582 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.41 



others interested in game birds. A summary of tlie data liere presented has 

 previously been noted from another source (E. S. R., 39, p. 687). The work 

 was carried on in connection with investigations of duck sickness found to be 

 due to the toxic action of certain soluble salts in alkalis, a report of which 

 has previously been noted (E. S. R., 39, p. 460). 



The author can offer no suggestions of a practical nature to alleviate this 

 danger to waterfowl, which is due to eating shot. He has been able to effect 

 a cure in a few individuals by treating them with magnesium sulphate. 



The loco-weed disease, C. D. Marsh ([/. S. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bui. lOoJf 

 {1919), pp. 19, fi(/s. 11). — This is a popular account in which the distribution, 

 characteristics, and effects of loco weeds upon animals eating them are de- 

 scribed, together with the proper methods of feeding and treating such animals. 



RTJRAL ENGINEERING. 



Tests to determine pressures due to hydraulic fills, A. W. Goldbeck (Engin. 

 News-Rec, 80 (1918), Xo. 16, pp. 758-760, figs. 5 ) .—Experiments on the use of 

 the device employed by the Bureau of Public Roads of the U. S. Department of 

 Agriculture for measuring the distribution of pressure through earth fills, to 

 determine pressures due to hydraulic fills in reclamation dike and dam con- 

 struction are reported. The tests consisted in filling a standpipe with finely 

 divided clay in the same way that the core of a hydraulic fill dam is placed, 

 and then measuring the horizontal and vertical pressures at various heights in 

 the standpipe so as to obtain an idea of the pressure in the core of a dam at 

 various stages of the fill. 



" Briefly, the scheme of pressure measurement with this apparatus consists 

 of the equilibration of the earth pressure acting on a sensitive cell by means of 

 air pressure within the cell, detection of the instant of equilibration by the 

 breaking of electrical contact within the cell, and reading the air pressure 

 within the cell at that instant by means of an accurate pressure gauge." 



" Readings and pumping have been continued . . . intermittently for a period 

 of more than four months, and the mud line has been rising with a corre- 

 sponding increase of pressure readings. There is a very noticeable difference 

 in the consistency of the mud from top to bottom, that at the top being quite 

 liquid and that at the bottom more viscous." 



" The I'esults seem to point to the reliability of the measuring apparatus 

 for accurately measuring the pressures in such fills. In view of the fact that 

 the cells function just as sensitively now as on the day they were buried in 

 the fill, it would seem that they could very well be employed as a field appa- 

 ratus for controlling the rate of construction and shape of cross section of 

 hydraulic-fill dams." 



Tables of cubic contents of levee embankments, A. A. Stiles {Tex. State 

 Reclam. Dept. Bui. 5 {1917), lip. Y II +212, pi. i).— Tables of data on the cubical 

 contents of embankments and excavations are given as prepared by the Texas 

 Ptate Reclamation Department. 



Factors for obtaining' cubic yards on sloping' cross sections from cubic 

 yards on level cross sections, A. A. Stiles (7'e.r. State Rcclarn. Dept. Bui. 5A 

 {1918), pp. 25). — These tal)les were prepared by the Texas State Reclamation 

 Department as a supplement to Bulletin 5 noted above. 



Tables of velocity of water in open channels derived from Kutter's for- 

 mula, A. A. Stiles {Tex. State Reclam. Dept. Bui. 6 {1917), pp. VII+ISO).— 

 Velocity tables are given based on Kutter's formula for difl'erent values of the 

 coeflicient or roughness n, as prepared by the State Reclamation Department 

 of Texas. 



