634 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [VoL 35 



The relation between amylase and sugar content in resting potato tubers, 

 J. BodnAr {Kisirlet. Kozlem., 18 {1915), No. 4, pp. 788-795, No i).— This work 

 is said to have shown the presence of maltase in resting potato tubers. The 

 activity of amylase in resting tubers shows a correspondence with the presence 

 of nonreducing and total sugars, certain exceptions being noted. It is stated 

 that tubers which possess amylase of high activity either produce much sugar 

 or exhibit intensive respiration. 



Zymase and carboxylase in potato and sugar beet, J. Bodnab {Bat. Kozlem. 

 [Budapest], U {1915), No. 3-4, pp. 122-124; abs. in Bot. CentU., 129 {1915), 

 No. 23, pp. 597, 598). — From potato rubers and beet roots the author was able 

 to obtain zymase in stable and active condition. In its presence the bacteria 

 in diseased plants changed alcohol to acetic acid. 



Oxidation of alcohol by seedlings, W. Zaleski {Biochem. Ztschr., 69 {1915), 

 No. 3-4, pp. 289-293; abs. in Jour. Cliem. Soc. [London], 108 {1915), No. 633, 

 I, p. 630).— In pursuance of former work (E. S. R., 28. p. 428), the author re- 

 ports the results of his recent studies on cereal and legume seedlings. This 

 is claimed to support the view that alcohol is oxidized in the growth of these 

 seedlings under the conditions here employed. It is not claimed, however, to 

 have been shown that alcohol is a normal intermediate product of plant 

 metabolism. 



Protein transformations in yeast. — II, Influence of the medium on protein 

 formation, W. Zaleski and W. Schataloff {Biochem.. Ztschr., 69 {1915), No. 

 S-4, pp. 294-304). — Information given previously (E. S. R., 31, p. 223), regard- 

 ing the influence of aldehyde on post-mortem changes in yeast has been fol- 

 lowed up with a detailed account of studies on the effects in this connection 

 of alcohols and phenols, of the relation of the medium, and of the influence 

 exerted by other substances. Some of the work is still in progress and caution 

 is suggested regarding broad generalizations in this connection. 



The influence of nitrates on the development of root tubercles, A. J. Ewart 

 {Jour. Dept. Agr. Victoria, 13 {1915), No. 12, pp. 759, 760).— In order to test 

 the statement, frequently made, tfcat the addition of soluble nitrates to the 

 soil decreases by a kind of compensatory action the formation of root tubercles 

 by legumes, experiments were carried out with Vicia faba in double and in 

 single rows, employing sodium and potassium nitrates. Allowing for vitiation 

 of the results by heavy rainfall in case of the double rows, it is concluded 

 that although the nitrates used did not appreciably diminish the formation of 

 root tubercles, their use as manures in the case in question would have been 

 highly unprofitable, the plants being able to gain all the nitrogen they re- 

 quired from supplies already present in the soil. 



The influence of manganese on the growth and ash composition of potato, 

 §. SiJFERT {V^stnik 5, Sjes. Ces. L^k. Pfir., 1915, p. 411; abs. in Bot. Centbl., 

 129 {1915), No. 15, pp. S76, 377). — It is stated that the use of manganese results 

 in an increase of the potato crop and in the nitrogen content thereof, but in 

 a decrease of starch. Though sulphates were present in the fertilizer, very 

 little sulphur trioxid was to be found in the ash. 



The occurrence of hematoid iron compounds in plants, I, II, G. Gola 

 {Atti R. Accad. lAncei, Rend. CI. Sci. Fis., Mat. e Nat., 5. ser., 24 {1915), I, 

 No. 12, pp. 1239-1243; II, No. 6, pp. 289-29-J ) .—Organic compounds of iron 

 were found so generally distributed in very diverse groups of plants as to 

 suggest their universal occurrence in this connection. The necessity for more 

 intimate study of the part played by iron in the physiology of respiration is 

 suggested. 



