616 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



A series of observations on the temperature of bare and sod land at 

 the surface and at depths of from 0.05 to 1 meter are recorded. The 

 curves of temperature show fluctuations identical in kind but varying 

 in degree for the two kinds of soil. The variations are especially 

 noticeable in the upper layers of soil, the sod land being warmer in 

 winter and colder in summer than the bare soil. 



A record is given of observations on solar radiation with a new form 

 of actinomcter. This instrument consists of a dark blue spherical glass 

 reservoir containing ethyl alcohol into which extends the tapering 

 point of a graduated tube, the upper portion of which carries a ball). 

 When this apparatus is exposed to the sun the reservoir is heated and 

 the alcohol distils over into the graduated tube where it can be meas- 

 ured. This furnishes a basis for the calculation of the calorific power of 

 the sun. Various improvements in the details of this apparatus and 

 corrections which must be applied to the results obtained with it are 

 noted. A diagram is given which compares the theoretical and actual 

 hours of sunshine at Juvisy. 



Observations on rainfall during the year are reported and the results 

 are compared with similar observations for a long period of years. 

 Observations on cloudiness are also reported in this connection. The 

 rainfall observations show that precipitation has gradually increased 

 at Paris since 1733. 



As in previous years observations were made on the temperature of 

 the water in 2 wells 13.56 and 14.08 meters deep, respectively. The 

 temperature in the former was 11.5° C, and in the latter 11.1°. 



By keeping oak trees in a uniform temperature throughout the year 

 the author succeeded in causing the production of new leaves before 

 the shedding of the old ones. 



Meteorological observations, C. S. Phelps (Connecticut Storrs 

 Sta. Bpt. 1897, pp. 252-254). — This is a monthly summary of observa- 

 tions at the station during 1897 on atmospheric pressure, temperature, 

 precipitation, cloudiness, and wind movement, and on rainfall at 21 

 different places in the State during May to October. The mean pres- 

 sure during the year was 30.05 in.; the mean temperature, 47° F.; the 

 precipitation, 53.03 in.; number of rainj^days 116, fair days 130, cloudy 

 days 125; total movement of wind, 76,634 miles. The length of the 

 growing season (from the last killing frost in spring to the first in 

 autumn) was 159 days. The meteorological conditions of the season 

 were about normal, except in the case of precipitation, which was con- 

 siderably above the average for the State (48.5 in.). 



The causes of rain, J. R. Pi.umandon ( Pop. Sci. Mo., 54 (1S9S), Xo. 1, pp. S9-96).— 

 This is a translation from del ct Terre in which the influence of variations in tem- 

 perature and moisture anil the presence of dust on the production of rain is discussed. 



Sunshine and cloudiness in Nebraska, G. D. Swezey (Ilpt. Nebraska State Hort. 

 Soc, 27 {1896), pp. 45-47, JU/s. J). — A brief summary of observations with a description 

 of an electrical sunshine recorder. 



