AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY. 511 



qnautity rather than l)eiiii; iirt)i)ortioiial to the jterceiitage of moisture in the 

 butter. The time required to drive all moisture from a sample of butter or 

 curd varies from 4 to 7 minutes. 



Eegarding the methods of investigations of butter and other fats, Grim- 

 mer (Milch Ztg., 31 {1908), Nos. 11, pp. 121-132; 12, pp. 133-lU; 13, pp. I.'i5- 

 156; 16, pp. lSl-192). — The methods of determining the various physical and 

 chemical constants of butter conuuonly used are considered and summarized. 



Comparison of different methods of estimating the fat content of cream, 

 .^r. Kersten (Molk. Ztfi.. 22 (1908), \(>. 38. pp. 1083-1085). — The methods com- 

 l)ared are those of Adams, Gerber, Weudler. and Siegfeld, together with that 

 by the use of the revolving balance described below. 



A revolving balance, AVendlkr {Molk. Ztg., 21 {1907), No. .'i5, p. 1278, 

 fig. 1). — A description of a balance by which G flasks may be weighed at once, 

 thereby effecting a saving of time in the volumetric estimation of butter fat. 



Determining the energy value of urine, A. Zaitschek (Arch. Physiol, 

 irfliigcr]. 121 (1908), Xo. 8-10. pp. 550-557).— As shown by the tests which 

 the author reports, the energy value of urine can be accurately determined 

 with a small bomb calorimeter of 70 cc. capacity. 



Beport of food commissioner and chemist, E. F. Ladd (North Dakota SI a. 

 Rpt. 1907, pt. 2, pp. 9-lG-'f, figs. 9). — The author reports the results of the ex- 

 amination of a large number of samples of preserves, jams, jellies, canned 

 goods, cereal and breakfast foods, dried fruits, spices and extracts, meats, 

 molasses and sirup, candy, alcoholic beverages, etc, under the provisions of 

 the State law. Special attention is paid to the quantity of goods in cans, etc., 

 as the State law now provides that every package, bottle or container shall 

 di.splay definite information regarding quantity. According to the author very 

 few of the products sold in the State are now seriously adulterated, " but 

 a great many are still misbranded, or, are not branded to show properly the 

 true net weight or measure of the same." 



A study of the character of burning oils carried on under the provisions of 

 the State law led to conclusions summarized as follows: 



" The flash point and fire test are means of safeguarding against the presence 

 of gasoline and other light explosive products, but afford no complete protection 

 against the sale of oils which are inferior as illuminants. 



" The specific gravity, 46° B., now excludes an oil possessed of good illumi- 

 nating power, while oils with a gravity of 47.3° B. are entirely worthless. 

 Therefore, the gravity does not seem to indicate the true burning quality of an 

 oil for illuminating purposes. 



" To exclude the gravity test would work no hardship, but permit of the 

 introduction of other oils, i)roviding the ])hotometric and distilling test be made 

 an essential part of the enforcible features of the oil law. 



" Changes in the specific gravity from 4G° B. to 42° B., without any other 

 safeguards, might result in the introduction of many inferior, even worthless, 

 oils. 



" The photometric test should be made an essential part of the law. . . . 



" The distilling test should be emphasized, and at 310° F., not moi'e than 6 

 per cent of the oil should distill over; and at 570° F., the residuum should not 

 be more than 4 per cent. 



" Not more than a trace of suljihur or other tar-like products should be per- 

 mitted in oil intended for illuminating pui'poses. 



" The Foster cup can not be recommended for the flashing test, but the 

 Elliott closed cup should be made the standard. 



" The oils tested, with the exception of [two samples] . . . , were all received 

 from the State oil inspector, and represent the oils shipped into the State; 



