RECEXT WORK IX A(;RICrLTrRAL SCIl-XCH. 



CHEMISTRY. 



The standardization of analytical methods, II. D. RiCHjroND (Jour. Sor. Chem. 

 Inch, 22 {lUi ).',), y<>. 11, pp. r,70, 077). — A general diseuHsion refnminen(]ingc'onibine<l 

 work and diHenf^i^ion as " tlie be.st method of finding out errors of and laws underlying 

 a method." 



The standardization of commercial methods of analysis, especially those 

 applied to bre^wing materials, A. K. Lixd {Jour. Sue Clum. ImJ., 22 {1904), .Vo. 

 11, 2^P- f>77-684)-- — The author maintains "the necessity of investigating certain 

 empirical methods of analysis with a view of ascertaining what they actually measure 

 when carried out under certain defined conditions. This constitutes the standard- 

 ization of the method in question, and in my opinion oiight l)e attempted only after 

 the conjoint deliberations of those in tb" habit of carrying out the determinations 

 and of applying the results. It is the first step toward the elal)oration of standard 

 methods. ... It by no means follows that the ultimate re.sult of such work will be 

 to reduce all methods to fine ]«ittern." 



On the unreliability of the citrate method for determining- phosphoric 

 acid in Thomas slag, N. vox Lorexz ( < 'hem. Zt;/., 27 {1903) , No. 41, jip. 495, 496). — 

 BiJttcher's later method, involving a preliminary test for silica (P.. R. R., 14, p. 1042), 

 is considered too comi)licated for practical use. Choice seems to lie between the 

 methods of Woy {E. S. R., 14, p. 1042) and the author (E. 8. R., 1."., ]>. 14). The 

 latter is considered more rapid. 



Note on the citrate solution used in phosphoric acid determination, .A. 

 Verwei.i {Ztschr. AiKih/l. f'liem., 42 {1904), j>)>. 107, ]>:s). — ( )ld citrate solution i.-; stated 

 to give too high results, due to silica di.'^solveil from the glass vessels in which it is 

 kept. 



The determination of phosphoric acid in organic substances by Neumann's 

 method, K. I'ohkk (.1//;/. Si-i. Atjroii., 1902-3, 1, Xo. 3, pp. 441-447). — Neumann's 

 later method of digestion in a mixture of sulphuric and nitric acids is jireferred as 

 more rapid and convenient than the older method u.«ing suli)luiric acid and 

 ammonimu nitrate. 



Nitrogen and its most important compounds, L. Spiegel {Der StickMoff und 

 seine ii-iclitKjsfeii Verli'uuhuKjnt. Brinisirick: Friedrirli yieire(i & Son, 1903, j>]>. XII-\- 

 912, fnia. 6). — A very full summary of information on this subject with numerous 

 references to literature. Agricultural chemists will fiml the chapters on alkaloids, 

 protein comiioumls, and analytical iiu'tiiods of special interest. 



On the determination of nitric acid by the XJlsch method, F. Stolha ( ('oxopis 

 pro Prumysl Chem., 13 {1903), jh 171; ahu. In ('hem. Ztg., 27 {1903), No. 53, liepert., 

 p. 158). — The author calls attention to the fact that the results by this method are 

 sometimes too high on account of the presence of nitrites in the soda or ])otash solu- 

 tion used. He advises the testing of the alkali solution before use by distilling with 

 ahuninum. 



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