292 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



rials in tlie construction and maintenance of American highways during 1911, 

 discussing the extent of use, surface treatment, the penetration method, and 

 bituminous concrete. 



Construction of country roads (Missouri Bd. Agr. Mo. Bui., 10 {1912). No. 3, 

 pp. 78, figs. 55 ) . — ^This bulletin discusses road contracts, costs of plans, surveys, 

 etc., the construction and cost of earth, sand, sand-clay, chert, rock and gravel, 

 bituminous, concrete, and brick roads, and the methods and cost of maintenance. 



General forms for specifications and contracts, roads and culverts, 1912 

 (Missouri Bd. Agr. Mo. Bui., 9 (1911), No. 10, pp. 38). — This pamphlet con- 

 tains suggested forms and other data for specifications and contracts relating 

 to highway work. 



Electric power on the farm, A. Shane (Iowa State Col. Engin. Expt. Sta. 

 Buh, 10 (1011), No. 1, pp. 63, figs. 36; abs. in Gas Engine, U (1912), No. 5, pp. 

 2^-2/f6, figs. 2). — It is the purpose of this bulletin to outline an electric system 

 of general application to the farm and to discuss in some detail a particular 

 installation under certain assumed farm conditions. 



It is stated that on an average sized farm without the advantages of water 

 power or a nearby transmission line, a gasoline engine offers the most advan- 

 tages for driving the generator, chief of which are the little attention required 

 and the fuel economy. Some electrical facts are stated, a few general instruc- 

 tions are given relative to installation, wiring, daily operation, ordering and 

 testing apparatus, and computing opei-ating costs. The general advantages of 

 electric power on the farm are pointed out, such as flexibility in application 

 to farm buildings, the independence of the farmer to outside help and weather 

 conditions, and safety, easy care, easy control, and economy of electric ma- 

 chinery. The estimated cost of a power plant consisting of a 10-horsepower 

 gasoline engine, 6 kilowatt generator, switchboard, and a 50-cell storage bat- 

 tery with accessories is $1,017, and of the entire installation, including house, 

 outbuilding, and outside apparatus is $1,486.50. 



Experiments on the application of electricity to agriculture (Jour. Soc. 

 Agr. Brabant et Hainnut, 51 ( 1912). No. 18, pp. 203, ;20.J).— Results of investiga- 

 tions are given showing the electric power required for driving different agri- 

 cultural machines. 



A review of investigations of the international congress on the applica- 

 tion of electrical energy, P. Lecler (Bui. Soc. Agr. France, 1912, May 1, pp. 

 445-456). — The production, transmission, and utilization of electrical energy 

 are dealt with, the bulletin discussing more especially the use of electricity in 

 agriculture for electi'oculture and driving . farm machinery, from both the 

 technical and economic points of view. 



A novel and eflacient farm power plant, E. S. Estel (KimbalVs Dairy 

 Farmer, 10 (1912), No. 8, p. 275, figs. 2). — The author desci*ibes a farm water- 

 power plant, consisting essentially of a small concrete pressure dam, having an 

 8-ft. head, a 9-ft. overshot water wheel, a small power house, transmission line, 

 and house and outbuilding installations of motors, lights, etc. The total cost 

 is given as a little less than $400. 



Use of dynamite on the farm (Philadelphia, 1911, pp. 112, figs. 53). — This 

 pamphlet gives a large amount of data dealing with the use of dynamite on the 

 farm, including directions for the use of this explosive in land clearing, digging 

 drainage ditches, road grading, excavating for foundations, cellars, walls, i)ost 

 holes, etc., subsoiling and plowing, orchard cultivation, and for breaking up ice 

 gorges, log jams, and log rollways. 



The hydraulic ram, W. C. Davidson (Missouri Bd. Agr. Mo. Bui., 10 (1912), 

 No. 2, pp. 36, figs. 19). — This bulletin deals with the use of the hydraulic ram 

 on the farm, describing the complete equipment and the theory of operation of 



