502 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol. 41 



American tomato seed oil, G. S. Jamieson and H. S. Bailey (Jour. Indus, 

 and Engin. Chem., 11 {WW), No. 9, pp. 850-852) .—This investigation, reported 

 from the Bureau of Chemistry, U. S. Deptirtment of Agriculture, includes an 

 extensive study to determine whether arachidic acid is present in tomato seed 

 oil and determinations of the analytical constants of the oil. 



Although the Renard test indicated the presence of a considerable amount of 

 arachidic acid in tomato seed oil, attempts to isolate the acid by various methods 

 resulted in a very small yield, the largest amount being obtained by fractional 

 distillation under diminished pressure of the methyl esters of the solid fatty 

 acids obtained from the oil by the lead salt-ether method. The yield of acid 

 melting at 77° C. indicated that the oil contained about 0.4 per cent of arachidic 

 acid. The conclusion is drawn that the Renard test when applied to unfamiliar 

 oils can not be relied upon to indicate the quantity of arachidic acid present. 



A table is given of the physical and chemical constants of nine authentic 

 samples of American tomato seed oil. 



Contribution to the study of the ash-constituents of plants, L, and D. 

 Leboux (Ann. CJiim. Analyt., 2. ser., 1 {1919), No. 7, pp. 207-209). — A table is 

 given of the ash-constituents of certain roots and tubercles, including those of 

 the potato, comfrey, dahlia, burdock, field thistle, gentian, carrot, turnip, water 

 lily, nettle, and fern. 



The composition of the ash of crab grass (Digitaria sanguinalis) as af- 

 fected by the soil in which it is growii, G. D. Buckner {Jour. Anicr. Chem. 

 Sac, 41 (i9i9). No. 9, pp. 1384, i3S.5).— Analyses made at the Kentucky Experi- 

 ment Station of samples of crab grass {Digitaria sanguinalis) grown in garden 

 soil and in a limestone roadway are reported. 



The sample grown in the limestone roadway contained approximately 16 per 

 cent less ash, 18.8 per cent less K2O, 22.7 per cent more P2O5, 44 per cent more 

 CaO, and 27.6 per cent more MgO than the samples grown in garden soil. The 

 percentage of silica was approximately the same in the two samples. 



" The outstanding feature in connection with the growth of these two samples 

 of crab grass is that the absorption and retention of these different amounts of 

 calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium cause no observable difference 

 in their external appearance." 



Physical and chemical properties of liquid hydrocyanic acid, G. P. Geay 

 and E. R. Hulbrit {California Sta. Bui. 308 (i9i9), pp. 408-428) .—The use of 

 hydrocyanic acid gas in citrus fumigation led to tlie study of the physical and 

 chemical properties of the liquid here reported. 



" Two test runs of the liquefying plant were made in order to establish a basis 

 of settlement between plant and fumigator. The liquid hydrocyanic acid 

 recovered in the first test run was 80.1 per cent of the greatest possible yield ; 

 in the second, 76.3 per cent ; an average of 78.2 per cent. The average purity 

 of the liquid obtained in the first run was 97..57 per cent ; in the second, 94.27 

 per cent. The average purity of the liquid delivered during the past fumigating 

 season v/as above 95 per cent absolute hydrocyanic acid. Material of 95 per 

 cent or greater purity is considered of a satisfactory grade. As the plant was 

 operated last season, the following is believed to be a fair return per case of 

 200 lbs. of sodium cyanid : (1) A minimum of 85 lbs. of absolute hydrocyanic 

 acid; or (2) a minimum of 90 lbs. of liquid testing not less than 95 per cent 

 purity." An appended table prepai*ed by the authors shows the weights and 

 corresponding volumes of various grades of commercial liquid and the quantities 

 thereof corresponding to various percentages of the maximum yield. 



It was found that tlie acid is miscible with water in all proportions and will 

 not stratify upon standing. Hydrocyanic acid evaporates more rapidly than 

 water from dilute mixtures of the two. Complete data have been obtained on 



