1916] BIDWELL: FOODS AND FEEDING STUFFS 123

RECOMMENDATIONS.
It is recommended—
(1) That further work be done in comparing the drying of various
food and feeding products over sulphuric acid, calcium carbid and cal-
cium oxid, with any other reagents thought desirable, at atmospheric
pressure and in a partial vacuum.

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(2) That the method of drying without heat over sulphuric acid as
outlined above be finally made an official optional method.
DISCUSSION.
P. F. Trowbridge: Mr. Grindley of the University of Illinois has used the method
with good results—much better than we have been able to obtain at our Missouri
Laboratory. Some materials present difficulties because they dry to a horn-like
substance. The referee has not sufficiently emphasized the need for a good vacuum.
Seven millimeters of mercury are not enough. A pump is necessary. With a pres-
sure not exceeding 1 mm. it is possible to obtain from 2-10% more moisture from
grain than by drying at 102°C.

REPORT ON FOODS AND FEEDING STUFFS.

BY G. L. BIDWELL (Bureau of Chemistry, Washington, D. C ) , Referee.
The cooperative work this year was all in charge of associate referees.
It is recommended—
(1) That the method for the detection of oats bleached with sulphur
dioxid1, be made official.
(2) That the method for determining the acidity of corn2, be made
official.
(3) That the method for determining the acidity of corn be studied
to see if it is applicable to other materials.
(4) That the effect of preliminary drying on the ether extract content
of feeds be studied.
(5) That the use of toluol or other suitable substance as a preservative
for feed samples be studied.
(6) That the method of Bryan, Given and Straughn 3 for the estima-
tion of sugar in feeds be studied and made official.

F E E D ADULTERATION.
BY C. CUTLER (Agricultural Experiment Station, La Fayette, Ind.),
Associate Referee.
The work during the past year was confined to the following recommen-
dation, approved at the 1914 meeting:
"(1) That samples be sent out for the quantitative determination of
1
2
U. S. Bur. Plant Industry Circ. 40.
3
Ibid., Bull. 199; U. S. Dept. Agr. Bull. 102.
U. S. Bur. Chem. Circ. 71.