290 Farmers' Miscellany. [April, 



Geno, but higher. The Campagna di Roma is a continuation of 

 the Tuscan Meremma, and is noted for its unhealthy malaria. It 

 exhibits an undulated surface, bare of trees. The Pontine marshes 

 are in the south. The Caesars and modern Popes have in vain 

 attempted to drain them. 



Climate. — The climate is mild, but the moimtains are covered 

 with snow from October to April. The Sirocco, or hot wind 

 from Africa, is felt on the shore of the Mediterranean. In the 

 mountainous parts the air is healthy, but in the Maremma on the 

 coast, and in the neighborhood of the Pontine marshes, are pesti- 

 lential exhalations, which cause fever and ague. The northern 

 parts near the Po are all unhealthy. 



Soil. — The soil does not differ materially from that of Tuscany. 

 The oranges and lemons produced in the plains of Rome are the 

 best in Italy. 



Jlgriculture, — The lands are commonly held by great proprie- 

 tors. In the plains of the Po, cultivation is active, but the rest 

 of the country is neglected. The Romans are less industrious 

 than their northern neighbors. The vine and olive grow every 

 where. Onions are raised in immense quantities in the marshes 

 of Ancona. Hemp, saffron and beans are extensively cultivated. 



I THE RAMBOUILLET MERINOS. 



Dr. Emmons is doubtless a good Geologist, and meant to make a fair trial of 

 these samples ; bid how much does he know about wool and sheep. — The Rev. 

 L. G. Bingham, in the .Americaii Agriculturist for Jpril. 



Our attention was called by a friend to an article in the Ame- 

 rican Agriculturist, in which Mr. Bingham complains that injus- 

 tice was done the Rambouillets by a writer in the February num- 

 ber of the same work, over the signatur-e of L. It would seem 

 from the tenor of Mr, B.'s remarks, that we, the Editor of this 

 Journal, had some hand in this matter; inasmuch as L. in the 

 February article laid some stress upon the examination of some 

 Rambouillet wool which we had made some time before. This 



