286 EXPEBIMENT STATION EECOED. 



The use of neosalvarsan, J. Fuei {Allatorvosi Lapok, 37 {1914), No. 27, pp. 

 321-323; o6s. in Berlin. TierdrztJ. Wchnschr., 30 (191^), No. 47, p. 769).— 

 Neosalvarsan was employed for influenza in horses with good results. The sub- 

 stance can be suspended in glycerin, or, in what is still better, from 10 to 20 cc. 

 of physiological salt solution for injections. This chemotherapeutic agent is 

 also recommended for treating emaciated horses or those affected with acne. 



RURAL ENGINEERING. 



Irrigation and soil conditions in the Sierra Nevada foothills, California, 

 R. D. Robertson and J. W. Nelson (Califoniia Sta. Bui. 253 (1915), pp. 325- 

 378, pi. 1, figs. 26). — This report is based on work done under cooperative agree- 

 ments between the Office of Experiment Stations, the state department of 

 engineering, and the station. Its purpose " is to show the present status and 

 the possibilities of irrigation in the foothills along the western slope of the 

 Sierra Nevada, California, to describe in general the soils of this region, and to 

 discuss the adaptation of these soils to various crops." 



The area dealt with is about 5,000,000 acres, the topography consisting of 

 deeply dissected canyons, rugged, rocky ridges, slopes, rounded hills of gentle 

 to moderate contour, and small, narrow, winding valleys. The soils of the 

 region are chiefly of granitic and metamorphic origin. They are relatively 

 high in iron and are prevailingly red in color, although areas of gray, brown, 

 and black occur. The prevailing textures are those of loams and clay loams. 

 The soils generally have a friable, mealy texture when damp, are tilled without 

 difficulty, and are said to be particularly adapted to the growing of fruit. 

 Their humus content is relatively low, but usually increases with the elevation. 

 " The topography and drainage of the foothills are not favorable in most places 

 for the development of a high-water table or for the accumulation of alkali. 

 . . . The abundance and thrift of native vegetation over the entire belt is a fair 

 indication of the depth, fertility, and moisture- retaining properties of the soil." 



Water for irrigation is said to be available for much of the land from 

 numerous streams and reservoirs. The principal rivers furnishing water for 

 irrigation from south to north are as follows: "Above San Joaquin Valley — 

 Kern, Tule, Kaweah, Kings, San Joaquin, Merced, Tuolumne, Stanislaus, 

 Calaveras, Mokelumne, and Cosumnes rivers; above Sacramento Valley — ^Amer- 

 ican, Bear, Yuba, Feather, and Sacramento rivers. Throughout the Sierra 

 foothills there are numerous springs which may be made to yield a large 

 revenue if the flow from them is stored in small reservoirs. . . . Only storage 

 works are needed to conserve large volumes now running to waste to make 

 this belt of elevated land one of the most important agricultural districts in 

 Californfa." 



It is stated that the principal irrigation developments of the foothill region 

 are found in the Tulare and Fresno counties citrus belt, in the Placer County 

 deciduous fruit belt, and in the vicinity of Oroville in Butte County. Irriga- 

 tion conditions in these localities are described more or less in detail. 



[Irrig'ation experiments on the Koppenhof experimental fl.eld], G. Riciiter 

 (Jahresber. Kaiser Wilhehns Inst. Landiv. Brombcrg, 1913, pp. 46, 47). — Irriga- 

 tion on a light sandy soil was accompanied by profitable increases in the 

 yield of potatoes, winter rye, and oats with reference to the cost of irriga- 

 tion. Complete fertilization of the iwtatoes without irrigation was accom- 

 panied by the same increase in yield as irrigation without complete fertilization. 

 The increase in winter rye was profitable only with heavy irrigations of 240 mm. 

 (9.5 in.). Frequent harrowing of the rye was found a decided advantage, 

 advantage. 



[Irrigation experiments on the Bromberg experimental fi^eld], G. Richteb 

 (Jahresl)er. Kaiser Wilhehns Inst. Landiv. Bromberg, 1913, pp. 39-43). — Irriga- 



