RECENT WORK 1\ AGRICULTURAL SCIENI I 



AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY. 



The examination of materials important in agriculture and the industries, 

 J. Konig (DU Untermchung landwirischaftlich und gewerblich wicbtiger Stoffe. Berlin: 

 Paul Parey, 1906, 8. ed., rev., pp. 1100, pi. 1, Jigs. 852). This is the third revised 



edition of this practical handl k of methods of examination of Boils, manures and 



fertilizers, ashes, feeding stuffs, seeds, milk and dairy products, fats and oils, honey; 

 materials ami products of sugar, starch, spirit.-, her, and wine making; water, dust 

 and smoke injurious to vegetation, wool, beeswax, Lubricants, etc. 



New official Italian methods of analysis of fertilizers, L. Shard [Ann. 

 tiksoU Nat. Agr. MbntpeUier, n. ser., ■', (1906), No. ',, pp. 800-828). The methods 

 adopted by the directors of the agricultural experiment stations and laboratories of 

 Italy in convention held in Rome in July, 1904, an- described ami critically discussed 

 and compared with other methods for the same purposes. These include general 

 methods of determining moisture, nitrogen, total phosphoric acid, potash, and iron 

 and aluminum oxids, and methods of analysis of special fertilizers, such as super- 

 phosphates, aluminum phosphate. Thomas >la<_ r ammonium sulphate, -odium nitrate, 

 and farm manure. 



A further note on the determination of phosphoric acid by the citrate 

 method, V. Schenke I Landw. Vers. Stat., 64 1906), No. /, pp. 87-91; abs. in Chun. 

 Cull,!.. 1906, J. No. 19, p. 1578). — This is a reply to criticisms of the author's method 



by F. Mach (E. S. R., 17, p. 7 Ml i, in which further analytical data in substantiation 

 of the accuracy of the method an- reported. 



A method of detection and determination of small quantities of iron. A. 

 Mouneybat (Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. [Paris], 142(1906), X<>. /!>./>/>■ 1049-1051).— 

 A. colorimetric method based upon the green coloration produced when hydrogen 

 Bulphid is passed through an alkaline solution of iron is described. It IS claimed 

 that the method is applicable to solutions containing from I part of iron to L f Q00 

 parts of solution to 1 part to loo, out), ami is more sensitive than the sulphocyanid 

 method, being especially applicable in biological investigations. 



Tables for use in nitrogen and protein determinations, V. 1 .. 1 1 i:i\ i i: ll 

 ming si,,. Rpt. 1905, pp. 61-71 ). 



The determination of nitrogen in milk, M. Popp I Milchw. Z< ntl> ; 

 No. 6, />/>. .'Hi -.'tis). — This report of experiments concludes with the following out- 

 line for determining nitrogen in milk: Into a short-necked digestion flask are put 



10 gm. of milk (measured with a pipette), 25 CC. of pure concentrated sulphuric acid, 

 1 to 2 gm. of mercury, and some sharp-cornered pieces of glass. After heating 

 gently for 10 minutes, lo gm. of potassium sulphate i> added and the mixture boiled 

 for ."»<> minutes. After < ling and transferring to the distillation flask, 5 gm. of Bine 



dust is added ami also the accessary .-odium hydmxid when the distillation and 

 determination are made in the usual way. 



The laboratory book of dairy analysis, II. D. Richmond (London: C. Griffin 

 d- Co., Ltd., 1905, pp. VIII-\-90). — This handbook on the composition and analysis 



of milk is intended for both the dairy manager and the trained, chemist. 



1133 



