810 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. IVol. 40 



(E. S. R., 38, p. 619), "the paper summarizes the results of 10 years' work on 

 the nitrogen compounds brought to the earth by rain and snow at a station 

 near Ottawa. A total of 65.8 lbs. of nitrogen per acre was furnished in this 

 way in the 10 years, made up of 34.1 lbs. in the form of free ammonia, 10.1 

 lbs. of albuminoid ammonia, and 21.6 lbs. of nitrates and nitrites. The rain 

 was caught in a tray 60 in. by 30 in. Every separate fall of rain of more than 

 0.01 in. was analyzed, while in the case of continuous precipitation measure- 

 ments were made twice a day. During a period of severe drought where bush 

 fires were prevalent in the neighborhood the scanty rain was particularly rich 

 in free ammonia. Rain was found on the average to be approximately twice 

 as rich as snow in nitrogen compounds, but the individual samples showed 

 more variability with rain than with snow." 



The yearly course of the relation between precipitation, run-off. evapora- 

 tion, and drainage in the continental climate of middle Europe, K. Fisiiek 

 (Naturic. Wchnsehr., 33 (1918), Xo. 19, ]>i>. 965-276, figs. 5).— Observations in 

 various parts of Germany and in England on different kinds of soil and with 

 different kinds of plant cover and crops are reviewed. The Controlling Influence 

 of transpiration and direct evaporation in reducing run-off ami drying OOt the 

 soil is brought out. 



Normal mean value of rainfall in Italy. F. Fi:ihi\ (Reprinted from (lior. 

 Gen. Civ., 56 (1918); abs. in Suture [London], 102 (1919), No. 8575, pp. 4'.>.~>. 

 496). — "The mean values for each calendar month are shown for nine well dis- 

 tributed cities on tl\e basis of the 50-year period lM'.G 11)15; and it is calculated 

 that the values are correct to within 5 mm. for the rainier winter months and 

 9 mm. to 12 mm. for the Bummer months of smaller rainfall and more irregular 

 distribution. 



"In northern or continental Italy, as exemplified by Milan and Turin, the 

 seasonal variation of rainfall is not prominent, but the wettest periods are 

 early summer ami autumn, the highest figures being for May and October. 

 In peninsular Italy the typical Mediterranean feature of wet winters and dry 

 summers is conspicuous, especially in the extreme south." 



The influence of rainfall on the fruit crop in Norway, O. M. Skabo (Tirfsstkr. 

 Norske Lanrfhr., 2.', I t918), Xo. 8. pp. SO.' OS. ? ; BOt. in Intermit. In*t. Ayr. 



[Berne], Interna*. Rev. Sci. <m<i Praet. Agr., 9 (1918), Xo. 12, pp. l. ',05- 1407).— 

 Reviewing the results of studies on the relationship between rainfall and 

 yield of fruit at a number of localities in Norway, the author concludes that 

 there Is a direct relation between yield and the rainfall from March to June 

 of the previous year and that there Is an Inverse relation between yield and 

 rainfall of Sept ember and October of the previous year. An Insufficient amount 

 of moisture during the preceding spring period is fatal to the plant It is 

 also necessary that the second half of the preceding summer and early autumn 

 should be dry and warm to mature properly the spring wood, fruit, and fruit 

 buds and to store the necessary reserve material for growth the following 

 spring. 



Report on meteorological observations at Wisley. 1917. It. H. CVrtis (Jour. 

 Roy. Hort. Soc, 43 (1919), No. 2-3, pp. 316-330, figs. 4).— This is the fourteenth 

 annual report on observations on temperature, precipitation, humidity, and 

 winds at this place. The weather of each month is discussed with especial 

 reference to its effect on horticultural crops. 



"To the horticulturist the outstanding feature of the weather of 1017 was 

 the unusual Intensity and persistence of the cold which prevailed throughout 

 the first four months of the year, and also during the dosing four weeks." The 

 Chief CllmatotOglcal features of the year of Immediate Interest to hortiCUltUli 



