184 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



material. It is estimated that this saving in the amount of cement exceeds the 

 added cost of washing the sand and gravel by from 15 to 25 cts. per cubic yard 

 of concrete. 



Action of acids, oils, and fats on concrete, W. L. Gadd (Abs. in Engin. News, 

 69 (1913), No. 11, p. 50.'i). — The results of experiments on the action of acids, 

 oils, and fats on concrete indicate that vegetable and animal oils are de- 

 structive of concrete, but that mineral oils have no apparent effect uiwn con- 

 crete which has reached a certain degree of set. 



Electricity on the farm, W. L. Upson (Ann. Rpt. Comr. Agr. Yt., 4 {1912), 

 pp. 21i-36). — The author points out the economic advantages of rural electric 

 transmission lines, telephones, trolleys, motor trucks, and electric lights to 

 farmers, calls attention to specific cases in which these have proved profitable, 

 and outlines the method of generation, storage, and application of electrical 

 energy on farms by means of engines, dynamos, storage batteries, and motors. 



Wind electricity, E. Freund (Wiener Landw. Ztg., 63 (1913), No. S, pp. 

 82-SJf, figs. 11). — This article deals with the generation of electricity on farms 

 by wind power, describes an existing plant, and outlines in detail the equip- 

 ment necessary for satisfactory operation. Experimental work indicates that 

 the chief difficulty is encountered in adapting the electrical apparatus to the 

 variations in wind velocity, for which purpose designs of compensators and 

 automatic switches are submitted. 



Possibility and practicability of generating electricity by wind power, 

 E. Fkeund (Wiener Landw. Ztg.. 63 (1913), No. 9, pp. 96, 97, fig. i).— This 

 article reports investigations of the economy and efficiency of wind power for 

 generating electricity on farms, which indicate that where there was sufficient 

 wind velocity to operate effectively the electrical apparatus for the greater part 

 of the year, electrical power was generated at a cost of from 1 to li cts. per 

 kilowatt hour, including interest and depreciation. 



Power from kerosene, L. W. Ellis and W. R. Dray (Sci. Amer. 8up., 75 

 (1913), No. 1937, pp. 105, 106, figs. 4)-— A system is outlined as particularly 

 applicable to farm engines whereby oil, kerosene, and distillates are used in 

 the ordinary type of gas engine. The system covers (1) an automatic varia- 

 tion in the quantity of fuel mixture in accordance with the slightest variation 

 in speed and load; (2) a degree of compression dependent upon the quantity 

 of the mixture inhaled; (3) a correct proportioning of the mixture under all 

 conditions of high and low compressions; (4) a temperature of combustion 

 exactly adapted to the quality of fuel used and the compression; (5) automatic 

 control of the internal temperature by use of water as a part of the fuel 

 mixture; (6) thorough and uniform mixture of the fuel, water, and air charge 

 by mechanical means; (7) automatic variation in the time of firing in response 

 to variations in the speed and power; (8) means for changing the limits of 

 rotative speed; and (9) means for starting on a limited supply of volatile fuel. 



The gas, petrol, and oil engine, D. Clerk and G. A. Burls (New York, 1913, 

 vol. 2, rev. ed., pp. VII +838, figs. 481). — This book deals with the practical 

 problems involved in the design, construction, and operation of gas, petrol, and 

 oil engines. It contains chapters on the development of the 4-stroke and 2- 

 stroke gas engines ; ignition ; speed regulation, governors, and governing methods ; 

 gaseous fuels; petroleum, i>etrol, paraffin oils, and alcohol; petrol engines; 

 carburetors; heavy oil engines; marine gas and oil engines; and the future of 

 internal combustion motors. An appendix is given on the acceleration of re- 

 ciprocating parts. 



New fuel for motor vehicles, B. N. Gunsaulus (Daily Cons, and Trade Rpts. 

 [V. S.^, 16 (1918), No. 60, pp. 1272, 1273).— Attention is called to a newly dis- 

 covered fuel for internal combustion engines which is intended to supplant 



