1819] RURAL. ENGINEERING. 691 



Internal-combustion engine lubrication and lubricants, P. H. Coneadson 

 (Anier. Soc. Testing Materials Proc, 18 {1918), pp. 387-392; extract in Power, 

 48 {1918), No. 3, p. 107). — It is pointed out that the viscosity test of lubricating 

 oil for internal-combustion engines is of value only when the user is familiar 

 with the characteristics of the diffei'ent crudes of which the oil is made, and 

 that the flash point test is of no consequence after the oil enters the cylinder. 

 Evaporation losses are usually greatest in oils of low flash points. It is further 

 pointed out that specific gravity in no way indicates whether or not lubricating 

 oil will stand up under service conditions. 



Prevention of and protection from smut dust explosions and fires in grain 

 separators, G. E. Thornton {Wash. State Col. Ext. Dept., Ser. 1, No. 46 {1918), 

 pp. 8, pi. 1, figs. 4)- — This circular gives popular information on methods of 

 prevention of fires and dust explosions in grain separators, based on experiments 

 previously noted (E. S. R., 32, p. 386). 



The Shoup oat sprouter, G. R. Shoup {Washington Sta., West. Wash. 8ta. 

 Mo. Btil., 7 {1919), No. 5, pp. 75-82, figs. 3).— This article describes the con- 

 struction and operation of an oats sprouter for the preparation of germinated 

 oats for poultry feed. 



The sprouter consists of a series of trays with sliding bottoms arranged one 

 above another. The bottoms may be pulled out, while the fronts, sides, and 

 backs remain stationary. This allows the oats to drop to the empty compart- 

 ments below, which effects the necessary stirring. The daily sprinkling is per- 

 formed by pouring the soaked oats, water and all, in at the top, which lifts up 

 and back on hinges. The outside cabinet may be made of any common lumber 

 surfaced on one side with the smooth side in. The sprouter should be 5 ft. high 

 for best results. 



Silo construction, C. K. Shedd and W. A. Foster {lotva Sta. Bui. 189 {1919), 

 pp. 97-148, figs. ^4).— This is a revision of Bulletin 141 (B. S. R., 30, p. 89) 

 incorporating data of additional value obtained since 1913. With reference to 

 the water tank placed on top of a masonry silo, it has been found that treatment 

 of the inner surface of the tank with a coating of asphalt followed by cement 

 plastering apparently prevents leakage. 



Capacities of silos and weights of silage, C. H. Eckles, O. E. Reed, and 

 J. B. Fitch {Missouri Sta. Bui. 164 {1919), pp. 3-24, figs. 2).— This bulletin re- 

 ports data from investigations at the Kansas and Missouri Experiment Stations 

 in which the weight of silage to the cubic foot was taken, by means of a specially 

 designed apparatus, in 32 silos representing five seasons. The weights were taken 

 as tlie silos were emptied. 



It is concluded that the weight of silage is subject to so much variation and 

 is influenced by so many factors that no table of silage weights and silo capacities 

 can be more than approximately correct. The modification of King's table 

 published by the Nebraska Experiment Station (E. S. R., 37, p. 887) is considered 

 to give reasonably accurate results when used to estimate the weight of silage 

 at the time filling is completed. " None of the tables so far published is adapted 

 to estimating the weight of settled silage." 



It was found experimentally that the proportion of grain influenced the 

 weight of silage to the cubic foot, but that the fineness of cutting did not 

 appear to be a factor. Weigings of the contents of three silos containing sweet 

 sorghum silage and three containing Kafir corn silage showed no wide variations 

 in weight as compared to corn silage, and it is recommended that, until more data 

 are available, the same table as designed for use with corn silage be used in 

 estimating the weight of silage from these crops. 



