METEOROLOGY. 609 



and finishing white sugar, and (3) materials used in the manufacture of 

 plantation white sugar. The analytical methods described in Part 3 are those 

 employed at the Java Sugar Experiment Station. See also a previous work 

 (E. S. R., 22, p. 312). 



Utilization of American flax straw in the paper and fiber-board industry, 

 J. L. Merkill {U. S. Dept. Agr. Bui. 322 {1916), pp. 24, figs. 8).— From a series 

 of laboratory experiments and mill tests, extending over a period of several 

 years, it was found that by using a proper bleach a fairly good fiber board 

 could be made from flax straw. Some of the material thus produced was sold 

 to the trade without any complaint from the consumer. Flax tow, which con- 

 tains much less woody material, was found to be more satisfactory than the 

 straw and to produce a better quality of fiber board of medium thickness. The 

 thin boards, however, were found to be somewhat soft, while the thick ones 

 were somewhat brittle. It is indicated that the straw requires some previous 

 treatment to remove at least a portion of the woody matter. 



The milk of lime process was used throughout, it being deemed the most suit- 

 able under the experimental conditions. 



Yield of by-products from destructive distillation of some westera coni- 

 fers, H. K. Benson and M. Dakrin {Jour. Indtis. and Engin. Chem., 7 {1915), 

 No. 11, pp. 916-918). 



Discoloration of maple in the kiln, R. C. Judd {Jour. Indus, and Engin. 

 Chem., 7 {1915), No. 11, p. 920). 



METEOROLOGY. 



The dollar and cents value of California meteorology, F. A. Caepentee 

 {Univ. Cal. Chron., 17 {1915), No. 1, pp. 78-90).— This article discusses briefly 

 some practical applications of meterology in California, particularly the utili- 

 zation of warnings of frost in the citrus region, hot waves and floods in south- 

 ern California, and storms on the California coast. The causes of these phe- 

 nomena and means of protection against frost are briefly discussed. Brief 

 mention is made of an intensive climatological survey which was begun in 1914 

 on a tract of land in southern California 5 miles wide and 15 miles long, ex- 

 tending from the sea to an elevation of 1,500 ft., with a view to securing the 

 best possible utilization of the land for town sites, country homes, and intensive 

 agriculture. 



The physician and the Weather Bureau, F. A. Caepentee {Jour. Anier. Med. 

 Assoc, 66 {1916), No. 1, pp. 6-11, figs. If). 



The influence of the moon on weather changes and atmospheric dis- 

 turbances, R. Fischer {Wetter, 32 {1915), No. 7, pp. 161-165).— An attempt is 

 made in this article to correlate weather changes with the phases and position 

 of the moon during 1914. It is indicated that a certain correlation was shown. 



Battles and rainfall, A. McAdie {Sci. Mo., 2 {1916), No. 2, pp. 170-173).— 

 The evidence showing that there is no relation between battles (more especially 

 gunfire) and rainfall is briefly presented, and reference is made to inquiries as 

 to the cause of abnormal rainfalls. 



Instructions to river and rainfall observers, A. J. Henry ( TJ. 8. Dept. Agr., 

 Weather Bur., Instructions to Special River and Rainfall Observers, 1915, pp. 

 27, pi. 1, figs. 6). — These, the latest administrative instructions on this subject, 

 were issued October 23, 1915. 



Instnictions for the installation and operation of class '^A" evaporation 

 stations, B. C. Kadel {V. S. Dept. Agr., Weather Bur., Instrument Div. Circ. 

 L {1915), pp. 26, pis. 4, figs. 4). — These, the latest instructions on this subject, 

 were issued October 16, 1915. 



