34 SCIENCE BULLETIN, No. 9. 



Catalytic fertilisers and the culture of sugar-beets. G. BERTRAND. (Engrais, 

 26, 852-3, 883-5.) In the ash of sugar-beets 0-04 per cent, consists of oxides 

 of Fe, Mn, Al, B, Zn, Cs, and Rb, all in very small amounts. A catalytic 

 agent is necessary for the fixation of O in the plants. This is the role of 

 oxidases. On ashing the oxidase of the sugar-beet, an ash is obtained 

 which is relatively rich in Mn. The absorption of O varies with the contents 

 of Mn. Without the presence of Mn, laccase cannot function, and hence 

 this metal is necessary for the complete functioning of the plant. The Mn 

 to be available must exist in some soluble form, and must go into the soil 

 solutions. The addition of soluble B and Zn salts also give good results 

 with sugar-beets. The use of Mn and Zn together gave the most satisfactory 

 results, and shows that the use of catalytic fertilisers exerts a tremendous 

 influence on the growth of sugar-beet. 



Influence of stannous chloride in fermentation. G. GIMEL. (CompL Rend., 

 190S, 147, 1324-1230.) Kayser and others have found that Mn favours 

 alcoholic fermentation. The Author finds that SnCl 2 has more marked 

 effect; a culture containing 1 part in 10,000 producing 4 per cent, more 

 alcohol than the culture of control. 



Occurrence and role of Zinc in plants. MAURICE JAVILLIER. (Bull. Sclent. 

 Pharm., 1908, 15, 559-565.) Besides certain well-defined varieties growing 

 on soils which are rich in zinc, most plants contain appreciable quantities 

 of this metal, especially Conifers. Zinc can also act favourably on the 



i growth of Phanerogams; for instance, cereals. 



Sydney : William Applegate Gullick, Government Pi-inter. 1913. 



