216 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



of tlie rainfall and of evaporation to crop production under dry-farming methods 

 in various sections of the Western United States, including the Great Plains, 

 Intermountain and Pacific coast regions, and southern Texas. 



In the discussion account is taken of seasonal distribution of the rain, the 

 rate at which the rain falls, the amount lost through run-off from the surface, 

 and the proportion lost by evaporation. Tables are given which show the 

 normal rainfall at every station in these regions where precipitation records 

 are available. 



It is shown that while the method of alternate cropping and summer fallow- 

 ing is the most highly developed dry-farming method, it is not the best method 

 for all dry-farming regions. " In dry-farming sections where the rainfall is 

 not so limited as in Utah, and especially in regions having a summer rainfall, 

 other methods give as good or better returns." 



[Meteorological observations], G. Feilden (Ann. Rpt. Dept. Agr. Trinidad 

 and Tobago, 1909-10, pp. 15-20). — Tables are given which show the monthly 

 and annual rainfall at the Botanic Gardens of Trinidad from 1862 to 1909; 

 the monthly rainfall at 74 stations in the islands of Trinidad and Tobago during 

 1909; the mean annual pressure, temperature, humidity, and rainfall at the 

 Botanic Gardens from 1888 to 1909 ; observations at St. Clair Experiment 

 Station on pressure, temperature, humidity, and rainfall, summarized for each 

 month of 1909 ; and the daily and monthly sunshine record at the Botanic 

 Gardens during 1909. 



The water supply of the earth, W. Halbfass (Wasser, 6 {1910), pp. 88-91; 

 abs. in Wasser u. Abwasser, 3 (1910), No. Jf, p. .^17). — It is maintained in this 

 article that the water supply of the continents is decreasing as a result of the 

 regulation of floods, the reduction of standing water surfaces, the drainage of 

 swamps and moors, and the extension of soil culture. 



The importance of subterranean water to agriculture and forestry, Keil- 

 HACK (Arch. Deut. Landw. Rats, S.'t (1910), pp. 571-591; Ztschr. Pralct. Oeol, 

 18 (1910), No. 4, pp. 125-130). — This paper points out the necessity for careful 

 study of the underground water with a view to more strict control of the water 

 supply in the interest of agriculture and forestry. 



Influence of the forest on the underground waters, G. F. MoEOZOV (Dnevn. 

 XII. ^"iezda Ross. Est.-Isp. i Vrach., No. 8, p. 336; abs. in Zhiir. Optiitn. Agron. 

 (Russ. Jour. Expt. Landw.), 11 (1910), No. 1, pp. 85, 86). — Observations on two 

 wells dug on the same watershed in the Shipov forest in 1901 are reported. 



In 1903 the forest around one of the wells was cut dowji, and for two years 

 the level of the water did not change. In the spring of 1906, however, a rise 

 of water was observed which continued until the water was 60 cm. in 1908 

 and 70 cm. in 1909, above its level in 1901. During the 9 years of observation 

 the level of the water in the other well remained unchanged. 



Notes on some recent contributions to the study of desert water supplies, 

 G. W. Geabham (Cairo Set. Jour., Jf (1910), No. Jf6, pp. 166-17 J,). —This article 

 discusses the sources, nature, extent, and variation of the underground water 

 supply, based mainly upon observations in the Kharga Oasis by H. J. L. Bead- 

 nell. 



On the creation of an artificial water table in Egypt, H. T. Febeae (Cairo 

 Sci. Jour., .!f (1910), No. ^6, pp. 153-156, dgms. 2). — Observations made in 150 

 experimental wells in lower Egypt are cited in support of the view that there 

 are two water tables in the Nile alluvium, " (1) a natural water table which is 

 independent of the works of man, except locally where extra permeability 

 allows a constant supply of irrigation water to be added, (2) an artificial water 

 table which was created by the act of the introduction of perennial irrigation 

 by Mohammed Aly Pasha, It is thought that this artificial water table has 



