1918.1 RURAL ENGINEERING. 789 



permeability of soils and the amount and velocity of irrigation. Soils classed 

 as impervious, slicrhtly pervious, and pervious were used in the experiments. It 

 is concluded that the module and width of iri-igated plats should be such that 

 the velocity of the irrigation water will be high for very pervious soils and 

 low in relatively impervious soils. 



A general conclusion from these studies is that a study of the physical prop- 

 erties of the soil to be irrigated should precede the design of an irrigation 

 system. 



Field studies of the intluence of module, of quantity and distribution of irri- 

 gation, and of frequency of irrigation on harvest are also reported, the purpose 

 being to show the proper procedure on soils in different parts of France. 



Surface water supply of Missouri River Basin, 1915 (U. S. Geol. Survey, 

 Water-supply Paper 4O6 {1911), pp. 282+XLI, pis. 2).— This report, prepared 

 in cooperation with the States of Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, and Wyoming, 

 presents the results of measurements of flow made on the Missouri River and 

 tributary basins during 1915. Additional sections are included on stream- 

 gauging stations and a list of publications relating to water resources. 



The oxyg'en-consuming power of natural waters, G. W. Heise and R. H. 

 Aguilar {Philippine Jovr. Sci., Sect. A, 11 {1916), No. 1, pp. 37-47; ahs. in 

 Internat. Inst. Ayr. \_Rome'\, Internat. Rev. Sci. and Pract. Ayr., 7 {1916), No. 

 11, pp. 1577-1579). — In connection with quantitative studies on some of the 

 factors influencing the determination of the oxygen-consuming capacity of 

 natural waters by means of potassium permanganate in acid solution, it is 

 concluded that the determination of oxygen consumption at best is not an 

 accurate measure of the organic content of a water and that such uncertain 

 results are obtained as to make isolated determinations of very little value. 

 " It is only when a water supply is to be examined repeatedly that the deter- 

 mination becomes very useful." 



Minnesota road laws, compiled by L. A. Smith {Minneapolis: State, 1917, 

 pp. 50).- — The text of the laws is given. 



Annual report on highway improvement, Ontario, 1916, W. A. McLean 

 {Ann. Rpt. Hiyhvay Improv. Ontario. 1916. pp. 31, fiys. 12). — This is a brief 

 report on highway improvement works and expenditures in Ontario, Canada, 

 for 1916. 



Paving' economy: Road and street, C. A. Mullen {Montreal: Indus, and Ed. 

 Press, 1917. pp. 98. figs. 4). — This book deals with the economics of design, con- 

 struction, maintenance, and repair of pavements for roads and streets. 



Report on experimental convict road camp, Fulton County, Ga., H. S. 

 Fairbank, R. H. Eastham, and W. F. Draper {U. S. Depl. Ayr. Bui. 583 {1918), 

 pp. 64. pl-^- IT' flO^- 2). — The operation of an experimental convict road camp, 

 maintained for 10 months in Fulton County, Ga., is described. The camp was 

 established as the result of the studies of convict labor for road work con- 

 ducted in 1914 and 1915 by the Office of Public Roads and Rural Engineering 

 and the Public Health Service, previously noted (E. S. R., 36, p. 386). 



A special type of portable building, designed with a view to determining the 

 practicability and economy of this type in comparison with other camp struc- 

 tures, is described. A balanced ration was installed to ascertain whether this 

 diet and system would effect economy and promote the welfare of the convict. 

 The honor system was followed in the discipline of the convicts, all of whom 

 were negroes, and no attempts to escape were made. 



Construction data on the cost of the various road projects are included, as 

 well as cost data for the construction and maintenance of the camp. "Taken 

 as a whole, the outstanding results of the experiment demonstrate that clean- 



