166 KANSAS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE, 



paratus is so constructed that the siphon may be easily removed, and when the 

 extraction is concluded the removal of the siphon and the substance will usually 

 give abundant space to collect the solvent. It is then distilled oflf from the extract 

 and collected in the pocket. The drying of the extract must be completed in a 

 current of hydrogen, as usual. 



This extractor was designed for the quantitative analysis of feeding-stuffs: the 

 side-pocket to contain the substance is therefore made small in our instruments so 

 as to require but little of the absolute ether and to insure quick siphoning. It is, 

 however, apparent that within certain limits the extractor might be made of con- 

 siderable size. 



Our extractors are heated by one water bath; each flask is supported by a spiral 

 spring which has a piece of brass gauze soldered across the upper coil. The spring 

 should be rather stiff, but so adjusted in length as to require but little compression 

 to bring it under the fiask. 



Note. — Mr. J. T. Crawley, in the Am. Chem. Journal, Vol. XI, p. 507, has described an ai^paratus 

 employing capillary attraction to bring the siphon into action. It is only fair to say that our extractor 

 was designed before the publication of his article. 



ANNUAL PRECIPITATION OF RAIN AND SNOW AT MANHATTAN, KANSAS, 

 FOR THE PAST THIRTY-TWO YEARS. 



BV C. M. BKEESE, MANHATTAN. 



The rainfall is often of a local character, so that the measured amount at any one 

 place may hold good for but a limited area. The rainfall at Manhattan, as shown 

 by the accompanying chart, is not claimed to be more than an indication of the pve- 

 cipitation over the rest of the State. 



In any agricultural country where the system of irrigation is not practiced, the 

 question of the rainfall and its distribution is one of vital interest — especially that 

 of the distribution. To illustrate: In 1886, 1887 and 1888, the rainfall was about the 

 average, but the crops were poor, being affected by drouth at important periods of 

 growth, and by chinch-bugs. The rainfall of 1889 was a trifle less than that of 1888, 

 and only one inch more than that of 1887, but the crops were excellent. The differ- 

 ence in the distribution of the moisture tells the tale. Again, in 1875 there was a 

 very scanty rainfall, but it was exceedingly well distributed, and I find Riley county 

 is accredited with a wheat crop averaging 14 bushels per acre, corn 41 bushels, oats 

 28 bushels, and potatoes 90 bushels — pretty good crops for a year when the total 

 precipitation was only 18.16 inches. 



" Is the rainfall of Kansas increasing? " Let us examine the record: In the thirty- 

 two years covered there are fourteen above the average, and eighteen below. Divid- 

 ing the record into two equal jieriods of time, we find there are in the first half six 

 years above the average, and ten below, while in the second half there are eight above 

 and eight below. The total precipitation for the first half, or previous to 1874. was 

 468.15 inches, or an annual average of 29.26 inches, while subsequent to and includ- 

 ing 1874 there was a precipitation of 508.02 inches, or an average of 31.75 inches, 

 and a difference in favor of the latter period of 2.5 inches per annum. But let us 

 suppose that, instead of extending over thirty-two years, our record had commenced 

 in 1870, and included but twenty years, and we now divide into two equal parts : 

 The total precipitation for the first half is 311.45 inches; for the second, 309.27 



