186 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



developed symptoms of a contagious eje disease consisting in intense inflamma- 

 tion of the conjunctiva wLich became covered with a mucous or purulent ma- 

 terial. Some of the worst cases were killed while the less developed cases were 

 treated by means of silver nitrate at the rate of 1 i)art to G in water. 



The disinfection of stock cars by means of aqueous formaldehyde solutions, 

 J. ScHNURER {Ztschr. Iiifevtioiifikraiik. it. Hyg. Hanaticre, 1 (HHJO), No. 2-3, pp. 

 accomplished by the most thorough spraying of cars with formaldehyde for the 

 for the purpose of determining the effectiveness of this method in destroying 

 thoroughly reached with the formaldehyde solution. 



The strengths of formaldehyde used were 1, li, and 2 per cent. When these 

 applications were made at relatively low temperatures the effect was not as 

 good as could be desired. Better results were obtained when a higher tem- 

 perature was maintained in the cars. A complete disinfection can not be 

 accomplished by the most thorough spraying of cars with formaldehyde for the 

 reason that cars are not constructed so that every crack and cre\'ice could be 

 thoroughly reached with the formaldehyde solution. 



Disinfection by means of formaldehyde and potassium permanganate, 

 J. G. CiM.MKNG (Npt. Midi. Acini. Sci.. 7 ilDd.J). pp. 171-1:^0). — Claims have 

 been made that when formalin is poured o\er potassium permanganate, a rapid 

 process of oxidation takes place which leads to the liberation of formaldehyde 

 gas in large quantities. 



This matter was tested by the author, and during his experiments 3.000 speci- 

 mens of infected silk threads, cloth, and filter paper were exposed to various 

 conditions of disinfection. The organisms used in these experiments included 

 anthrax bacillus, typhoid bacillus, streptococci, and various other bacteria. In 

 these experiments the permanganate process was compared directly with the 

 regular distillation method reconmiended by Novy. The results obtained indi- 

 cate that the permanganate process is not as useful as the distillation method, 

 but that the former method is so simple that it may be used effectively and 

 safely by a layman. 



RURAL ENGINEERING. 



Primer of irrigation, D. H. Anderson {Cliicarfo: The D. H. Anderson Pub. 

 Co., 1005, pp. 257, phs. 16). — This is a volume which, according to the author, is 

 intended to " lend aid to those who are beginners in irrigation farming." 



In carrying out this idea the author considers his subject in its relation to 

 other branches of agricultural science and takes up, in turn, the formation and 

 qualities of soils, together with their treatment for alkali, etc.; plant foods and 

 a simple exposition of the chemical processes involved in plant feeding ; the 

 tilling and laying out of land with special reference to irrigation farming; 

 finally discussing in a popular way the more technical aspects of the subject, 

 such as duty and measurement of water, pumps and irrigation machinery, etc. 

 The author has compiled in a readable manner much information of value to 

 those about to take up or already engaged in irrigation farming. 



Investigation of irrigation practice in Oregon, A. P. Stover ( U. 8. Dept. 

 A (jr.. Office K.rpl. Htas. Circ. 67. pp. 30, fiijs. //). — This circular covers the work 

 done in Oregon by INIr. Stover in lOOf). The methods of preparing land for 

 irrigation and of applying water are discussed from the standpoint of the needs 

 of Oregon rather than describing Oregon practice. 



One of the most interesting features of the circular is the discussion of 

 flood water or winter irrigation in the Butter Creek Valley, where the water 



