90 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol. 37 



than in structural timbers, owing to the development of defects in the latter. 

 Lowering the moisture content of yellow pine causes it to become more brittle. 



" Western yellow pine is a lighter wood than the other western lumber 

 species, weighing approximately 26.9 lbs. per cubic foot, oven dry, in structural 

 sizes. The dry weight of clear wood readilj' .suggests its strength or weakness, 

 but this factor alone can not be depended upon to indicate comparative strength 

 when structural forms of various grades are taken into consideration, owing to 

 the presence of defects which have an important influence on their strength." 



A table comparing the strengths of various western species, based on tests of 

 small clear specimens, is given. In addition to the results of tests on western 

 yellow pine there are included average values derlvetl from similar tests on 

 material from five trees from each of four other localities. 



A lister attachment for a cotton planter, S. H. Hastings {U. S. 1)< pt. Agr., 

 Bur. Plunt Indun. [fire], 1917, pp. 3. fig. 1). — This circular describes and 

 diagranimatically illustrates a lister attadiment to a cotton planter in the 

 nature of a niudifieil swiH'p. the purpose of which Is to push away the dry 

 surface soil. A bole is drilled through each shr>e about half an inch from the 

 top and about 7 in. from the rear. Two pie<'es of 2 by 4 in. lumber. 17 in. long, 

 with one side beveled so that when the two are placed one on either side of 

 the shoe they will just dear the wheel, complete the attachment. 



Mechanical unloading of cane, C J. T()N.ik>s {Arrh. Suikrrindus. Ncder- 

 land. Imlic, 2.', (WW). So. .?.<>, pp. 1518-1561, pM. 18, figs. i7).— This is a de- 

 scription of the principles of operation and the mechanical details of unloading 

 and conveying machinery and api)aratus for sugar <'ane. 



Modern farm buildings, A. Hopkins (Acir Yark: Ituhrrt M. HcBride rf Co., 

 1916, pp. 20ii, ])Ik. si, fii.iK. 77). — It is the purpo.^e of this book to give suggestions 

 "for the most approve<l ways of designing the cow barn, dairy, horse barn, hay 

 barn, sheepcote. piggery, manure pit, chicken house, root cellar, ice house, and 

 other buildings of the farm group, on practical, sanitary, and artistic lines." 



Dairy buildings (Bini. Ifpt. State Dniru Bur. [Cat.], 11 {1915-16), pp. 16- 

 57. figs. 22).— A number of plans for milking shtnls are given. 



Community hog houses, .1. R. Davidson. .7. M. Kvvard, and W. G. Kaiskr 

 {loira Std. Bid. U\r,. nlihdgnl <,l. (t9t6), pp. J^O. figs. 29). — An abridged edition 

 of Bulletin inc.. iircvio>isly noted ( H. .S. U.. S.=). p. .'i87). 



Building a self-feeder [for swine], E. W. Lkhmann (Missouri Sta. Bui. ly, 

 (1917), pp. 18-22, figs. Ji). — rians and spe<'ifications for a one-way and a two- 

 way self-feeder for hogs are given. 



RURAL ECONOMICS. 



The country church; an economic and social force, C. J. Gai.pin (lli.«- 

 comin Stu. Bui. 27S (1917), pp. -JN, figs. 16).— The author points out that: 



" Farmers go to church in the open country churches in which {>."» per cent of 

 the membership are from farm families; in hamlet churches where 75 i>er cent 

 of the members are from the farm; in village churches where 50 iK»r cent of 

 the members are from the farm: and in small city churches where the farm 

 membership is but 15 per cent. The open country and hamlet churches have 

 the best chance in a farm population that is not shifting about from place 

 to place. A large compact parish, a single church in the parish, and a regular 

 pastor or priest living in the parish are social conditions of strong country 

 and hamlet churches. . . . 



"Agriculture is a party to the rural church problem for the rea.«5on that In 

 the national struggle to unite farmers Into successful producing and business 

 groups the rural parish is a force whose pull is felt by local agriculture. . . . 



