AGRICULTURAL BOTAE 5 . "J.'iM 



On those crops which were particularly benefited by liming (barley, beets, tur- 

 ni|» the alkaline carbonates, as a rule, proved more effective than the neutral salts, 

 probably on account of their action in neutralizing the acids of the soil. 



AGRICULTURAL BOTANY. 



Quack and wheat grasses, L II. Pammel I Iowa sin. /,'///. 88, />/>. 897- /'/'.'. figs. 

 7). — Tin- author describes quack grass [gropyron repens), -_ r i \ i 1 1 -_r an account of i t > 

 history and distribution ami notes on its character a- a weed plant. 



Its value a- a forage plant i- shown by tables giving the results of anal} ses of the 

 plant out at differenl periods of growth, and suggestions an- given regarding the 

 methods of extermination. The author claims that quack grass can he exterminated 

 by proper methods of culture, which include early plowing, thorough harrowing, the 

 removal of rootstocks, ami the prevention of growth throughout one or more seasons. 

 If this treatment is persisted in it i> said that the grass may he entirely eradicated. 



Notes are given on a number of species of Agropyron which are commonly called 

 wheat grasses, together \\ ith descriptions of the plants ami statements regarding their 

 Eorage value. Among the species described are Agropyron pseudo-repens, .!. <><■<■;</, ,,- 

 /"/' , .1. tenerum, A. riehardsoni, and .1. run], mm. 



Soil-binding grasses, L. II. Pammel I Iowa Sta. Bui. 88, pp. //;-;.'/. figs. 

 An account is given of investigations carried on along the line of the Chicago and 

 Northwestern Railroad to protect embankments from washing. 



Quack and wheat grasses were tested, together with a number of other plants which 

 were believed to have some value in this respect. Quack grass proved well suited to 

 use as a Boil-binder, but its character as a weed makes it objectionable for some Locali- 

 ties I home grass and blue grass planted on the north side of embankments, if prop- 

 erly handled, will produce a g 1 soil in a few years. 



For the south side the author recommends the planting of western u heat grass and 

 Canadian blue grass. For binding shifting sands the author recommends the use of 

 a number of native species of plants, some of which succeed very well for the purpose 

 indicated. 



Studies of Mexican and Central American plants — No. 4, .1. N. Rose U. S. 

 A'"/. Mus., Contrib. Nat. If' rbarium, vol. 8, No. .}, pp. 281-889, pis. 10 t figs. 6). — Notes 

 are given on a mini her of hitherto undescribed plants, many of the specimens having 

 heeii obtained by the author in Mexico. A number of the species recorded are of 

 some economic importance, and their value as ornamentals, etc., is indicated. The 

 author presents synopses of several genera of Mexican plant-, and gives technical 

 jtescriptions of the species. 



The useful plants of the island of Guam, W. F. Saffohd | U. S. Nat. Mus., 

 tbntrib. Nat. Herbarium, vol. '■>. />/>..;/>;, ///.--. 70). — This publication is an elaboration 

 of note- made by the author during a Beries of cruises while connected with the 

 Fnited state- Navy. After describing the early history of the island, previous scien- 

 tific explorations, and its physical conditions, an account i- given of the vegetation 

 of the island, the author grouping the different plants according to formations. 



Note- are also given on the people inhabiting Guam, and the agricultural and other 



Industries. The principal plants used for f 1. fiber, oil, starch, forage, etc., are 



described, and the distribution of these plants not only in the islands of the Pacific 

 < >cean hut in other tropical regions is indicated. Particular attention i- given to the 

 method of cultivating and propagating the more important species, and also the means 

 adopted for the preparation of their products, such as arrowroot, copra, cacao, etc. 



A descriptive catalogue is given of all the plants, the arrangement being alphabet- 

 leal and the native names, as applied in (.nam. Hawaii, the Philippines, ami else- 

 where, indicated. 



it 177— No. 3—05 3 



