718 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



BOTANY. 



Economic grasses, F. Lamson-Scribner ( JJ. 8. Dept. Agr., Division 

 of Agrostology Bui. 14, pp. 85, Jigs. 91, pis. 3). — This bulletin contains 

 brief descriptions of 252 of the more important species of native and 

 introduced grasses. Much of the matter presented has been published 

 in a former bulletin (E. S. R., 8, p. 687). In the list of grasses for spe- 

 cial soils or uses 3S species are given as hay grasses, 36 as pasture 

 grasses, and 15 as lawn grasses; 25 as suitable for wet lands, 20 for 

 embankments, and 20 for holding shifting sands. The descriptions of 

 the species are arranged alphabetically according to scientific names, 

 and a list of the common English or local names of tlrft species also 

 arranged alphabetically serves as an index. Some of the species suit- 

 able for lawns and shifting sands are discussed in other publications 

 (E. S. R., 7, p. 492; 10, p. 551). 



A report upon the forage plants and forage resources of the 

 Gulf States, S.M.Tracy (U. S. Dept. Agr., Division of Agrostology 

 Bui. 15, pp. 55, figs. 20). — The author briefly discusses and classifies the 

 soils of the region and also its natural pastures. In the formation of 

 pastures the essentials of a good pasture, selection of varieties, care 

 of pasture lands, temporary pastures, and winter pastures are described. 

 The value of alfalfa, Bermuda grass, cowpeas, crab grass, German 

 millet, Johnson grass, and red clover for meadows is stated and various 

 crops for soiling and fodder are mentioned. Some 60 grasses and 40 

 miscellaneous forage plants are described in greater or less detail as 

 the more important hay and pasture plants of the region. 



The Red Desert of Wyoming and its forage resources, A. Nel 

 SON ( U. 8. Dept. Agr., Division of Agrostology Bui. 13, pp. 72, pi. 5, figs. 

 24). — The author describes the location, extent, topography, geology, 

 soils, climate, water supply, extent of settlement of the Red Desert, and 

 indicates the different plant formations existing in that region. The 

 amount and quality of forage is commented upon and suggested means 

 for its improvement are given. The characteristic plants of the region 

 are enumerated, and the winter range is said to consist largely of salt 

 sages, sagebrushes, wheat grasses, Indian millet, giant rye grass, and the 

 desert juniper. The vegetation of the hill country or summer range 

 consists largely of species of Poa, brome grasses, drop seed, reed meadow 

 grass, redtop, and sedges. Descriptive lists are given of the various 

 forage plants of the summer range, and a general flora of the Red 

 Desert completes the publication. 



On the role of the awns of Gramineee, N. I. Y asil,y~e.v (Zap. JSfovo- 

 Alexandri Inst. Selsl: Khoz. i Lyesor., 10 (1897), Wo. 2, pp. 119-168).— The 

 author undertook to verify the conclusions of Zoebel and Mikosch rel- 

 ative to the role of the beards as evaporating organs, also to ascertain 

 whether this property is peculiar to the beards during certain periods 

 of their development, and whether this peculiarity, which is so charac- 

 teristic of the beards of barley, is possessed by other cereals. His 



