RURAL ECONOMICS. 787 



tended to be of popular interest, the treatment is such as make it also of con- 

 siderable technical value. Sanitation, particularly with regard to water sup- 

 plies, is the main feature of the introduction, and is kept in mind throughout 

 the entire discussion. Different sections describe and discuss types of sewage 

 disposal systems ; the septic tank and its proper design ; the tile purifying system, 

 its design, location, and construction ; and types of septic tank systems, including 

 the sink and barrel septic tank; sink, direct closet and barrel, or concrete, 

 septic tanks; direct closet and chemical tank; and the type Y and metal septic- 

 tanks. 



The most important of these appears to be the Y septic tank, which is .1 

 single-chamber, continuous-discharge tank of standard depth and variable 

 length and width. The tank is of concrete, and inclined baffle boards are placed 

 before the inlet and outlet, with a vertical bottom baffle near the outlet. New 

 features of the purification system are the so-called sewage switch and sewage 

 divider. The switch is designed to divert the sewage from one section of the 

 system to another, and the divider to effect thorough distribution. 



The L. R. S. sanitary privy (E. S. R., 25, p. 891), and the Kentucky sanitary 

 privy are also described, 



A number of illustrations accompany the te.xt. 



Sanitary sewag'e disposal without sewers {Mo. Bui. Ind. Bd. Health, 11 

 {1914), ^o. 4, pp. 42, 43y fiffs. 2). — ^A recent development in septic tanks for 

 residential sewage disposal, which is composed mainly of Imhoff features, is 

 described and diagrammatically illustrated. 



Screening as an antimalarial measure, H. R. Carter (Pub. Health 7^p^s^ 

 [U. &'.], Reprint 183 (1914), pp- 12). — This paper discusses some of the more 

 important points regarding the use of screens in houses and mosquito bnrs for 

 beds. 



RURAL ECONOMICS. 



The business of fanning, W. C. Smith {Cincinnati, Ohio, 1914, PP- 292, pis. 

 S9). — The author believes that for farming to be successful the soil should be 

 plowed deep and thoroughly prepared, the best quality and variety of seed and 

 live stock should be used, crop rotation should be followed in such a way that 

 the soil should be supplied with an ample amount of plant food, all by-products 

 should be utilized In a business-like way. the best machinery should be pur- 

 chased and properly handled, the housewife should know how to prepare 

 properly the right kind of foods to make the farmer and his family efficient 

 in their work, the farmer should keep sufficient accounts or records to be able 

 to determine whether any part of his business pays, and that he should be 

 given sufficient credit to carry on his farm operations to the greatest advant<ige- 



Some suggestions for city persons who desire to farm, G. F. Wabren" 

 (New York Cornell Sta. Circ. 24 (1914), PP- 29-40). — This circular was pre- 

 pared for inexperienced persons making farm investments. It points out that 

 farming is a complicated business, requires considerable experience for suc- 

 cess, and while for one who knows how to farm it offers a wholesome living 

 and a modest profit, it requires a considerable amount of capital, the returns 

 from some investments do not even come in the farmer's lifetime, and aside 

 from increases in land values it very rarely results in even small fortunes. 

 The fact that food and housing are cheaper on the farm makes it more at- 

 tractive for persons with a large family. 



The way suggested to begin farming is to raise crops, as if one can not make 

 a profit at this he has no need for buildings. The beginner should follow the 

 practices of the best farmers of the region. The way for the young man ta 



66492°— No. *— 14 7 



