THE SCIENCE OF
HYDROPONICS
ASSOCIATIONS adapts
Plaxpak® polyethylene tubing to the growing of foodstuffs.
T H E SECRETARY'S OFFICE Special Publications
ON THE ROOFTOP of one of the buildings of Arthur D. Little, Inc. at Cambridge, Mass., a large-scale experiment in growing Chlorella, a common type of algae, has been carried out. The objective . . . to produce at low cost, additional supplies of nutriment as future supplement for livestock feeds. Chemically inert, non-leaching and weather resistant to a high degree, Plaxpak polyethylene tubing has been found to be well adapted for this hydroponic growth. It protects the algae while permitting the needed sunlight to reach the growing cells. On the rooftop, large tubes made of this opaque, flexible material withstood the full impact of a ninety mile gale. IN BASIC COMPOSITION the product of this algal growth is somewhat similar to yeast. It contains in addition, the ubiquitous chlorophyll and other pigments. Processed, it emerges as a green, flaky substance with a pumpkinish flavor. Not unpalatable, the product could probably be used as supplementary rations for human consumption.
Numerous advantages of polyethylene are also available in the form of seamless, one-piece bottles, jars and carboys. Widely used for consumer packaging, these unbreakable plastic containers are also employed as wash. bottles, for burettes, pharmaceuticals and bulk packaging of acids. Plax manufactures polyethylene bottles from 1-oz- to 13-gallon capacity.
PLAX CORPORATION SUBSIDIARY OF EMHART MFG.
CO.
WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT IN CANADA: Wax Canada. Ltd., Toronto DISTRICT SALES OFFICES: New York. Philadelphia, Chicago and other principal cities
1220
When one sees or hears a reference t o the publications of the ACS, probably 9 9 out of 100 think only of the journals. They are the biggest part of the Society's publications program. They appear a t regular intervals—weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, or monthly—and are mailed regularly to subscribers. The Society also prepares and distributes certain printed matter regularly but at intervals so widely spaced as t o make subscription impractical. The book of abstracts of papers presented at national meetings is a semiannual release. The various collective indexes to Chemical Abstracts appear at 10-year intervals. In addition, certain publications are issued whenever there is a suitable manuscript or a group of manuscripts. Typical are the Advances in Chemistry Series or certain books such as the ACS History or Analytical Reagents. All these nonjoumal publications have one feature in common—each must be a n individual sale in contrast to the distribution of journals b y subscription. To handle them, distribution is centralized in a Special Publications Department. Its stock is prepared and supplied by many parts of the ACS—all the journals, the News Service, committees, and t h e office of t h e Executive Secretary. Today its list of titles numbers 74. Prices vary from 25 cents for "Corrosion Testing in Pilot Plants" to $150 for the "Third Decennial Index." In categories these break down into 55 reprints, seven issues in the Advances in Chemistry Series, six books, and six collective indexes. One of the objects of the ACS is the wide dissemination of scientific and technical information. Since cost is an important factor in influencing the extent of distribution, each item distributed by the Special Publications Department is priced as low as possible. Yet, t h e whole undertaking must be self-supporting. No direct appropriation is made for any of these special publications. All costs are paid from one or more revolving funds and income is credited to the fund. Costs may include all expense from the time of manuscript receipt, as for the Advances in Chemistry Series, or be simply the purchase of reprints. From time to time these special publications are advertised i n the ACS journals and in a library periodical. Descriptive leaflets are prepared and distributed at all of the chemical expositions and last year at the fall national meeting. They also are enclosed with correspondence sent in response to inquiries. One general mailing of an announcement of this material has been made to the entire ACS membership. The results CHEMICAL
showed a very wide interest. Within three weeks of the date of mailing we had received orders for 508 copies of various books in the Advances in Chemistry Series, 163 Directories, 23 copies of the History, and 351 miscellaneous reprint orders. One member had checked virtually every item in the list except the collective indexes and sent in a check for 399.50. By the end of the year total items ordered, not including reprints, had exceeded one thousand ( 1009 ). Reporting Reports I I I This is the third "capsule" summarizing the 1952 annual reports. The purpose is to present facts briefly. Those really interested should read the reports in C&EN, March 2, pages 897 to 920 in order to obtain a connected picture, an analysis, and the discussion which must be omitted here. Financial General income (not including payments to Publications Fund by corporation associates) increased $328,108.39 (9.5%) over 1951; expenses increased $515,155.29 (15.7%). Result, deficit of $4216.27; surplus of $182,830.63 in 1951. Large items responsible for unbalance— $43,000 decrease in gross dues receipts, 395,000 less net income from publications, and $45,000 expenditure for air conditioning headquarters. Abolition of corporation members lost $80,000 in dues. The increase of 1900 in paid individual members did not equalize this, hence the $43,000 decrease listed above. Publications income increased $347,000 but expenses were up about $442,000. Cost of producing CA with its greatly increased number of pages is a major factor in expense. Board authorized extra expenditures for JPC to reduce manuscript backlog. About $10,000 was spent on new journal (Ag and Food). All journals increased expenditures. Advertising income increased $210,000 (14.3%); cost of printing advertising was up $81,000 (17.4%); net increase, $129,000 (12.9%). Executive Secretary expense increased $17,000 ( 7 . 5 % ) . Pension costs increased about $20,000. Foregoing compares 1951 and 1952 performance, not 1952 budget and performance. A budgeted operating deficit of $203,757 was reduced to $4216. Operation would have been in black except for addition of $55,000 to authorized expenses during year. y€^C€ae^^
AND
ENGINEERING
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