KURAL ENGINEERING. 585 



very substantial profit to the farmers who cultivate meadow lands, and this 

 increase of profit is certain, even if only grass can be grown, provided that the 

 water can be got at the rate of $1.90 to $2.30 per acre per year, but where 

 cereals can be cultivated, even with water at $5.40 to $7 per acre, there is still 

 a good profit, besides the advantage of never completely losing a crop. On the 

 other hand, irrigation works on a large scale are not profitable to the adminis- 

 tration of the canals during at least the first thirty years, thus these undertak- 

 ings require great help from the state during this trying period." 



Working data for irrigation enjgineers, E. A. Moritz (New York: John 

 Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1915, pp. XIII +395, figs. ^6).— This is a handbook of work- 

 ing data, intended for the use of irrigation and hydraulic engineers. 



The major portion of the book consists of tables and diagrams. Before enter- 

 ing into a detailed explanation of these, the various features of irrigation, 

 engineering are briefly discussed, particularly with reference to gravity irriga- 

 tion. " To this end, the usual steps in the development of an irrigation project 

 are taken up in the order of their sequence, and data are presented that are 

 of assistance in arriving at the proper conclusions." 



The subject matter is presented in the following chapters: Examination and 

 reconnoissance, investigations and surveys, design of irrigation structures, 

 hydraulic diagrams and tables, structural diagrams and tables, miscellaneous 

 tables and data, and specifications. 



The author states that a considerable portion of the material is original and 

 that most of the remainder was taken from the publications and records of the 

 V. S. Reclamation Service. Some of the material has been noted from time to 

 time in the Record from engineering periodicals. 



Land drainage, J. L. Pabsons (Chicago: The Myron C. Clark Publishing Co., 

 1915, pp. XI-\-165, figs. 36). — It is the author's purpose to cover the subjects 

 connected with the successful drainage of agricultural lands by open and closed 

 drains. The information is intended for both experienced and inexperienced 

 drainage engineers, drainage contractors, landowners, and di'ainage district 

 ofiicials. The subject matter is presented under the following chapter head- 

 ings : Preliminary drainage surveys ; the design of tile drains ; tile drain outlet 

 walls and inlets; design and maintenance of open drains; plans, reports, and 

 records; the estimate of costs of drainage systems; the preparation and en- 

 forcement of drainage specifications; the division of costs of drainage sys- 

 tems ; and the quality and inspection of drain tile. 



Florida Everglades (U. 8. Senate, 63. Cong., 2. Sess., Doc. 379 (1914), pp. 

 148, pis. 7, figs. 63). — This is the report of the Florida Everglades engineering 

 commission to the board of commissioners of the Everglades drainage district 

 and the trustees of the internal improvement fund of the State of Florida. 



The commission's conclusion, based on its study of ascertained facts, is " that 

 the drainage of the Florida Everglades is entirely practicable and can be ac- 

 complished at a cost which the value of the reclaimed land will justify, the cost 

 per acre being very small. The solution of the Everglades drainage problem is 

 primarily dependent upon the disposition to be made of the flood waters enter- 

 ing Lake Okeechobee from the north. These flood waters under present 

 conditions pass over the south rim of the lake and spread over the Everglades, 

 placing that great area under servitude of the surplus waters of the northern 

 watershed. , . . The Everglades can best be relieved of this servitude by 

 diverting the flood waters through a canal of adequate cnpacity occupying the 

 shortest practicable route to the Atlantic Ocean or an inlet thereof. . . . With 

 these extraneous flood waters diverted as indicated, the problem of draining 

 the Everglades is reduced to proper provision for carrying off the precipitation 

 7700°— No. 6—15 7 



