MISCELLANEOUS. 309 



pis. 9) . — A report of an irrigation reconnoissance of this district of Queensland, show- 

 ing present status and possibilities (if future development. 



The use of alkaline and saline waters for irrigation, T. H. Means ( [/. S. Dept. 

 Agr., Bureau of Soils Circ. 10, pp. 4)- — Observations are reported which show that in 

 the Algerian oases artesian water containing as high as 800 parts of soluble salts 

 (largelj^ sodium chlorid) per 100,000 is successfullj^ used in the irrigation, not only of 

 dates, but also of deciduous fruits, garden vegetables, and alfalfa. Accumulation of 

 alkali in the soil is prevented by frequent and large applications of water. Analyses 

 of 3 samples of the artesian water are reported. 



The water supply of Australia, W. G. Cox {Proc. Roy. Colon. Inst., 33 {1901-2), 

 pp. 35-49). — In summing up the author states "that, as regards rainfall, Australia is 

 similarly conditioned to other semitropical and tropical countries; that, as regards 

 irrigation from rivers, the Darling-Murray system — which never runs dry — affords 

 the best promise of future success; that the other rivers, and the creeks of the great 

 plains of the interior, are not so well adapted for irrigation, unless at a cost for con- 

 servation reservoirs, which will be, in all probability, prohibitive for a long time to 

 ■come; that, as regards subterranean supplies, the official figures given show the great 

 present outflow, the bulk of which has been running continuously for years — in one 

 State alone; and when the enormous quantity of water stored up in the ground at 

 disposal is considered, and that that water is being tapped at a comparatively low 

 cost for its value, and that it can be obtained in self-discharging quantities at any 

 point required within the artesian areas, thus obviating expensive pumping from 

 rivers or reservoirs and long-distance channeling, it is ... . fair to claim that Aus- 

 tralia can not be deemed .... a drought-stricken land. In the near future, when 

 a much larger flow is obtained from artesian sources, the effects of droughts will be 

 further neutralized." 



Use of mineral oil in road improvement, J. W. Abbott ( U. S. Dept. Agr. Year- 

 book 1902, pp. 439-454, pis. 3, Jigs. 4)- — Experience in California is described, the 

 general applicability of the use of oil is discussed, and methods are described. The 

 use of oil is said to be applicable wherever "through long, hot, dry summers the 

 roads become very dusty, and where water can be kept out of their foundations in 

 the winter, so that they will remain firm and not give way beneath the oiled surface 

 in the spring." 



Thrashing' machinery in Russia, C. J. Zintheo {Amer. Thresherman, 6 [1903), 

 No. 5, p. 4, figs. 4)- — A brief account of primitive methods still largely in use, of the 

 introduction of English machines, and of the chance for the introduction of Ameri- 

 can machinery. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



Yearbook of the Department of Agriculture, 1902 ( U. S. Dept. Agr. Yearbook 

 1902, pp. 912, pis. 87, figs. 62). — The Yearbook for 1902, prepared on the same gen- 

 eral plan as previous Yearbooks, includes the report of the Secretary on the opera- 

 tions of the Department during the year, 37 miscellaneous articles noted elsewhere, 

 and an appendix consisting of the usual summary of information on various subjects 

 of interest to the farmer. 



Some practical results of experiment station w^ork, W. H. Beal ( U. S. Dept. 

 Agr. Ycarhook 1002, pp. 589-606). — A large number of specific examples are given to 

 show the character and extent of the influence of the experiment stations in the 

 United States upon agricultural practice. 



Systems of farm management in the United States, W. J. Spillman ( f7. S. 

 Dept. Agr. Yearbook 1902, pp. 343-364, figs. 4). — The- author describes types of farm 

 management designated live-stock farming, grain and hay farming, and nonhumus 

 farming, and discusses their distribution in the United States. Selected farms repre- 



