JULY 7, 1899. ] 
the results of experiments in agriculture, horti- 
culture and arboriculture, the outcome of prac 
tical work in the fields, barns, dairy and poultry 
buildings, orchards and plantations, as well as 
scientific investigations in the chemical labora- 
tory and the results of studies of the life history 
of injurious insects and noxious weeds. Variety 
tests have occupied much of the attention of the 
agriculturist and horticulturist, the evident 
- desire being to secure the best varieties for the 
different regions. In this way experiments in 
the adaptation of certain cropsand varieties are 
conducted upon a scale impossible to the indi- 
vidual, and not a few valuable crops have been 
secured by thismeans. Methods of culture and 
the proper use of fertilizers have been quite 
thoroughly investigated, to the advantage of the 
several constituencies. In the treeless regions 
of Manitoba and Northwest Territories tree- 
planting experiments have been conducted since 
the establishment of the branch farms in these 
Provinces, and, as a result, it is now possible to 
suggest lists of trees and shrubs adapted for 
hedge, shelterand timber growthin those regions. 
Among results of particular interest and of 
far-reaching importance noted in the last report 
is the account of experiments on the effect the 
plowing under of clovers has on subsequent 
crops. These experiments have been continued 
for four years and the beneficial effect of such 
procedure is plainly shown. 
In connection with the variety tests of the 
agriculturist, attention should be called to the 
very excellent work done in cross-breeding of 
cereals. At least two score cross-bred varieties 
of wheat, and quite a number of varieties of oats, 
barley and peas have had their origin on 
the Experimental Farms and some of them 
seem to be peculiarly adapted to the region, 
being of more than average productivity and 
quite resistant to fungus attacks. 
The dairy investigations and the experiments 
in feeding farm animals, especially steers and 
pigs, have been noteworthy and have led to 
some very practical results. In nearly every 
case the feeding experiments were repeated 
year after year and the conclusions verified. 
Among the investigations made by the chem- 
ist, the comprehensive survey made of the 
typical soils of the different Provinces in which 
SCIENCE. 23 
their physical characteristics and chemical con- 
stituents were determined stands out promi- 
neutly. 
The study of the life history of injurious in- 
sects and the investigation of means for combat- 
ing their attacks have occupied much of the time 
of the entomologist and botanist. In addition, 
the subject of noxious weeds, their dissemination 
and eradication has been investigated. With 
such subjects as these the efficiency of any 
method for the destruction of these pests de- 
pends largely upon timely warnings which have 
been given as the emergency arose. Spraying 
for the prevention of plant diseases has come in 
for attention and the suggestions given are 
timely and practical. 
The poultry manager has been concerned 
principally with studying the relative values of 
different breeds of fowls and their feeding and. 
management. 
Throughout all the reports the intensely prac- 
tical nature of the work is everywhere manifest, 
the desire apparently being to give results of 
investigations that may be of immediate use to. 
the farmers and others of the Dominion. 
WALTER H. Evans. 
OFFICE OF EXPERIMENT STATIONS, 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 
BOOKS RECEIVED. 
Naturalism and Agnosticism. 
York and London, 
JAMES WARD. New 
The Macmillan Company. 
1899. Vol. I., pp. xviili+302; Vol. IL, pp. 
xili+294. $4.00. 
La géologie expérimentale. STANISLAS MEUNIER. 
Paris, Alean. 1899. Pp. viii+306 and 56 figures. 
6 fr. 
Manual of Bacteriology. ROBERT MUIER and JAMES 
RitcHigz. Edinburgh and London, Young J. 
Pentland ; New York, The Macmillan Company. 
1899. Pp. xviii+-564. 
SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS AND ARTICLES. 
THE leading article, in every sense, of the 
American Naturalist for June is that of Sylvester: 
D. Judd on ‘ The Efficiency of Some Protective 
Adaptations in securing Insects from Birds.’ 
The author’s conclusions, based upon four years’ 
study of the food habits of birds, are that the 
alleged protective coloration is not the all- 
important factor in securing an insect from ex- 
