METEOROLOGY WATER. 215 



Standards for mixed molasses feeds (Deut. Zuckerindtis., 35 (1910), No. 

 29, pp. 577-580; ahs. in Chem. Ztg., 3Jf (1910), No. 92, Repert., p. 380).— Com- 

 ments on the above article are given. 



A moisture tester for grain and other substances and how to use it, 

 J. W. T. DuvEL (U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Plant. Indus. Circ. 72, pp. 15, figs. 13). — 

 This ruethod and apparatus, previously reported (E. S. R., 18, p. 3122), has been 

 slightly modified, and specific directions have been prepared for estimating the 

 moisture in the more important cereal grains. 



An asculin and fat-splitting' enzym in .ffisculus hippocastanum (common 

 horse-chestnut), W. Sigmund (Monatsh. Chem., 31 (1910), No. 7, pp. 657- 

 670). — In the bark and seed coats of the horse-chestnut the author detected an 

 enzym which splits asculin into asciiletin and glucose, and for which he pro- 

 poses the name " asculase." In the cotyledons of the seeds a fat-splitting enzym 

 was also noted. 



The drying of cider apples, G. Warcolliee (Bui, Assoc. Franc. PomoL, 

 27 (1909), No. 2, pp. 81-13It). — An inquiry into the different methods of drying 

 cider apples on a small and large scnle and in different localities. The cost of 

 production, prices received for the product, analyses of the dried cider apples 

 and the cider produced from them, and a comparison of cider made from the 

 fresh and dried apples ai'e discussed. Regulations regarding the use of the 

 pear for cider making are also given. 



[Manufacture of apple and pear brandy], G. Warcolliee (Bid. Assoc. 

 Franc Pomol., 27 (1909), No. 2, pp. 135-156). — A study with particular refer- 

 ence to the aldehyde content of apple and pear brandy and the methods for its 

 removal. 



Methods of extracting olive oil, F. Beacci (Bui. Dir. Agr. Com. et Colon. 

 [Tunis], 12 (1908), No. ^8, pp. 387-390; o6s. in Chem. Zentbl., 1909, I, No. 10, 

 pp. 878, 879; Chem. Ads., J, (1910), No. 1), jh 1912).— In one of these methods 

 the olives are ground into a pulp and heated to from 30 to 40° C. with an equal 

 volume. of soda solution. An electric current is then passed through the mix- 

 ture while the air injector keeps the mass in constant motion. After separation 

 the oil is heated with a 1.5 per cent alum solution. This method gives a high 

 yield of virgin oil, but it is off flavor and turns rancid very easily. 



The use of alum and soda, according to the author, is superfluous, and better 

 results may be obtained by the use of water. Saponification also causes a 

 certain amount of loss in the yield. 



Manufacture of milk sugar, F. A. ]SfiLSSON and S. A. Hellquist (Swedish 

 Patent 28,264, Feh. 19, 1908; ahs. in Chem. Ztg., 34 (1910), No. 65, Repert., p. 

 254). — Skim milk is deprived of its chief protein content by coagulation and 

 concentrated to a specific gravity of 1.11. Filtration and further precipitation 

 are then resorted to, these removing the remaining proteids and other bodies, 

 and the resulting fluid is concentrated for the crystallization process. The 

 crystals are freed from the fluid by centrifuging. 



[Potassium cyanid from molasses waste], J. I. Beittain (Wecklp Cons. 

 and Trade Rpts. [U. &.], 1 (1910), No. 15, pp. 700. 701).— A general descrip- 

 tion of the manufacture of potassium cyanid from molasses waste in Germany 

 and Austro-Hungary. 



METEOEOLOGY— WATER. 



Dry farming in relation to rainfall and evaporation, L. J. Briggs and 

 J. O. Belz (U. 8. Dept. Agr., Bur. Plant Indus. Bui. 188, pp. 71, pi. 1, figs. 23).— 

 This bulletin was prepared to aid prospective settlers in regions of limited rain- 

 fall, and contains a discussion of the relation of the quantity and distribution 



