Tannery laboratory equipment. C. H. Sp i e r s
(J. Soc. Leather Trades’ Chem., 1929, 13, 8—10).—
The use of stainless steel balance pans ; of titration apparatus consisting of a burette fitted a t its upper end with a cork and 3-way tube, one limb of which is connected to a reservoir of the reagent and the other to a rubber suction tube closed with a spring clip ; and of pipettes to deliver specified amounts of a pickling liquor for titration with 0-lJV-alkali is advocated. A comparator is also described in which the second row of tubes is replaced by a sliding rack carrying alter
natively placed tubes containing pure water and different standard tubes. " D. Wo o d r o f f e.
Moisture in leather. H. Br a d l e y, A . T . McKa y,
and B . Wo r s w ic k (J. Soc. Leather Trades’ Chem., 1929, 13, 10—24).—The moisture in leather varies with the relative humidity (R.H.) of the atmosphere in which the leather is placed, and the type of leather.
Temperature has little effect apart from th a t on the R.H. value. Samples of different leathers were placed in atmospheres of different R .H .; when equilibrium
had been established the sample was weighed and the moisture content taken as the increase in weight from zero humidity. The results showed th a t leather absorbs more moisture than cotton, but less than wool. The order of diminishing absorptivity was wool, sole leather, patent, insole, box calf, special-process sole leather, wood, curried vegetable-tanned splits, cotton. Leathers with the higher content of grease had the lower absorp
tive power. Leather gave up its moisture slowly at low humidities, but dry leather absorbed moisture rapidly at those humidities. At higher humidities drying out and absorption took place a t about the same
rate. D. Wo o d r o f f e.
Determ ination of fat in leather. F. G. A. En n a
(J. Soc. Leather Trades’ Chem., 1929, 13, 37—38).—
The vacuum oven suggested by Woodroffe (B., 1929, 257) for drying off fat extracts from leather is criticised. The author uses an oven filled with carbon dioxide to prevent oxidation of highly unsaturated oils.
D. Wo o d r o f f e.
Effect of heat on wetted vegetable-tanned leather.
III. W . J. Ch a t e r ( J . Soc. Leather Trades’ Chem., 1929, 13, 24—36 ; cf. B., 1929, 257, 295).—Shrinkage curves have been obtained for pieces of vegetable- tanned sheepskin, which had been treated with solu
tions of borax, limed calfskin, and pieces of calf pelt, which had been treated with solutions of different Pn values, respectively. I t is shown th a t the treatment affects the type of curve obtained. D. Wo o d r o f f e.
Pa t e n t s.
Stuffing of leather. A. Ca r p m a e l. From I. G.
Fa r b e n i n d. A.-G. (B.P. 307,775. 13.12.27).—Leather is stuffed, before or after dyeing, with sulphonated fatty acid derived from wool fat or with an aqueous emulsion of the same. The sulphonated product may be prepared as in B.P. 307,776 (B., 1929, 442).
D. Wo o d r o f f e.
Rapid vegetable-tanning process. G. Pe a c e,
and Br i t. In d i a Co r p., Lt d. ( B .P . 307,987, 21.12.27).—
Delimed hides are pickled, e.g., in an aqueous solution of salt and sulphuric acid, depickled with an aqueous solution of the sodium salt of a weak acid such as sodium thiosulphate, washed until they show 3-5—5-0, and tanned in liquors a t this pn range using strong extract liquors and mechanical agitation to shorten the time of tanning. D. Wo o d r o f f e.
Production of flour-like horn etc. by grinding.
H. Oe x m a n n ( B .P . 297,841, 28.9.28. Ger., 30.9.27).—
Cylindrical blocks of pressed horn mass are peripherally ground in the dry state by means of discs of natural or artificial resins, casein, or other albuminous substances, or cellulose derivatives, by interm ittent grinding movements, and are continually turned to secure good
cooling. D. Wo o d r o f f e.
Shoe cream s (B.P. 308,996).—See II. Water- soluble products (B.P. 307,776).—See X II.
XVI.—AGRICULTURE.
R igidity in weak clay su sp en sion s. R. K.
Sc h o f ie l dand B . A. Ke e n(Nature, 1929,123,492-—493).
—In a suspension of the clay fraction of soil in dilute hydrochloric acid, sharp ramifying fissures containing
B r i t i s h C h e m ic a l A b s t r a c t s — B .
C l . XVI.—A q r i o u l t c t r k . 447
clear liquid develop when the concentration of the suspension exceeds a certain critical value. The density difference sets up a circulation, which is com
pleted by the deposition of floccules in a ring around the exit of the chimneys (conical fissures). The suspension acquires rigidity ; the flocculation layer of more'dilute suspensions shows rigidity only when a layer of suffi
ciently great concentration has been formed. The phenomenon is influenced by the amount of electrolyte
present. A. A. El d r i d g e.
D eterm ination and application of the electrical resistance and p a value in irrigation soil surveys.
A. S t e a d (S. Afr. J. Sci., 1928, 25, 149—155).—The amount of brak in soils is assessed in the field by the simultaneous measurement of y>n values (quinhydrone electrode) and the electrical resistance of the wetted soil. Allowance is made in the latter determination for the soil type (sand, loam, clay) and for the temperature.
The importance of depth sampling in soils for proposed irrigation is emphasised. Brak may occur a t a depth which normally does not influence surface vegetation, b u t irrigation tends to raise this towards th e surface.
A. G. Po l l a r d.
M icrobiological activities in the so il of an upland bog in eastern North Carolina. I. V. S h u n k (Soil Sci., 1929, 27, 283—303).—Examination of a sedge- grass bog soil showed th a t nitrification could be initiated in 6—10 weeks by liming and drainage. Liming largely increased the bacterial numbers, but fungi were not appreciably affected. The rate of production of carbon dioxide was markedly increased by liming, and was also largely influenced by the soil moisture content.
There was an optimum moisture content above and below which carbon dioxide production was retarded.
A. G. Po l l a r d.
Influences of the developm ent of higher plants on the m icro-organ ism s of the soil. I. H istorical and introductory. R. L. S t a r k e y (Soil Sci., 1929, 27,'£319—334).—The numbers of filamentous fungi, actinomyces, and bacteria in soils were greater in the immediate vicinity of the plant roots than a t a distance.
The absolute numbers and relative proportions of these organisms near to plant roots varied with different plants. Carbon dioxide production was greater in soils containing growing plant roots th an in those free of
plants. A. G. P o l l a r d .
Fungicidal action of ultra-violet radiation. H. R.
Fu l t o n and W. W. Co b l e n t z (J. Agric. Res., 1929, 38, 159—168).—Spores of 27 miscellaneous species of fungi were exposed for 1 min. to ultra-violet radiations, from a mercury-tungsten arc a t a distance of 6 in.
There was complete killing of the spores of 16 species and a survival of less than 1% in the case of 4 species.
Such dosage causes no in j nry to oranges. The limita
tion to the use of ultra-violet rays for complete dis
infection of fruits lies in their lack of penetration below the surface. The shorter wave-length components of the ultra-violet spectrum have the greatest germicidal
action. E. A. Lu n t.
Effect of m oisture content and cropping on exchangeable calcium and m agn esiu m , w ith par
ticular reference to rice so il. W . H. Me t z g e r
(Soil Sci., 1929, 27, 305—318).—Long-continued cropping of a rice soil resulted in much larger exchange
able calcium and magnesium contents in the surface soil than in the subsoil. Maintenance of a high moisture content in soils increased the contents of exchangeable magnesium without influencing the exchangeable cal
cium content except in cases of flooding, when this was slightly decreased. Comparison of the exchangeable calcium and magnesium in a fallowed soil with the same cropped with wheat showed no appreciable differences.
A. G. Po l l a r d.
Interchange of the phosphoric acid of the soil with arsenic acid. C. An t o n i a n i and G. Fo n io
(Atti R. Accad. Lincei, 1929, [vi], 9, 344—350).—The phosphate ion of soil which has been treated with sodium phosphate behaves differently towards water and dilute arsenic acid solution, which takes up less of the phosphate and is to some extent retained by the soil. T. H . Po p e.
The “ effect-law ” of grow th factors. 0 . Tornau and K. M eyer (J. Landw., 1929,77, 65—96).—Results of cultural experiments by the Mitscherlich method are examined to verify the nature of the descending portions of growth curves of plants produced by excessive nitro
genous feeding, and the alleged constancy of the “ effect factor” with a number of different plants. The rate of descent of the growth curve from the maximum following the application of large dressings of ammonium nitrate differed with different plants, m ustard and spurrey being much more sensitive than maize and oats to these conditions. The values of the “ effect factor ” were in general agreement with those of Mitscherlich, but the nitrogen content of the soil as indicated by the growth curve varied with different plants. Each plant appears to possess a specific power of assimilation for nitrogen. Examination of the nitrogen contents of different plants indicated different capacities and different “ saturation-conditions ” for nitrogen, and these are related to the maximum production of organic matter. The limit of increased growth resulting from the successively increased supplies of any one nutrient is determined by the raising of the “ saturation-con
dition ” of the plant. A . G. P o l l a r d .
Value of increasing applications of nitrogen to different species of winter rye. J. We i g e r t and
F . Fü r s t (Z. Pflanz. Dung., 1929, 8B, 161—202).—The results of nine years’ manuring trials with rye are recorded. The effect of manuring and rainfall on the yield and quality of straw and grain, and the general development of numerous species of winter rye is
discussed. A. G. Po l l a r d.
Correlation between soil salinity and flow ering date in cotton. J. A. Ha r r i s (J. Agric. Res., 1929, 38, 109—112).—The existence of a low negative correla
tion between soil resistance and period required for flowering is indicated, thus suggesting the retardation of the flowering date by soil salinity. E. A. Lu n t.
Certain phases of the interrelationship between soil and plant. I. A vailability of m ineral plant nutrients in relation to degree of dispersion.
W. T h o m a s (Soil Sci., 1929, 27, 249—270).—Considera
tion is given to published work on the nature of soil colloids and dialysis as a basis of the mechanism of the
B r i ti s h C h e m ic a l A b s t r a c t s — B .
4 4 S Cl. X V II.— S u g a r s ; S t a b c k e s ; G u m s .
assimilation of mineral nutrients by plants. Comber’s views on the colloidal adsorption of nutrients are con
sidered insufficiently proved in many instances. Evi
dence in support of the conception th a t dissolution must precede the intake of nutrients by plants is discussed.
A . G. Po l l a r d.
Fertiliser trials w ith sodium nitrate, Chile salt
petre, and iodine on carrots. De n s c h, St e i n f a t t,
and Gu n t h e r (Z. Pflanz. Diing., 1929, 8B, 205—211).—
Increased leaf production resulted from the application of iodine manures to carrots. Assimilation of iodine from iodides by plants probably occurs only in the presence of iodates. In other crops root injury was observed after iodine manuring. The amount of iodine in Chile saltpetre is too small to have any appreciable effect on plant growth. A. G . Po l l a r d.
Computation of no-filler fertiliser m ixtures.
A. B . Be a u m o n t and H. R. Kn u d s e n (Ind. Eng. Chem., 1929, 21, 385—388).—Algebraic methods are given for calculating mixture ratios required to give a mixed fertiliser of a given grade (i.e., percentage of 1ST, P 20 5, and K 20), without any filler being added, from the various fertiliser materials available. With single
element components only, e.g., ammonium sulphate, the problem is easily solved by arithmetic. Examples are given of the algebraic solution of problems with one or more “ double-element ” compounds with “ single
element ” compounds and with four “ single-element ” compounds. In these cases one of the fertilising
“ elements ” is present in two forms, and the ratio between these two forms necessary to give the required composition without filler is obtained by solving two simultaneous equations. C. Ir w i n.
H ygroscopicity of fertiliser m aterials and m ix tures. J. R. Ad a m s and A . R. Me r z (Ind. Eng. Chem., 1929, 21, 305—307).—The tendency of a substance to absorb water from the atmosphere is directly propor
tional to the difference between the vapour pressure of its saturated solution and th a t of water. The determina
tion of such vapour pressures gives the most accurate measurement of hygroscopicity. Determinations at different temperatures for the saturated solutions of a number of fertiliser compounds are tabulated. A
further series of determinations was made on two com
ponent mixtures. These are usually more hygroscopic than the most hygroscopic component, but exceptions occur where a double salt or compound is formed as between calcium nitrate and urea. C. Ir w i n.
Rôle of nitrogen fertilisers in the treatm ent of fish-ponds w ith artificial m anures. Kuhnert (Z.
Pflanz. Diing., 1929, SB, 202—205).—Published work on this question is discussed in the light of the writer’s demonstration of the increased fish yield resulting from the use of nitrogenous and other fertilisers.
A. G. Po l l a r d.
Phosphorus deficiency in forage feeds of range cattle. S . G. Sc o t t (J. Agric. Res., 1929, 38, 113—
130).—The osteomalacia and bone-chewing diseases prevalent among cattle in certain districts of Montana is shown to be due to phosphorus deficiency in the forage crops of such districts. The phosphorus content of the soil in such areas shows no subnormality. E. A . Lu n t.
T oxic property of sulphur. "Wi l l ia m s and Yo u n g.
—See ATI.
Pa t e n t s.
Manufacture of fertilisers. A. B. Ke n s i n g t o n
(B.P. 301,105, 25.8.27).—Bird manure is mixed with sufficient absorbent organic material, e.g., peat moss, to render the material sufficiently porous to be dried to a brittle mass, and with an acid or an acid salt to neutralise any free ammonia. The mixture is dried with agitation and pulverised. A. R. P o w e l l .^
Production of granular fertilisers. C. C. Sm i t h, and Im p e r i a l Ch e m. In d u s t r i e s, Lt d. (B.P. 309,299, 31.3.28).—A hot, concentrated slurry of the constituents of the fertilisers described in B.P. 305,760 (B., 1929, 298) is sprayed down a tower in which it is brought in contact with an ascending stream of cold air, and the granular product collecting a t the bottom is passed through a rotary dryer and is then sieved.
L . A . Co l e s.
Stim ulating the germ ination of seeds and other vegetable m atter. M. Po p o f f, Assr. to Ba y e r is c h e St i c k s t o f f We r k e A.-G. (U.S.P. 1,703,362, 26.2.29.
Appl., 18.3.25. Ger., 23.5.24).—A portion of the seeds is treated with a solution containing magnesium chloride and sulphate, and the remainder with a solu
tion of potassium bromide (for rye), magnesium sul
phate and manganese sulphate (for wheat and oats), or magnesium sulphate and manganese nitrate (for barley);
the two portions are mixed together and sown.
A. R. Po w e l l.
Preparation for use as an additive to screened house and street refuse for producing a fertilisin g and verm in-destroying agent and for preventing d iseases of crops, or for use in the pure state as a cauterising agent for seeds. F . Ba e r n e r ( B .P . 308,328, 19.12.27).—Dry-ground and slaked lime (3 pts.) is mixed with 1 pt. of finely-ground and
“ glowed ” infusorial silica or 1 pt. of silicic acid powder, the latter being previously saturated with aqueous formaldehyde solution and then with carbon disulphide.
A. G. Po l l a r d.
Herbicidal [and fireproofing] products. Co m p, d e Pr o d. Ch i m. e t El e c t r o m6t a l l u r g iq u e s Al a i s, Fr o g e s & Ca m a r g u e ( B .P . 273,268, 2.6.27. F r . ,
25.6.26).—The products, which also possess ¿reproofing properties when used for treating combustible material, comprise mixtures of 1 pt. of calcium chlorate with 1—5 pts. of calcium chloride, with or without the addition of ferrous sulphate, phenols, etc. [Stat. ref.]
L. A. Co l e s.
Treatm ent of seed. A. Kl a g e s (U.S.P. 1,706,695, 26.3.29. Appl., 17.5.26. Ger., 27.10.23).—See B.P.
274,974 ; B., 1927, 792.
Organic refuse (B.P. 300,607).—See XXIII.
XVII.— SUGARS; STARCHES; GUMS.
Correct procedure in sulphitation of thin [sugar] juice. I I . Sulphitation. E. Th d e l e p a p e
and P. Me i e r (Z. Ver. deut. Zucker-Ind., 1929, 79, 176—193; cf. B., 1928, 498).—Since the removal of excess lime is important in minimising incrustation, laboratory carbonatations and sulphitations of juices
C l. X V H I.—Fe r m e n t a t i o n In d u s t b i e s. B r i t i s h C h e m ic a l A b s t r a c t s — B .
449
from the first presses were carried out with special reference to this and to th e improvement of colour.
Lime was most completely removed when the juice was filtered between carbonatation and sulphitation, and when the latter was continued to slight acidity and the excess neutralised by sodium carbonate. The limy material precipitated by this neutralisation contained little, if any, calcium sulphite. The de-liming effect is not merely due to acidification and neutralisation, since hydrochloric acid cannot replace sulphurous acid. In a comparative test a juice contained 0-0056% of lime a t a final alkalinity of 0-024, and 0-0016% a t alkalinity 0-032 when treated by the author’s method, against 0 ■ 0197% a t alkalinity 0• 020 when treated by Weisberg’s method. Equally good results were obtained by adding the required amount of sodium carbonate to the juice a t the second carbonatation, and, after filtration, re
ducing the alkalinity to about 0 • 02—0 • 03 by sulphurous acid. Reducing the amount of sodium carbonate from 0-14% to 0-08% increased the lime from 0-0024%
to 0-0219%. The latter amount was reduced to 0-0109% by heating under pressure for 30 min. a t 120—124°. Similar treatm ent is applicable to thick juice. No inversion was observed in juice of acidity 0-020 when kept for 20 min. a t 95°. Marked reduction of colour was occasionally noted. E. E. Da y.
Cane-w ax com plex in juices from cane-sugar m ills. C. E. B a r d o r f (Ind. Eng. Chem., 1929, 2 1 ,
366—367 ; cf. B., 1928, 540).—The migration of the cane-wax in cane-sugar mills resembles th a t in the
refinery. E. R. Ennos.
L ow-tem perature injury to stored sugar cane.
G. B. Sa r t o r is (J. Agric. Res., 1929, 38, 195—203).—
Experimental evidence is cited showing th a t tbe cold- storage of sugar-cane seed as a regular plantation rou
tine is not practicable. The optimum temperature for the storage of sugar cane is 8—10°. E. A. Lu n t.
Applications of the nitrite m ethod. IV. S ig nificance of the hydrocyanic acid num ber in the an alysis of m ixtu res of su gars. D eterm ination of sugars in m arm alade. F. Li p p i c h (Z. anal.
Chem., 1929, 77, 3—12).—The composition of mixtures of invert sugar, dextrose, and sucrose may be calculated from the polarimetric readings and hydrocyanic acid numbers (B., 1929, 412, 414) before and after inversion.
The amount and composition of the sugars present in marmalade may be obtained by making these measure
ments on an aqueous extract. J. S. Ca r t e r.
Self-em ptying suction flask for sugar determ in
ations. G. Pit m a n (Ind. Eng. Chem. [Anal.], 1929, 1, 112).—Wash liquids are continuously removed by means of a bent tube reaching to the bottom of the filter flask and connected a t its upper end with the suction outlet. J ■ S. Ca r t e r.
Decom position of starch. Wr e d e.—See X V III.
Pa t e n t s.
Purification of diffused sugar syrup. K . Ko m e r s and K . Cu k e r (B.P. 308,031, 1.2.28).—Diffusion juice is strongly aerated for a short time, e.g., 5 min., whereby dark oxidation products are formed, which are then
precipitated by addition of lime (0-1—0-2% ) or calcium salts such as phosphate, excess of lime being carefully avoided. The process may be repeated so long as aeration produces further darkening. J. H. La n e.
Rem oval of hydrochloric acid from sugar solu
tions. A. Cl a s s e n (B.P. 307,99S, 31.12.27).—The sugar solutions or syrups are distilled together with inert organic liquids such as dichloroethylene, preferably under reduced pressure. The permeation of the sugar solution by the vapour of the organic liquid boiling below it causes the hydrochloric acid to pass over into
the distillate. J. H. La n e.