proposed method for the profitable utilization of waste sulphite liquor, 

 H. V. Tartae {Jour. Indus, and Engin. Chem., 8 {1916), No. 3, pp. 226-228).— 

 As the result of an investigation to determine the possibility of utilizing waste 

 sulphite liquors, conducted in an experimental distillery at the Oregon Exper- 

 ment Station, a simple and easily controlled process for the economic produc- 

 tion of alcohol from the liquor was developed. In the process the sulphite liquor 

 is so detoxicated as to make it, when properly diluted, practically harmless 

 to fish. 



Fruit preserving: Canning, bottling, jam-making, and candying peel, 

 W. J. Allen {Dept. Agr. N. S. Wales, Farmers' Bui. 88, 2. cd. {1915), pp. JfS, 

 figs. 21). — This is the second edition of the publication previously noted (E. S. 

 R., 32, p. 509). Some new material on the canning of vegetables has been 

 added. 



METEOROLOGY. 



Climatic variations and economic cycles, E. Huntington {Geogr. Rev., 1 

 {1916), No. 3, pp. 192-202, figs. 4). — This is a critical review of recent contri- 

 butions to this subject, particularly those of Moore and Pettersson. It is 

 pointed out that, from a study of the rainfall in the Ohio Valley and Illinois 

 and its relation to the growth of corn, oats, hay, and potatoes, Moore concludes * 

 that " ' the weather conditions represented by the rainfall in the central part 

 of the United States, and probably in other continental areas, pass through 

 cycles of approximately 33 years and 8 years in duration, causing like cycles 

 in the yield per acre of the crops. . . . The rhythm in the activity of economic 

 life, the alternation of buoyant, purposeful expansion with aimless depression, 

 is caused by the rhythm of the yield per acre of the crops ; while the rhythm 

 in the production of the crops is, in turn, caused by the cyclical changes in the 

 amount of rainfall. The law of the cycles of rainfall is the law of the cycles 

 of crops and the law of economic cycles.' " Essentially the same conclusions 

 have been reached by Pettersson, Clayton, Bruckner, and others. 



"Various hypotheses as to cyclic changes in climate are briefly discussed in 

 their relation to their economic effects on man, plants, and animals. 



The money value of rainfall in selected crop areas of the United States, 

 E. J. Cuagok {Jour. Geogr., 14 {1915), No. 1, pp. 1-6; ahs. in Interna t. Inst. Agr. 

 [Rome], Mo. Bui. Agr. Intel, and Plant Diseases, 6 {1915), No. 12, pp. 1574, 

 1575). — Tliis article gives in brief the results of an attempt to work out the 

 correlation of rainfall to wheat and corn production in definite mathematical 

 form. For example, it is calculated from the available data that the average 

 wheat yield (bushels per acre) is about twice the number of inches of average 



" Economi(; Cycli's : Tlicir I-iiw and Cause, II. li. Moore. New York : The Macmillan Co., 

 lJtl4, p. 149. 



