206 



Investigations in U. States. — Prof. Miltoi) Whitney of the U. States 

 Department of Agriculture has examined and classified the soils of the 

 principal tobacco districts of the U. States.* Similar analysis of soils 

 in Jamaica can be compared with Prof. Whitney's results, and very 

 fair deductions made of the kind of tobacco that might be grown on 

 that soil. 



Suchsland and others have stated that the fermentation" of tobacco 

 is caused by bacteria, and that the aroma is due to specific forms. Dr. 

 Loew under the direction of Prof. B. T. Galloway, chief of the Division 

 of Vegetable Physiology and Pathology, has investigated the curing 

 and fermentation of Cigar-leaf tobacco, and states as the result of his 

 work that the principal changes that take place are due to the action of. 

 soluble ferments or enzymes, not bacteria ; and that the development 

 of colour and aroma is due principally to the action of oxidizing enzy- 

 mes, f This discovery is not only one of the scientific interest,but will be 

 also of great economic value, when the investigations under the charge 

 of Prof. Whitney have been carried further, and the conditions and 

 principles of this process are better understood. 



Bulletins. 



An Index is in course of preparation to all the Bulletins from April 

 1887, to December 1898. t 



The number of Bulletins distributed every month is 1,370, of which 

 227 are sent abroad. Besides this regular number, many are constantly 

 being sent which contain articles on special subjects on which informa- 

 tion is sought. 



During the year under review the following articles have appeared 

 in the Bulletin: — 



Botanical Notes — 



Wild Olives of Jamaica. 

 Ferns of Jamaica. 



Chemistry — 



Analysis of Cuba Tobacco Soil 

 Analysis of Jamaica Chalk 



Diseases of Plants — 



Diseases of Citrus 



Economic plants — 



Melaleuca leucadendron 



Citrate of Lime and concentrated Lemon and Lime Juice 



Cotton Seed Oil. 



Ginger in Jamaica. 



Notes on extract of Ginger. 



Plants in the Gardens. 



Tobacco in the United States. 



* Div. of Soils, Bulletin No. 11, 1898 j and Farmers' Bulletin, 83, 1898. 

 f Misc. Publications, No. 52, 1899. 

 X Published in July, 1899. 



