318 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Kachess, Wash. ; Hermiston and Ady, Oreg. ; Granite Reef Dam, Ariz. ; Cali- 

 fornia, Ohio ; Birmingham, Ala. ; Dutch Flats, Nebr. ; Minidoka Dam and Deer 

 Flat, Idaho ; Fallon, Nev. ; and Elephant Butte, Carlsbad, and Lake Avalon, 

 N. Mex. The observations were made on the ground and at different heights 

 above the ground (2, 10, and 20 ft.). 



The annual precipitation of the United States for the years 1872 to 1907, 

 r. H. BiGELOW (U. S. Dept. Affr., Weather Bur. Ahstraet of Data 3, pp. 17, 

 figs. 8). — The annual precipitation at selected stations in seven districts of the 

 United States is shown in tables and charts. The mean annual precipitations 

 as deduced from data are as follows: North Pacific States and northern Rocky 

 Mountain plateau, 23.89 in. ; northern Rocky Mountain slope, 19.11 in. ; Lake 

 region and central valleys, 35.55 in. ; North Atlantic States and New England, 

 40.61 in.; east Gulf States, 50.04 in.; west Gulf States and southern Rocky 

 Mountain slope, 23.50 in, ; and southern Pacific States and southern Rocky 

 Mountain Plateau, 14.55 in. 



Precipitation in western Kansas, P. C. Day {U. S. Dept. Agr., Weather Bur. 

 Abstract of Data 2, pp. 6, pi. 1). — Data reported show that "from Lawrence, in 

 the extreme eastern portion, the annual precipitation — 36.29 in. — diminishes to 

 31.43 at Manhattan, to 28.84 at Salina, to 23.48 at Hays, to 20.84 at Gove, and 

 to 16.88 in. at Wallace, in the extreme western part of the State. The total 

 decrease in the annual precipitation from the eastern to the western part of 

 the State is slightly more than 20 in., or about 5 in. for each 100 miles west- 

 ward. . . . 



" Considering the amounts received during the growing season, April to Sep- 

 tember, inclusive, as compared with the amounts for the same months at Law- 

 rence, the rate of decrease westward is considerably less. Starting with Law- 

 rence, 25.18 in. during the crop-growing season, Manhattan has 23.54 in., or 

 93 per cent; Salina 21.90, or 87 per cent; Hays 17.89, or 71 per cent; Gove 

 16.28, or 65 per cent ; and Wallace 13.83 in., or 55 per cent of that received at 

 Lawrence. 



" The distribution north and south over the State is very nearly uniform, 

 except there appears a slight excess in the norwestern part of the State." 



Precipitation in the Panhandle region of Texas, F. H. Bigelow ( TJ. S. Dept. 

 Agr., Weather Bur. Abstract of Data 1, pp. 2). — The average annual rainfall for 

 28f years (1880-1908) at Amarillo and Fort Elliott is shown to be 22.39 in. 



[Rainfall and flow of streams in Massachusetts in 1912] {Ann. Rpt. Bd. 

 Health Mass., U (1912), pp. 255-271, figs. 7). — The average rainfall for the year 

 was 39.48 in., as compared with a normal of 44.78 in. There was an excess of 

 rainfall during March, April, May, and December and a deficiency during the 

 rest of the year. The monthly flow during 1912, as compared with previous 

 years and with normal, is reported for the Sudbury, Nashua, and Merrimack 

 rivers. A summary table also shows the weekly fluctuations in flow of these 

 rivers. 



The effects of ice on stream fiow, W. G. Hoyt (U. S. Geol. Survey, Water- 

 Supply Paper 337, 1913, pp. 77, 23?s. 7, figs. 18). — This paper presents the avail- 

 able information on the subject of winter flow, discussing the factors that 

 influence the run-off during the periods of low temperature, the varieties of ice 

 and their effect on the applicability of the laws of open-channel flow, and the 

 collection and interpretation of necessary data. 



Report of committee on water supplies (Amer. Jour. PuJ). Health, 3 (1913) , 

 A^o. 12, pp. 1326-1337). — This report discusses six features of water supply 

 development as follows : Hygienic aspects, rate of installation of fllters, sterili- 

 zation, decolorization with an overdose of coagulant, decolorization as an ad- 

 junct of softening, and corrosion of metals. 



