EUEAL ENGINEERING. 483 



To warmed mixtures of highly virulent organisms certain metals are added for 

 reducing the virulency of the micro-organisms, since micro-organisms so at- 

 tenuated, when injected into animals, can be borne with impunity. Metallic 

 salts in solution can not be used for tliis purpose on account of their toxicity. 

 The vaccines prepared according to the above principle are employed by the 

 author for immunizing purposes. The results of tests conducted with the vac- 

 cines prepared in this manner on mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, and shoats are 

 reported, and showed good immunizing properties. 



The vaccine for swine plague was prepared from Bacillus suisepticus, while 

 that against hog cholera was produced with B. suipestifer. Some tests were 

 also conducted, although very vaguely reported, with a vaccine prepared from 

 B. suipestifer and the filtered blood from cases of hog cholera (also organ 

 filtrates) which were exposed to the action of metals. The results of tests in 

 veterinary practice showed that the latter preparation gave better results than 

 those obtained with the B. suipestifer vaccine alone. 



The diphtheria of suckling pigs, E. Wyssmann (Schweiz. Arch. Tierheilk., 

 52 (1910), No. 2, pp. 90-120; abs. in Berlin. Tierarztl. Wchnschr., 27 {1911), 

 'No. 33, pp. 596, 597). — After describing the symptoms of this condition and the 

 Guillebeau diphtheria bacillus which is usually present in the nasal and similar 

 mucous membranes, the author states that this condition is either a special 

 form of hog cholera where the diphtheria bacillus plays a secondary part, or a 

 diphtheria proper. 



RURAL ENGINEERING. 



Private irrigation enterprise compared with government reclamation, 

 F. G. Tracy ( [Denver, 1912], pp. 31). — The author presents the opinion that the 

 real meaning of the Reclamation Act has been misconstrued, and he attempts 

 to show by tables of census data that private irrigation projects under the 

 Carey Act have accomplished considerably more for less money than the Rec- 

 lamation projects in the various States. 



Irrigation and irrigating canals (Rpt. Cat. Bd. Agr., 1911, pp. 203-223). — 

 This report briefly reviews the history of irrigation in California, discusses 

 the reclamation works, dry farming, and private irrigation districts and systems, 

 and describes the rivers, creeks, and lakes of the State, giving data of stream 

 flow, drainage, and run-off in the different basins and drainage areas. Tabu- 

 lated comparisons of irrigated farms and lands in different localities are also 

 included. 



Electric irrigation pumping in southern California (Elect. World, 59 

 (1912), No. 23, pp. 1255-1259, figs. 8). — A description is given of the use of 

 electric pumps in the Pomona district. 



About 125 electrically-driven irrigation pumping plants are operating within 

 a radius of 10 miles, practically all the energy being supplied by a substation 

 in the city of Pomona, connected with the general transmission of a power 

 company by two 3-phase, 33,000 volt lines, the potential being reduced from 

 83,000 to 10,000 volts for local distribution among the ranches. The plants are 

 designed for both deep-well and low-lift service, depending on local conditions, 

 using 4 to 5 in. centrifugal pumps for the shorter lifts and double-acting cylinder 

 pumps for the deep-well service. The cost varies from 2 to 3 cts. per kilowatt 

 hour. 



[Drainage problems in West Tennessee], L. L. Hidingeb and A. E. Morgan 

 (Resources Tenn., 2 (1912), No. 6, pp. 231-2-'f9, pis. 2, figs. 2).— A report on 

 the drainage problems of the Wolf, Hatchie, and the South Fork of the Forked 

 Deer rivers in West Tennessee, which drain approximately 4,815 square miles. 



