1020] RURAL ENGINERING. 591 



Plicnomena of drying wood, H. D. Tikmann {Jour. FrnvlcHn Inst., 18U 

 (1920), No. 5, pp. G/fS-G'/S, fuj. 1). — In a second article on the subject, an outline 

 is given of tlie various facts linown as to the manner in wliich a blocli of wood 

 dries out, in wliich the various properties of the wood which affect drying are 

 considered. An analysis of the stresses brought about during the progress of 

 drying and of casehardening is given and illustrated by photographs of actual 

 wooden discs cut from casehardened maple and oali boards. 



Public Roads ( [7. 8. Dcpt. Ayr., Public Road.<i, 2 (1920), No. 2.'f, pp. 32, figs. 

 2G).— This number of this periodical contains the following articles: Housing 

 and E(iuipment of Army Trucks by the States; Handling Federal Eciuipment 

 After its Receipt by States, by R. J. Windrow; Distribution of Surplus War 

 Materials for Road Ruilding, by H. L. Bowlby ; Subgrade Investigations Begun 

 by Bureau of Public Roads; and Federal-aid Allowances in March, 1020. 



Report of the commissioner of highways of 3Iinnesota, C. M. Baucock 

 (Minn. Commr. Hii/hicays Rpt., 191S-19, pp. [42]). — The work and expenditures 

 on roads and bridges of the Minnesota Highway Department for the years 

 1918 and 1919 are reported. 



Tenth biennial report of the State highway commissioner of the State 

 of Vermont, for the two years ended June 30, 1918, S. B. Bates (Vt. 

 Highicay Conniir. liiai. Rpt., 191S, pp. 36).— This report gives the text of the 

 law relative to the highway funds expended under the supervision of the 

 Vermont Highway Department, a detailed tabulated statement of expenditures 

 on road and bridge work for the calender years 1916 and 1917, and a statement 

 of expenditures under special appropriations and special provisions of the law 

 for the biennial term ended June 30, 1918. 



Power applied to agriculture, compiled by W. S. H. Cleghorne (So. Afri- 

 can Jour. Indvs., 8 (1920), No. 3, pp. 2//7-.?55).— Working data on the use of 

 hand pumps, animal power, heat motoi-s, and other sources of power on the farm 

 are given. 



Valve springs for internal combustion engines. — Data for determining 

 dimensions, K. R. Mathot (Gas Engine, 22 (1920), No. 7, pp. 206-208, figs. 2).— 

 Formulas and tabular data for determining the dimensions of both com- 

 pression and tension type valve springs for internal combustion engines are 

 given. 



Motor fuel from waste molasses (Sugar [Neto York], 22 (1920), No. G, pp. 

 SS5-837). — Hawaiian practice in the manufacture and utilization of motor fuel 

 from waste molasses in the form of denatured alcohol is reviewed. 



It is stated that in general a yield of 1 gal. of 93 per cent alcohol can be 

 obtained from 3 gals, of average Hawaiian molasses. The alcohol is denatured 

 by treatment with about 5 per cent of sulphuric ether, 2 per cent of kerosene, 

 and 1 per cent of pyridin. In order to obtain higher volatility and greater 

 flexibility of mixture with air, the denatured alcohol is treated with about 40 per 

 cent ether. Tlie motor alcohol then has the following approximate composition : 

 Alcohol 55.55 per cent, ether 42.78, kerosene 1.11, and pyridin 0.5G per cent. 

 The ether is obtained by distillation of the denatured alcohol with sulphuric 

 acid. About li gals, of alcohol are required for each gallon of ether. The 

 pyridin is used to neutralize the acetic acid and corrosive aldehydes formed 

 by the combustion of ether and alcohol. 



It is stated that the annual Hawaiian production of mola.sses is some 13.5,000 

 tons, from each ton of which may be produced approximately C7 gals, of 

 9.1 per cent alcohol. 



Tests In stationary, marine, automobile, truck, and tractor engines are re- 

 ported to have been successful, indicating great power, speed, and flexibility, 

 combined with smootliness of operation, low heat, and ease of starting. 



I 



