1917] NOTES. 399 



O. E. Bransky gave an illustrated talk on Fuels for Internal Combustion 

 l^]ngines, discussing the physical and chemical properties of gasoline and 

 kerosene, including a description of the usual methods followed in producing 

 gasoline and kerosene from crude oil and the so-called Burton process. An 

 evaporation test by means of which the percentages of fuel wliich are evapo- 

 rated at different temperatures are determined accurately was advocated in 

 place of the hydrometer test. 



In a paper on Magneto Characteristics, it was shown by J. G. Zimmerman 

 from results of tests of two small gas engines that the heat i*equired in both 

 a high tension and make-and-break ignition spark is approximately 0.0025 

 calorie. The heat value is considered to be the essential factor in the ignition 

 spark, but this heat value must be delivered within a very shoi*t period of 

 time. The paper dealt further with sparks, voltage, timing, and the theory 

 of electromagnetic spark generation, the author's purpose being to show how 

 different types of magnetos are designed to produce the kind of spark which 

 is desirable for gas engine ignition. 



H. E. Murdock reported on the Drainage of Irrigated Lands, especially as 

 practiced at the Montana Experiment Station. The relief and intercepting 

 systems of drainage were discussed, and special cases of drainage of seeped 

 lands in Montana described in which the use of the systems noted was illus- 

 trated. It was brought out especially that the drainage of seeped irrigated 

 lands requires more than a simple survey for the preliminary w'ork. " When 

 drainage of a tract of land is suceessfullj' accomplished the work of reclaiming 

 the land is not yet completed, as the soil of the old swamp needs to be put 

 into condition for crops." " The question as to whether it will pay to drain 

 a certain piece of land needs careful consideration as the expense of reclaiming 

 it may be greater than the value of the land ; however, it can generally be 

 stated that it pays to drain seeped areas in irrigated lands unless the conditions 

 are very unfavorable for their successful reclamation." 



In a discussion of the above paper by O. W. Israelson, results of work re- 

 ported by the Irrigation Investigations of the U. S. Department of Agriculture 

 were reviewed. 



G. W. Iverson presented a paper on Sti'esses in a Shawver Barn Truss, ex- 

 plaining methods of graphical and analytical commutation of stresses. It 

 was shown that this plank truss type of barn frame as usually built should 

 be strong enough to withstand a wind blowing at the rate of 90 miles per 

 hour. 



Barn Planning was discussed by W. A. Ashby, who took up the independent 

 stable, shed, loft, basement, and covered barnyard types of live stock barns. 

 The requirements of each type were summarized and translated into figures 

 giving data regarding the average unit space and space for doors, windows, 

 vent flues, and floors, height of ceiling, and width and length of stall for 

 sheep, loose cattle, horses, and milch cows. On the basis of this material a 

 concrete example of barn planning was worked out step by step, illustrating the 

 points discussed and the application of the data. 



M. L. King presented a paper on Hollow Clay Blocks for Farm Buildings. 

 The development of permanent and tire-proof farm structures as well as fea- 

 tures of tlieir design were dealt with, and a standard test for fire-proof farm 

 residence construction was proposed, based on the author's experience. 



A paper on Masonry Roofs, based on experimental w^ork at the Iowa Experi- 

 ment Station, was presented by W. G. Kaiser. The general features of design 

 of a reinforced concrete and hollow tile arch barn roof following the equation 

 of an inverted catenary were discussed. 



