1920] METEOROLOGY. 207 



different products. In sugar factories in which the molasses is distilled and 

 the vinasses burned, the average nitrogen distribution in percentage of total 

 nitrogen of the beets is as follows: Carbonation cake 15 per cent, press cake 

 20, waste water IS, set free as ammonia 17, and set free during the incinera- 

 tion of the vinasse 30. 



An investigation of the effect of sulphurous acids and sulphites on the 

 nitrogenous material of the diffusion juice indicated that they precipitate 

 nitrogenous matter to the same extent as does copper hydroxid, and precipitate 

 the same polarizing material as does lead subacetate. 



METEOEOLOGY. 



Influence of meteorological phenomena on plant growth {Rev. Sci. 

 [Paris], 58 (1920), A'o. 4, pp. 115. i/6).— Reviewing briefly the work of Azzi of 

 the University of Rome (E. S. R., 42, p. 511) on the relation between critical 

 periods in plant growth and the meteorological conditions such as rainfall, 

 humidity, frosts, heat, and di'ought, it is noted specially that a lack of mois- 

 ture at critical periods permanently impairs the growth and reduces the yield 

 of wheat ; a deficiency of heat similarly reduces the fruit crop. From ob- 

 servations on the subject it has been possible to determine the mean critical 

 periods for different plants In different regions and to record the results on 

 so-called pheuoscopic charts. These charts show the critical periods and de- 

 cisive meteorological factor for each cultivated plant which, in case of cereals 

 for example, is the amount of moisture available at the time of germination, 

 heading, flowering, or ripening. Three means of remedying decreased yield 

 of wheat due to drought at critical periods are suggested: (1) Changing the 

 time of seeding, (2) irrigation, and (3) selection or breeding of drought- 

 resistant varieties. 



RIeteorological observations at the Massachusetts Agricultural Experi- 

 ment Station, J. E. Ostrander and G. S. Smith {Massachusetts Sta. Met. Bids. 

 S75-S76 {1920), pp. 4 each). — Summaries of observations at Amherst, Mass., 

 on pressure, temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, sunshine, cloudiness, 

 and casual phenomena during March and April, 1920, are presented. The data 

 are briefly discussed in general notes on the weather of each month. 



The fifteenth report on meteorological observations at AVisley, R. H. 

 CuBTis {Jour. Roy. Hort. Soc., 45 {1919), No. 1, pp. 90-97, figs. 2).— Daily ob- 

 servations on temperature, rainfall, wind, and sunshine are summarized for 

 each month of 1918 in notes, tables, and diagrams. 



The outstanding feature of the weather of the year was the unusual wet- 

 nes.s. The total rainfall (29.56 in.) was 23 per cent greater than the average, 

 but its distribution was very uneven. " In July the amount of rain which 

 was measured at the Gardens was double, and in September treble, the usual 

 fall for tho.se months; while in August it totaled but little more than $ in., 

 or only one-third of the average amount. The only other months with a fall 

 of rain of less than an inch were February and March, both of which were 

 unusually dry." 



Location of com belt as dependent on inclination of earth's axis, J. W. 

 Rebway {Bui. Amer. Met. Soc, 1 {1920), No. S, pp. SO, Si).— The fact that corn 

 is a more prolific crop in the zone which includes Kansas and Nebraska than 

 In tropical regions Is explained by the fact that, because of the obliquity of 

 the sun's rays at the fortieth parallel, that area actually receives a much 

 larger number of heat units per day than tropical regions where the sun Is 

 more directly overhead. " Corn is a plant requiring a steady warmth and 

 187890°— 20 2 



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