HORTICULTURE. 649 



solution. The root development was very good in the rich soil given 

 clear water, much smaller in the rich soil given the liquid fertilizer, and 

 very small in the ashes and peat. About a mouth later, some of the 

 pelargoniums given the liquid fertilizer wilted even while the soil was 

 saturated with moisture. The plants were apparently very thrifty until 

 they began to wilt. The author believes that "the amount of easily 

 available nutritive matter in the soil exercises a considerable influence 

 upon the size of the root system." Further work showed that the use 

 of the solution gave excellent results when applied less frequently, once 

 a week for woody plants and twice a week for rapid growing, herbaceous 

 ones. 



The camphor tree, L. H. Dewey ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Division of Botany Circ. 12, 

 pp. 7, figs. 2). — A description is given of the camphor tree and the following points 

 in regard to it are noted : Native range; range under cultivation ; uses; conditions 

 of successful cultivation; methods of propagation, planting, and cultivation; dis- 

 tillation of camphor; outlook for future market, etc 



Fertilization of house plants, C. Encelskjon (Om vote Potteplanters (IjiidsJing. 

 Christiania, 1897, pp. 42). 



Practical handbook of asparagus culture, J. Bottner (Praktishes lehrbuch des 

 spargelbaii8. Frankfurt a. Oder: Trmoitssch u. Sohn, 1897, pp. 100, figs. 40). — This 

 treats of planting, manuring, harvesting, forcing, varieties, diseases, and insect 

 enemies of asparagus. 



How to grow melons for market, W. A. Bukpee (Philadelphia: If. Atlee Burpee 

 <f Co., 1897, 8. ed., pp.81, figs. 25). — The book is a compilation of three prize essays, to 

 which the experience of the editor is added. Details of growing and marketing 

 muskmelons and watermelons and lists of approved varieties are given. 



Observations on recent cases of mushroom poisoning in the District of 

 Columbia, F. V. Coville ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Division of Botany Circ. 13, pp. 21, figs. 

 21). — The circular notes recent cases of mushroom poisoning and urges greater caution 

 in the selection of mushrooms for table use. Illustrations and popular descriptions 

 of a number of mushrooms occurring commonly in the District of Columbia are given, 

 including 5 edible species — the common mushroom (Agaricm campestris), the horse 

 mushroom (J. arvensis), the shaggy mushroom (Coprinus comatus), the puff ball 

 (Licoperdon cyathiforme), and the fairy ring mushroom (Marasmius oreades); and 2 

 poisonous species, the fly amauita (Amanita musearia) and the death cup (A. 

 phalloides). 



Report of the assistant in horticulture, J. T. Jordan (New Jersey Stas. Ept. 

 189(3, pp. 160-169). — An outline of the horticultural work in progress at the station is 

 given. A detailed account is given of the treatment of the various experimental 

 plats of fruits and vegetables. 



Improved breeding in plant and animal life, A. G. Lucas (Trans. Iowa State 

 Eort. Soc, 31 (1896), pp. 177-183). — The author discusses some analogies of plant and 

 animal life and believes that the principles of animal breeding may be applied by 

 the horticulturist in the improvement of plants. 



Production of new hardy fruits by crossing and hybridizing, J. L. Budd 

 (Trans. lava State Hort. Soc, 31 (1896), pp. 260-262). — Notes are given on the facili- 

 ties for making crosses, the advances already obtained, and the minutiae of doing the 

 work. 



Catalogue of fruits (Proc. 20th An. Meeting Georgia State Hort. Soc, 1896, pp. 77- 

 94). — Descriptions and notes of various fruits and indications of their adaptability 

 to various sections of the State of Georgia are given in tabular form. The fruits 

 considered are apples, peaches, nectarines, apricots, pomegranates, pears, plums, 

 grapes, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, mulberries, cherries, quinces, and 



