HORTICULTURE. 135 



The breeding of wheat, W. S. Harwood (Harper's Weekly, 41 (1897), Xo. 2118, 

 2>]>. 738, 739). — A popular article on the breeding of wheat at the Minnesota Experi- 

 ment Station. 



Securing grain in wet seasons, G. W. Constable ( Trans. Highland and Agl. Soc. 

 Scotland, 5. ser., 9 (1897), pp. 73-87, figs. 6). — An article on the construction of the 

 Richmond drying rack and the advantages derived from its use. 



Tobacco industry in Macedonia, V. Khodasevich (Selvsk. Khoz. Lyesov., 183 

 (1896), pp. 91-163). 



The students' cotton spinning, J. Xasmith (Manchester: Joseph Xasmith. London: 

 John Heywood. New Turk: J>. Fan Xostrand Co., 1897,3. ed., pp. 622, figs. 250).— This 

 Avork describes the evolution of cotton spinning, beginning with the use of the dis- 

 taff and spindle and ending with the improved machinery of the present day. The 

 various machines used in the process are described in detail and illustrations given. 

 A chapter of 61 pages is devoted to the culture, distribution of varieties, and statis- 

 tics of cotton in the various cotton-producing countries. 



HORTICULTURE. 



Celery, L. F. Kinney (Rhode Island Sta. Bui. 44, pp. 17-10; 25-63; 

 jigs. 17). — Level vs. trench culture. — Tbe relative merits of these two 

 methods of celery culture are considered. The main advantage of 

 trench culture is that the roots of the plants are protected from the 

 burning heat of the sun. 



Varieties. — A study of 59 varieties was made, "the chief object being 

 to note successive steps in the onward march of the species to a higher 

 domesticated state." The varieties studied included the principal ones 

 that have been grown during the past 50 years. The principal modi- 

 fications that the celery plant has undergone in the last half century 

 are localization of the fleshy growth in the center of the plant, self- 

 blanching tendencies, and early maturity. Historical notes, descrip- 

 tions, and figures are given of 10 varieties which are taken as types of 

 the most important varietal modifications during the 50 years. Other 

 varieties are grouped with reference to these types. 



Historical sketch. — A sketch is given of celery culture from ancient 

 times to the present. The methods in use at the present time are dis- 

 cussed and illustrated. 



Fig culture ( U. 8. Dept. Agr., Division of Pomology Bui. 5, pp. 

 32). — Edible Jigs, their culture and curing, G. Eisen (pp. 5-22). — The 

 structure of the flowers and fruit of the fig is briefly considered and 

 the nature of the male, female, gall, and mule flowers pointed out. 

 The edible figs cultivated in the United States belong to the species 

 Ficvs carica, of which there are over 400 varieties known. Other spe- 

 cies grow wild in tropical countries. Of these the author thinks the 

 Ficus sycomorus of Africa should be introduced into the Southern States. 

 The cultivated figs are separated into the following groups according to 

 differences in the flowers: Caprifigs, Smyrna figs, San Pedro figs, com- 

 mon edible figs. The first two groups are recommended only for exper- 

 imental planting. The San Pedro figs are recommended only where 

 large early figs are wanted for marketing fresh. Only a few varieties 



