METEOROLOGY WATER. 217 



gradually become highei% owing mainly to excessive watering of crops, until at 

 the present day it has a deleterious effect upon the fertility of the soil." 



An artificial water table, A. Lucas (Cairo Sci. Jour., 4 (1910), No. Jp, pp. 

 198, 199). — This is a brief discussion of an article by Ferrar on this subject 

 noted above. The author does not find "any evidence of a secondary perma- 

 nently saturated zone above the level of the infiltration water and separated 

 from and independent of it." Instead of the water table's reaching a maximum 

 position about November 1 the author fixes the date at any time between Sep- 

 tember 28 and January 11. 



The ground- water level, Haedicke (Ztschr. Prakt. Geol., 18 (1910), No. 

 5-6. pp. 209-216, figs. 16; ahs. in Wasser u. Alncasser, 3 (1910), No. //, pp. 

 150-155, flgs. 5). — The author distinguishes between ground water and storage 

 water, the ground water rising and falling independently of rainfall but being 

 maintained in part by precipitation and in part by condensation of the moisture 

 of the air in the soil. Various experiments and observations illustrating the 

 character and behavior of the different forms of soil water are described. 



The iron content of drainage water, J. Haas (Jour. Landw., 58 (1910), No. 

 2, pp. lift, llt2).—AJi examination of the drainage water from large casks used 

 in experiments comparing fallow with different systems of cropping showed 

 that there was practically no iron in the drainage from fallow soils but vary- 

 ing amounts in those in which alfalfa had been grown, the largest amount 

 being observed during the period of decomposition of the roots of the alfalfa 

 in the soil. The author concludes that the products of decomposition of the 

 alfalfa roots exerted a solvent action on the iron compounds of the soil. 



On the suspended matter in water of the Java rice fields, E. C. J. Mohb 

 (Ann. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg, 1910, Sup. 3, pt. 1, pp. 221-225).— In a study of 

 the composition and molecular relation of the suspended matter the author 

 found tliat the principal ingredients were those of clay ( AI2O3, SiOs, H2O ) . There 

 appeared to be a different molecular relation from that of kaolin. Iron occurred 

 in ferric form, probably as 1 F2O3 to 6- or 7 AI2O3. Lime and magnesia were 

 present in small quantities. The titanic acid present was probably formed from 

 the iron titanate through the action of carbon dioxid and water in the presence 

 of organic substances. No definite molecular relation could be established be- 

 tween SiOa and AI0O3 from a study of the hydrochloric acid (20 per cent), 

 sodium carbonate (5 to 10 per cent), and sodium hydroxid (5 per cent) ex- 

 tracts. The author submits the hypothesis that the colloidal silicic acid and 

 alumina are precipitated at the same time as hydrates and in such a way that 

 the silicic acid is not taken up again by sodium carbonate solution. 



The water of the Columbia and Willamette rivers, C. B. Bradley (Jour. 

 Indus, and Engin. Cliem., 2 (1910), No. 6, pp. 293, 29^ ) .—Analyses of samples 

 of Willamette River water collected at Corvallis in July, 1909, and of Columbia 

 River water collected at Mayger in August, 1909, are reported. 



The results show that -the Columbia water is " relatively rich in carbonate of 

 lime obtained no doubt from its upper course where lime formations are found. 

 The soil of the Willamette Valley, on the other hand, contains only traces of 

 carbonates, which is reflected in the low content of carbonates in the Willamette 

 water. The tributaries of the Willamette are generally high in silica." 



Water supply of eastern Virginia, A. Jeffers (Manfrs\ Bee, 58 (1910), No. 

 15, p. .56).— The origin and character of the artesian water supply of this region 

 are described. It is stated that "the question of an ample supply of pure, 

 healthful water for Tidewater, Virginia, is already solved, and a good article is 

 within reach of every enterprise and every home." 



The purification of muddy waters, A. C. H. Rothera (Jour. Dept. Agr. 

 Victoria, 8 (1910), No. 7, pp. ■'i31-fi-'i2, figs. 2).— It is stated that much of the 



