786 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



graphic data. An appendix gives the results of measurements of stream flow 

 in the State in 1914. 



Ground water in Lasalle and McMullen counties, Texas, A. Deussen and 

 R. B. Dole {U. S. CJeol. Survey, Water-Supi)li/ Paper 37o-G {1916), pp. J^l-lll, 

 pis. 2, fig. 1 ) . — This report describes the geology, physiography, and water bear- 

 ing formations of two areas of 1,180 and 1,707 square miles in southwestern 

 Texas, and presents the results of an investigation of the ground waters of the 

 areas with reference to their use for irrigation and domestic purposes. 



Data from 131 wells in the two counties, together with analyses of the waters, 

 are reiwrted. These are taken to indicate " that strongly mineralized alkali 

 waters abound in Lasalle and McMullen counties. Almost all the waters tested 

 exceed 500 parts per million in total mineral content, and nearly two-thirds of 

 them exceed 2,000 parts. Sulphate anil chlorid waters predominate. Though 

 only about one-quarter of the supplit-s are classed as sodium carbonate, more 

 than half contain notable amounts of bhick alkali. Because of this generally 

 excessive mineral content a large proportion of the waters are poor supplies, 

 many being unlit for use. Drinkable waters have been found in many places, 

 and a few are only moderately high in mineral content. In general, however, 

 the region affords supplies carrying excessive contents of alkali. The waters 

 must be called poor for \ise in boilers, because they would cause excessive 

 foaming, tliough they woiUd probably not be corrosive nor would they form 

 much scale. The content of alkali of most of them is too great to render it 

 advisable to irrigate with them, and many are unlit for such use." 



A water-power reconnoissance in south-central Alaska, C. E. Ellsworth 

 and It. W. Daveni'OUT {V. H. G'col. Survey, ^\'attr-Sul)l)ly Paper 372 (1915), pp. 

 173, pis. 22, figs. 6). — This reports in convenient form data on measurements of 

 the volume of streams in the Bering lliver basin ; the Controller Bay region ; 

 the basin of the lower Copper lliver and its principal tributary, the Chitina; 

 in numerous localities in the I'rince William Sound region; the Willow Creek 

 district; and the eastern part of the Ki-nai Peninsula, together with compila- 

 tions of the precipitation records made by the Weather Bureau of this Depart- 

 ment. A s«'parate rcp<trt on a water-power reconnoissance in southeastern 

 Alaska in ItXX), by .T. C. Hoyt, is appended. 



Geo-hydrological studies and research, in Italy in connection with agri- 

 culture, G. DE Angelis d'Ossat (Internal. Imt. Agr. [Rome], Mo. Bui. Agr. 

 Intel, and Plant Diseases, 6 (1915),' Xo. 4. PP- 517-^21).— The importance of 

 the geologist in connection with drainage and irrigation work, in soil study, 

 and in obtaining rural water supplies is pointed out, with reference to Italian 

 rural conditions. 



A bibliogi-apliy of Italian literature bearing on the subject is appended. 



Monograph on the irrigation wells of the Jaunpur District, A. C. Walker 

 (Dept. Land Ree. and Ayr. United Prov. Ayra and Oudh, Ayr. Ser., Bui. 32 

 (1915), pp. 56). — This describes the wells and well irrigation in the district. 



The peat resources of Wisconsin, F. W. Hlels (Wis. Geol. and Nat. Hist. 

 Survey Bui. J,5 (1915), Eeon. Ser. 20, pp. .\VlI+27h /''»• 22, figs. 20).— A gen- 

 eral discussion of the origin, characteristics, and uses of peat is followe<l by a 

 reix)rt of investigations into the location, extent, and character of the peat 

 beds of Wisconsin by counties and the possibilities for tlieir economic utilization. 



Wisconsin is considered to have extensive peat resources, but it is statetl that 

 attempts at the development of peat industries in the State have been unsatis- 

 factory. " The peat lands of Wisconsin in a number of instances are nuich more 

 likely to be drained and reclaimed for agricultural purposes than tliey are to 

 be used for their potential fuel value." 



