902 JOUKNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



ABSTEACTS 



FROM CURRENT HORTICULTURAL PERIODICALS. 



{See also pages 199 and 525.) 



Acriopsis sumatrana (Chron. Orch. p. 314; 3/1901).— A new 

 species from the Malay Archipelago, described by M. R. Schlechter in 

 Oesterreichische hotanisclie Zcitschrift, 1900, Nos. 7 and 9. The same 

 author monographs four other species of this Malayan genus. — C. C. H. 



Aerides Vandarum, Rchb. f. (Cogniaux in Diet. Icon. Orch., 

 Aerides,^\. 4 ; 9/1901). — A rare and curious species with cylindrical leaves, 

 from the Himalayas. Flowers pure white. — C. C. H. 



Alfalfa as a Fertiliser {U.S.A. Dep. Agr. Bull. 133, Exj:). Stn. 

 Work, xviii. 1901). — This leguminous plant is known as a valuable feeding 

 stuff for poultry, pigs, and all kinds of stock, but it is also a good fertiliser, 

 especially for arid soils, improving the tilth, increasing nitrogen, and 

 destroying weeds by crowding them out. — C. H. C. 



Ag^athosma Stricta. By A. H. Wolley Dod {Journ. Bot. 468, 

 pp. 398-9; 12/1901). — Description of new species from Constantiaberg, 

 Cape Colony. — G. S. B. 



Agrostology in U.S.A. By Cornelius L. Shear {U.S.A. Dep. Agr. 

 Div. Agrost. Bull. 25). — A review and summary of the field-work done 

 since the organisation of the Division of Agrostology which was established 

 by Congress in 1895. Progressive farmers, stockmen, and dairymen had 

 for some time recognised that there was urgent need of a thorough study 

 of the various forage problems which were presenting themselves in 

 different parts of the country. The rapidly deteriorating condition of the 

 native m_eadows and ranches of the great West naturally led the stockmen 

 to inquire into the reasons for these conditions, and to try to ascertain 

 what steps might be taken to improve them. Of the unoccupied public 

 lands, about 365,400,000 acres are regarded at the present as fit only for 

 grazing purposes. There are in addition 124,300,000 acres of forest land, 

 the greater portion of which is also used for grazing. The relation 

 of the grazing industry to forest reserves, to the water supply, &c., 

 cannot be solved except by long and careful investigation of the actual 

 facts and conditions prevailing. The questions involved required first of 

 all a thorough and accurate knowledge of the actual facts and conditions 

 existing. Thus field-work was commenced as soon as the Division was 

 established, in order that the necessary data might be secured as a basis 

 for future work and recommendations. The pamphlet therefore deals 

 with the persons engaged in the work, and the territories covered by 

 each ; the principal problems and requirements at the beginning of the 

 work ; review of the field-work by regions ; general survey and summary ; 



