320 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [OCTOBER 
agricultural conditions, and the methods for preventing the drifting of sand 
in sand-dune areas. R. J. M. WESTGATE, a graduate of the Kansas Agri- 
cultural College and later a student in the botanical department of the Uni- 
versity of Chicago, has been appointed an assistant in this work. 
Mr. C. V. Piper, professor of botany in the Washington Agricultural 
College, has been appointed systematic agrostologist in charge of the her- 
barium of grasses. 
PRoFEssOR L. H. BOLLey is still in Russia, studying varieties of flax 
with a view to introducing desirable kinds into the United States. He wi 
return about November 1. 
R. J. E. W. Tracy is in Europe studying the seed-growing industry. 
He will make himself familiar with the methods of the best growers and with 
the most desirable new European varieties of vegetables. 
THERE WILL soon be published as a bulletin a paper entitled “Condi- 
tions influencing the vitality and germination of seeds,” by DR. J. W. 
DuvEL. It is a historical review of the work already done on the vitality 
of seeds, as well as a report of the results of his own investigations carried 
on at the University of Michigan in Igo0o, Igor, and 1902. 
Mr. Ernst BEssey is at present in the Caucasus making observations on 
such of the native fruits and nuts as may seem valuable, and will send seeds 
and plants to the United States. 
Mr. GEORGE OLIVER has just returned from Florida, where he studied 
the mango culture with a view to the further introduction of choice varieties. 
Mr. BarBour LATHROP, of Chicago, who has made several expeditions 
at his own expense to different parts of the world, in search of valuable 7 
and plants for introduction into America, has just returned. He h 
employed on his various expeditions Mr. D. G. FAIRCHILD, who now resumes 
his connection with the department as one of its agricultural explorers. The 
countries visited this year with a view to more thorough exploration later by 
the department agents were Italy, Sicily, Tripoli, Tunis, Malta, Egypt, Ger- 
man East Africa, Zanzibar, Portuguese East Africa, Natal, Transvaal, Cape 
Colony, Grand Canary, Madeira, Portugal, Spain, Bohemia, Sweden, Den- 
mark, Holland, Belgium, and England. Such seeds and plants as were 
secured were given by Mr. Lathrop to the Department of Agriculture for 
propagation and distribution, and it is hoped that some of them may prove of 
great value to the country, repaying him for his patriotic and generous interest 
in increasing the variety of food and ornamental plants of America. 
