CHEMISTRY. (Ml 



value;" that Konig's method may perhaps be especiall}' useful in exam- 

 ination of fodders and feces, but that for the comparison of fine-g-round 

 feed the Henneberg method is most reliable. 



In a reply to the above in the same number (pp. 104-166) Konig 

 shows that Beck did not follow closely the directions for his method, 

 and points out that the greatest disadvantage of the Henneberg method 

 is encountered with fine grain feed. 



No. 6 (pp. -loT-lrll) and No. 8 (p. 539) of the same journal contain 

 controversial articles by Beck and Lebljin on the merits of the latter's 

 method, in the course of which some additional precautions to ])e 

 observed are pointed out, and Leb])in corrects an error in the original 

 description of his method, 10 volume per cent of hydrogen peroxid 

 being intended instead of 20 per cent. 



Purification of phloroglucinol, G. S. Fraps {JVorth Carolina Sta. 

 Bid. 172, 2>- ^^^}- — I'ti^^ author prepared phloroglucinol l)y the follow- 

 ing method, which gave results in the determination of furfurol closely 

 corresponding with those obtained by the use of Merck's phloroglu- 

 cinol free from diresorcinol: 



"About 300 cc. hydrochloric acid 1.06 .sp. gr. , in heated in a beaker, 11 gni. com- 

 mercial phloroglucinol added, with stirring, and the heating continued until it has 

 almost all dissolved. Some impurities resist solution, and they may be disregarded. 

 Pour the hot solution into sufficient of the same hydrochloric acid to make the vol- 

 ume 1,500 cc. Let stand at least one night (better several days), to allow the diresor- 

 cinol to crystallize out, and filter immediately before using. The solution may turn 

 yellow, ))ut this does not interfere with its usefulness. One hundred cubic centime- 

 ters of hydrochloric acid 1.06 sp. gr., dissolves 0.7 gm. of pure phloroglucinol." 



Progress in agricultural chemistry, A. Hebebrand [CJiem. Zfg., 24 {1900), Xos. 

 91,2>p. 995-998; 93, jip- 1016-lOlS). — A brief review of recent investigations relating 

 to soils, fertilizers, and plant and animal production. 



The reduction of nitrates by lactic acid, L. Vanino and 0. Hauser {Ztschr. 

 Anuh/t. Chem., 39 {1900), No. 8, pp. 506, 507). — The authors in their experiments 

 found that the nitrates of the heavy metals were usually reduced by lactic acid, while 

 with the chlorids and sulphates there was little or no reaction. The temperature of 

 reduction was quite different for the different nitrates. — c. b. Williams. 



An improved method for determining the total and permanent hardness 

 of water, C. Achille {Staz. Spcr. Jgr. Ital., 33 {1900), No. 4, pp. 365-372). 



A ne-w method for the determination of aluminum, E. T. Allen and V. H. 

 GoTTscnAi.K {Amcr. Clicm. Jour., 24 {1900), Xo. 4, pp. 292-304). 



The influence of temperature on the specific rotation of saccharose, F. G. 

 WiECH.MAXN {Zt!<rl,r. ]'c): Deut. Zuckerhid., 1900, Xo. 537, II, pp. 902-936, fig. l) . 



The gravimetric determination of solids in milk and the diflferences result- 

 ing, from the use of different methods, H. LtJnRic; {Milch Ztg., 29 {1900), Xo. 24, 

 p/). 371-373) . Comparative determinations by different methods are reported and 

 the results are discussed. 



Determining butter fat in oleomargarine {Analyst, 25 {1900), Dec, pp. 309- 

 313). — The Public Analysts, England, adopted the Reichert-Wollny method for de- 

 termining mixtures of butter fat and oleomargarine in carrying out the inargarin 

 clause of the food and drugs act. A table was adopted for estimating the percentage 

 of butter fat in the mixture. 



15440— No. 7 2 



