16 EXPERIMENT STATIOISr EECX)ED. 



Our artesian waters, R. S. Symmonds {Sydney, N. S. Wales, 1912, pp. 81, 

 pis, 16, figs. S5). — This monograph summarizes observations in the laboratory 

 and the field on the geological origin, composition, and agricultural value of the 

 artesian waters of Australia. 



The theory is advanced as a result of these observations that the decrease 

 in flow of some of the artesian wells is due to leakage and corrosion of the 

 casing and not to a reduction of the subterranean supply. Facts are presented 

 which are thought to support the theory of a plutonic (magmatie) origin of 

 artesian water. Experiments are reported which indicate the possibility of 

 the economical neutralization of waters containing small amounts of alkaline 

 carbonate " by the direct application of electro-chemical nitric acid which could 

 be made from the atmosphere by utilizing the power derivable from the pres- 

 sure given by the outflow of water." 



Bain as a drinking water supply in British Guiana, K. S. Wisk and E. P. 

 MiNETT (Jour. London School Trop. Med., 2 (1912), No. 1, pp. 7Jf-88). — A some- 

 what detailed examination of the cistern waters which are the main supply for 

 drinking purposes in that country and of the nature and sources of their con- 

 tamination is reported. The condition of the waters was found to be very bad, 

 and sterilization by means of chlorinated lime is recommended. 



The experience of the State of Indiana with the shallow well {Engin. and 

 Contract., 39 (1913), No. U, p. 39//).— This article reviews briefly the work of 

 H. E. Barnard, chemist of the Indiana State Board of Health, on the character 

 of the shallow well waters of that State. The results of examinations of 5,000 

 samples of such waters showed that in more than 50 per cent of all cases the 

 water was polluted. 



SOILS— FERTILIZERS. 



Field operations of the Bureau of Soils, 1910 (twelfth report), M. Whitney 

 ET AL. (C7. 8. Dept. Agr.. Field Operations of the Bureau of Soils. 1910, pp. 1772, 

 pis. 31, figs. 52, maps ^5). — This rei>ort contains a general review of the field 

 operations of the Bureau of Soils during 1910 by the chief of the Bureau, to- 

 gether with detailed accounts of the following surveys : 



Monroe County, N. T., by G. A. Crabb, M. E. Carr, B. D. Gilbert, and G. J. 

 Bouyoucos ; Ontario County, N. Y., by M. E. Carr, O. Lee, jr., G. B. Maynadier, 

 V. J. Frost, and D. J. Hallock; Erie County, Pa., by G. B. Maynadier and F. S. 

 Bucher; a reconnnissance soil survey of south-central Pennsylvania, by C. F. 

 Shaw, W. C. Byers, and W. G. Ross; Washington County, Pa., by F. S. Welsh, 

 F. S. Bucher, and D. K. Sloan; Cabarrus County, N. C, by R. T. Allen, E. W. 

 Thornton, and H. Hill ; Granville County, N. C, by R. B. Hardison and D. D. 

 Long ; Mecklenburg County, N. C, by W. E. Hearn and L. L. Brinkley ; Clar- 

 endon County, S. C, and Walker County, Ga., by W. E. McLeudon; Bulloch 

 County, Ga., by C. N. Moouey, R. B. Hardison, D. D. Long, and W. C. Byers; 

 Sumter County, Ga., by J. C. Britton and F. S. Welsh ; Jacksonville area, Fla., 

 by G. B. Jones and J. E. Ferguson; Dale County, Ala., by L. A. Hurst, R. W. 

 Rowe, and A. D. Cameron; Pike County, Ala., by W. E. Tharp, W. L. Lett, and 

 W. E. Wilkinson; Adams County, Miss., by W. J. Geib and A. L. Goodman; 

 Lauderdale County, Miss., by H. H. Bennett, H. C. Smith, W. M. Spann, E. M. 

 Jones, and A. L. Goodman ; Noxubee County, Miss., by H. C. Smith, W. J. Geib, 

 A. L. Goodman, E. M. Jones, and W. M. Spann ; Concordia Parish, La., by C. J. 

 Mann, E. B. Watson, P. O. Wood, and R. T. Allen ; reconnoissance soil surveys 

 of the central Gulf coast area and the Panhandle region of Texas, by W. T. 

 Carter, jr., et al. ; Ellis County, Tex., by F. Bennett. R. T. A. Burke, and C. 

 Lounsbury; Rockcastle County, Ky., by R. T. A. Burke, F. Bennett, and C. 



