METEOROLOGY — WATER. 617 



I)otato drying. The various phases of the problem discussed are the technical 

 process of desiccation, the products of potato desiccation and their utilization, 

 result of experiments as to the food value of desiccated potatoes, rules for the 

 trade in the products of potato desiccation, and the accomplishment of potato 

 desiccation by means of cooperative societies. 



Crop plants for paper making, C. J. Brand (U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Plant 

 Indus. Circ. 82, pp. 19, figs. 3). — Tliis is substantially a reprint from another 

 source (E. S. R., 25, p. 507), but the circular itself is printed on papers made 

 from some of the crop plants described. 



METEOROLOGY— WATER. 



Practical meteorology, D. J. Ricakt y Giralt (Mem. R. Acad. Cien. y Artes 

 Barcelona, 3. ser., 8 (,1910), No. 11, pp. 13). — This article discusses various 

 ways in which meteorological observations are being made of practical utility 

 for navigation, agriculture, and health. 



Meteorology, E. Kleinschmidt (Jahrb. Naturic., 26 (1910-11), pp. 122- 

 l-'/2). — This is a review in the usual form of recent progress in various meteoro- 

 logical lines. 



Agricultural meteorology (Rev. Sci. [Parisi, ji9 (1911), II, No. 3, pp. 85, 

 86; Rev. Tit., 36 (1911), No. 918, pp. 78-Si ) .—Reference is here made to a 

 report of a committee authorized by the French parliament to investigate and 

 report upon a plan of organization of a general service for agricultural meteor- 

 ology in France. 



[Meteorological observations], E. F. Ladd (North Dakota Sta. Rpt. 1909, 

 pp. 18-30). — Summaries are given in the usual form of observations during 1909 

 on temperature, rainfall, sunshine, wind velocity, and evaporation from a water 

 surface. 



On the theory of precipitation, V. Laska (Sitzher. K. BoJim. Gesell. Wiss. 

 Math. Natuno. CI., 1910, Art. XV, pp. 7, figs. Jjf). — This is a continuation of the 

 studies previously noted (E. S. R., 25, p. 508), applying a method of calculating 

 rainfall extremes from means and quotients of variation to data reported by 

 Hellmaun. 



On the electricity of rain and its origin in thunderstorms, G. C. Simpson 

 (Mem. Indian Met. Dept., 20 (1910), pt. 8, pp. 1^1-332, pis. 2; rev. in Nature 

 [London], 85 (1910), No. 21-^2, pp. 80, 81). — This paper records the results of 

 measurements of electricity brought down by rain, and laboratory studies of the 

 physical process by which electrical separation takes place during thunder- 

 storms, and advances a new theory regarding the relation of electricity to the 

 formation and breaking up of raindrops during thunderstorms. This theory is 

 that there are normally present in thunderstorm areas upward currents of air 

 of sufBcient velocity to prevent the falling of raindrops and to cause a continu- 

 ous cycle of "growth, breaking up (with separation of electricity), fresh 

 growth, and so on, at a nearly constant height in the atmosphere until the 

 charge is so great as to produce at a certain level a gradient larger than 30,000 

 volts per centimeter, which [is taken] to be the electric strength of air. When 

 this limit is reached, a lightning flash neutralizes the accumulated charge over 

 a limited area, and the process goes on repeating itself." 



The influence of climatic factors on plant growth in general and par- 

 ticularly upon the yield of plants, P. Vageler (Tropenpfianzer, 15 (1911), 

 No. 6, pp. 289-302). — The influence of heat, light, and moisture upon the growth 

 of plants, with particular reference to tropical conditions is discussed. 



Protection of crops against the weather, P. Berent (West Preuss. Landiv. 

 Mitt., 16 (1911), No. 11, p. 92; ahs. in Internat. Inst. Agr. [Rome], Bui. Bur. 



