1898] 



NOTES AND COMMENTS 225 



often occurs in places where the soil contains carbonates of alkaline 

 earth equal to 40 or 50 per cent of carbonate of lime. As a 

 general rule the authors seem to have found that the addition of 

 Nitrogen either as Sulphate of Ammonia, Nitrate of Soda, or Dried 

 Blood, or of Phosphates (mineral or basic rather than superphos- 

 phate) is beneficial, but at present it is very difficult to draw 

 definite conclusions. 



Agriculture in the United States 



The excellent year-book of the U.S. Department of Agriculture 

 (1897) of which we have recently received a copy shows a useful 

 departure from the usual form. In addition to the miscellaneous 

 papers, eighteen in number, there is a series setting forth the work 

 of the several bureaus and divisions, under the general title " Work 

 of the Department for the Farmer." No better means could be 

 devised of proving to the American people, and peoples generally, 

 the enormous advantages of such a department equipped with the 

 best scientific experts that can be procured, and the great saving to 

 the nation financially. Take for instance the first on the list, the 

 ' Weather Bureau,' the work of which in relation to practical agri- 

 culture falls under three heads: (1) The forecast services for pre- 

 dicting storms, cold waves, and frosts. (2) The river and flood 

 service for predicting floods. (3) The climate and crop service for 

 recording and presenting the details of climate and the weekly and 

 monthly conditions of crops. Besides the 150 paid meteorological 

 stations there are no less than 3000 voluntary observers, the 

 majority of whom, under the liberal policy of the Government, have 

 been presented with standard instruments. By a wide distribution 

 of weather forecasts and warnings, together with suggestions for 

 minimising the injury arising from sudden meteorological changes 

 or disturbances, crops, stock or property is saved each year many 

 times exceeding in value the cost of the department. 



The department of Botany refers to its work in introducing 

 forage-plants suitable to the various parts of the country, in investi- 

 gating fungous diseases of plants, in exposing the adulteration of 

 seed, &c. The subject of weeds has been taken up with good 

 results chiefly by preventing their introduction into uninfested parts 

 of the country. Through a large number of correspondents the 

 department is kept informed as to the distribution of the worst 

 weeds, and maps showing at a glance their present range are con- 

 structed and kept on file. When information is received that one 

 of these weeds has been found far beyond its known limits the local 

 authorities are advised and the importance of promptly destroying 

 it siuwested, together with means by which the destruction can be 

 accomplished. In this way the Russian thistle, which in 1893 



