118G 



JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Rice, Irrigation of, in the United States. By F. Bond and G, 

 H. Keeney (U.S.A. Dep. Agr. Office Exp. Stn. Bull. No. 113 ; 29 plates, 

 G coloured, 10 figs.). — A most interesting report on investigations to 

 ascertain means of overcoming difficulties now obstructing the progress o£ 

 Rice-growing in the U.S. 



Clear and practical information is given on the following phases of 

 the industry : — 



Rice canals, their construction and preservation. 

 Measurements of water used. 



Pumps ; water rights and laws relating to irrigation ; suitable soils ; 

 varieties of Rice ; its culture, harvesting, and preparation for 

 market ; Rice products ; and depredation by birds. 

 The plates and figures are excellent ; most of the former are from photo- 

 graphs. It is pleasing to learn that in Louisiana and Texas, with the 

 exception of a few isolated localities, the native birds are to be regarded 

 as friends rather than foes, as they glean the fallen grain after harvest, 

 which, if left, grows and produces an inferior grain known as Red Rice r 

 too soft to be milled, which soon spreads and sometimes necessitates 

 leaving fields idle for a year for its extermination by burning. The 

 arrival a few years since of Passer domcsticus is regarded as a possible 

 danger should it increase to any great extent. 



In Carolina, on the contrary, the Rice-bird causes much damage, and 

 when the flocks arrive before the grains have hardened the crop is some- 

 times ruined. — E. A. B. 



Robinias. By G. (Gard. Mag. No. 2545, p. 512; 9/8/1902).— An 

 account of the four species and varieties of Robinia in cultivation. The 

 historical notes on the common False Acacia (R. Pseud-acacia) are 

 especially interesting, as the tree is so intimately associated with William 

 Cobbett, whose observations and writings on trees are among the best in 

 the English language, though his well-known eulogy of the False Acacia 

 has been considered unwise, so far as its value in this country is con- 

 cerned. Good illustrations accompany the article. — W. G. 



Rock Garden in a Week. By F. W. Meyer (Garden, No. 1623, 

 p. 442; 27/G/1902). — An article illustrated from four photographs, 

 showing how a rock garden may be made in a week. The material used 

 was about twenty-five tons of granite. The first picture shows a weedy 

 bank ; the second gives the site cleared and prepared for rock building ; 

 the third shows the principal stones placed in position, and the fourth, 

 the rock garden planted and finished. —E. T. C. 



Rock-garden Making. By F. W. Meyer (Garden, No. 1610. 



p. 213, 27 9/1902; No. 1614, p. 286, 25/10 1902; No. 1619, p. 378, 



29/11/1902).— A series of articles detailing the preparatory work; 

 appliances for moving and carrying stones, the best stone to use, geology 

 in the rock garden, igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, are dealt with. 

 Later chapters will give selections of plants and how to plant them. 



E. T. C. 



Roof-gardening. Leader (Garden, No. 1617, p. 337; 15/11/1902).— 

 Dwellers in cities and large towns are usually supposed to be debarred 



