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T H E JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL A N D ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
credit class, the instruction should provide an occasional opporttinity to review the descriptive parts of general chemistry from a college standpoint but more especially a continuous opportunity to discuss and apply the modern interpretation of chemical change. Laboratory work should differ particularly in the manipulation needed and the interpretation demanded, I n the discussion which followed it was evident that the parallel courses were quite widely approved. Herbert F. Davison contributed to the parallel course idea by giving in some detail the line of work used at Brown University for students who had had chemistry in high schools. The list of experiments which he gave were of a physical chemistry nature, and included a great deal of quantitative work. He believed in giving detailed directions. -4. Silverman,gyivea paper on “The Systematic Care of Chemistry Students, in which he brought out many details which are overlooked or neglected by the average teacher. A symposium was given on “The Spirit of Research” by Professors Smith, Ellery, Noyes, Talbot, Olsen, and Dains. Time was the only thing lacking in making this of the highest importance and interest to all present. Dr. Ellery gave an outline for teaching the elements of research as i t is being tried out at Union College. His discussion showed that he had given this matter much thought. His experiment is worth careful study, and one that will be watched with a great deal of interest. Dr. Noyes emphasized the importance of a thorough and broad foundation for those who are to take up research. He favored the chemistry major carrying out a piece of research in his senior year. This had a double purpose: first, to teach him how to find out what has been done on a problem by looking up literature, and second, to interest him in contributing to the field of chemistry. The main goal is to get the student to like the work, but a t the same time he must realize that his promotion will depend largely on what he can produce. Dr. Talbot spoke briefly of the two possible kinds of research, the highly organized research and the less organized research. He said that each had its advantage. He emphasized the fact that the instruction in chemistry must be such that the student will realize that the subject is not a finished product, and that he wished to have a hand in extending the field. He pointed out the fact that instructors must be given some leisure time in which to do research, if the spirit of research is to be fostered in the department; but he said this means expense, and it is overhead expense that is holding up a great deal of excellent research to-day. He said that the research work must not be measured by credit hours. The undergraduate idea of credit is being carried over too much into the graduate work. The graduate work must be something that contributes to science regardless of time credit. Dr. Olsen said that the first requisite for the spirit of research was to get the proper attitude of mind in the student. He believes that the spirit of research can be and should be taught early in chemistry education. Definite and nonflexible courses tend to kill the spirit of research. The student might better do less, and do well what he does. He thinks more emphasis should be put on original work which is of the student’s own choice. Dr. Dains pointed out the importance of the teacher’s making it plain to the student that all chemical knowledge is the product of man’s work and that the student has a very good chance in having a part in its future development. He believes that the spirit of research is contagious and hence the necessity of research being carried on in a department simultaneously with the teaching of chemistry. He clearly pointed out that all men are not capable of research. Dr. Harrison Hale pointed the different ways in which teachers might emphasize “America” in teaching chemistry. He said that this emphasis could best be kept in mind by becoming interested in (1) American chemical history and achievement, ( 2 ) magnitude of American resources, (3) fundamental importance of chemistry to America, and (4) American responsibility and opportunity. Dr. Freas pointed out in a most interesting way that students need good equipment if good results are to be expected. Dr. Freas discussed specific equipment of the building, such as ventilation, plumbing, steam, compressed air, light, hot plates, and hot water, etc. Time proved too short to give the audience as much information as they desired. “Is the average college graduate in chemistry capable of taking up research? If not, why not?” This question was one that enlisted the keen interest of both commercial chemists and teachers of chemistry. After the subject had been formally opened by M. I,. Crossley, J. M. Weiss, H. D. Gibbs, and Dr. Rose in a most interesting and clear way, many extremely helpful suggestions were added by various members of the Section. The general conclusions seem to be that some college
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graduates were not capable of research and never would be because they did not have the scientific viewpoint while other college graduates failed because they lacked a thorough preparation in the fundamentals. Some universities, for example, Johns Hopkins and Pittsburgh, are subjecting the college graduate to an examination before he is allowed to proceed with work Ieading to a doctor’s degree. “When Will the Teaching of Chemistry Become a Science?” was briefly discussed by N. E. Gordon. He tried to point out certain situations and conditions that would modify the original tendencies of the student in such a way as to make them energizing elements in chemical education. The chairman, Dr. Smith, asked the pleasure of the Section in regard to for a1 organization. A motion was made and seconded that the%ection be formally organized by a committee appointed by the chairman. An affirmative vote was unanimous. NEIL E. GORDON, Secretary
The Effect of Chemical Reagents in the Microstructure of Wood-Correction In the article by Allen Abrams appearing in the September issue of THISJOURNAL under the above title, the following corrections are to be made in the material appearing on pages 788 and 789: The cuts of Figs. 1 and 3 are transposed; also the cuts of Figs. 4 and 6. Fig. 6 is upside down. The magnifications should read as follows: Figs. 1 to 3, X 75;Fig. 4, X 475;Figs. 5 to 10, X 160; Fig. 11, X 90,and Fig. 12, x 475.
The Electrolytic Production of Sodium and Potassium Permanganates from Ferromanganese-Correction I n the footnote on page 764 of the September issue of THIS the name of Dr. C. G. Fink was incorrectly printed as C. J. Fink. JOURNAL
Calendar of Meetings Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry-Fall Meeting, Washington, D. C., Philadelphia, Spring Grove, York, York Haven, Pa., and Wilmington, Del., October 18 to 21, 1921. Association of Official Agticultural Chemists-Thirty-eighth Annual Meeting, Washington, D. C., October 24 to 26, 1921. American Institute of Chemical Engineers-Annual Winter Meeting, Baltimore, Md., December 6 to 9, 1921. The Board of Scientific Advice, Bangalore, India, has had under discussion the question of starting a sulfuric acid factory in connection with the iron works at Bhadravati, a t the request of the government, with a view of developing an industry which will permit economic utilization of the byzproducts. The maaufacture of tanning extracts, of lac, and the development of the sugar industry are also being investigated. It is planned t o send students to the West Indies to learn the manufacture of sugar on a really scientific basis. It is also believed that there is a field for the manufacture of drugs, and if possible a careful investigation of medicinal plants available in the country and a study of the Ayurvedic and Unani pharmacopeias will be made during the coming year, preparatory to the development of this industry. The journals of Singapore and Hong Kong have announced the discovery of a new rubber shrub, called octotilla, which grows wild widespread over very large areas. A very appreciable amount of rubber can be obtained from this source and at t h e present time the factories are extracting about one ton of crude rubber a day from this plant. The ton of crude rubber will yield about 200 lbs. of gum. The University of Iowa is to have a new chemistry building which when completed will cost $1,000,000. About $400,000 of the $500,000 appropriated for building purposes by t h e last general assembly are to be used for the erection of the first units of this tuilding.
