386 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The disinfection of stables, C. INI. Haring {California Sta. Circ. 19, pp. 

 3). — The purposes and meaning of disinfeftion are briefly discussed and sug- 

 gestions are made regarding sanitary methods of cleaning ^ind disinfecting 

 stables. 



KURAL ENGINEERING. 



History of rural engineering, Chaldea and Assyria, M. Ringelmann {Ann. 

 Inst. Nat. Agron., 2. ser., 5 {1906), No. 1, pp. 85-139, figs. 52). ^In this article 

 the author discusses the agricultural machines and rural engineering works of 

 the ancients so far as knowledge concerning them can be gained from inscrip- 

 tions, relies, and other sources of information. He treats of their agricultural 

 implements, such as plows, hand tools, grinding mills, etc., their methods of 

 using them, their means of transportation by sledges, wheeled vehicles, and rafts 

 of inflated sheepskins, together w'ith a description of the form of harness used 

 on horses and oxen, and the status of the slaves, by whom agricultural opera- 

 tions were carried on. 



Irrigated agriculture in Egypt in ancient times, A. de Cekis {Jour. Agr. 

 Prat., n. ser., 11 {1906), No. 23-2-'/, pp. 120-125. figs. 7).— This is a chapter from 

 A Study of the History of Rural Engineering, by M. Ringelmann, reviewed 

 above, in which, from an exhaustive study of Egyptian documents and other 

 data, he has been able to determine in great detail the system of irrigation and 

 crop culture practiced bj' the ancient Egyptians. 



The author finds that " after having protected the valley against the floods 

 of the Nile by insubmergible dikes, parallel to the river, they had increased the 

 zone capable of submersion by a number of canals, of which it is still possible 

 to find the remains. This indicates to what degree the departments of rural 

 engineering relative to embankments, basins of inundation, and drainage had 

 been carried." 



Irrigation in Montana, S. Fortier, A. P. Stover, and J. S. Baker {U. 8. 

 Dept. Agr., Office E.rpt. ,Stus. Bui. 112, pp. 108, figs. iS).— The object of this bul- 

 letin is to present the present status of irrigation in Montana in its engineer- 

 ing, agricultural, and legal aspects. 



The method employed was to study these various features in typical sections, 

 rather than to attempt to cover the w-hole State. In their study of conditions 

 in Montana the authors paid special attention to the means of bringing about 

 the more economical use of the water supply, which would make possible the 

 largest development of the State's agriculture. 



The most conspicuous sources of waste were poorly constructed ditches, 

 poorly prepared fields, careless use of water, and lack of public supervision of 

 the acquirement of rights and of the distribution of water. Owing to the large 

 supply of water, as compared with the present demand, there has been an 

 indifference to these things, especially the need of legislation creating such 

 public control as will insure the peaceable enjoyment of the rights to water, 

 which is necessary to the highest development. In his conclusions Professor 

 Fortier makes certain recommendations regarding such legislation. 



Punjab irrigation branch papers {Punjab Irrig. Branch Papers, No. 11, 

 pp. 109. (Igins. 1 ). — This bulletin consists of three repoi'ts, (1) Lining of Water 

 Courses for Previ'ntion of Absorption ; (2) Waste of Water by Cultivators in 

 Irrigating their Fields; (.3) Number of Waterings required for Wheat Crops. 



The experiments on ditch lining were carried on in parallel trenches, 24 ft. 

 long, the loss by seepage being read with hook gauges. Evaporation was meas- 

 ured separately and allowed for. Crude oil, cement, lime, coal tar, and cla.v 

 puddle were applied in various combinations. Oil was found to be most 



