METEOROLOGY WATER. . 415 



in this country foi- finding suitable localities for certain plants and, further, 

 as to the establishing of proper labor conditions and transportation facilities. 

 The commercial aspect of the industry is also considered. 



Technical-niicroscopical differentiation of fibers, R. Korn {Jahresher. Ver. 

 Angcw. Bot., 7 {lOOD), pp. 18d-23-'i, pis. 2, figs. 12). — This investigation has par- 

 ticular reference to microscopy, chemistry, micro-chemistry, and the optical' 

 behavior of hemp and linen fibers. 



Philippine fibers and fibrous substances; — their suitability for paper 

 making, G. F. Richmond {Philippine Jour. i<ci., A. Chcni. (Did Geol. Sci., 5 

 {1910), No. 4, pp. 233-255). — A demonstration is given in regard to the fea- 

 sibility of producing paper from Philippine bamboo. The cost of production is 

 stated. 



METEOROLOGY— WATER. 



Department of meteorolcg-y and climatology, J. E. Church, Jr. {Nevada 

 Sta. Bui. 72, pp. 49-57). — In continuation of previous work (E. S. R., 21, p. 14), 

 an account is given of the establishment and equipment of the observatory upon 

 Mount Rose for the study of the forecasting of frost from mountain tops, and 

 of the inauguration of inquiries on the relation of forests to the conservation 

 of snow. Preparations for observations at the base of Mount Rose, 6,000 ft. 

 below the summit observatory, and for studies of the upper air by means of 

 kites, are also referred to. 



Observations on the relation of forests to the conservation of snow were 

 made on Mount Rose, iu the basin of Lake Tahoe, and elsewhere. Measure- 

 ments of the snowfall are made by means of Bigelow's snow bins and a snow 

 sampler and weigher specially devised for the purpose. The latter "consists 

 of a piece of machine seamless tubing, somewhat under 2 in. in its external 

 diameter, and having an inside diameter sufficient to receive a cylindrical 

 cutter with orifice 1^- in. iu diameter. A scale of inches is cut upon the exterior 

 of the tube. The essential feature of the sampler is the detachable cylindrical 

 cutter and the commodious tube above, which permits the core of snow to rise 

 with minimum friction. Since snow packs under pressure with great readiness, 

 it is of the utmost importance to give the snow passing ui^ward through the 

 cutter the utmost possible room to postpone its adhering to the interior of the 

 tube, and thus increase the depth to which the sampler can be driven. The 

 interior of the cutter also increases in diameter upward from its orifice to 

 decrease the effect of packing at the point as well. The weight or moisture 

 content of the snow is determined by weighing the sampler and contents by 

 means of a spring balance and then subtracting the weight of the sampler 

 empty. The depth of snow is ascertained by aid of the scale engraved upon the 

 outside of the sampler, and its relative density per inch by dividing the weight 

 by the depth, the diameter of the cutter being constant, namely, li in. The 

 snow core is removed by inverting the tube and permitting the snow to slide 

 out, which it will do very readily when the instrument is not fi'osty. In case 

 the snow adheres, the core can be broken up by means of a pick plied through 

 a series of longitudinal slots cut throughout the length of the tube. In case 

 of depths beyond the usual, extra sections can be screwed into the sampler, 

 and the driving and weighing continued until the bottom of the snow is 

 reached. These extra sections should contain the continuation of the scale 

 engraved upon the sampler, but need contain no slots. The last scale reading 

 will represent the total depth, and the sum of the net weights the total net 

 weight of the snow. In case a large field of snow is measured and water con- 

 tents estimated, drivings are made every 50 paces, or less if desired, once or 



