BUREAU OF PUBLIC ROADS. 419 



over by the Division of Kiiral Engineering in cooperation witii the 

 States Rchitions Service. In furtherance of the conservation work 

 " thrasher schools " were held in various parts of the grain growing 

 sections of the country. Engineers of the division outlined the 

 courses for and attended these schools, giving talks and demonstra- 

 tions to farmers and thrasher men on thrasher operating. Though 

 the work was begun late in the spring the results were gratifying as 

 it was shown that more good can be accomplished by instruction 

 prior to the opening of the thrasher season than by an attempt at 

 supervision of operations during thrashing. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



In connection with replies to requests for assistance on rural 

 engineering problems there were prepared sketches, data, and short 

 articles on a variety of subjects. In the solution of specific problems 

 there were prepared sketch drawings of alterations and additions to 

 farmhouses, details of a concrete floor slab, sketch showing how to 

 cut rafters, a four-horse evener, a concrete seed and potato ware- 

 house, farmhouse heating layouts, farmhouse lighting lavouts, a 

 hjxlropnenmatic system for hard and soft water, farmstead^ayouts. 



To the information series used in connection with the correspond- 

 ence there was added information relating to the following subjects; 

 Fireplace construction, farmstead planning, dairies, plaster and 

 plastering, building materials (manufacturers and dealers). 



Problems and correspondence relating to the following subjects 

 have been handled : 



Farm structures, Stream survcjs and developments, 



AVall plasters and kalsoinlncs, Farm ice nouses, 



Ice house desii;;n and construction, Farmstead planning. 



Farm water supply. Chemical closets, 



I'arm sewage disposal, Farm implements. 



Farm hydroek-ctric plants. Tractors and jras engines, ' 



Farm lighting systems, Protection against lightning. 



Painting, Fencing, 



Stump pullers, Stone work, 



I'arm heating systems. Insulation, 



Windmill electric plants. Damp cellars. 



Grinding mills. Cement stucco. 



Thrasher boiler inspection. Lumber, 



Concrete construction, Motors, and 



Cooling systems. Disinfectants. 



Exhibits representing the work of the division were prepared for 

 use on county fair circuits; one was also sent to France. Plans for 

 farm structures were sent to France with a view to their use in con- 

 nection with the reconstruction of the devastated sections of that 

 country and for the instruction of members of the American Ex- 

 peditionary Forces who are expecting to follow farming when they 

 return to the United States. 



TRACTION TESTS. 



Calculation of results of traction tests made in the last few years 

 were discontinued in December owung to the induction into military 

 service of the man handling that work. 



Under section 9 of " An act making appropriation for the service 

 of the Post Office Department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1020, 



