EURAL EXGINEEEING. 687 



plete form experiments on mechanical plowing n<jted previously from another 

 source (E. S. R., 33, p. 190). 



Housing farm implements, B. Youngblood and W. W. Whipkey (Texas Sta. 

 Circ. 10, n. ser. (1915), pp. 3-8, figs. 2). — Plans, specifications, and bills of 

 materials for what is considered the most convenient type of implement shed 

 for Texas conditions are given. 



The shed is long and relatively shallow, with one side left open. " On a 

 small farm the depth may be reduced from 20 to 18 ft. and the length made 

 just sufficient to cover the implements kept on the farm. For permanency, a 

 continuous foundation of concrete on three sides is desirable, especially if the 

 shed is to be constructed on a hillside. The shed can be constructed, however, 

 at considerably less expense if concrete piers are used instead of the continuous 

 foundation." 



Pressure of cotton seed, W. M. Eliot (Eny'm. News, 7Jf (1915), No. 21, pp. 

 991, 992, fig. 1). — The results of tests to detej-mine the horizontal pressure of 

 cotton seed in warehouse bins are graphically reported, the equation of the 

 curve being P=|if, in which P=the horizontal pressure in pounds per square 

 inch and i?=the head in feet. The weight of the loose seed was taken at 22.4 

 lbs. per cubic foot and of the packed seed as 38.6 lbs. per cubic foot, and the 

 angle of repose of the seed as 38° 40', 



The purifi-cation of municipal sewage in Germany by natural biological 

 processes, J. Konig and H. Lacoub (Landw. Jahrb., 1ft (1914), No. 4, PP- ^77- 

 572, figs. 6). — This is a report of an extended study of methods employed in 

 Germany for the purification and disposal of municipal sewage. It contains a 

 large amount of statistical and other data of a technical nature covering the 

 amount, general character, and composition of municipal sewage, and the effi- 

 ciency and economy of the so-called natural biological processes of purification. 

 These consist of irrigation, spraying, fish ponds, and intermittent soil filtration. 



The most space is devoted to a presentation of the results of experience in 

 sewage irrigation. This method of sewage disposal, it is thought, presents great 

 agricultural possibilities from the German standpoint, not only as a means of 

 reclamation by irrigation of more or less barren farm lands in the immediate 

 vicinity of cities, but as an economical means of supplying valuable nutritive 

 constituents to the soil. It also constitutes one of the main factors in improv- 

 ing the physical conditions of soil. It is pointed out, however, that proper cul- 

 tural treatment, including liming, must accompany sewage irrigation in order 

 to realize the best results. 



Owing to its cheapness and efficiency in sewage purification, sewage irriga- 

 tion is considered to be the best method of those investigated for the efficient 

 and economical purification and disposal of municipal sewage for German cities 

 to employ. 



Researches into the purification of dairy sewage, "Weigmaxx and A. Wolff 

 (^[ilchw. ZcntbL, U (1915), Nos. Jf, pp. .',9-GO ; 5, pp. 65-73; abs. in Internal. 

 Inst. Agr. [Rome'\, Mo. Bui. Agr. Intel, and Plant Diseases, 6 (1915), No. 6, pp. 

 876, S77; Osndhts. Ingen., 38 (1915), No. 2S, p. 352).— Experiments on different 

 methods of treating dairy sewage showed that purification by biological action 

 on contact filter beds was very good so far as the removal of substances liable 

 to putrefaction was concerned, since about 70 per cent of the albuminous sub- 

 stances and 85 per cent of the easily oxidized matters were removed. Purifica- 

 tion, however, was not complete, since the sewage still retained a strong smell of 

 putrefaction and required subsequent aeration. For this purpose spraying into 

 the air, followed by sand filtration, is recommended. 

 33859°— 16 7 



