STATISTICS MISCELLANEOUS. 



797 



high, and galvanized-iron cylinders 25 in. in diameter and 4 ft. high 

 (placed one within the other). Ice was kept in the zinc cylinders, and 

 the water melted from the ice weighed twice a day, the room tempera- 

 ture being kept constant throughout the trial, which lasted about 

 3 weeks. The following table gives a summary of the observations 

 taken : 



Trials with insulating materials, 1898. 



Weight 



of melted 



ice in 24 



hours. 



Weight 

 of insu- 

 lating 

 material. 



Comparative insu- 

 lating power. 



™t 



Cork refuse 



"< 'nrk stone," ei ushed 



Straw band 



Heather, packed 



Cut straw 



Paper 



Heat her, loose 



Rice liulls 



Siliceous earth ("kiselgur") 



Pounds. 

 5.97 

 6.84 

 7.40 

 7.40 

 7.63 

 7.82 

 7.84 

 8.19 

 11.79 



Pounds. 

 47.0 

 81.5 

 48.0 

 72.5 

 59.5 

 49.5 

 38.0 

 85.0 

 201.0 



78.2 

 89.6 

 97.0 

 97.0 

 100.0 

 102.5 

 102.8 

 107.3 

 154.5 



61.8 

 122. 7 



78.3 

 118.2 

 100.0 



85.3 



65.7 

 153.3 

 521.9 



— F. W. WOLL. 



A simple and efficient method of irrigating the soil, C. Schuler (Landw. Jahro. 

 Schiveiz, 11 (1S97), pp. SG9-377, pis. 2, chart 1). — The distribution of rainfall (with 

 chart of normals) and the need of irrigation in Switzerland are discussed, the Con- 

 clusion heiug reached that only simple, cheap methods of irrigation can he profitably 

 employed. A method of irrigation in which the soil is flooded by means of gates at 

 intervals in the ditch is described. 



Manure platforms, M. Ringelmaxn (Jour. Agr. Prat., 1S98, II, No. 51, pp. 892- 

 897, figs. 7). — Plans and descriptions are given, 



Manure yards, M. Ringelmaxn {Jour. Agr. Prat., 1S9S, II, No. 52, pp. 923-926, 

 figs. 4). — Plans and descriptions of covered aud uncovered yards. 



Pit or platform for manure, H. D'Anchald (Jour. Agr. Prat., 1899, I, No. 3, pp. 

 98, 94). — A brief note on the relative merits of these two means of storing manure. 



The amount of "water pumped by a geared 16-foot aermotor windmill, F. H. 

 King ( Wisconsin Sta. Ilpt. 1897, pp. 240-248, figs. S). — This is a preliminary account of 

 experiments more fully reported in Bulletin No. 68 of the station (E. S. R., 10, p. 695). 



The Venturi meter (Jour. Franklin Inst., 147 (1899), No. 2, pp. 108-145, figs. 23).— 

 Report of the Committee on Science and the Arts of the Franklin Institute on the 

 inventions of Clemens Herschel, Frederick N. Connet, and Walter W. Jackson. The 

 Elliott-Cresson Gold Medal (the highest honor in the gift of the institute) was 

 awarded to the first mentioned for the invention of the Venturi tube, and the John 

 Scott Legacy Premium to the other two for their registering apparatus adapted to 

 use with the Venturi meter. 



Lightning rods and protection of farm buildings from lightning, R. C. Kedzie 

 (Michigan Sta. Spec. Bui. 3, pp. 8). — A popular article. 



STATISTICS— MISCELLANEOUS. 



Report of Idaho Station for 1898 (Idaho Sta. Bui. 15, pp. 139-1S0).— This con- 

 tains reports of the director and the heads of departments, parts of which are noted 

 elsewhere, on the station work for the year, and financial statements for the fiscal 

 years ending June 30, 1897 and 1898. 



Annual Report of South Dakota Station, 1898 (South Dakota Sta. Rpt. 1898, pp. 

 7-19). — This contains a report of the director, including a financial statement for the 



