26; 



surface. It is comprised of 25% coal tar, 73% sand and 2% 

 linije. Before mixing" these materials, a part of the coal tar is 

 boiled for a short time and then burned off or Hashed, to cause 

 it to set or "pitch" when the material cools. All of the materials 

 should be hot when mixed, and the mastic should be applied hot 

 to the ground surface, beginning at the bottom and working up. 

 A few days after the mastic has been applied and it has had time 

 to harden, a coat of flashed coal tar is applied to the mastic, 

 which when dry gives a glazed impervious coat, resting on an 

 elastic foundation. 



It is important when using this mastic on filled earth such as 

 the inner face of an earthen dam, to permit the dirt to become 

 thoroughly compacted and settled before the application. 



At the Texas Experiment Station a reservoir 8 feet deep, 28 

 by 48 at the bottom and 44 by 64 feet at the top, was constructed 

 for $105, including the cost of labor and material. Experiments 

 made with asphalt instead of coal tar were unsatisfactory. 



JARED G. SMITH, 



Special Agent ui Charge of the Hazvaii ExperUncnt Station. 



FARMERS' BULLETINS. 



The following new Farmers' Bulletins have been issued by the 

 U. S. Department of Agriculture. They may be obtained free on 

 application to the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. 



No. 261. The Cattle Tick in Its Relation to Southern Agri- 

 culture. By August Mayer, Shreveport, La. Pp. 24. 



This bulletin describes the effect of the tick on cattle, its injury 

 to the cattle industry in the South, the necessity for its eradica- 

 tion, and the benefits that would follow. 



No. 262. Experiment Station Work — XXXVI. Compiled 

 from the publications of the agricultural experiment stations. Pp. 

 32, figs. 2. 



Contents : Water for table use ; Phosphates ; winter wheat ; 

 glutenous and starchy wheat; dry farming; methods of canning; 

 beet molasses and pulp ; feed lots ; guinea fowls ; color of eggs ; 

 spraying for scale insects ; white pine in New England. 



No. 265. Game Lazvs for 1^06. By T. S. Palmer and R. W. 

 Williams, Jr., Assistants, Biological Survey. Pp 56, figs. 4. 



A summary of the provisions relating to seasons, shipments, 

 sale, and licenses. 



