SOILS FERTTLTZERS. 421 



Summarizing the results of this studj it is stated that "the average mineral 

 fontent of the 37 rivers studied in detail is 368 parts per million, the average 

 in the humid regions being 165 parts and in the semiarid regions 628 parts. 

 The bicarbonate radicle is predominant in most of the waters. Its place is 

 taken by the sulphate radicle in the water from the regions of least rainfall. 

 The average amount of the bicarbonate radicle, computed as normal carbonate, 

 is 27.3 per cent of the anhydrous residue, and the amount of this constituent 

 is never abnormally high as compared with that found in surface waters of 

 other sections of the United States: but in the waters of the more arid regions 

 its relative amount sinks into insignificance, averaging only 5.8 per cent in 

 Santa INIaria Eiver. The sulphate radicle fluctuates in inverse ratio to the 

 bicarbonate radicle. It forms 58.5 per cent of the residue of the water from 

 Santa Maria River, and in the humid regions it is as low as 10.2 per cent in the 

 average of Santa Ana River at Mentone in 1906. In examination of the ' spot ' 

 samples, the lowest carbonate and the highest sulphate percentages were found 

 in the same stream, Gaviota Creek, where carbonates were only 3.1 per cent 

 and sulphates were (;0.3 per cent of the total anhydrous residue." 



The quality of the surface waters of Illinois, W. D. Collins ( U. 8. Geol. 

 Survey, Watcr-Siippl!) Vapcr Xo. 2,3f). pj). 9.J, pis. 3). — This papei', which is 

 based upon the results of analyses of 27 samples of water, " furnishes the 

 means of stating with fair accuracy the quality of water which may be found 

 at any point along the lax-ger streams within or bordering the State of Illinois. 

 It also includes some explanation of the variations in the quality of the water 

 at different times and places. 



" The natural and economic features which determine the character of the 

 streams are considered in a general way. The larger drainage divisions are 

 described briefly. A short account of the distribution of population and prin- 

 cipal industries of the Stat^ shows how these are affected by the streams and 

 how they influence the quality of water in the streams. Methods of collecting 

 and analyzing samples of water are described. . . . Each river is discussed in 

 detail with reference to its source, course, discharge, and quality of water. 

 The cities located on it are considered with reference to their use of and 

 Iheir effect on the water. ... It is shown that the only large supplies of 

 water in the State are surface waters. Nearly all the surface waters are so 

 polluted as to be unfit for domestic use without purification. They usually 

 contain such dissolved mineral matter and so much suspended material as to 

 be unsuitable for many manufacturing purposes, but by proper treatment they 

 may be renderetl safe for drinking and suitable for all industrial uses." 



SOILS— FERTILIZERS. 



Soil conservation, W. J. Spillman {U. S. Dcpt. Agr., Farmers" Bui. IiOG, pp. 

 15). — This i)ul»lication sets forth the need of improved methods of farming to 

 meet the increased demand for food. It is pointed out that the bringing into 

 cultivation of new lands no longer meets the growing demands and that these 

 can be met ohly by more intensive methods of farming. The importance of 

 increasing the number of domestic animals and of paying more attention to 

 the growing of leguminous and other crops which provide a supply of humus 

 for the soil is especially emphasized. There is general need of better adapta- 

 tion of types of farming to the conditions prevailing in different sections of the 

 country and of readjustment of the farming population to these conditions. 



" There is this difference between our situation and that of the older coun- 

 tries of Europe: Hitherto we have been exporters of our feed stuffs rich in 

 fertilizer constituents, while they have been importers. They have been draw- 



