212 EXPEEIMENT STATION KECORD. 



No. If, pp. 4G0-Jf77, figs. 7). — This includes tlie usual summaries of observations 

 on temperature of the air, soil, and underground water, atmospheric pressure, 

 humidity, rainfall, sunshine and cloudiness, and wind. There is also a brief 

 discussion of the late summer and warm autumn characteristics of the climate 

 of the region, as illustrated by conditions during the summer and fall from 

 1906 to 1910. The season of 1910 was wet, cold, and very unfavorable to crops. 



Weather forecasts for 1912 in Bussia, I. Savizkii (Selsk. Khos., 1912, No. 10, 

 pp. Ji6'2-Ji6Jt ; ahs. in Internat. Inst. Agr. [i2o?»-e], Bui. Bur. Agr. Intel, and 

 Plant Diseases, 3 {1912), No. 5, pp. 1097, 1098). — The success of long-time 

 weather predictions in Russia is discussed. It is stated that the propitious 

 weather of the season of 1909 was predicted 3 months before harvest, the drought 

 of 1911 in September, 1910. The predictions for 1912 are given in some detail. 



Our weather, J. S. Fowler and W. Marriott {London, 1912, pp. XI +131; rev. 

 in Nature [London^, 89 {1912), No. 2220, p. 267).— This is one of a series of 

 elementary books. After a brief introductory chapter explaining the practical 

 need of a popular book on the weather, there follow chapters on pressure, tem- 

 perature, humidity, wind, and allied phenomena, as well as on weather fore- 

 casting, the upper air, phonological observations, and weather proverbs and 

 rhymes. 



Smoke. — A study of town air, J. B. Cohen and A. G. Ruston {London, 1912, 

 pp. 86, figs. 35). — This book, the more important agricultural features of which 

 have already been noted from another source (E. S. R., 26, p. 727), deals with 

 (1) solid products of combustion, (2) gaseous impurities, (3) town fog, (4) 

 dispersal of soot, (5) influence of coal smoke upon health, (6) analysis and 

 manuring value of soot, (7) analyses of Leeds rain water, and (8) sootfall of 

 London. 



Combined nitrog'en in rain, C. T. Gimingham {Cheni. World, 1 {1912). No. 5, 

 pp. 155, 156). — The various observations on this subject are summarized, the 

 general conclusion being " that in rural districts the soil receives annually 

 something between 5 and 6 lbs. of nitrogen per acre in the rain ; and this, 

 though a small amount, is by no means negligible in experimental work." 



Ponds in agricultural districts, E. A. Martin {Jour. Bd. Agr. [London'\, 19 

 {1912), No. 1, pp. 17-20). — The making and care of ponds for storage of water 

 in time of drought are briefly discussed. It is shown that under the conditions 

 prevailing in parts of England upland ponds dry up less rapidly than lowland 

 ponds. 



Sewage disposal, G. W. Fuller {New York and London, 1912, pp. XV +767, 

 figs. 80). — ^This book records recent advances and gives the present status of 

 both theory and practice in the field of sewage disposal. It deals essentially 

 with American practice, particularly as observed in the author's exi^erience, 

 although Euroiiean practice is not entirely ignored. The subject is treated from 

 the viewpoint mainly of the operator of disposal works. 



" The book is divided into 4 parts of approximately equal size. The first 

 part is devoted to a somewhat lengthy description of the composition of sewage 

 and the behavior of bacterial and biochemical processes in the decomposition of 

 sewage. The importance of oxygen and deoxygenation, not only as a means of 

 measuring the strength of sewage but in relation to proper conditions of the 

 flow of sewage through collecting systems and various disposal devices, is dis- 

 cussed rather fully. The practical purpose of this is to show how to prevent or 

 lessen * putrefaction ' with its objectionable odors. The significance of sewage 

 disposal problems from various angles is explained in detail. In particular 

 the relation of sewage bacteria to shellfish pollution is discussed with thor- 

 oughness at a time when this problem is being actively considered by federal 



