RURAL ENGINEERING. 687 



tbat the nature of the soil itself is one of the chief factors tending to make the 

 construction of drains in irrigated lands extremely difficult, and that where 

 open ditch drains are required great difficulty is experienced in constructing 

 them so that they will hold their shape. Because of this, covered tile drains 

 are much more desirable in irrigated lands than open drains. The methods 

 of design and construction of tile and open drains, intended to overcome as 

 nearly as possible the difficulties presented by the soil conditions, are outlined. 



[Methods of the preliminai*y organization of a 450,000-acre drainage and 

 levee project in southeastern Missouri!, L. T. Beethe {Engin. and Contract., 

 38 (ID 12), A'o. 5, pp. 131-133, pg. 1). — This article outlines the conditions and 

 methods of bringing about the organization of this project, including a de- 

 scription of the district and its organization. The preliminary cost estimate 

 was !?2.585.000. 



The scoop wheel as the pioneer for the drainage of lowlands, J. D. Beck 

 {,La. Planter, 1,9 (19.12), No. 9, pp. Ul, V,2, fig. i).— A discussion of the design, 

 construction, and operation of the scoop wheel as used in drainage reclamation, 

 outlining in detail the design of a 27 ft. wheel which has a possible actual dis- 

 charge of 7,153 cu. ft. per minute at low lift. Several installations in operation 

 in different localities are described, giving efficiencies ranging from 33 to 89 

 per cent. 



Drainage by explosives, A. MacPherson (Jour'. Neio Zeal. Dept. Agr., 5 

 (1912), No. 2, pp. 126-133, figs. 3). — This reports the results of experiments on 

 the dynamiting of pakihi soil for drainage in Westland, New Zealand. 



The soil was from 11 to 21 in. deep, above 2 or 3 alternate layers of hard 

 packed sand and bowlders on cement formation and iron pan from 9 to 22 in. 

 in thickness, with a porous substratum of fi'ee sand, shingles, and bowlders 

 several feet in depth. The charge holes were bored 4 ft. apart, into and 

 through the hard bottom. The first 2 plats were charged with 2 sticks of dyna- 

 mite per hole, the third and fourth plats with 3 and 4 sticks, and the fifth and 

 sixth plats with 5 sticks per hole. 



The iron pan was not fractured by the explosion in any of the plats, holes 

 about 1 ft. in diameter being the extent of its operation, yet the drainage 

 through these holes has so far been fairly successful. 



Roads, paths, and bridges, L. W. Page (Neio York, 1912, pp. XIV +263, pU. 

 24, P'ff-'i- 12). — This book gives in concise and elementary form the fundamental 

 principles governing the construction of roads, paths, and bridges for farm and 

 neighborhood purposes, and outlines in detail the selection of material and 

 methods of construction and maintenance. It contains chapters on the history 

 of road building ; road legislation and administration ; locations, surveys, plans, 

 and specifications; earth, sand-clay, gravel, and broken stone roads; selection 

 of materials for macadam roads; maintenance and repair; roadside treatment; 

 modern road problems ; paths ; and culverts and bridges. 



Handbook for highway engineers, W. G. Habger and E. A. Bonnet (New 

 York and London, 1912, pp. XIV+Jf93, figs. 85). — This book contains in com- 

 pact form information ordinarily I'equired in the field and office practice of 

 road design and construction. It contains data for the inexperienced engineer 

 or commissioner on the relative importance of the different parts of the design 

 and the possibilities of economy without impairing the efficiency of the roads, 

 and also cost data useful to anyone engaged in road work, 



A third report on the public roads in Georgia, S. W. McCallie (Oeol. 

 Survey Ga. Bui. 28, 1912, pp. 12). — A report of the mileage of and expenditures 

 on public roads in Georgia, given by counties for the year 1911, and calling 

 attention to the increase in road mileage and to the profitable use of convict 



66501°— No. 7—12 7 



