822 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



falls are 3 inches across, shading from a deep brown colouring at the 

 margins to the intense black patch in the centre as large as a florin." 



a. s. s. 



Iris Sofarana var. magnifica. By W. Siehe (Gard. Chron. 

 No. 923, pp. 162, figs. 64 and 65 ; Sept. 3, 1904).— The original stock of 

 this fine Iris, which grew between Damascus and Beirout, has been exter- 

 minated by collectors, but the author of this paper in company with Mr. 

 Hartman, the original discoverer of the species, found the above-mentioned 

 variety growing on the Lebanon at an altitude of 6,500 feet. He says : 

 " The plant grows readily in limestone soil where in summer there is an 

 absolute freedom from moisture. This condition must be duly noted by 

 those who wish to cultivate any Irises of the Oncocyclus group success- 

 fully." In the English climate this plant can best be grown in large 

 pots with good drainage, in which it can be kept perfectly dry during the 

 summer. — G. S. S. 



Iris (Xipkion) warleyensis. By C. H. Wright (Bot. Mag. t, 7956). 

 Native of Bokhara. Nat. ord. Iridece ; tribe Moraea. Flowers with 

 the outer segments pale purple bordered with white and having an 

 orange patch above ; inner segments violet. — G. H. 



Irrigation : Current Wheels, their Use in Lifting Water for 



(U.S.A. Dep. Agr. Office Exp. Stn., Bull. 146 ; 1904).— The various types 

 of current-driven wheels used for irrigation purposes are considered. 

 Those having direct lifting power, chain and bucket gear, or arranged for 

 driving pumps, all receive their share of attention. Several plates 

 and figures illustrating plan, elevation, and construction are shown. 



E. F. E. 



Irrigation, Egyptian. By Clarence T. Johnson (U.S.A. Dep. Agr. 

 Office Exp. Stn., Bull. 130 ; 1903).— The bulletin contains ihe result of a 

 winter spent in Egypt in studying the various principles and practice of 

 irrigation, as applied to agriculture generally, for a means of comparison 

 with other methods now followed in the United States. The text is well 

 illustrated by plates and figures, and is well worthy of consultation by 

 those interested in irrigation as an aid to agriculture or horticulture. 



E. F. H. 



Irrigation in Northern Italy. Part 1. By Elwood Mead (U.S.A. 

 Dept. Agr. Office Exp. Stn., Bull. 144 ; 1904).— A brief study of the 

 system of irrigation carried out in Northern Italy by means of canals 

 under the management of (a) Government, (h) modern corporation, (c) a 

 fanners' association. The whole question of supply and distribution, 

 including the measurement of water supplied to the various units, is set 

 forth with interesting plates and figures, both general and constructive. 



E. F. H. 



Irrigation, Preparing Land for, and Methods of Applying 

 Water (U.S.A. Dep. Agr. Office Exp. Stn., Bull. 145; 1904).— This 

 bulletin gives a collaboration of the methods of preparing land and 

 applying water now existing in many of the Western States, and is 



