WATER SOILS. 1059 



WATER SOILS. 



Water softening, J. O. Handy [Engineer. News, 51 [1904), No. 21, pp. ,500-508, 

 fiyti. 7). — This urtick' deals quite fully with the processes and appliances for softening 

 water for boiler, domestic, and manufacturing purposes, especial attention being given 

 to the feasiliility of softening the entire sujjplies of municipalities as is now done at 

 Winnipeg, ^Manitoba, and other places. 



Studies of color in water; Metropolitan w^ater supply, Massachusetts, E. G. 

 IIoi'SdN ( Kiigiiirrr. Neirit, 51 (1U04), No. 17, jtj>. 414-41'', ji'J'^- ■')■ — A study of the 

 water from the drainage area of the Ashland reservoir of the Metropolitan Water- 

 works is reported, from which the conclusion is drawn that "a brook whose color is 

 increased temporarily to a high point during and after rains, but which in general 

 flows of a light color, shows indications of pollution from the flushing of stagnant 

 surface pools in swampy lands, and a remedy for the temporary high color may 

 probably be found by the construction of shallow channels to prevent the accumula- 

 tion of such surface water. 



"A brook that steadily maintains a high degree of color for long periods gives 

 sure proof of the accession of leachings from peat beds, and the remedy may only 

 be found by a system of deep drainage. . . . 



"A brook whose color is generally very low excepting during or immediately after 

 rains shows an almost entire freedom from swamp pollution, with the exception of 

 surface washings, which are unavoidable." 



Elements of water bacteriology, S. C. Prescott and C. E. A. Winslow (Neiv 

 York: John Wiley cO Sons; London: (Jliapman cfc Hall, Ltd., 1904, PP- ^-\~162, fig. 1). — 

 It is stated to be the purpose of this book to present the results of American investi- 

 gation on the bacteriology of water in such form as to " give a correct idea of the 

 best American practice," and to do this "with such completeness as shall render the 

 volume of value to the expert and at the same time with such freedom from undue 

 technicality as to make it readable for the layman." 



The topics discu.ssed in the different chapters are: The bacteria in natural waters, 

 the quantitative bacteriological examination of water, the interpretation of the quan- 

 titative bacteriological analysis, determination of the number of organisms develop- 

 ing at the body temjierature, the isolation of specific pathogenes from water, methods 

 for the isolation of the colon bacillus, significance of the presence of Bacillus coli in 

 water, presumptive test for B. coli, other intestinal bacteria, and the significance and 

 ap]>licability of the l^acteriological examination. A list of 180 references to sources 

 of information used in tlie l)ook is given. 



The bacteriological examination of water, J. C. Thresh and G. Sowden {Pub- 

 lic Health [London], 16 {1004), No. 8, pp. 459-493).— The accuracy and value of 

 various methods of bacteriological examination of water are discussed and results of 

 a large number of such examinations, especially with reference to the occurrence 

 of Bacilhts coli communis, are reported. 



The significance of bacteriological ruethods in sanitary w^ater analysis, 

 C. E. A. AViNSLOw and C. P. Nibeckek {Public Health [London'], 10 {1904), No. 8, pp. 

 493-501). — The subjects discusseil in this paper are sanitary inspection and its limi- 

 tiitions, the quantitative bacteriological examination of water, the isolation of intes- 

 tinal bacteria, the fermentation and litmus-lactose-agar plate tests. The results of 

 examinations by means of gelatin and litnms-lactose-agar j^lates and dextrose broth 

 tubes of over 250 samples of water from apparently unpolluted sources are reported 

 and discussed. A list of 14 refereni-es to articles relating to the subject is given. 



The Michigan method for the bacteriological examination of water, Y. C. 

 Vaughan {Public Health [London], 16 {1904), No. 8, pp. 502, 503).— The method is 

 briefly described. 



The bacteriological analysis of soils, F. D. Chester {Delaware Sta. Bui. 65, 

 2>p. 51-76, figs. 5). — This is a discussion, leased upon station investigations, of the 



