SOILS FEHTTT.IZKHS. 315 



«-li:;ra<-tcr of the ijollul ion is di'seribed and the results of drinking coiitaniiiialcd 

 watiT as shown \>y typhoid statistics are indicated. " 



Summary of the underground-water resources of Mississippi, A. F. Ckidkk 

 and L. ('. Johnson {U. S. Oeol. Siirrci/, \Vater-Sui>iily anil Iniy. I'aper Ao. 

 l-')i), PI). VI-\-Sf). pis. 6, figs. 11). — This bulletin gives a detailed account of ob- 

 servations on the topography, general geology, and underground-water resources 

 of the State, including under the latter head notes on wells in different counties 

 of the State, deep well records, and sanitary aspect of wells. (See also E. S. R.. 

 17, p. 040.) 



" In the Gulf Coastal I'lain. of which Mississippi is a i)art. conditions ai'e 

 favorable for reducing to a niininnun the deaih rate caused bj' drinking iniimre 

 and unwholesome water. A study of the geologic conditions of the State shows 

 that there is a great thickness of unconsolidated sands interbedded with water- 

 tight clays which dip slightly to the south and west and form large inulerground 

 reservoirs for the accunuilation of water. The State has a heavy annual rain- 

 fall, which enters the upturned edges of the open-textured sands, collects in 

 these wide reservoirs, and thus becomes available as well water when the over- 

 lying strata are drilled through. Good deep-well water can be obtained over 

 almost the entire State, and there are large areas in which under favorable 

 conditions flowing wells are obtained. The dip of the strata is so regular and 

 the w'ater horizons are so numerous that the areas are small in which potable 

 water can not be found at comparatively shallow depths. 



" In most of the localities having flowing wells the supply seems adequate for 

 all demands so far made upon it. The low cost of drilling wells in the (iulf 

 embayment has made it possible for even the poorest to have plenty of good 

 water. Railroads, cotton mills, sawmills, canning factories, and various pui)lic 

 works have found the deei)-well water cheaper and better than surficial water. 

 Along the southern coast in the rice area water for irrigation is in many jilaces 

 obtained from artesian wells." 



The advantages of driven, bored, or drilled wells over open wells arc (piite 

 fully e.xplained. 



Underground water papers, M. L. Fuller {V. S. GcoI. Surreij. Wdtcr- 

 Sliippli/ anil III if/. I'd Iter \o. 160, pp. ID.'j. pi. 1, flys. .'/). — A number of short 

 pajiers by different authors dealing with questions I'elating to the occurrence, 

 distriimtion. amount, contamination, peculiarities, and methods of study of 

 \ui<lergr()und \\atcrs. 



Bibliograpliic review and index of underground-water literature pub- 

 lislied in the United States in 1905, M. L. Fullkk. F. (i. ("lapi-. and I*.. L. 

 Johnson ( f ■ . .S'. (Jeol. Purvey, Water-Supply and Irriij. I'dpcr A o. /(>.;. ///*. 

 1.V>). — A bibliography of 721 titles, with an alphabetical iniU-x of subjects, is 

 given. 



Destructive floods in the United States in 1905, E, C. Murphy et al. 

 {U. S. Geol. Surrey. Watcr-Supply and Irrig. Paper No. 162, pp. V + 105, pis. Jf, 

 flgs. 11). — Data are given for 1!) floods occurring in the United States during 

 the year, with notes on damage caused in some cases and possible means of 

 prevention or control. The bulletin also contains a discussion of flood dis- 

 charge and freipiency and an index to flood literature in the United States. 



SOILS— FERTILIZERS. 



Soils, F. W. IliLGARD (\'e\r York and London: Tlie Macmillan Co.. 1906. pp. 

 XXVH + .T.W. figs. 90). — This volume embodies the matured fruits of a long 

 and varied ex])erience, geiierall.v under pioneer conditions, in both humid and 

 arid regions. Its conclusions are of especial value because they are bused to 



