486 EXPEKIMENT STATION KECORD. 



cleanliness, the author concludes that " the great mistake has been in the use of 

 tar as it is usually sold. Much better results have been found where the tar 

 is distilled, but what is required is the addition of some material that will 

 toughen the tar in much the same way that pitch is toughened for insulating 

 purposes." 



The evolution of farm-implement investigations, C. J. Zintheo ( U. .^'. 

 De2)t. Agr., Office E.rpt. titus. Rpt. niO'>. pp. 211-223). — The economic conditions 

 under which the American farmer is ])laced necessitate the extensive use 

 of labor-saving machinery. Notwithstanding the large investments in such 

 machinery and farm implements, there is little available information on their 

 utility and efficiency. 



The author describes the implement-testing lal)oratories in the different 

 countries of Europe, giving inform;ition on the methods pursued and results ac- 

 complislied in such tests. Some needed investigations are then considered in the 

 testing of tillage, seeding, and planting implements, of harvesting and thrash- 

 ing machinery, and of the motive powers for farm use. In connection with the 

 last named, the question of using alcohol for fuel is briefly touched upon. 



In conclusion the author states that the needs of this country in farm- 

 machinery investigations are somewhat peculiar. American inventors have 

 developed and supplied the farmers with a great vaiiety of machines, but little is 

 known as to which of the various types will best meet the requirements of dif- 

 ferent soil and crop conditions. "Such investigations would also form the basis 

 for the development of new types of machines with which to meet the require- 

 ments of modern methods of agriculture, and thus to increase the yield of crops 

 and reduce the cost of production." 



Instructions to engineers of timber tests, W. K. Hatt ([/. 8. Dept. Agr., 

 Forest Serv. Cire. 38. pp. 5-T, figs. 17). — A manual for engineers engaged in the 

 testing of timber. The instructions cover tests to determine " the relation be- 

 tween the physical characteristics of wood and the -mechanical properties, and 

 the effect of various technological operations upon them; to establish authori- 

 tative data for design; to collect data for the improvement of specifications for 

 market products ; to study the best methods of testing ; and to determine what 

 species may be used as substitutes for those now becoming scarce." 



RURAL ECONOMICS. 



Some present problems in agriculture, L. IT. Bailey {Congress of Arts and 

 Science. Boston and New York: Houghton. Mifflin d- Co.. 1906, vol. 6. pp. 

 727-738). — This is a paper read before the section of agriculture at the St. 

 Louis Purchase Exposition in 1904. 



The author discusses the technical problems of agriculture and the problems 

 of adjustment to the affairs of our growing civilization. Chief among technical 

 problems are discussed : Methods of feeding to increase the efficiency of farm 

 animals, the In-eeding of animals and plants for the same purpose, and the 

 business organization of the farm, or development of a farm plan. 



"The greatest problems of American agriculture [however] are not the nar- 

 rower technical ones, but the relations of the industry to economic and social 

 life in general." Along this line, according to the author, education, coopera- 

 tion, investment of capital, farm labor, making country life attractive, better 

 schools, and the production of a more natural agricultural literature are 

 problems which press fen- solution. Government aid as a means to the solution 

 of these technical and economic problems of agriculture is advocated. 



Agricultural development and the social welfare of the farmer, P. De 

 VUYST (Rer. Gen. Agron.. ii. ser., 1 {l!>0(i), .Vo. 0'-7. pp. JOo-JlU). — The author 



