AGMCTJLTURAL CHEMISTBY — ^A.GE0TECH2rr. Ill 



after extracting the oil, contained 7.5 per cent of nitrogen, and Its value as a 

 feeding stuff Is pointed oat 



Antiseptic tests of wood preservingr oils, A. L. Dean and C. R. Downs 

 (Orig. Commun. 8. Inteiyiat. Cong. Appl. Chem. [Washington and New York], 13 

 (1912), Sect. Via, pp. 103-110; Jour. Indii^. and Engin. Chem., 5 (1913), No. 2, 

 pp. 126-129). — These are the results of a labcTratory study of the antiseptic 

 powers of oils prepared from coal tar and water gas tar. The purpose of the 

 work was to assist in arriving at a proper estimate of the place which water 

 gas tar oil should occupy among timber preservatives. The organism used 

 was PoJystictus versicolor, obtained from decaying wood. 



Oils distilled from water gas were found to have a distinct place among other 

 preservatives (E. S. R., 27, p. 314). 



The phenomenon of the apparent disappearance of the higher boiling 

 phenols in creosoted wood and its explanation, S. Cabot (Jour. Indus, and 

 Engin. Chem., k {1912), No. 4, PP- 266, 267).— The higher coal-tar phenols do 

 not volatilize from creosoted wood but are present as insoluble and soluble 

 complex oxidation products, which presun>ably have good antiseptic qualities. 

 The oxidized phenols possess the three properties which are of prime impor- 

 tance in the preservation of wood, namely, nonvolatility, insolubility, and 

 antiseptic power. 



[The poison in water hemlock], C. A. Jacoeson (Nevada Sta. Rpt. 1911, p. 

 40). — The ixiison in water hemlock, locally called poison parsnip, is found to 

 be entirely different in character and properties from the cicutin obtained 

 from the European variety, since the Nevada form is neither an alkaloid nor 

 volatile with steam. " It is a reddish-brown, waxy-looking substance, soluble 

 In ether, alcohol, or other organic solvents. It is insoluble, but forms an 

 emulsion with water. Its odor is characteristic and penetrating. It is a very 

 inert substance chemically, but is precipitated with lead acetate. It is neutral 

 to indicators, and possesses alcoholic properties. Racemic acid is obtained by 

 oxidizing it with dilute nitric acid. Its phyisiological properties have been 

 tested by feeding it to cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs, but these results will be 

 published in connection with its complete discussion. Differing from cicutin, 

 this substance is not present to any great extent in the seeds or stem of the 

 plant, but mostly in the roots. It represents only from 0.6 to 0.7 per cent of 

 the green weight of the root." 



The investigation is being continued- 

 Investigations in regard to the reducing and nonreducing sugars in 

 mangels during growth and storage, W. SxiffHANi (Kiihn Arch., 1 (1911), 

 pt. 1, pp. 107-182). — Saccharose formation was found to take place in the leaves 

 of mangels in the same manner as in sugar beets, and the sugar so produced 

 passes into the roots without first undergoing inversion and is stored as a 

 final reserve material. 



During the first year's growth the amount of reducing sugars present Is 

 small (0.05 to 0.1 per cent), but in mangels rich in invert sugar it may be as 

 high as 0.5 per cent. In beet roots it seems that saccharose is produced to only 

 a very slight extent from the reducing sugars (monosaccharids). The varieties 

 low in sugar have a larger amount of reducing sugars both during growth and 

 storage than mangels high in sugar. 



The polarimetric test can not be used as a basis for judging the nutritive 

 value of stored mangels in the spring and after warm weather has set in. 

 This is particularly the case with heavy croppers which have a low sugar 

 content. 



Under normal conditions feed beets having a medium and high sugar content, 

 and stored up to the time when warm weather sets in, usually do not contain 



