624 JOURNAL OF THE "ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



and to be very destructive in many. In one case burning the tops at the 

 end of the season and then going over the beds with a disc cultivator is 

 recommended ; another report states that a thorough application of 

 Bordeaux mixture, so that the shoots " had the appearance of a blue 

 Spruce," was accompanied by an enormous gain. — F. J. C. 



Asparagus scandens. Anon. (Gard. Chron. No. 857, p. 339, 

 fig. 130 ; May 30, 1903). — This is one of the prettiest of the evergreen 

 Asparagi, and one of the hardiest. Though but little known, it is not a new 

 species. It was introduced by Messrs. Elliot, of the Courtbushes Nursery, 

 Hurstpierpoint. The foliage is hard and glossy, of a bright green colour, 

 and very durable when cut. The blossoms are small and white, and are 

 followed by bright red berries. — G. S. S. 



Bacteria and the Nitrogen Problem. By George T. Moore 

 (Yearbook U.S. Dep. Agr. 1902, p. 233).— After speaking of the 

 paramount importance of nitrogen in agriculture, it is explained how 

 nitrogen is lost, and how it is gained. The United States Agricultural 

 Department have discovered a method by which the nitrogen-producing 

 germs may be endlessly multiplied, and distributed in a dry form to any 

 part of the world, and then again multiplied. This promises to be a most 

 important new departure in agriculture. Many diagrams are given, and 

 the manner of application of the bacteria-producing organisms is explained. 



C. W. D. 



Bamboos, Japanese, and their introduction into America. 



By David G. Fairchild (U.S.A. Dep. Agr. Bur. PL Ind., Bull. 43).— As 

 an ornamental plant the Bamboo is well known in this country, but few, 

 possibly, are aware of the fact that in its native home it is one of the 

 most important plants in the economy of Japanese life. 



This pamphlet contains a vast amount of interesting information 

 regarding the propagation and commercial aspect of the Bamboo, with 

 excellent illustrations of a Bamboo forest both well and badly kept, 

 Bamboo groves in Japan, and methods of transplanting. The chapter 

 dealing with the culture of the edible Bamboo (Phyllostachys mitis) and 

 its value as a food plant is pleasant reading ; while the recipes added 

 for cooking the tender shoots show to what a number of uses this plant 

 may be applied. Under the heading of " Different species of Bamboos " 

 there is a list of about twenty kinds, the clear descriptions of which should 

 do away with any trouble in the matter of identifying the living plants. 



A. D. W. 



Banana Industry in Jamaica. By W. Fawcett, B. Sc., F.L.S. 

 (Bull. he}). Agr. Jain. vol. ix.pt. 9, p. 129). — After describing the 

 botanical characters the author deals with varieties, analyses of soil,* a 

 Dative soil showing extraordinary proportions of nitrogen and phosphoric 

 acid, 80 that no manures will be necessary for full crops of standard fruit 

 for many years to come. The cultivation and cost &c. are also considered. 



G. H. 



* Further analyses are given in (New series) Bull. Dep. Agr. Jam. Vol. i., pt. 1, 

 p. 1). 



