RURAL ENGINEERING. 685 



The irrigation situation, G. M. Bull {Engin. Rcc, 65 (1912), No. S, pp. 222, 

 223). — The author discusses the present system of financing public irrigation 

 projects by bond issues to private investors, and states that in the majority 

 of cases the bonds have been considered simply as a means of securing money, 

 with practically no regard as to their having behind them sufficient property 

 to safeguard the investor. He concludes that the entire system of financing 

 should be so changed that tlie bonds be held by the underwriters until such 

 time as the water is actually applied to the land and their value ceases to be 

 speculative. 



Underdrainag'e of alluvial lands, J. A. Harman {Engin. Rcc, 65 {1912), 

 jSIo. S, pp. 21Jt, 215). — The need of underdrainage for flat or rolling uplands 

 and of both surface drainage and underdrainage for the adjacent lowlands is 

 pointed out. The general soil texture and topography are discussed in their 

 immediate relations to uplands and alluvial lands, and it is stated that these 

 are the 2 factors to be especially considered in designing underdrainage for 

 alluvial lands. 



Tests of concrete drain tile, A. O. Anderson {Engin Rec, 65 {1912), No. 11, 

 p. 308, fig. 1). — Results of tests of concrete drain tile conducted at the engi- 

 neering experiment station at the Iowa State College are reported. 



When the increments of load were added uniformly and continuously the 

 strain was approximately proportionate to the stress, but on allowing a few 

 minutes' time to elapse between increment additions, it was found that near 

 the bi'eaking point the pii)e would rupture under a considerably lower load. 

 These tests advance the theory that fatigue of concrete is an explanation of 

 failure under load, and they also show that the deformation of drain tile is so 

 small before fracture occurs that but little support can be secured from the 

 tamping of earth at the sides of the pipes when placed in the trench. 



Camden chert as a road-making' material in Tennessee {Engin. Rcc, 65 

 {1912), No. 9, p. 250). — Camden chert is considered a promising road mate- 

 rial in Tennessee. Its chemical composition of quartz, limestone, and clay 

 allow of the formation of a good bond, its physical texture allows it to break 

 into small, sharp fragments when blasted, it is easily handled after blasting, 

 and it is economically distributed in the State. 



A novel road machine, A. B. McDaniel {Engin. Ncics, 65 {1912), No. 10, 

 p. Ji60, figs. 2). — This article briefly describes a machine for the maintenance of 

 country roads. It consists of an iron bar framework with a steel, concrete- 

 filled roller in the rear, guide trucks in front, and a scraper suspended in the 

 center. The scraper and roller have an effective width of 7 ft., and the total 

 weight of the machine and operator is approximately 1 ton. The scraper is 

 controlled by hand levers from the operator's seat over the roller. It is claimed 

 that about 3 miles of rough earth road and 5 miles of average road may be put 

 in first-class condition in a 10-hour day at a cost of $6. 



Uses of the traction engine in highway grading, G. H. Main waring {Engin. 

 Rcc, 65 {1912), No. S, p. 223). — These are notes from exi^eriments conducted 

 by the highway commissioner of Richland County, Wis., with traction engines 

 for highway grading. The advantages over horsepower pointed out are the ease 

 of operation, steadiness of motion, better centered and controlled power, and 

 greater efficiency. The notes on a 16-horsepower engine show a daily expense 

 of $14, the same as for 4 teams, but the engine does daily from 40 to 75 per 

 cent more work. 



The rural motor vehicle, E. L. Ferguson (Sci. Amcr., 106 {1912), No. 6, pp. 

 133, IJfO, figs. 5). — This article points out and discusses the advantages of the 

 motor vehicle for the social and commercial advancement of rural life. 



