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JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



and shrubs from this writer. The species are grouped geographically, and 

 descriptions are given of the most important for general cultivation. 

 Illustrations are given of the Weeping Hawthorn and the double Pink 

 Thorn on the lawns at Kew. — W. G. 



Crinum crassipes. By A. Worsley (Gard. Chron. No. 780, p. -417, 

 December 7, 1901).^ — This fine species has a bulb some 3 feet in length 

 and 10 inches in diameter, with leaves 6 feet in length and from 6 to 

 8 inches broad, which grow in whorls forming a fountain of huge leaves. 

 It throws up several flower stems in the course of the summer ; each bears 

 a large number of flowers 5 or 6 inches in diameter. Notes on the 

 cultivation of Crinums are also given. — G. S. S. 



Crinums— Culture of Hardy Species. By G. B. Mallett {Gard. 

 Chron. No. 769, p. 221 ; September 21, 1901). — Several species belonging 

 to the genus Crinum are mentioned as being hardy. The best soil and 

 positions in gardens are given, and much general information about them. 



G. S. S. 



Crocuses, Autumn and Winter Flowering*. By " G. R." 



{Gard. -p. 346; 23/11/1901). — Short notes describing the best of these 

 charming little flowers, with cultural notes.--- T. C. 



Crows and Rooks in Relation to Agriculture {Kais. Gas. Biol. 

 Aht. i. 19C0). — Three papers issued by the Gesundheitsamt of Berlin 

 together constitute a bulky monograph on the question of the part played 

 by crows and rooks in agricultural operations, and contain much informa- 

 tion alike for the grower of plants and the student of birds. The three 

 papers deal with different questions raised in one investigation. The more 

 important is that by Dr. Rorig on " The Relations of the Crows of Germany 

 to Agriculture and Forestry " ; it extends to over a hundred pages, with 

 an additional 150 pages of statistics. The nature of the research may be 

 gathered from a few details. The rook, hooded crow, and carrion crow 

 are selected for investigation. From November 1896 to November 1899 

 5,148 specimens were received from all parts of Germany ; 1,523 were 

 rooks, 3,259 hooded and carrion crows with hybrids (of which illustrations 

 are given); the remainder, having no contents in stomachs, were rejected. 

 An aggregate of the stomach-contents of the 1,523 rooks shows that 26*6 

 per cent, was stones or earth, 46*9 per cent, plant-remains, and 25'5 per 

 cent, animal-remains. The plant-remains included: Wheat, 5*6 per cent, 

 of total food. Barley 6*3 per cent., Oats 8'6 per cent., Rye 1"6 per cent., 

 other seeds 1*9 per cent., the remainder being miscellaneous material, 

 including animal excreta. By observations and by dividing the year into 

 four periods, it is shown that the plant-material was not all actually 

 growing ; thus, only about half the Wheat could have been obtained from 

 growing crops. The animal-remains are analysed in a similar detailed 

 way. The final result in regard to rooks is estimated thus : Total damage 

 per annum by 1,523 rooks €680, benefits conferred in destroying insects, 

 &c., about £1,000, leaving a balance of £320 to the benefit of agriculture. 

 The 3,200 hooded and carrion crows are also examined in like detail, and 

 with somewhat similar results. That crows and rooks do so little damage 



