EURAL ECONOMICS. 793 



tion of the dairy bnrn at the University of Missouri are given. The construc- 

 tion is intended to be practical and to include at the same time all the necessary 

 features for the best sanitaiy conditions. 



The farm stable, C. W. Slkigh {Trans. Highland and Agr. Soc. Scot., 5. ser., 

 24 (1912), pp. JiO-52, figs. 10). — The essential details of the construction of 

 suitable farm stables are briefly given, emphasizing drainage, ventilation, light, 

 and the comfort of the horses, and presenting original ideas as to roof, wall, 

 floor, and stall construction. 



Experiments with improved cow stalls, A, Gxjnthart (Wiener Landw. Ztg., 

 62 (1912), No. J,5. pp. 5.',0, S'/l, figs. 5).— The details of a cow stall are given 

 in which a double, adjustable hanging chain is used instead of stanchions. 



Cement silo construction (Agr. Ed. [Kans. Agr. Col.}, // (1912), No. 6, pp. 

 79, figs. 29). — This bulletin gives a detailed outline of the design and construc- 

 tion of the monolithic silo, by G. S. Hine, and of the metal-lath silo, by G. C. 

 Wheeler. 



Farm poultry houses, J. B. Davidson and W. A. Lippincott (loioa 8ta. Bui. 

 132, pp. 221-251. figs. 15). — This bulletin sets forth the essentials of a good 

 poultry house, and emphasizes the necessity of a well-drained location and of 

 dryness, ventilation, sunlight, and simplicity in construction to facilitate clean- 

 ing and disinfection. Plans and specitications and deUiils of construction, with 

 bills of material and estimates of cost, of an A-shaped portable colony house, 

 the Iowa Station colony house, and a farm poultry house are also given. 



Making' a poultry house, M. R. Conovkr (Neiv York, 1912, pp. 5^/, pis. 8, figs. 

 Jf). — This woriv deals with the design and construction of poultry houses and 

 contains chapters with specific suggestions for houses, floors, foundations, roofs, 

 walls, windows and ventilation, doors, nests and roosts, and the run, and a 

 final chapter on general upkeep. 



Wire fencing' (Canad. Thresherman and Farmer, 11 (1912), No. 1, pp. 51, 

 58). — It is stated that the rusting of modern steel wire is due principally to 

 galvanic action rather than to the thinness of the galvanizing coat, this action 

 being brought about by the difference in chemical composition of different parts 

 of wire manufactured from iron made by the Bessemer and open-hearth 

 processes. When li'ou containing considerable manganese is used, the different 

 iron particles of different chemical composition are caused to act as different 

 metals, assume different potentials, and when wet cause the flow- of electric 

 currents, thus setting up galvanic action and resulting in a decomposition of 

 the wire. 



The puddled iron process is presented as a solution to the rust problem since 

 in this process the slag and impurities are more evenly distributed throughout 

 the metal, thus preventing galvanic action. Wire made from puddled iron is 

 more expensive than the others, but is considered an economical investment 

 since it lasts from 4 to 5 times as long. 



See also the work of Cushman (-E. S. R., 21, p. 207). 



Labor-savers in the laundry, L. R. Balderston (Country Gent., 11 (1912), 

 No. 20, p. 13, dgms. 5). — Laundry machinery and equipment is discussed, par- 

 ticularly with reference to farm laundry problems. 



RURAL ECONOMICS. 



What is the most important problem before our rural people? (Business 

 America, 12 (1912), No. 5. pp. Ji9-57). — Answers to the above question are pre 

 sented, as follows: Education, by A. C. True; The Problem of Marketing, by 

 F. A. Waugh; Cooperation, by C. S. Barrett; Where Are Rural People to Spend 

 Their Money and Energy? by T. N. Carver; The District School, by E. T. Fair- 



