MISCELLAISTEOUS. 303 



Irrigation {Ej>t. Registrar- Gen. on Agr. and Pastoral Statls. [Qtieensland], 1901, 

 pp. 16-18). — Statistics are given of the area irrigated, the source of the water 

 supply and the means of utiHzing it, and the crops grown under irrigation. 



Reclaiming the arid Southwest, E. ]\I. Barker {Forum, 33 {1902), No. 3, pp. 

 3H3-371). — A genera] review of the more important physical characteristics of this 

 region and of the progress made in its development under irrigation. 



The prevention of the pollution of streams by modern methods of selvage 

 treatment, L. P. Kixxkttt {Science, n. srr., 16 {1902), No. 396, pp. 161-171). 



Influence of height of wheel on the draft of farm wagons, T. I. Mairs (Jf/.s- 

 sijiiri Sta. Bid. .52, jij>. 143-16.5, figs. 8). — This Inilletin reports the results of a number 

 of tests of the draft of wagons, equipped with Avheels of different height, on macadam, 

 gravel, and dirt roads in all conditions, and on meadows, pastures, cultivated fields, 

 stubble land, etc. The draft was measured by means of a Giddings self-recording 

 dynamometer, the net load in every case being the same, namely, 2,000 lbs. Three 

 sets of wheels of different heights, all with 6 in. tires, were used as follows: Stand- 

 ard, front wheels 44 in., rear wheels 55 in.; medium, front wheels 36 in., rear wheels 

 40 in.; low, front wheels 24 in., rear wheels 28 in. The results obtained were in 

 brief as follows : 



"For the same load, wagons with wheels of standard height drew lighter than 

 those with lower wheels. 



" The difference in favor of the standard wheels was greater on road surfaces in 

 bad condition than on good road surfaces. 



" Low wheels cut deeper ruts than those of standard height. 



"The vibration of the tongue is greater in wagons with low wheels. 



"For most purposes wagons with low wheels are more convenient than those of 

 standard height. 



' ' Wagons with broad tires and wheels of standard height are cumbersome and 

 require much room in turning. 



"Diminishing the height of wheel to from 30 to 36 in. in front and 40 to 44 in. in 

 the rear did not increase the draft in as great proportion as it increased the conven- 

 ience of loading and unloading the ordinary farm freight. 



"Diminishing the height of wheels below 30 in. front and 40 in. rear, increased 

 the draft in greater proportion than it gained in convenience. 



"On good roads, increasing the length of rear axle so that the front and rear 

 wheels will run in different tracks to avoid cutting ruts, did not increase the draft, 



"On sod, cultivated ground, and bad roads, wagons with the rear axle longer than 

 the front one, drew heavier than one having both axles of the same length. 



"Wagons with the rear axle longer than front one require wider gateways and 

 more careful drivers, and are on the whole very inconvenient and not to be recom- 

 mended for farm use. 



"The best form of farm wagon is one with axles of equal length, Ijroad tires, and 

 wheels 30 to 36 in. high in front and 40 to 44 in. behind." 



Agromotive, E. DELiCiXv {Jour. Agr. Prat., n. ser., 4 {1902), No. 32, pip. 180-182, 

 fig. 1). — Under this name a form of farm traction engine is described. 



Refrigerating machines, H. d'Axchald {Jour. Agr. Prat., n. ser., 4 {1902), No. 

 36, pp. 316-318, figs. 5). — A number of machines are described. 



The ventilation of stalls, R. Preuss {Deut. Landw. Presse, 29 {1902), No. 72, p. 

 592, fig. 1). 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



Report of California Station, 1899-1901 {California Sta. Ept. 1899-1901, pt. 1, 

 pp. 144). — This includes the organization list of the station; financial statements for 

 the fiscal years 1899-1901; a review of the work of the station during the three years 

 by the director and of the sulistations by C. H. Shinn; a report on farmers' institutes 



