FORESTKY. 155 



Environment, weather, etc., particularly sudden changes of environment, has a con- 

 si<lerable reaction on the wliole, a reaction greater than in normal i)lants. (o) A 

 number of irregularities, like diseases, etc., are the result of d(>fective nutrition 

 resulting from l)adly assorted grafts. 



Flowers for the home garden, F. W. Cakd {Rhode hlnnd Sta. Jlpi. 190:.\ pp. 

 363-2SS, pi. 1, Jigx- 11). — This is a plea for the home flower garden, with directions 

 for the culture of such hardy plants as sweet peas, pansies, poppies, nasturtiums, 

 phlox, callioiisis, zimiia, asters, cosmos, carrot, gladiolus, dahlias, and certain herba- 

 ceous perennials, like colund)ine and peony. The number of blooms obtained in 9 

 different sweet-pea mixtures is given. The results indicate that it is better to pay a 

 fair price for a good qualitj'^ of seed than to buy a cheap mixture. 



Children's gardens, Evelyn Ckcil { London and New York: MacmlMan Co., 1902, 

 pp. XV-j-^l^, ]>l. l,fig!^. 55). — The kinds of flowers that can be successfully grown 

 in England during each of the four seasons are briefly described, with notes and occa- 

 sional hints as to methods of culture. The work, while ostensibly written for chil- 

 dren, contains but few details, and at the same time is likely to confuse by treating 

 of so large a portion of the plant kingdom. 



Experiments with lawn grasses, B. I). Halstkd and J. A. Kelsev (Xew Jersey 

 Slas. Rpt. 1902, pp. 395, 396). — A table is given showing the sj^ecies of lawn grasses 

 seeded in a number of different plats at the station in the spring of 1896, and the 

 condition and the stand of grasses, in percentages, during the past 7 years. Rhode 

 Island bent, wood meadow, and Kentucky blue grass have proved most satisfactory, 

 in the order named. 



FORESTRY. 



Forestry at the California stations, C. H. Shinn {California Sta. Bid. 147, pp. 

 89-119, figs. 9). — A progress report is given of the forestry work which has been car- 

 ried- on at the Santa Monica and Chico Forestry substations. These stations were 

 established under the State Board of Forestry in 1887 and transferred to the Univer- 

 sity of California in 1893. Brief historical statements are given regarding the organ- 

 ization and equipment of the different stations, and data regarding the climate and 

 rainfall are api)ended. The condition of the different species of trees is given, the 

 principal information being supplemental to that included in previous reports. 



At the Santa Monica Station, when taken charge of by the university, there were 

 44 species of eucalyptus growing, and this number has been extended to include more 

 than 100 species, many of them represented l)y 50 or more growing specimens. The 

 rate of growth of these different species, their adaptability to their conditions, and 

 value for various purposes are shown. The same factors for acacias, oaks, and other 

 hard-wood trees are given. Among the various plantings undertaken an experiment 

 was carried on to test the drought resistance of different si)ecies. All the observa- 

 tions seem to show that some of the tan-bark acacias are among the most drought- 

 resistant trees, and with fairly good cultivation Acacia, decurrens and A. mollissima can 

 1)6 established without any irrigation where there is an annual rainfall of only 10 in. 



At the Chico Station the most striking features consist of the large pines, cyjiresses, 

 sequoias, and other conifers planted in blocks. The size and rate of growth of repre- 

 sentatives of these different groups are given. The experience obtained at this sub- 

 station shows that for general planting in the Sacramento Valley and foothills the 

 yellow pine of the Sierras, redwood, big tree, Monterey pine, and Oregon pine are 

 the best. Among the exotic conifers tested the Deodar cedar and Austrian pine 

 have given the best results. 



An account is al.so given of tree planting on a hilltop at Berkeley. This planting 

 was begun in 1887, and the tract planted comprises about 250 acres and rises to an 

 elevation of 950 ft. This has been jilanted at various times to eucalyptus, acacias, 

 oaks, Monterey pine, etc. All the trees have been subject to pasture conditions and 



