Where it is impracticable to thoroughly drain the swamp regions, says " Aboriculture, " an improvement may be effected by planting willows and other growths which emit roots readily from cuttings, and many of these are of greater valve than existing swamp trees. Willows reduce the malarial gases and thereby improve health conditions. They evaporate vast quantities of water through their leaves and absorb carbonic acid gas from the atmosphere, thus drying up the moisture and purifying the air. Some of the willows are valuable for a number of uses. Charcoal for powder is best made from willow. Salicylic acid is a product of willow bark and is very largely used in pharmacy. Artificial limbs are preferably made from willow, which combines great strength with lightness.

Investigation of fuels by the United States Geological Survey has shown that a ton of bituminous coal is capable of producing two and a half times as many heat units when producer gas is made from the coal as when it is burned in the usual way in the fire box of a boiler.

A detail of hardwood lumber production in the state of Michigan is the seasoning of a considerable portion of the clear white of the hard maple product so that the wood will be left white and not be in any way marred by sticker marks. This result is accomplished by drying the lumber on end under sheds. Maple lumber dried in this fashion commands a handsome premium over that seasoned in cross pile, as the sticker marks ordinarily showing on cross piled stock would be inimical to the production of the delicately hued maple furniture now so much in vogue.

Kerosene came into general use about 1850. It was first called coal oil. It was also known as mineral oil and petroleum oil.

Some heroic work was recently accomplished in a burning coal mine at Edwardsville, 111., when the miners concluded that their only salvation lay in cutting out the burning coal. This they did, sending the burning fuel to the surface in the mine cars. The mine workings were filled with gas, and the heat was almost unbearable, but the entire village depended for its existence on the operation of this one mine. With them it was a case of self-preservation, and they were found equal to the emergency, as they usually are when herculean tasks are to be performed in a mine, whether to have the lives of their fellow workers, or the property of their employers when it is in danger.

When melting babbitt metal care must be taken not to overheat it, or the more easily melted constituents partly evaporate, leaving the alloy in bad condition. Melt a small part first and gradually add to it until all is melted. Then skim off the top and the metal is ready to pour. Before pouring the metal wrap a sheet of smooth writing paper around the shaft or other journal to be babbitted, and secure it by winding a string spiral, in turns, half an inch apart. Then place in the bearing and pour the metal. The paper keeps the cold iron from too quickly chilling the babbitt and gives it a smooth surface, while the grooves made by the string make good oil conduits. It will be found, if this is properly done, the journals will fit the bearing nicely and will require no scraping.

The solid matter in ocean water is 2139 grains per gallon, and that in the Dead Sea about 19,700 grains per gallon. The amount of saline and other soluble material held in solution in salt lakes varies with the rainfall, some years it being greater than others. In stages of low water the quantity per gallon increases, and in stages of high water following heavy rains it becomes less.