SOILS — FERTILIZERS. 415 



Meteorological observations at the Massachusetts Agricultural Experi- 

 ment Station, J. E. Ostrandee, H. W. Angieb, and E. K. Dexter (Massachusetts 

 Sta. Met. Buls. 293, 29If, pp. k each). — Summaries of observations at Amherst, 

 Mass., on pressure, temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, sunshine, cloudi- 

 ness, and casual phenomena during May and June, 1913. The data are briefly 

 discussed in general notes on the weather of each month. 



Climatic data, E. G. Schollandee and W. Whitcomb (North Dakota Sta., 

 Rpt. WilUston Substa., 1912, pp. 66, 67).— This is a record of the usual meteoro- 

 logical observations at WilUston during 1912. 



The climate of San Francisco, A. G. McAdie (U. S. Dept. Agr., Weather Bur. 

 Bvl. Jt-'t, pp. 33, figs. 14). — The climatic characteristics of San Francisco are 

 summarized from available meteorological records, some of which, as in the 

 case of rainfall and temperature, cover a period of 63 consecutive years. 



The rivers and floods of the Sacramento and San Joaquin watersheds, N. R. 

 Taylor (U. 8. Dept. Agr., Weather Bur. Bui. 43, pp. 92, pis. 3, figs. 56).— This 

 bulletin discusses some of the causes modifying stream flow in the Great Central 

 Valley of California, and gives a tabulation of such river and rainfall data as 

 are available in connection with flood periods, with notes on the various floods 

 that have occurred since 1S49, more especially those in the Sacramento water- 

 shed. A brief description of the larger streams and their watersheds is given, 

 together with distances between important points on the main rivers and their 

 larger tributaries. 



Salton Sea water, A. E. Vinson and C. N. Catlin (Arizona Sta. Rpt. 1912, 

 pp. 696-698). — A continuation of studies (E. S. R., 27, p. 508) of the concen- 

 tration of salts in Salton Sea water is reported, and the results for the 6 

 years during which the studies have been made are summarized. Of the prin- 

 cipal bases present only potash has remained stationary. The increase in 

 sodium has been especially pronounced. Since 1908 the ratio of potassium to 

 sodium (also to total solids) has decreased steadily. 



Observations of the close proximity of black alkaline and calcium sulphate 

 waters, A. E. Vinson and C. N. Catlin (Arizona Sta. Rpt. 1912, pp. 698- 

 TOO). — Studies of samples of black alkaline and calcium sulphate waters occur- 

 ring in close proximity are reported. 



Sterilization of water by ultraviolet light, J. R. Davies (Chcm. Engin., 11 

 (1913), No. 5, pp. 177-179). — Experiments with an arc lamp in which iron arcs 

 were substituted for the carbons are briefly repoi-ted. The results show that 

 such a lamp yields sufficient ultraviolet rays to sterilize polluted water in thin 

 layers and at short distances from the source of light in a short time, but that 

 the light does not possess great penetrating powers. 



SOILS— FERTILIZERS. 



The question of the origin of the loess, G. Merzbacher (Mitt. Justus Perthes' 

 Oeogr. Anst., 59 (1913), Jan., pp. 16-18, figs. 5; Fei., pp. 69-74, flff- 1; Mar., 

 pp. 126-130). — A careful study of the facts bearing upon the origin of the loess, 

 more particularly in Central Asia, leads to the conclusion that the same pro- 

 cesses which were originally responsible for the formation of loess in that 

 region are still in operation and have never ceased, although vai-ying in intensity 

 at different times in dependence upon variations in rainfall, wind, and other 

 climatic conditions. 



Distribution of humus in California soils, R. H. Lougheidge (Proc. Soc. 

 Prom. Agr. Set., 33 (1912), pp. 65-68). — Investigations are briefly reported which 

 show that, contrary to the general belief, there is more humus in California soils 



