826 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



sandy soils Alinit was without effect in increasing the harvest of cereals. Where 

 humus compounds were abundant Alinit did increase the crop, but inoculations in 

 ordinary or poor soils were without appreciable influence. 



General methods in botanical microtechnique, J. H. Sciiaffner (Jour. Appl. 

 Micros., 2 (1899), No. 1, pp. 225-227). — This article treats of the preparation of 

 botanical material for paraffin embedding. 



Several crosses of spelt and wheat, P. H. Stoll (Dent. Landw. Presse, 26 (1899), 

 No.l,p.3; 4, p. 29; 8, p. 65; 11, p. 95, figs. 7). — Crosses obtained by fertilizing Square 

 Head wheat with pollen of Brown Winter spelt are described and illustrated. 



Results of experiments in the cross breeding of cereals and peas, W. Saun- 

 ders (Canada Expt. Farms Bpt. 1897, pp. 67-69). — Notes on the work of cross breeding 

 spring wheat, barley, oats, peas, and of wheat with rye at the Central Experimental 

 Farm. 



The king-devil weed, F. L. Harvey (Maine Sta. Bpt. 1897, pp. 185-191, pi. 1). — 

 Notes are given on the history and distribution of Hieraeinm prcealtum. This weed 

 is reported as a rather serious pest in 5 or 6 different localities in the State, and 

 remedies are suggested for the possible destruction and prevention of the spread of 

 this plant, which would in all probability prove a serious weed peat. 



METEOROLOGY— CLIMATOLOGY. 



Meteorological observations (Massachusetts Hatch Sta. Met. Bids. 

 118, 119, 120, pp. 4 each). — The usual summaries of observations and 

 notes on the weather during October, November, and December, 1898. 

 In addition, No. 120 gives an annual summary for 1898, the principal 

 data in which are as follows: 



Pressure 1 (inches). — Maximum, 30.76, March 26; minimum, 29.01, February 16; 

 mean, 30.008. Air temperature- (degrees F. ). — Maximum, 96.5, July 3 ; minimum, — 19, 

 February 3; mean, 47.5; mean sensible (wet bulb), 15.2; annual range, 115.5; maxi- 

 mum daily range, 40, February 3; minimum daily range, 2.5, April 5; mean daily 

 range, 20.3. Humidity. — Mean dew point, 41.6; mean force of vapor, 0.426; mean 

 relative humidity, 79.8. Precipitation. — Total rainfall or melted snow, 54.25 in.; 

 number of days on which 0.01 in. or more rain or melted snow fell, 135; total snow- 

 fall, 69.5 in. Weather. — Mean cloudiness observed, 60 per cent; total cloudiness 

 recorded by sun thermometer, 2,317 hours, or 52 per cent ; number of clear days, 78 ; 

 number of fair days, 138 ; number of cloudy days, 149. Wind. — Prevailing direction, 

 W. or S. 86° W. ; total movement, 48,425 miles ; maximum daily movement, 675 miles, 

 November 27 ; minimum daily movement, 4 miles, January 18 ; meau daily movement, 

 133 miles; mean hourly velocity, 5.5 miles; maximum pressure per square foot, 30.5 

 miles, 78 miles per hour, September 7. Dates of frosts. — Last, April 27; first, Sep- 

 tember 21. Dates of snow. — Last, April 6; first, November 24. 



Meteorological observations (Maine Sta. Bpt. 1897, pp. 201, 202).— This is a 

 monthly summary of observations during 1897 on atmospheric pressure, tempera- 

 ture, precipitation, cloudiness, and wind movement. The mean pressure for the 

 year was 29.84 in. ; the mean temperature, 42.46°, the mean for 29 years being 42.34° ; 

 precipitation, 39.99 in. (average for 29 years 45.2) ; snowfall, 58 in. (mean for 29 years 

 92.4); number of clear days, 125; number of cloudy days, 137. 



Meteorological observations, W. T. Ellis et al (Canada Expt. Farms Bpt. 1897, 

 pp. 60, 273, 356, 357, 434). — Brief summaries of observations and general notes on the 

 weather at the Central Experimental Farm and the experimental farms for the Mari- 

 time Provinces, Manitoba, the Northwest Territories, and British Columbia. 



1 Eeduced to freezing and sea level. The instruments are 2,735 ft. above sea level, 

 ' z Temperature in ground shelter 51 ft. below level of other instruments. 



