1916J METEOEOLOGY. 505 



sucrose, the Invert sngar, and on the nitrogenous substances In the sugar 

 solution was rIso studied and the results recorded. Analytical data Indicate 

 the accuracy of the modified method by the close agreement with results 

 obtained by the usual copper-solution procedure. 



A new species of alcohol-forming bacterium isolated from the interior of 

 stalks of sugar cane infested with the cane borer Diatrsea saccharalis, W. L. 

 Owen (Jour. Bad., 1 (1916), No. 2, pp. 2S5-2-',6, pi. 1).—The morphological, 

 cultural, and physiological characteristics of a new species of alcohol-forming 

 bacterium isolated from borer-infested sugar cane, which the author has named 

 Bacillus saccharalis, are described in detail. Sucrose, glucose, levulose, man- 

 uite, lactose, galactose, raffinose, maltose, and glycerin are all fermented by 

 the organism. From field experiments on the sugar cane it is concluded that 

 " B. saccharalis does not induce any marked deterioration of the juice of grow- 

 ing cane, and indeed the apparently negative results which indicated a higher 

 purity in the inoculated canes is well within the range of possible results from 

 the action of the species." 



The conservation of potatoes by spontaneous and pure culture inoculation 

 souring, W. Voltz and H. Jantzon (Landw. Jahrb., 48 (1915), No. 4, pp. 493- 

 584)- — Two methods for conserving the surplus potato crop, later to be used as 

 stock food, are described In detail. 



It has been demonstrated that for raw potatoes only water-tight pits (con- 

 crete or mortar lined) are practicable. Under average favorable conditions 

 the total loss of nutrients is never more than from 5 to 10 per cent. In using 

 earth pits for steamed potatoes the loss in nutrients is never more than from 15 

 to 20 per cent. With water-tight pits this is reduced to from 5 to 10 per cent. 



The spontaneous souring process is not recommended for general use on 

 account of the possibility of infection by pathogenic micro-organisms, which 

 would yield a spoiled product unsafe for use as a feed. The pure culture 

 method, using steamed potatoes which are inoculated with Bacillus cucumeris 

 fermentati, B. lactis acidi, B. dclbriicki, or mixed cultures of lactic acid bac- 

 teria, is easy and practical and yields the most reliable results. 



No difficulty was experienced in feeding the product to animals, preliminary 

 data indic-ating it to be of great value for milch cows. 



Analytical data showing the composition of the potatoes before and at various 

 stages in the souring are also submitted. 



Report to the Michigan legislature on the feasibility of using the pulp 

 and chicory dryers in the State to dry the surplus potato crop, A. C. Caeton 

 (Lansing, Mich.: Pub. Domnvn Com., 1915, pp. 4^). — This pamphlet reports the 

 findings of the secretary of the Public Domain Commission in his investiga- 

 tion to ascertain the commercial possibilities of dried potatoes or potato flour 

 in the domestic and foreign market, and as to the utilization of the pulp driers 

 in the large sugar and chicory factories. 



lOlTEOROIOGY. 



The value of high-level meteorological data in forecasting changes of 

 temperature: A contribution to the meteorology of Mount Rose, Nevada, 

 S. P. Feegtjsson (Nevada Sta. Bui. 83 (1915), pp. 30, figs. iO).— This bulletin, 

 which supplements an earlier one of the station (E. S. R., 21, p. 14), reports 

 " the results of a study of meteorological phenomena at different heights, under- 

 taken with the object of determining, if possible, the value of upper-air data 

 in forecasting frost. The material employed chiefly consists of records obtained 

 simultaneously on the summit of Mount Rose and at stations in near-by 



