Makch 15, 1907] 



SCIENCE. 



409 



viscosity alone can not be relied on as an 

 accurate means for determining their com- 

 mercial value in lubrication. This work is 

 being extended, including the question as 

 to the comparative value of straight hydro- 

 carbon oils and compounded oils and any 

 harmful effects of the latter due to cor- 

 rosion. 

 Suspensions in Dilute Alkaline Solutions: 



W. R. Whitney and Alonzo Straw. 

 The Annealing of Sterling Silver: W. H. 



Walker. 



The sterling silver of commerce is an 

 alloy of 92.5 per cent, silver and 7.5 per 

 cent, copper. The frequent annealing inci- 

 dent to the manufacture of silver-ware 

 produces, when the article is polished, a 

 black reflex or sheen called by the work- 

 men 'fire surface.' This can be removed 

 only by dissolving in niti^c acid that por- 

 tion of the ware affected. A study of this 

 matter shows that, notwithstanding the 

 literature on the subject to the contrary, 

 the difficulty is caused by the formation 

 of copper oxide in the alloy, and that it 

 may be prevented by annealing under such 

 conditions as will practically eliminate 

 oxygen. A method based on the above 

 observations is now in practical use in a 

 number of establishments. 



Fullers' Earth and its Application to the 

 Bleaching of Oils: C. L. Parsons. 

 A paper on the American occurrence, the 



properties and absorptive qualities of 



fullers' earth. 



The Modern Canning Industry: Mr. Mor- 

 ris. 

 Denatured Alcohol and the New Laiv: C. 



E. MUNROE. 



Bosin Size of High Free-Rosin Content: 



Edward F. Moody. 



Discussed the rosin sizing of paper, with 

 particular reference to mill-made sizes, 

 composed of completely saponified rosin, 



as compared with the more recent develop- 

 ments in high free-rosin sizes. The sizing 

 effects of the former were shown to be due 

 to the precipitated aluminum resinate, 

 which, being somewhat soluble in Avater, is 

 not a perfect water-proofing agent in paper ; 

 whereas, in the latter case, the insoluble 

 rosin itself is the sizing agent, producing 

 the desired results more economically. 

 Also the causes of froth, imperfect sizing 

 and other matters of interest to the paper 

 industry were discussed. 

 Agricultural and Sanitary Chemistry— li. 



L. Van Slyke, chairman. 

 Food Adulterations: C. B. Cochran. (By 



title.) 

 India Beesivdx: J. F. Geisler. 

 The Efficiency of Certain Phosphates as 

 Influenced hy Liming and hy the Variety 

 of the Plant: H. J. Wheeler and G. E. 

 Adams. 



Field experiments with nine different 

 phosphates have been in progress at the 

 Rhode Island Agricultural Experiment 

 Station since 1894. 



In one series lime has been applied in 

 small quantities and in the other it has 

 been omitted. Many different varieties of 

 plants have been employed. The results 

 show marked benefit from liming in con- 

 nection with superphosphates, and in a less 

 degree with floats, bone meal, and basic 

 slag meal. The soil is naturally practically 

 devoid of carbonate of lime and when 

 moistened, quickly and intensely reddens 

 blue litmus paper. No doubt liming in 

 excess would have the opposite effect on 

 superphosphates. The cabbage and some 

 other crops were practically a total failure 

 where floats were used, yet certain other 

 varieties of plants made much better use of 

 them. 



The most remarkable feature was the 

 wonderful effect of liming in increasing 

 the efficiency of the roasted Redondite 



