RUBAL ENGINEERING. 787 



.'i02). — This is a study of the Asooli method as applied to the diagnosis of 

 erysipehis in hogs. The organs used were the Icidney and spleen. In some cases 

 both were employed. 



Although a few negative results were obtained with positive material, the 

 author believes that the method can be used providing a specific serum of the 

 proper strength is employed. Special emphasis is placed on the point that 

 some additional work will have to be done in regard to preparing a more 

 suitable serum for tliis purpose. 



Infection with Bacillus aerogenes capsulatus, S. A. Deming (Amcr. Jour. 

 Vet. Med., 7 (1912). \o. 9, pp. 365, 3G6). — The author reports observations of a 

 case of this infection in the mule in Iowa. 



The condition of the dig'estive tract in parathyroid tetany in cats and dogs, 

 A. J. Caelson {Amer. Jour. Physiol., 30 {1912), No. 4, pp. 309-3J,0).— "There 

 are no spasms, contractures, or other evidence of hyperexcitability or tetany 

 of the neuro-muscular mechanisms of the digestive tract in parathyroid tetany 

 in cats and dogs. Even in very severe tetany the movements of the stomach 

 and the intestines may be normal. The deviati('n from normal is in the direc- 

 tion of dei)ression or paralysis." 



Observations on fowl and ducks in Uganda with relation to Trypanosoma 

 gallinarum and T. gambiense, H. L. Dike {I'roc. Roy. Soc. [London], Ser. B. 

 85 (1912), No. B 580, pp. 378-384, pl i).— The author concludes that T. galli- 

 narum can multiply in the gut of Glos&ina palpalis, although this fly is prob- 

 ably not the normal host. Muscovite ducks are not thought capable of acting 

 as a reservoir for T. gamhicnsc. 



RURAL ENGINEERING. 



The storage of water for irrigation purposes. — I, Earth-fill dams and 

 hydraulic-fill dams. II, Timber dams and rock-fill dams, S. Foktjer and 

 F. L. BixBY ([/. S. Dept. Ayr., Office Expt. St as. Bui. 2J,9, pts. i, pp. 95, pis. 20, 

 figs. 41; 2, pp. 64, pis. S, figs. 38). — Small and medium sized, reservoirs are 

 deemed as urgently needed to provide additional water supply for arid lands 

 as are large reservoirs and to have a more extended use, especially in the late 

 summer seasons if the stream flow is short and water is needed for stock and 

 the more valuable crops such as alfalfa, potatoes, sugar beets, sugax cane, and 

 orchards. In this bulletin the types of dams suitable to small reservoirs only 

 are considered. Several different tyi>es of these dams and several specific 

 structures with cost data -are described, and a large amount of information is 

 given relative to the proper location, construction, and lining of the reservoirs, 

 the different methods of location and design, and the equipment, methods, and 

 material of construction of these dams with spillways, gates, valves, conduits, 

 and all operating machinery. 



Tests indicate that in earthen dam construction it is advantageous to use a 

 mixture of materials ranging from fine to coarse to effect as high a degree 

 of compactness as possible, and that the foundation should be on firm and 

 reasonably dry ground. In hydraulic-fill dam construction the features to be 

 considered are a supply of water with a flow of from 2 to 20 cu. ft. per second 

 under a pressure of from 40 to 75 lbs. per square inch ; suitable material such 

 as may be readily sluiced into place and will give the required degree of com- 

 pactness, stability, and imperviousness ; and available quantities of this mate- 

 rial close enough by to make transportation by the hydraulic method practical. 

 The timber dam is regarded as a suitable and economical structure in all the 

 smaller and less expensive irrigation systems because of its cheapness in first 

 67421°— No. S— 13 7 



