HORTICULTURE. 947 



as possible after the winter rains. The nitrate of soda should not be applied 

 and worked into the soil until March or Aiiril. 



Cocos nucifera. Practical treatise on cocoanut culture, E. Bot^ten {Indische 

 Mcrcuiir. M ( /.'U;?). .Vos. 3iU />;>. m2, IU!J ; .'lO, pp. 67.',, (nil; .'//, pp. 695-607; //J, 

 pp. 736, 737; >,.',, pp. 7J,S, 7J,9; .)5, pp. 766, 767; J,7, pp. 80/,-806, figs. 3).— In this 

 treatise the author discusses the various phases of cocoanut culture, including 

 climate, soil, varieties, method of propagation, seed bed practices, shading, 

 watering, soil preparation, transplanting and subsequent management, insect 

 pests and diseases and their control, combination cropping, tlowering and fruit 

 bearing, together with detailed estimates on the cost of planting, management, 

 and iirofits. 



Repoi-t of the inspector of cocoanut plantations for the year 1906, L. C. 

 Brown (Agr. Bui. iStruits and Fed. Malaii Htaia^, 6 {1907), No. 9, pp. 295- 

 303). — The area devoted to cocoanut trees at the end of 190G is estimated at 

 about 105,000 acres, or an iucr-ease of 5 per cent over the previous year (E. S. 

 E., IS, p. 550). 



Brief notes are given on the condition of the plantations in the various Malay 

 States, including areas, planting and cultural operations, harmful insects and 

 diseases, the production of cocoanut oil. etc. 



At last a hybrid chinquapin {Rural New Yorker, 66 {1907), No. 3015, p. 

 S2'i, figs. 2). — A description, with illustrations, of a hybrid between our native 

 chinquapin and what is described as a fair quality of an unnamed Japan chest- 

 nut. The cross was made on the Rural grounds in 1005 and it is believed to 

 be the first intentional hybrid of this nature. Eighteen months after germina- 

 tion the seedling ripened 3 burs containing 3 nuts each, and 4 burs containing 

 a single round nut similar to the chinquapin. The fruit of the seedling is said 

 to be better than the best Japan chestnut under observation, although not so 

 sweet as the wild chinquapin. Several other similar crosses were made which 

 have not yet fruited. 



Ether and the forcing of bulbs, J, Taubenhaus {Cornell Countryman, 5 

 (1907), No. 2, pp. 55-57, figs. 2). — In continuation of previous work with the 

 white Roman hyacinth (E. S. R., IS, p. 938), results secured with the Spanish 

 iris and with one variety each of fresia and narcissus are given. The bulbs 

 were etherized and planted after different periods of rest, group 1 immediately 

 and groups 2, 8, and 4 after 2, 4, and 6 weeks, respectively. Similar groups 

 were grown in 3 different houses in which temperatures of 54, 70, and 74° F., 

 respectively, were maintained. 



From the general results secured it is concluded that ether seems to improve 

 the quality of the flower and its spike as well as to hasten the flowering period 

 from 2 to S days. The house maintained at medium temperature is considered 

 most desirable, as it was less expensive and produced practically as good bulbs 

 as the hothouse. Ether does not appear to take the place of the resting stage 

 of the bulbs, etherized bulbs appearing to need a rest of from 2 to 6 or more 

 weeks, this depending on the kind of bulb, as no 2 kinds showed the same result. 



All the cattleyas worth growing, L. Barron {Oard. Mag. [N. Y.], 6 (1907), 

 No. 6, PI). 2SI-2S.'i, .JOS, figs. 12). — Horticultural descriptions are given of the 

 favorite florists' varieties of Cattlcya lahiata grown for the cut flowers, with 

 illustrations of several varieties, a flowering chart showing the blooming period 

 of each and a key to the various forms. 



Our country home, Frances K. Hutchinson (Chicago, 1907, pp. XVI +278, 

 pis. 56, figs. 59 ) . — In a popular manner the author gives an account of the trans- 

 formation of a Wisconsin woodland into a country estate. Chapters are de- 

 voted to the construction of the home proper, and to the terraces, kitchen and 



