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Extraction of crystallkahle sugar from molasses. — lu 1818 Dnbrmifaut 

 showed that the sugar contained in molasses was crystallizable and 

 identical with ordinary caue-sugar. He then devised a method for its 

 separation, depending upon the precipitation of the sugar with baryta, 

 and decomposition of the insoluble sucrate of baryta thus formed by 

 means of a current of carbonic acid gas. This method has been prac- 

 tically applied by M. Tillois, at Courriers, and as described by M. Boud- 

 ard the method is as follows : 



The molasses is treated with a concentrated solution of baryta, and 

 the sucrate of baryta thus formed, after being allowed to settle, is sep- 

 arated from the supernatant liquor by decantation of the latter, mixed 

 with a small quantity of water, and ])laced in large wooden vats, 

 provided at the bottom with spiral tubes pierced with small holes. Car- 

 bonic acid gas is forced through these tubes and from them through 

 the mass. The saccharine liquid, which is quite clear after the carbon- 

 ate of baryta formed has subsided, is drawn off, and the carbonate of 

 baryta freed from any remaining liquor by placing it in strong sacks, 

 and submitting it to careful pressure. The clear saccharine liquid is 

 then submitted to the ordinary processes of evaporation and crys- 

 tallization, and the carbonate of baryta remaining at the close of the 

 process is, by calcination, reduced to caustic baryta, and Js then ren- 

 dered lit for use in subsequent operations. 



Strange growth of potatoes. — k. curious fact with regard to the growth 

 of potatoes is recorded by M. Charles Kabache, in which it appears 

 that the tubers were planted in pure sand, in the bottom of a cave 

 which was quite dark, and provided with little or no ventilation. When 

 spring approached the tubers germinated, and after a given time small 

 nodules appeared upon the roots, developing into tubers of fair size. 

 The stems grew quite long, and were perfectly white except at the ex- 

 tremities, which were directed toward the opening, and therefore some- 

 Avhat exposed to the action of diflused light. The tubers, though smal- 

 ler, were in every way similar to the original, having the same color and 

 taste, and showing the same composition upon chemical analysis, and 

 the volume and weight of the entire product, stems and tubers, was 

 t-hree times that of the original tuber. 



BOTANICAL KOTES. 



Bv Dr. George Vasey, Botanist. 



Circulation of sap. — The most important contribution to our knowl- 

 edge of this subject is a lecture of Prof. W. S. Clark, president of the 

 Massachusetts Agriculture College, delivered before the Massachusetts 

 State board of agriculture, at Fitchburgh, December 2, 1873. The lecture 

 ])resents a concise summary of the principal theories and conjectures 

 on the subject, details a series of carefully conducted experiments 

 made at the college, and gives the author's conclusions thereon. 



The lecturer premised a brief but clear statement of the structure 

 and functions of plants so far as they relate to the subject in hand. 



We condense and present below some portions of the lecture, which 

 seem to be of the most general interest. 



Numerous hypotheses have been advanced to account for the circu- 

 lation of sap through the operation of some merely chemical or physical 

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