RURAL ECONOMICS. 1089 



The subject of bridges is treated in a general way, with illustrations and 

 descriptions of tyi)es in nse and snggestions to communities regarding the 

 selection of the most suitable kind. The material on bridges, it is stated, is 

 largely taken from a rei)ort of the Illinois State Highway Commission. 



Implements and machinery at the Smithfield Show (finpl. and Much. Rev., 

 S.'f {I'JOif), Xo. 1,05, PI). lOdS-llS'i, figs. 29).— In this report there are briefly 

 describetl several new steam traction and portable explosive engines as well as 

 numerous farm niai-bines and implements. 



Trials with seed drills and cultivators, C. V. Birk (Tidfistkr. Landokononii, 

 1008, Xo. 5, PI). 289-298).— Three 2-row seed drills and 17 different cultivators 

 were included in these trials and were judged by the committee on trials of 

 farm machinery of the Royal Agricultural Society of Denmark. 



Water aspirators for homes, T. H. Norton (Mo. Cons, and Trade Rpts. 

 [U. S.], 1909, Xo. S.'iO, pp. 208-210).— XQcovAmg to data summarized by the au- 

 thor, an ordinary laboratory suction pump may be used with rubber tubing for 

 dusting and cleaning in the home. 



Practical paint tests in 1907, E. F. Ladd (Xorth Dakota Sta. Bui. SI, pp. 

 .777-77.'/, fi(js. It). — There is given in this bulletin an account of painting tests 

 which were carried out in continuation of work previously reported (E. S. R., 18, 

 ii. 209). Tests were made with specially prepared paints furnished by the Paint 

 Manufacturers Association of the United States, and considered to be representa- 

 tive of manufacturers' formulas, and al-so with commercial white lead sub- 

 iiiitted by the manufacturers. The paints comprised the whites, warm drabs, 

 and yellows of 18 difterent formulas. 



The paints and leads were api)lled in various maimers to fences made of 

 four tyi)es of lumber and so constructed as to give a wide range of conditions. 



The substance of the bulletin is made up of detailed reports of these tests, 

 covering formulas, directions for application, and data concerning the areas 

 covered and the weight of paint used. The results are given of examinations 

 which were made of the fences at periods of 6 months and 1 year, and of the 

 condition of the paints after standing for about 8 months in the can. 



Tests were al.so made on a number of houses with practicallj^ the same paints 

 as used on the fences, and these are described. 



RURAL ECONOMICS. 



Report of the Country Life Commission, L. H. Bailey et al. (U. S. Senate, 

 60. Von (J., 2. Session, Doc. 703, pp. Go). — This includes a special message from the 

 President of the United States transmitting the report to Cougi'ess, and an ac- 

 count of the purpose and methods of the commission in their inquiries into the 

 economic and social conditions surrounding rural life at the i)resent time. 



In addition to a general statement, the report discusses the main special 

 deficiencies in country life, as disregard of the inherent rights of land workers, 

 highways, soil depletion and its effects, agricultural labor, health in the open 

 country, and woman's work on the farm. According to the commission, the 

 general corrective forces that should be set in motion are along the line of 

 agricultural or country life surveys, a redirected education, cooperative effort, 

 the country church, and personal ideals and locjil leadership. The report has 

 also been discussed editorially ( E. S. R., 20, p. 001). 



Bural conditions in Maine, T. J. Lyons (Ann. Upt. Uiir. Indus, mid Lnhnr 

 fitatis. Me., 22 (1908), pp. ,S''/-2.'».'M.— This article sets forth the rural cou.litions 

 in every county and township in the State, the data being compiled by (he labor 

 conmiissioner from the rei>lies to a circular letter of inquiry sent to representa- 

 tive farmers. Special topics also discussed are the agricultural resources of 



