WATER SOILS. 125 



Investigations on the relation of atmospheric precipitation to plants and 

 soils, E. Woi.i.ny (Forsch. Agr. Phys. [Wollny], 20 {1898), No. 3, pp. 346-360) .—This 

 is a general discussion of the influence of an excess or deficiency of water, injurious 

 effects of water on the mechanical properties of soils, the leaching of soils, the 

 accumulation of soluble salts in the soil, and the influence of snow, hail, etc. 



Forecasts of frosts, R. ('. Kedzie {Michigan Sfa. Spec. Bui. 5, pp. 10). — A popular 

 discussion of means of forecasting frosts and protecting plants from injury. Among 

 the means of protection suggested arc irrigation and smudges. 



On a new form of constant volume air thermometer, which shows the total 

 pressure directly, and may be graduated in degrees of temperature, J. R. E. 

 MUKRAY (Proc. Roy. Soe. Edinburgh, 21 (1895-1897), pp. 299-302, figs. 2). 



Exploration of the air by means of kites ( Cambridge, 1S9-, pts. 3, pp. 43-128, 

 ph. 7; reprinted from Ann. Astron. Observ. Harvard College, 42 {1S97), I). 



Forestry-meteorological studies, E. Hoppe ( Centbl. Gesam, Forstiv. Wien, 24 {1898), 

 No. 3, pp. 99-126). 



On measures for the amelioration of the climate, H. Steinmetz {Ber. Andra 

 Nord. Landtbr. Kongr., Stockholm, 1897, I, pp. 110-139, ill. and charts). — Treats of the 

 frost phenomenon, drainage systems, and the forest problem. 



The influence of the movements of the moon on the oscillations of the 

 atmosphere, P. Garrigou-Lagraxge {Compt. Bend. Acad. Sci. Paris, 126 {1898), 

 No. 16, pp. 1173-1176). 



Influence of diffused solar light on the growth of plants, J. Wiesner {Compt. 

 Rend. Acad. Sci. Paris, 126 (1898), No. IS, pp. 1287-1289). 



Monthly reports of the River and Flood Service, W. L. Moore and P. Morrill 

 ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Weather Bureau Docs. 153, pp. 18, chart 1; 156, pp. 14, chart 1 ; 158, 

 pp. 19, chart 1). — Resumes of observations on river stages and conditions of naviga- 

 tion during the months of January, February, and March, 1898. 



Wrecks and casualties on the Great Lakes during 1895, 1896, and 1897, 

 W. L. Moo he and N. B. Conger {U. S. Dept. Agr., Weather Bureau Doc. 159, pp. 23, 

 charts 3). — A chronological record. 



WATER— SOILS. 



The Beeville Station: Soils, climate, water supply, and irriga- 

 tion equipment, J. H. Connell and S. A. McHeney {Texas Sta. 

 Bui, 43, pp. 929-958, pis. 4, figs. 11).— This is the first report of the 

 experiment station in this part of southern Texas provided for by- 

 State appropriation. 



Soils. — The region presents a gently rolling surface, which is largely 

 devoid of forest growth, except along the water courses. The open 

 prairie is covered with mesquite grass. 



''The surface of the soil is a dark brown sandy loam, which lies over a whitish 

 marl, carrying a large percentage of lime. This dark surface soil in some cases 

 shades into a chocolate red, or turns to a sandy white on some of the hillsides. In 

 the valleys it is almost black, because of the large amount of decayed vegetable 

 matter contained, and in such situations it is usually heavy and obstinate under 

 the plow, and the surface soil is several feet in depth, while on the slopes and tops 

 of hills it varies from 6 to 18 in. in depth." 



The soils of this region are located on the Fayette beds, and for the 

 purpose of investigation were divided into three main groups: (1) 

 Vegetable soils, (2) orchard soils, and (3) field crop soils. Samples of 

 these soils were taken at three different depths, 1 to 6 in., 24 to 30 in., 



