METEOROLOGY WATEB. 209 



characteristic aroma and flavor of sickness are not produced. Growth is slight 

 on all the solid media tested. Gelatin is not liquefied by it. 



" The most promising measures for combating the disorder are sterilization of 

 all vessels and appliances which have been contaminated with sick cider, storage 

 at a low temperature, and suitable blending of ciders to raise the acidity above 

 0.5 per cent malic acid and to give a moderately rapid normal rate of fermenta- 

 tion. It has also been observed that ciders liable to the disorder will escape if 

 bottled very early in the season, whereas if bottled at the usual period they 

 quickly turn sick." 



The bacteria in wines and fruit wines and the changes produced by them, 

 Mulleb-Thurgau and A. Osterwaldek {CentM. Bakt. [etc.], 2. Abt., 36 (1912), 

 No. 6-14, PP- 129-338, pis. 3). — This is a biochemical study of the changes pro- 

 duced in wines by the organisms usually present under abnormal conditions. 

 The various strains of micro-organisms were studied on different substrats, i. e., 

 carbohydrates, glucosids, etc., and in the wine itself. 



The yearly reports of the society of alcohol manufacturers of Germany 

 (Jahrb. Ver. Spiritus Fabrik. Deut., 11 {1911), pp. XV+582; 12 (1912), pp. 

 XVI+626). — These reports deal with the progress made during 1911 and 1912 

 in alcohol and starch manufacture and potato drying. 



METEOKOLOGY— WATER. 



Report of the Chief of the Weather Bureau, 1912 (U. 8. Dept. Agr.,Weather 

 Bur. Rpt. 1912, pp. 272, pis. Jj). — This contains an administrative report on work 

 during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1912, and includes accounts of investiga- 

 tions at Mount Weather research observatory, forecasts and warnings, and 

 river and flood, marine, and climatological observations, and tables giving a 

 general summary of the weather conditions in* the United States by months dur- 

 ing the year 1911, annual summary of climatological data at the Canadian sta- 

 tions for 1911, a list of observing stations and changes therein during 1911, sun- 

 shine in 1911, details of excessive precipitation in 1911, monthly and annual 

 meteorological summaries in 1911, monthly and annual amounts of precipita- 

 tion in 1911, and monthly and seasonal snowfall in 1911-12. 



Climatic measurements, E. G. Schollander (North Dakota Sta.. Rpt. Willis- 

 ton Substa., 1910, pp. 66, 67). — Observations on the temperature of the air and 

 the soil, precipitation, evaporation, velocity of the wind, etc., at Williston dur- 

 ing 1910 are reported. 



Climatic measurements, E. G. Schollander and W. Whitcomb (North 

 Dakota Sta., Rpt. Williston Substa., 1911, pp. 60, 61). — This is a record of obser- 

 vations at the Williston substation during 1911 on temperature and precipitation. 



The fertilizing value of rain and snow, F. T. Shutt (Canada Expt. Farms 

 Rpts. 1912, pp. 164-166). — The results of previous observations (E. S. R., 27, p. 

 317), showing that 70 per cent of the nitrogen in the rain was free and organic 

 ammonia and 30 per cent was in the form of nitrates and nitrites, were con- 

 firmed. The relative proportions of these forms of nitrogen in snow were 64 

 and 36 per cent, respectively. 



Geology and underground waters of the "Wichita region, north-central 

 Texas, C. H. Gordon (V. 8. Geol. Survey, Water-Supply Paper 317, pp. 88, 

 pis. 2). — The region considered in this report "comprises Montague. Clay. 

 Wichita, Wilbarger, Hardeman, Foard, Knox, Baylor, Archer, Jack, Young, 

 Throckmorton, and Haskell counties. Its area is approximately 11,139 square 

 miles." The report " presents the results of an investigation made to determine 



