RURAL ENGINEERING. 291 



;;iti('l(> lilt' niithor troats at some length tho aiiplications of electricity in ajj;ri- 

 ciiltural operations and the relative economy of luiinan, animal, and machine 

 liower. In the latter connection he discusses farm and lai)or conditions and 

 their relation to the status of machine farming and the agricultural machine 

 industry. This has deve]op(>d so rapidly that the author believes Germany to 

 be fast becoming independent of England and America. 



There are detailed descriptions of niachines and implements operated by 

 electric power classified according to the nature of the work done, with diagrams 

 illustrating their mode of operation under the various systems, and data relative 

 to initiaTand operating costs. 



A chapter deals with the extent to which electrical power is employed and 

 with the central stations which furnish power to a large number of farms within 

 their zone. It is stated that the use of electricity in agriculture is increasing 

 with the develoi)ment of water power as a source of electrical energy. 



A new motor plow (Lninlir. Mitxch. u. CJcriitc, !) (1D09), Nos. 10, pp. 2, h, fig. 

 ] : //, pp. 5, 7). — In the tirst of these articles there is described a new motor 

 plow which has been successfully tested in Germany. In this, two plow frames 

 with a variable number of shares are attached to the body of the wagon, one at 

 each end. The machine is operated by benzin and is also provided with a drum 

 for hauling on a light cable attached to an anchor wagon. This is a novel 

 feature, the cable being used only when the soil is wet and there is a tendency 

 of the wheels to slip. As it is used only in connection with the traction wheels 

 great strength is not required and a light cable is sutflcient. The anchor wagon 

 need not be in line with the furrow, and it is thus jiossible to plow a strip 40 ft. 

 without moving the anchor wagon. 



The second article gives an account of the results of tests of this machine in 

 different liinds and conditions of soil and when used as a traction engine. Its 

 average hourly working capacity was found to be 2 acres, plowed to a depth of 

 8 to 9 inches. 



Farm practices in applying land plaster in western Oregon and western 

 Washington, P.. Hunter {WiifihiiKjton tiia, Bui. <S,S', pp. S-2-'i, fig.s. 10). — It is 

 stated that the practice of early sjjring ai)plication of land plaster as a fertilizer 

 for leguminous crops is followed in this region, especially in the Willamette 

 Valley. The amount used varies fi-om ?>0 to 100 lbs. per acre, HO to GO lbs. being 

 considered sufficient for a hay crop if evenly distributed. The plaster is as a 

 rule distributed by hand, but it is difficult to secui'e even distribution by this 

 means. The author therefore describes mechanical devices which have been 

 worked out by farmers in the region and which have been used with satisfactory 

 results in the distribution of i)laster. " It is hoiied that the descriptions given 

 are sufficiently clear to enable any farmer who is reasonably handy with tools 

 lo construct, at a nominal cost, an efficient implement for distributing land 

 plaster." 



[A new corn shock loader] {Farm Macliiucrj/, J90D, Xo. D20, p. 20, fig.<<. 2). — 

 Illustrations and a brief descrii)tion of a corn shock loader recently invented 

 by J. B. Schuman are given in this article. The machine consists of a frame 

 mounted on wheels, and l)earing curved receptacles which are lowered (o re- 

 ceive the shock and then elevated by horse power to an upright position on the 

 wagon. 



Cement pipe and tile, E. S. Hanson (Chicago, 1909, pp. HO, figs. 25, dgins. Jf, 

 maps 2). — This is a handbook containing information regarding the manufac- 

 ture and use of cement i)ipe and tile. 



In the tirst chai)ter there is a brief review of drainage conditions and the 

 work of swamp land I'eclamatiou in the United States. The author outlines 



