308 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



pp. I0S-J6O). — Referring to the work of this Department the author discusses the need 

 and methods of draina<j:e to reUeve the land of excess of alkaU and water. 



The proper disposal of sewerage wastes in rural districts so as to prevent 

 the spread of intestinal parasitic diseases, J. Nelson {New Jersey Stas. Bui. 166, 

 p. 15). — Tliis bulletin discusses sewerage and earth-closet systems of sewage disposal, 

 kinds of sewage wastes, decomposition of sewage as a natural method of disposal, 

 bacterial parasites, how disease germs are spread, the biology of parasitism, preven- 

 tion of dissemination of parasitic germs, cesspool v. sewer gas, disease caused by 

 improper disposal, and the proper construction of an earth closet. 



The irrigation commission's report, C. Scott-Moncrieff et al. {Indian Agr., 28 

 {1903), No. 9, pp. 277-280). — The concluding chapter, which summarizes this report, 

 is quoted. The report describes "the present state and the extent of irrigation in 

 India, its use and value in increasing the produce of the land and in affording pro- 

 tection against famine, the scope that still remains for its future expansion, both by 

 public and private works, and the limitations to such expansion which are imposed 

 by physical and financial considerations . . . [as well] as the possibility of utilizing 

 artesian sources of supply, the classification and financing of State irrigation works, 

 the provision of the additional establishment required for their construction and sub- 

 sequent maintenance, the methods of charging for canal water, the value of agricul- 

 tural experiments in connection with practical irrigation, and the future preparation 

 and maintenance of programmes of famine relief works." 



After considering the present status and future extension of large and small State 

 works, private works are taken up and it is shown that "out of a gross area of 44 

 million acres annually irrigated in British India 25J millions, or 58 per cent, are irri- 

 gated by private works." It is maintained that as great an increase in the irrigated 

 area may be effected "by assisting and stimulating the development of private works 

 as by constructing new State works. For greater protection against famine reliance 

 must be placed, not only on new State irrigation works, but also on the extension of 

 irrigation by means of private works. . . . 



"The general geological conditions of India, and the results attained by the utili-. 

 zation of artesian waters in other countries where the conditions are more favorable, 

 render it certain that the area which can be irrigated from these sources must always 

 be comparatively insignificant." Programmes of relief works are outlined and 

 administrative measures required are discussed. 



Practical irrigation a success in Florida {Forestry and Irrig., 9 {1903), No. 9, 

 pp. 435-44^, figs. 3). — "The districts in which irrigation is practiced are widely 

 scattered. Commencing in the extreme northwestern portici, they extend through 

 the central part, with numerous areas on the east and Gulf coasts. In northwest 

 Florida irrigation is applied in the growing of Sumatra tobacco, while in other sec- 

 tions it is utilized in the cultivation of truck and small-fruit farms, orange groves, 

 pineries, and nurseries. The water for irrigation is obtained from streams, lakes, 

 and nonflowing wells, by various pumping devices, or from artesian wells having a 

 strong surface flow. . . . 



" In 1902 irrigation was reported from 405 farms, the irrigated area being 3,772 

 acres and the irrigation systems representing a constructive outlay of $512,859. The 

 total artificially watered area producing crops was 3,313 acres and the value of the 

 crops grown thereon was $1,432,530, an average of $432 per acre. The irrigation 

 systems cost $446,569, an average of $135 per acre. There were 56 farms, having an 

 irrigated area of 459 acres, which did not produce crops in 1902, the land being in 

 young orange trees. The cost of constructing irrigation systems supplying these 

 farms was $66,290. There were also reported 25 irrigation plants, costing $26,658, 

 that were not operated in 1902." 



Irrigation at Bundaberg {Queensland Agr. Jour., 12 {1903), No. 6, pp. 373-384, 



