572 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. {1 Dec., 1901. 
permanent precipitate is produced. I find, however, that already the fresh Ist 
liquor uses 21 cc. and the No. 2 liquor 82 cc. of lime water. 
The materials itself used for the preparation of the liquor are of the 
best quality :— 
Per Cent. Tannin. 
Adelaide bark containing... 43) pre 3 1c 
Myrobolans (ground)... i on 40:2 
Valonia (ground) ai Are, _ an BEKO 
The liquors were of the following composition :— 
No. 1. No. 2. 
Tannin ... dod eee aor .- 6:22 percent. ... 8:02 per cent. 
Volatile acid (acetic acid)... oe PE ae $30)” 5 
Non-volatile acids (lactic, &c.) PeN GL: es We, 
Lime water test per 10 ce. liquor... 22 ce. as 32 ce. 
I have not the slightest doubt that the process resulting in a disagreeable 
smell of the finished leather is entirely due to unfavourable termentation, which 
requires the careful research of technical mycologist or bacteriologist to tell 
which of the organisms found in the liquor are favourable or otherwise. 
In many industries, where fermentation plays an important part, similar 
troubles have been experienced, and have only been overcome by inoculating 
the products with the proper germs required for the special fermentation. In 
this particular case it may be possible to add to the fresh liquors little of old 
liquors which had given the best result with regard to quality and odour of the 
finished leather. Further advice might possibly be given, if I was acquainted 
with the local conditions, and by a careful study of the process at the tannery 
itself. 
Chemical Laboratory, 
Queensland Agricultural College, 
Gatton, 5th October, 1901. 
Mr. Briinnich also furnishes an examination and analysis of sawdust from 
a tree which when sawn is supposed to destroy the edge of the saw. 
The sawdust contained :— ~ 
Water... a ae on f, ... 11°95 per cent. 
‘A'shae xr ws 5 es se, $883 “ 
In water soluble matter, starch, &c. an BFiko) op 
The watery extract had a very slight acid reaction. According to the 
analysis, this wood contains nothing which would account for the action on 
steel; the microscopic examination of a small splinter of the wood, found 
amongst the sawdust, shows the absence of any crystalline incrustations. The 
wood is very closely and evenly grained, and some of the cells, larger vessels, 
contain starch grains. 
ANALYSES OF GRASSES AND FODDER PLANTS—IL. 
By J. C. BRUNNICH, F.C.S. 
Chemist to the Department of Agriculture. 
As an addition to the analyses of some grasses, published in the August 
number of this Journal (Vol. [X., part 2, page 245), I am able to give now the 
results of the analyses of another younger sample of Paspalum dilatatum; the 
great winter grass, Prairie Grass; the celebrated English grass, Cocksfoot; and 
also of the principal crop of this district, Lucerne. 
1. Lucerne (iledicago sativa).— Grown in first-class soil of the Queensland 
Agricultural College, on the banks of the Lockyer Creek. ‘The crop analysed 
was the second cut, was of about four weeks’ growth, and was taken just before 
it began to flower. (Cut 17th September.) 
