CURRENT PUBLICATIONS IN RURAL ART. 535 
Hybridization is one of the most fascinating occupations. Its results sometimes seem 
miraculous, and the pleasure is ever new and ever changing. 
A garden is a constant amusement; a happy combination of work and play. <A study 
and a recreation; a source of health both for body and mind, whence one goes forth 
stronger and better, like the fabled Anteus, having renewed his strength by touching 
his mother earth. ° 
Gray’s Scnoor 4ND Fie_p Book or Botany: consisting of “ Lessons in Botanyy’ and 
“Field, Forest, and Garden Botany,” bound in one volume. By Asa Gray Fisher, 
professor of natural history in Harvard University. 12 mo., pp. 622. New York: 
Ivison, Phinney, Blakeman & Co., 1870. 
This is a new edition of a work that for years has been known as a 
standard authority. It combines in one volume the “ Lessons in Botany,” 
and the “Wield, Forest, and Garden Botany,” forming a popular and 
comprehensive school treatise for beginners, as well as for advanced 
classes in agricultural colleges and schools. It is a useful hand-book, 
also, to assist in analyzing plants and flowers in the field-study of 
botany, either by classes or individuals. Beginning with first principles, 
it progresses by easy steps, until the student is enabled to master the 
intricacies of the science. The “ Wield, Forest, and Garden Botany,” 
comprises popular as well as strictly scientific descriptions of the com- 
mon herbs, shrubs, and trees of the Southern as well as the Northern 
and Middle States, and all that are commonly cultivated, or planted for 
ornament, or use in fields, gardens, pleasure grounds, or in house-culture, 
including the plants ordinarily found in the conservatory. 
HEARTH AND Home Boox or PovuLrry: a practical and popular treatise on hens, 
turkeys, geese, and ducks; suited to the every day needs of the farmer, breeder, and 
fancier. 12mo., pp.50. New York: Pettingill, Bates & Co., 1870. 
This little book describes eight or ten of the leading kinds of poultry 
that have been brought to notice during the last twenty-five years 
which are raised for profit, and about as many that are raised by “‘fanci- 
ers,” for variety and the embellishment of their farm-yards. Although 
at their first introduction many of the.breeds were sold at fabulous 
prices, there is no doubt that the Brahmas, Cochins, Créve-coeurs, Ham- 
burgs, &c., have been the means of materially improving the market- 
able quality of the old-fashioned barn-yard poultry of the country. In 
fact, these extravagantly high prices have awakened great interest in. 
the subject, and have been the means of introducing the best breeds of 
Europe and Asia. While it is unnecessary to describe their peculiari- 
ties, an abstract is given of the author’s directions for the management 
of poultry. 
A poultry-house should be located on gravel, or dry sandy loam. 
Standing or stagnant water is always to be avoided. A southern or 
southeastern aspect is the best; and if the yard can be located on a side- 
hill, with the house crowning its topmost point, allthe better. Warmth, 
dryness, and pure air are indispensable. The sides and roof of the 
house must be impervious to water; but it should be so contrived as to 
admit of thorough ventilation and easy means of cleaning it once or 
twice a week. Its size should allow about six square feet for each fowl, 
and no apartment of any house should contain more than fitty fowls, 
unless they can be allowed at least double this space. 
Powis should be permitted to range at liberty a few hours daily, at 
least eight months in the year; and they require both animal and veg- 
etable food. The roosts must be easy of access, and be reached mainly by 
steps instead of flight, and be of poles about two inches in diameters 
and the nests should be kept dark and so placed that the bens can reach 
them unperceived, and lay without fear of disturbance. The floor should be 
