SOILS — FERTILIZERS. 617 



Teeple; Mamma to-cumulus Clouds (illus.), by W. J. Humphreys; Unusual 

 Hailstone Foi'mation (illus.). by D, J. Lingle; and Hail in tlie Tropics. 



Meteorological observations at the Massachusetts Agricultural Experi- 

 ment Station, J. E. Osteandeb and H. W. Angieb (ilassachusctts Sta. Met. 

 Buls. 283, 28//, pp. Jf each). — Summaries of observations* at Amherst, Mass., on 

 pressure, temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, sunshine, cloudiness, and 

 casual phenojuena during July and August, 1912. The data are briefly discussed 

 in general notes on the weather of each month. 



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

 year 1908, J. Ai.cufi {Anu. Rpt. [Philippine] Weather Bur., 1908, pt. 3, pp. 

 276). — A record of meteorological observations at the secondary stations in 1908. 



The influence of climatic conditions on the agricultural industry of Ger- 

 many, A. ScHNiDEB (Landiv. Hefte, 1912, No. 1, pp. 27). — This is a brief gen- 

 eral discussion of the subject. 



The conservation of snow, J. E. Chubch, Jr. {8ci. Amer. Sup., 74 (.1912), No. 

 1914, pp. 152-155, figs. 11). — This article describes apparatus and methods used 

 by the Nevada Station in studying the influence of forests in conserving snow on 

 mountains. 



It was found that snow tanks or gages were inefBcient because of high winds, 

 but that the snow could be quickly and accurately measured by means of the 

 snow sampler described. By means of evaporation measurements it was pos- 

 sible to make allowance for the loss of moisture due to this cause. The only 

 factor left undetermined was that of absorption by the soil. This is " roughly 

 determined for given localities by subtracting the stream flow from the net 

 moisture content of the snow fleld; that is, the moisture content after due 

 allowance has been made for evaporation. . . . 



" The seasonal survey is now being extendetl to the study of the relation of 

 typical slopes to each other to determine a metho<l of forecasting the probability 

 and magnitude of floods. 



" There can no longer be any question of the direct influence of forests in 

 delaying the melting of the snow and thus in retarding stream flow at the very 

 time when floods normally occur. It is also equally true that forests, if too 

 dense, fail to attain their mjiximum efficiency as conservers of snow. On the 

 other hand, the planting of timber screens at strategic points on exposed slopes 

 will greatly increase their capacity to store more snow." 



Drinking water supply of primitive people, A. Haberlandt (Mitt. Justus 

 Perthes' Geogr. Anst., 1912, Ergdnzungsh. 17 4, pp. VI-\-57). — The subject is 

 discussed mainly from the anthropological standpoint and with special reference 

 to the arid regions of the earth. 



SOILS— FERTILIZEES. 



Soils of the eastern United States and their use, XXXVIII-XL, J. A. 

 Bonsteel (TJ. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Soils Circs. 65, pp. 15; 68, pp. 21; 69, pp. l-i).— 

 These circulars discuss the following soil types : 



Circular 65, Muck and Peat. — As defined, peat consists of nearly pure, par- 

 tially decayed remains of vegetable tissue. Muck consists of such material 

 mingled with an appreciable amount of extraneous mineral matter. It is also 

 more completely disintegrated than peat in most cases. Of such areas, nearly 

 1,000,000 acres have been surveyed and mapped by the Bureau of Soils. 



The installation of proper drainage is the first step in the utilization of these 

 soils for crop production. Primarily the soils are best suited for the production 

 of special purpose crops, but considerable areas are used for the growing of 

 general farm produce. Among the special purpose crops which have been grown 



