RUHAl. KNCilNEEKIXG. 1193 



the pMniplilot is a synoiisis of tlio FeiU'inl laws relatinj; to the prooniption of 

 lauds and it incliuU's iiiforinatiou puhiislu'd by the Department of the Interior 

 (if interest to colonist or honieseelver. 



[ Irrig-ation investigations in California], F. W. Roeding (Rpt. State E'ngin. 

 CoL. 1007-8, pp. J53-156). — A brief review of the cooi)erative work of the 

 irri.L'ation in\ osticntions of tliis Office and the State of California. 



[Irrigation in Madras Presidency], P. F. Martin (Engineer [London], 107 

 (IHOH), Xo. 2770, 109, 110). — An acconnt is given of the projects being nnder- 

 taken by the British Government, in one of which it is proposed to erect the 

 largest dam in the world. The i)roposed works are descril)ed, with figures as to 

 drainage areas, reservoir capacities, dimensions of structures, and estimates of 

 cost. ^ 



Mechanical irrigation stations on the Nile, J. B. Van Brussel (Engin. 

 Mag., 36 (1909), Xo. 3, pp. 7'/.9-76.'/, figs. 17). — In this article there is described 

 \«^ plant located at Wadi-Kom-Ombo in upi)er Egypt, which will make use of part 

 oi the additional water of the Nile stored up by the Assuan Barrage. The area 

 to be irrigated covers 1.50.000 acres of land where the crops will be absolutely 

 dependent on the pumps. Eeliability was therefore a prime consideration, and 

 th'3 pumps had to be of the centrifugal type because of the large amount of silt 

 in the water of the Nile. 



The mechanical equipment comprises centrifugal pumps with 2-meter suction 

 pipes, operated by horizontal 4-cylinder, triple-expansion engines, and also a 

 steel canal 5,200 feet long, nearly semicircular in cross section. By the use of a 

 fuel economizer an increase in efficiency of 5 per cent will be obtained. Further 

 data regarding the pumps and engines and the methods employed in the con- 

 struction of the canal are given in the article. 



Tidal power, W. C. Hornsnaill (Engineer [London], 107 (1909), Xos. 277.'/, 

 pl>. 2L',-220, figs. 7; 277.5, pp. 233, 23.'i, figs. .J).— In the first of these articles 

 the writer considers the factors involved in utilizing tidal power, with a mathe- 

 matical discussion as to the amount of power available from a given rise and 

 fall and as to the efficiency of tide mills, with examples of developments. 



A discussion of the economy of tidal power as compared with that of stea.ni or 

 gas is given in the second article, showing it to be too low to compete with them 

 at the jiresent value of coal. 



Third Biennial Report State Engineer, North Dakota (Bien. Rpt. State 

 Engin. A. Dak., 3 (1907-S). pp. 77', ;>/*•. 3, dgni. 1). — In this are contained re- 

 Iiorts of drainage projects, preliminary surveys of irrigation projects, accounts 

 of hydrographic surveys of several important rivers of the State, with data and 

 a discussion of the relation between rainfall and stream flow in the -State. 

 There is also an account of the progress Iteing made under the various irriga- 

 tion i)roje(ts l)eing carried on. 



Peat levees, X. Ellkrv (Rpt. State Engin. Cah, 1907-8, pp. 88-92). — The 

 writer makes recijmmendations as to construction and maintenance of peat 

 levees. Among the reconnnendations are planting willows on the berm and 

 up the outside slope, as it is believed that i>y doing this the roots will interlace 

 the soil so as to give it increased resistance to water pressure. 



The automatic water finder (Impl. and Maeh. Rev., 3.'i (1908), No. .'i06, 

 p. 1238, fig. 1). — The instrunienl here described is reported to have been suc- 

 cessfully used for locating underground water cour.ses. It is stated that the 

 operation of the insfrument is based upon the measurement of electric cur- 

 rents constantly flowing between the earth and alniosi)liere. These are strong- 

 est in the vicinity of subterranean flowing waters, the strength being indi- 

 cated liy the deflection of a needle. 



