34 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The prospect of improviug weather forecasts by such means and by the use of small 

 pilot balloons, which can be made at slight expense and can reach considerable alti- 

 tudes, is considered to be very encouraging." 



A practical treatise on -weather forecasting, J. R. Plumaxdox { Trait e pratique 

 de la Prevision dti temps. Paris : G. Masson). 



Protection from lightning, A. McAdie {U. S. Dept.Jgr., Weather Bureau BnJ.15, 

 pp. 26, figs. 13). — This is a revised edition of a previously issued circular upon the 

 same subject (E. S. R., 6, p. 20). 



Meteorological observations, H. B. Battle, C. F. von Herrmann, and R. Nuxx 

 {North Carolina Sta. Met. Bids. 7S, pp. 37-51, maps 2; 70, pp. 55-70, maps 2; 80, pp. 73-SS, 

 maps 2). — The usual summaries of observations by the North Carolina Section of the 

 Climate and Crop Service of the Weather Bureau of this Department for March, 

 April, and May, 1896. 



Report of the third annual meeting of the American Association of State 

 Weather Services {U. S. Dept. Agr., Weather Bnrenu Bui. 14. pp. 31). — This consists 

 of an account of the discussions and papers, officers of the association, and list of 

 those in attendance at the meeting held in Brooklyn, New York, August 17, 1894. 



WATEH— SOILS. 



The improvement of unproductive black soils, H. A. Huston 

 {Indiana Sta. Bill. 57^ pp. 83-100, pis. 4, Jigs. 5). 



Synojjsis. — The unproductive areas of deep, black humus soils known as "bogus" 

 lands occurring in central and northern Indiana, and which in many cases " were 

 formerly marshes or the bottoms of old ponds," showed on chemical examina- 

 tion none of the characteristics usually assigned as the cause of unproductiveness. 

 Experiments on 2 farms during 1 years indicate that the use of kainit and straw 

 temporarily improved the drainage, and thus increased the pioductiveness of 

 these soils. A system of drainage which taps the water-bearing gravel under- 

 lying the humus soil and lowers the water level to at least 40 in. by removing 

 the cause of unprtrductiveness insures permanent improvement. Systems of 

 drainage having this object in view are described. 



"In nearly every county in central and northern Indiana maybe 

 found a kind of black soil, often known as ' bogus land.' It is also 

 sometimes called ' allvali,' but not correctly, for the land lias none of 

 the real characteristics of alkali soil. 



"The size of the areas of unproductive black lands varies from a few- 

 square rods to a hundred or more acres. Many of the places where it 

 is found were formerly marshes or the bottoms of old ponds. Such 

 land is found at all elevations above the level of the water courses from 

 bottom lands beside the streams to the summit of the ridges or divides 

 between the water courses." 



"The unproductive soil itself consists of partially decomposed organic matter 

 mixed with more or less sand and clay. In the large areas the organic matter makes 

 up the greater part of the material and the soil has the general character of muck 

 lands. In some of the smaller areas there is more mineral matter present. Often 

 these small areas are low places in fields of clay or loam and differ from the 

 remainder of the field only in having more black matter in the soil and being at a 

 lower level. On digging down in these small areas it is generally found that the 

 distance to the hard pan, clay, or gravel is much greater in the ' bogus ' places than 

 in the good soil near the border of the bogus place, indicating that at one time the 

 'bogus' place was filled Avith water to a considerable depth, and gradually became 



