Igg EXPERIMENT STATION RECOED. [Vol.35 



trash. Nothing in suspension will pass into tlie influent pipe, which has practi- 

 cally no velocity of flow and has, moreover, an upward course. Solid matter, 

 if placed in the influent pipe, would, in fact, settle back into the stream. Even 

 if suspended or floating material should get into the measuring vessels, it 

 would not pass through the controlling orifice on account of the internal 

 arrangements." 



Diagram giving excess loss of head in 90" bends, F. S. Bailey {Engin. 

 News, 15 {1916), No. 9, pp. m, 4^3, fig. i).— This diagram gives the excess loss 

 of head in 90° bends in cast-iron water pipe and is based on a formula pro- 

 posed by Fuller (E. S. R., 31, p. 3S4). 



Machine for placing concrete lining in canals, E. I. Davis {Engin. Netcs, 

 75 {1916), No. 6, pp. 264-267, figs. //).— This is a description of the construction 

 and operation of a machine developed on the U. S. Reclamation Service canal 

 at Hermiston, Oreg. This consists essentially of a traveling form into which 

 concrete, mixed immediately alongside, is dumped and forced out at the bot- 

 tom to form the lining of the irrigation canal. 



Experiments on the economical use of irrigation water in Idaho, D. H. 

 Bark {U. S. Dcpt. Agr. Bui. 339 {1916), pp. 57, pis. 3, figs. i3).— This report 

 covers the same ground as two previous reports (E. S. R., 29, p. 180; 33, p. 583). 

 Ground water in San Joaquin Valley, California, W. C. INIexdemiiai.t-, R. B. 

 Dole, and H. Stabler {U. S. Geol. Survey, Water-Supply Paper 39S {1916), pp. 

 310, pis. 5, figs. 4). — This report deals with the occurrence, quality, and utili- 

 zation of the ground water of an area of about 7,500,000 acres in the Great 

 Central Valley of California, with particular reference to its use for irrigation 

 and domestic purposes. The results of pumping tests on about 50 irrigation 

 plants in the valley are also reported, together with a summary of points to be 

 observed in order to obtain good service from a pumping plant. 



With reference to the quality of the waters of the valley, it is concluded 

 that " the waters of the perennial streams are entirely suitable for irrigation. 

 Storage to remove suspended matter renders them acceptable for boiler use, 

 and filtration would purify them for domestic supply. On the cast side between 

 the Sierra and the trough of the valley, wells from 20 to 1,000 ft. deep gen- 

 erally yield calcium carbonate waters, moderate in total solids and in total 

 hardness and distinguishable by their low sulphate content. These waters are 

 suitalile foi' domestic use, good or fair for irrigation, and fair or poor for 

 boiler use. Many of them have been successfully applied to diversified crops 

 for several years. Water from wells less than 50 ft. deep is generally poorer 

 than that from slightly deeper wells. On the west side wells between the coast 

 range and the trough of the valley yield hard, gypseous waters high in mineral 

 content and especially in sulphate. Nearly all the waters taste of alkali, but 

 they are potable except the most highly concentrated ones close to the foot- 

 hills. Tiie west-side waters are poorer for irrigation than those of the east 

 side, but few of tlieni are unfit for use if proper care is taken to prevent ac- 

 cunudation of alkali. . . . 



" In the axis or trough of the valley wells yield waters distinguishable by 

 the predominance of sodium and potassium among the basic radicles. . . . 

 Nearly all except the salt waters and those from wells less than 300 ft. deep 

 In or near the bed of Tulare Lake are potable. Many of those north of 

 Kings River are poor for irrigation. , . . The deep artesian waters south of 

 Kings River are good or fair for irrigation and for boiler use. Borings more 

 than 1,200 ft. deep as far south as Fresno County yield strong salt waters unfit 

 for use, but south of that county wells of that or greater depth yield sodium 

 carbonate waters of low mineral content. Many flowing wells from 300 to 800 



