118 EXPERIMENT STATION RECOED. 



used a process in France which is nearly identical for 12 years with good 

 success. 



Bleaching- and decolorization of olive oil (Ann. Falsif., 4 {1911), No. S3, 

 p. 3.55; ahs. in Jour. 8oc. Chem. Indus., 30 (1911), No. 11, p. 1071).— OUye oil is 

 now being bleached with citric acid or tannin to meet a popular demand for a 

 pale Italian olive oil. Tannin is given the preference, as it may be used either 

 before or after filtration, or it may be added to the washing water. A favorite 

 method seems to be to let the oil fall in a fine spray from a height of 6 meteos 

 into a tank filled two-thirds full with water, and where the mixture can be 

 exposed to air and sunlight. 



The alcohol industry of the Philippine Islands — Permented beverages 

 which are not distilled, H. D. Gibbs and F. Agcaoili (Philippine Jour. Sci., 

 Sect. A., 7 (1912), No. 2, pp. 97-117, pis. S).— This article deals with beer, basi 

 made from sugar cane, and a liquor made from fermented rice. Three special 

 reports from various districts in the Philippines on such drinks are included. 



An investigation on the manufacture of tea, S. Sawamuea (Sci. Amer. 

 Sup., 7if (1912), No. 1928, pp. S7J,, S75).— This deals with the effect of steaming 

 on the activity of the enzyms of tea leaves, the effect of rolling on the solubility 

 of tea, and the effect of firing on the chemical composition. 



The extraction of nicotin from tobacco, D. R. Edwaedes-Kee (Jour. South- 

 east. Agr. Col. Wye, 1911. No. 20, pp. 327-351). — In spite of the great value of 

 this substance as an insecticide, its extensive use by farmers and horticulturists 

 is largely prevented by the high price of the pure alkaloid. The necessary 

 technical details for the preparation of this alkaloid are trade secrets in the 

 hands of a few manufacturers who are by this means able to control the price. 



Before nicotin can be employed as a spray, it must be diluted with water to 

 give a solution which contains not less than 0.075 per cent of nicotin. It was 

 felt that the cost of a nicotin solution could be materially reduced if an aqueous 

 extract of the leaf were prepared on the spot where the spraying was to be 

 done. 



In this investigation tests were conducted in regard to extracting tobacco on 

 a small and large scale. " There is no need for the use of specially prepared 

 acid or alkaline solutions in the removal of nicotin from tobacco leaves, ordinary 

 w-ater (hard or soft) at the ordinary temperature effecting an extraction of 96 

 per cent of the total alkaloid present. 



" The water should be employed in the proportion of 1 gal. i>er pound air- 

 dried leaves, and the latter should be treated with three successive quantities 

 of water, in the same proportion. From every 1 lb. air-dried leaves there will 

 thus be obtained 3 gal. nicotin solution which will generally require dilution 

 to a certain extent before use as a spray. In the case of leaves containing 4 

 per cent nicotin the necessary dilution of the resultant liquid will be attained by 

 the addition of 2 parts water to 3 parts solution. 



"Although the cold water may be employed for extraction, a better result 

 is obtained by the use of hot water. The temperature of the hot water should 

 not be above 60° C. (140° P.), as otherwise a loss of nicotin may result through 

 volatilization in the steam. 



" One day for each extraction, making 3 days in all for each lot of leaves, 

 is the length of time recommended, although this time can be reduced without 

 entailing considerable loss of nicotin. The results . . . show [that] the most 

 rapid extraction takes place during the first half hour of treatment, 97 per 

 cent of the total nicotin present being removed by water at 60° after 3 successive 

 treatments for this length of time. 



"A 21 per cent solution of soft soap extracts 1 per cent more nicotin at 60° 

 than does soft water at that temperature. Hence if soap is to be ultimately used 



