812 EXPEKIMENT STATION RECORD. 



It is suggested that in order tliat temperature observations may be of prac- 

 tical value the means of all important periods of heat and cold, irrespective of 

 the calendar, ought to be published in an easily accessible form. Mean minima 

 are also useless. It is only the extreme range of temperature and the al^solute 

 minimum that is deemed of significance in relation to plant growth. 



Meteorological observations at the Hamburg Observatory, 1912, R. Schoeb 

 (Jahrb. Hamburg. Wiss. Anst., 30 {1912), Beiheft 4, pp. 50). — Detailed observa- 

 tions on temperature of the air and soil, pressure, moisture, precipitation, 

 cloudiness, and wind for each month of the year are reported in tables. 



Annual report of the director of the [Philippine] Weather Bureau for the 

 year 1911, J. Algxj£ (Ann. Rpt. [Philippine] Weather Bur., 1911, pt. 3, pp. 

 266). — This contains a record of hourly meteorological observations made at 

 the secondary stations during the calendar year 1911. 



The influence of weather conditions upon the amounts of nitric acid and 

 of nitrous acid in the rainfall near Melbourne, Australia, V. G. Anderson 

 (Chem. Neics, 110 (1914), Ko. 2859, p. 127). — The results of determinations of 

 nitric and nitrous acids in rain water at Canterbury from November 1, 1912, to 

 February 28, 1914, are reported and discussed in connection with similar data 

 from other sources. 



The data indicate that these acids are formed in rain water in equal 

 molecular proportions and this points to nitrogen peroxid in the atmosphere 

 as their source. These proportions are maintained for some time in cold 

 weather but in hot weather the nitrous acid is rapidly converted into nitric 

 acid. As a result the ratio of nitric nitrogen to nitrous nitrogen is highest in 

 summer and lowest in winter. 



It was found that " the concentration of nitric acid reached a maximum in 

 summer, a minimum in winter, and an intermediate position during autumn 

 and spring. The concentration of nitrous acid reached a maximum in winter 

 and a minimum in summer." The amount of oxidized nitrogen per acre car- 

 ried down by rain falling on any day appears to be a function of a type of 

 weather and within certain limits is independent of the amount of rainfall. 

 The oxidized nitrogen content of the rainfall corresponding to nine well defined 

 recurring types of weather is computed from various observations which have 

 been made in different parts of the world. This content is shown to be much 

 higher in the tropical than in the temperate and antartic types. 



Artesian water in Missouri, A. W. McCoy ( Univ. Mo. Engin. Expt. Sta. Bui., 

 4 {1913), No. 3, pp. 72, figs. 10). — It is the purpose of this bulletin to outline 

 the general artesian conditions in Missouri. It is attempted to furnish data as 

 to what depths water may be reached, how high it will rise in the well, 

 through what formations the drill must pass, what compounds the water is 

 liable to contain, amount of discharge from the ordinary well, and the general 

 economic conditions as compared with other sources. 



The waters of Russian Turkestan and the future for the cultivation of the 

 soil, WOEiKor {Ztschr. Gesell. Erdk. Berlin, No. 5 {1914), PP- 341-355).— Data 

 on the surface water supplies and precipitation in Russian Turkestan are given, 

 and discussed with reference to the possibilities of irrigation farming in that 

 territory. 



The climate of Turkestan is said to be warm and arid for six months of the 

 year, with plenty of sunshine. The precipitation is relatively small but the 

 streams are well supplied with water from mountain snow and ice. Floods in 

 these streams are said to follow usually extremely warm weather. Such floods 

 are said to occur at times when they will be most useful to such crops as cotton, 

 rice, forage, etc., but owing to the imperfect native contrivances for storing and 

 utilizing water approximately 3,500 cubic meters (123,550 cu. ft.) per second is 



