96 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



the reasons why the necessary economic changes cause so much loss and suffering; 

 but the difficulties which the farmer has to meet in readjusting himself to the 

 changed conditions arc also pointed out. It often happens that the necessary reor- 

 ganization is expensive and he has not the money and can not secure the credit nec- 

 essary for making the change. And, again, the conditions which influence the prices 

 of farm products are so complex that it is very difficult for the farmer to distinguish 

 between temporary and permanent changes in the prices of his products. This was 

 sh..wn to be especially true in the hop industry. 



The book impresses upon the mind of the reader that the farmer must not only 

 be alert in the carrying out of the operations of the farm, but he must be a man 

 well informed on the price-determining forces, and an habitual thinker on the prob- 

 lems of farm economy, if he is to secure from his land and labor the greatest possible 

 profits. 



AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. 



The first book of farming 1 , C. L. Goodrich (New York: Doubleday, Page & Co., 

 1905, pp. 259, pi. t,figs. 86).— The first part of this book is devoted to the general 

 principles underlying plant culture, including discussions on the plant and the func- 

 tions of the roots, stems, leaves, and flowers. Several chapters are given on the soil, 

 with reference to the different kinds of soil, their moisture-holding capacity, and soil 

 temperatures, together with the consideration of soil preparation, seed planting, and 

 cultural operations. The second part of the work considers soil fertility as affected 

 by farm operations and farm practices, and is devoted to discussions on soil fertility 

 and its maintenance, methods of controlling the moisture condition of the soil, culti- 

 vation and rotation of crops, and the uses and value of farm manure and commercial 

 fertilizers. 



General laws relating- to agricultural and mechanical land-grant colleges 

 ( Rpt. Comr. Education [U. &], 1902, Chap. 1, pp. 1-00: 1903, Chap. 2, pp. 39-226).— 

 A compilation of the laws of the different States concerning the donation of public 

 lands, and the establishment, maintenance, etc., of land-grant colleges. 



Farm mechanics in the Nebraska School of Agriculture, J. B. Davidson 

 [X, br. Farmer, 37 (1905), Xo. 27, pp. 65S, 654, fig- !)• — In this article the author dis- 

 cusses the need of general instruction in farm mechanics in all college agricultural 

 courses, and outlines some of the essentials of such instruction. He also urges the 

 necessity of specialized courses to meet the needs of agriculture in different regions. 



Prospectus of courses of instruction in poultry keeping ( Univ. Col. Reading 

 and Col. Poultry Farm, Theale, Prospectus, 1905, pp. 26, figs. 7). — Outlines are given 

 of short courses in poultry keeping, which are supplemented by other courses related 

 to this subject. 



Agricultural education as a factor in developing useful men, F. H. Rankin 

 ([Urbana, III.], 1904, [>}>• 15). — An address dealing mainly with agricultural college 

 extension and agriculture in the rural schools. 



Agriculture through the laboratory and school garden, C. R. Jackson and 

 Mks. L. S. Daughekty (New York: Orange J udd Co., 1905, pp. 403, pi. 1, figs. 150). — 

 This manual and text-book of elementary agriculture for schools was prepared to 

 meet the need for instruction in a one-year course in agriculture for teachers at the 

 State Normal School of Kirksville, Mo. It comprises chapters on the nature and 

 formation of soils, classification and physical properties of soils, soil moisture and 

 preparation of the soil, the soil as related to plants, leguminous plants, principles of 

 feeding, rotation of* crops, milk and its care, propagation of plants, improvement of 

 plants, pruning of plants, enemies of plants, and ornamentation of school and home 

 grounds. 



Suggestions for experiments in laboratory exercises and field work are liberally 

 interspersed throughout the book, and nearly every chapter is followed by references 



