EURAL ENGINEERING. 589 



descriiitioiis of tho essential striulural features. The steam iJiinipiug plant bid 

 was awarded the contract. 



Building levees with the hydraulic dredge, J. M. Allen {Engin. Neics. 12 

 i)1914), No. 18, pp. 891-893, Jigs. S). — A description of the plant and methods 

 used in building levees with hydraulic dredges on different rivers is given with 

 rest data of the operation of a typical plant. See also a previous note by Yarnell 

 (E. S. R., V>2, p. 1ST). 



Some methods and costs of cleaning drainage ditches, S. Dean (Engin. and 

 Contract., 42 {191^), No. 18, pp. 415, 416). — ^A hydraulic jib outfit for removing 

 silt from a drainage canal is described and cost data are given. Cost data are 

 also given for the use of a small drag line excavator for the same purpose. 



Country roads in southeastern Wisconsin (Engin. Rec, 70 (1914), No. 17, 

 pp. 4-i8-4'jO, figs. 5). — This article deals with state aid road construction, 

 including innovations in Ihe way of clay-bound macadam, high earth shoulders 

 on narrow roads, and increased thickness of conci'ete of a richer mixture. 



Blasting cultivation on moor soil, W. Bersch (Ztschr. Moorknltur n. Torf- 

 verwcrt., 12 (1914), J^^o. 4, PP- 140-14^, figs. 5). — In a review of various blast- 

 ing experiments it is stated that soil breaking and. drainage ditch digging in 

 moor soil by means of explosives are unsuccessful owing to the fact that the 

 circumference and depth of activity are too great and can not be so well cou- 

 trolle<l as in mineral soils. 



Use of logging equipment for clearing land of stumps, H. P. Jacobsen 

 (West. Engin., 5 (1914), No. 5, pp. 202-204, fiffs. 8).— The author shows how 

 to regulate hauling lines in connection with a logging engine so as to clear a 

 wide ai'ea with a single setting of equipment. Statistics of capacity are given. 



Heat power machines or electric motors? E. Jaenichen (MascMnen Ztg., 

 12 (1914), Nos. 17, PI). 193-197; IS, pp. 201-204).— The author reports consider- 

 able data for the purpose of comparing the efficiency and economy under actual 

 working conditions of steam and internal combustion engines and electric motor.s 

 for general use on farms in Germany. 



A sunmiary of the data indicates that the internal combustion engine is the 

 most efficient type of power for the smaller work about the farm. For short 

 working periods the benzine or benzol engine is the most efficient, while for the 

 longer working periods the naphthaliu engine is the most eflicient. For the 

 heavier work of threshing, etc., the steam engine usually gives better results, 

 although it is stated that for stationary power plants of about 30 horsepower 

 where the exhaust steam of a steam engine can not be utilized the Diesel engine 

 is superior. 



The data in general are not favorable to the use on farms of electricity from 

 central stations, and it is concluded in this respect that owing to the high cost 

 of electricity tho time has not yet come for its general use on farms. 



Tractor and horse power, W. Dinsmoke (Breeder's Gas., 66 (1914), No. 15, 

 pp. 585, 586, fig. 1). — From observations of actual working conditions in the 

 Northwestern States and in the Canadian northwest it is stated that for general 

 farm operations the tractor has not proved successful from the standpoint of 

 economy. Its most important use in those localities is said to have been the 

 breaking of virgin prairie. 



The use of tractors in Eussia, F. De CondS (Jour. Agr. Prat., n. ser., 2S 

 (1914), No. 27, pp. 23-25). — Some of the results of Russian tests of steam and 

 iutornal combustion tractors plowing with disk and moldboard plows are given 

 in incomplete form. 



Plans and detailed description of new dairy ham at the college farm, A. S. 

 Cook (New Jersey Stas. Kiit. 1913, pp. 346-354, pis. 8). — A dairy barn designed 



