1898] NOTES AND COMMENTS 225 
often occurs in places where the soil contains carbonates of alkaline 
earth equal to 40 or 50 per cent of carbonate of lime. As a 
general rule the authors seem to have found that the addition of 
Nitrogen either as Sulphate of Ammonia, Nitrate of Soda, or Dried 
Blood, or of Phosphates (mineral or basic rather than superphos- 
phate) is beneficial, but at present it is very difficult to draw 
definite conclusions. 
AGRICULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES 
THE excellent year-book of the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
(1897) of which we have recently received a copy shows a useful 
departure from the usual form. In addition to the miscellaneous 
papers, eighteen in number, there is a series setting forth the work 
of the several bureaus and divisions, under the general title “‘ Work 
of the Department for the Farmer.” No better means could be 
devised of proving to the American people, and peoples generally, 
the enormous advantages of such a department equipped with the 
best scientific experts that can be procured, and the great saving to 
the nation financially. Take for instance the first on the list, the 
‘Weather Bureau,’ the work of which in relation to practical agri- 
culture falls under three heads: (1) The forecast services for pre- 
dicting storms, cold waves, and frosts. (2) The river and flocd 
service for predicting floods. (3) The climate and crop service for 
recording and presenting the details of climate and the weekly and 
monthly conditions of crops. Besides the 150 paid meteorological 
stations there are no less than 8000 voluntary observers, the 
majority of whom, under the liberal policy of the Government, have 
been presented with standard instruments. By a wide distribution 
of weather forecasts and warnings, together with suggestions for 
minimising the injury arising from sudden meteorological changes 
or disturbances, crops, stock or property is saved each year many 
times exceeding in value the cost of the department. 
The department of Botany refers to its work in introducing 
forage-plants suitable to the various parts of the country, in investi- 
gating fungous diseases of plants, in exposing the adulteration of 
seed, &c. The subject of weeds has been taken up with good 
results chiefly by preventing their introduction into uninfested parts 
of the country. Through a large number of correspondents the 
department is kept informed as to the distribution of the worst 
weeds, and maps showing at a glance their present range are con- 
structed and kept on file. When information is received that one 
of these weeds has been found far beyond its known limits the local 
authorities are advised and the importance of promptly destroying 
it suggested, together with means by which the destruction can be 
accomplished. In this way the Russian thistle, which in 1893 
