HORTICULTURE. 551 



in better condition to endure the rigors of winter. While the author is iirmly of 

 the opinion that fall and winter irrigation is absolutely necessary, yet it seems 

 to him to be a mistake to keep up irrigation or even cultivation during the weeks 

 in the fall when trees naturally mature their wood; better to have a lew weeds than 

 to have a lot of immature wood and late growth. After the leaves are well down 

 and growth has ceased is a good time to apply water; this is nature's way." 



Lawns and lawn making, F. Lamson-Scribner ( U. S. Dept. Agr. 

 Yearbook 1897, pp. 355-372, pis. 7). — The article gives suggestions for 

 the establishment and care of lawns, based upon replies to a circular of 

 inquiry addressed to superintendents of parks in various parts of the 

 United States and upon the experience of the author. A number of 

 replies to the circular are quoted. In regard to the selection of lawn 

 grasses the author says : 



"The varieties suited to temperate climates, not subject to excessive drought or 

 where water may be employed, are Kentucky blue grass, Rhode Island bent, and 

 creeping bent. For shaded streets and parks, hard fescue and various leafed fescue, 

 especially the latter, may be used to advantage, and in northern latitudes woodland 

 meadow grass is a desirable variety for shaded situations. In the warmer portions 

 of the South, Bermuda and the variety known as St. Lucie grass stand first, and 

 when the soil is somewhat moist or very sandy St. Augustine grass may be substi- 

 tuted. Curly inesqu'ite is recommended for trial in the warmer regions of the South- 

 west too dry for the successful cultivation of Bermuda." 



The turf formed by various grasses is illustrated from photographs. 

 Thorough preparation and constant care are considered essential to 

 success with lawns. By way of summary the author says: 



"A perfect lawn consists of the growth of a single variety of grass, with a smooth 

 even surface, uniform color, and an elastic turf which has become, through constant 

 care, so fine and so close in texture as to exclude weeds, which, appearing, should 

 be at once removed. Briefly, such a lawn may be secured by thorough preparation 

 of the soil and the application of suitable fertilizers ; by seeding with pure seed of 

 the highest quality ; by proper attention to irrigation and the maintenance of fer- 

 tility ; by the prompt removal of weeds, and, finally, by the frequent and intelligent 

 use of the roller and lawn mower.'' 



Cultivation of the sweet potato, J. A. Frye (Jour. Jamaica Agr. Soc, 2 (1898), 

 No. 11, pp. 475, 476). — Popular notes. 



Some edible and poisonous fungi, YV. G. Farlow ( U. S. Dept. Agr. Yearbook, 

 1897, pp. 453-470, pis. 10). — The paper gives in a popular way the characteristics of 

 a few of the most common edible and poisonous fungi. The forms considered are 

 Agaricus campestris, A. arvensis, Amanita phalloides, Hypholoma appendiculatum, 

 Coprinus comatus, C. atramentarius, C. micaceous, Lepiota procera, Cantharellus cibarius, 

 Marasmus oreades, Lactarius delicosus, Pleurotus ostreatus, Boletus subluteus, Fistulina 

 hepatica, Hydnum imbricatum, H. repandum, Morchella esculenta, Lycoperdon giganteum, 

 L. cyathiforme, and Scleroderma rulgare. These are illustrated by plates. A number 

 of rules are given to aid the collector in determining edible fungi. 



Some edible and poisonous fungi, W. G. Farlow ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Division of 

 Vegetable Physiology and Pathology Bui. 1.',, pp. 453-470, pU. 10).— This is a reprint 

 from the Yearbook of this Department for 1897 (see above). 



Edible agarics, M. R. (Jour. Hyg., S3 (1898), No. 1141, pp. 301-303).— A general 

 description of the cultivation of mushrooms in Paris, condensed from an article in 

 Science Francaise. 



Cherry culture, G. H. Powell (Delaware Sta. Bpt. 1S97, pp. 175-197, Jigs. .9).— A 

 reprint of Bulletin 35 of the station ( E. S. R., 0, p. 834). 



