490 EXPERIMENT STATION RECOED, 



the summer; that such an asphalt can not be si)read upon and mixed with earth 

 satisfactorily unless the earth is previously heated; that such a road is prac- 

 tically dustless save for dirt that may be carried upon it; and that, to prevent 

 its beinj: muddy just after a rain, 2 to 3 in. of from f-in. to 2-in. stone should be 

 worked into the top." 



Inspection of the four experiments made in Kansas with sand-clay construc- 

 tion showed that after 1 year's use these roads were in satisfactory condition. 

 Brief notes are also given on the condition of the sections laid at Wayland, 

 Mass., in 1907, with crude tar, tar preparations, and oil emulsions; on that in 

 1907 at Bowling Green, Ky., with Kentucky rock asphalt ; and that in 1905 with 

 tars and oils at Jackson, Tenn. 



A preliminary report on some experiments in clearing logged-ofE land 

 with a stump burner. A promising method for destroying stumps and logs, 

 W. H. Lawrence (Washington Sta. Bui. '.K3, pp. 3-20, figs. 3). — This bulletin 

 states the results of experiments in burning stumps and logs with a stump 

 burner. 



The burner consists of a Ij-horsepower gasoline engine with 13-in. fly wheel 

 speeded to 650 revolutions per minute, and a circular fan provided with a patent 

 wind distributor with 5 lines of l^-in. hose attached. The machine was set to 

 burn several stumps at a time. Fires were started in 2-in. auger holes and kept 

 burning by means of air currents from the machine. 



Rotten, water-soaked, and fungus-infested logs, stumps, and roots were suc- 

 cessfully burned. The cost of burning green fir stumps 5 ft. in diameter 5 ft. 

 above the ground averaged about $2.73 each. ]Most of the roots were burned to 

 sufficient depth to permit plowing. Old fir stumps 9 ft. high and 2 to 2J ft. in 

 diameter were burned at an average cost of $1.56 each, while other fir stumps of 

 the same height, 3^ ft. in diameter, sound but water-soaked, were burned as low 

 as soil conditions would permit at an average cost of $1.70 per stump. The 

 average cost of burning fir stumps 10 ft. in height and 5 ft. 2i in. in diameter 

 3 ft. from the base was $2.80 per stump. 



The reclamation of Minnesota's waste lands, G. A. Ralph (Mo. \Veather 

 Rev., 38 (I'JIO), No. 5, pp. 118-720). — This article discusses the need, present 

 status, and future outlook of drainage in the State as carried on by the State 

 Drainage Commission. 



On electro-culture, A. Rindell (K. Landtbr. Akad. Handl. och Tidskr., Ji9 

 (1910), Ao. //, pp. 305-321, figs. 2). — ^A discussion of the studies of Lemstrom 

 and later investigators with regard to the influence of electricity on crop pro- 

 duction. 



The construction of concrete fence posts ( U. S. Dcpt. Agr., Farmers' Bui. 

 403, pp. 31, figs. 9). — This article discusses the comparative advantages of con- 

 crete ani wooden fence posts, materials for making concrete, molds for line 

 posts, reenforcement of the posts, mixing the concrete, molding and curing the 

 posts, building fences, and utilizing concrete posts for other purposes. Dia- 

 grams of gang molds are given for constructing both square and triangular 

 posts. The cost of a 7-ft. triangular post is estimated at 29 cts., and of a 

 straight square post of the same length at 32.25 cts. A warning is given 

 against the purchase of post molds, or of local rights to sell or use such molds, 

 from irresponsible parties. 



[A model rural schoolhouse] (Bui. First Dist. Normal Sehonl, Mo., 9 (1909), 

 No. 1, pp. 9-1-5, fig. I, dgms. 3). — This bulletin presents and discusses three dia- 

 grams and a perspective view of a model building for rural schools, including 

 a pressure water supply, sanitary toilets, furnace heat, manual training shop, 

 agricultural laboratory, and sleeping room for the janitor. The estimted cost 

 of the building is $1,600. Specifications for its construction are furnished free 

 to Missouri school boards. 



