1879 ] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
321 
New Books. 
The Ferns op North America.”— Ferns are so strik¬ 
ingly unlike other plants that they are recognized at once, 
while their grace of habit and general delicacy of structure 
are quite sure to arrest the attention of lovers of the beauti¬ 
ful who find sufficient in them to admire without any ref¬ 
erence to their botanical characters. On the other hand, 
botanists find in ferns objects of great scientific interest, 
and devote themselves to the study of their minute struc¬ 
ture, and their wonderful methods of propagation, with 
great zeal. We have thus two distinct classes of fern lov¬ 
ers, the one, so to speak, artistic , and the other scientific , 
The first class show their admiration of ferns by cultivat¬ 
ing them ; by drying them under pressure—and no class 
of plants when thus treated hold, when dead, so much of 
the beauty for which they were admired when alive— 
and by using them as models for various kinds of decora¬ 
tive work in drawing, painting, wood-carving, etc. in 
fact, the dried ferns themselves are often made useful in 
decoration. An intelligent fern-lover of this class, will 
naturally wish, among a multitude of the most graceful 
natural forms, to be able to distinguish them by names. 
If supplied with thoroughly accurate drawings, such per¬ 
sons can, as a general thing, ascertain the name be¬ 
longing to a particular form. On the other hand, those 
wno study ferns botanically find that the characters used 
in describing them are very minute, and sometimes ob¬ 
scure, and that carefully made, and if need be magnified, 
drawings of the parts are of great service in determining 
the genus and species. Accurate and life-like drawings 
of ferns then, are useful to all who have to do with these 
plants, whether as objects of science or objects of beauty. 
These are given in “ The Ferns of North America,” a 
work which combines in its engravings (drawn by J. II. 
Emerton and C. E. Faxon) the highest scientific accuracy 
with great artistic beauty, and meeting the wants of both 
the scientific and unscientific may be regarded as the 
standard work upon Ferns. We have only alluded to 
the work as to its engravings. The author of the work 
is Prof. Daniel C. Eaton, of Yale College. As Prof. Eaton 
is easily the first authority upon ferns in the country, and 
eminent among the authorities on these plants in the 
world, the scientific accuracy of the engravings is as¬ 
sured. While these engravings are of great value to 
fern-students, these will value not less the text, de¬ 
scribing the species, and giving their popular history. 
Those who care nothing for the botanical description, 
will find in the text much to interest them concerning 
the discovery, localities, and other points of interest con¬ 
cerning each species. To botanists it is not necessary 
for us to commend a work by Prof. Eaton, and to such 
we may say that besides the Filices proper, the work 
includes the Ophioglossacece , and that the synonymy, as 
might be expected, is especially full. 
In stating that Prof. Eaton’s name is an endorsement 
of the scientific accuracy of tIre engravings, we would 
give full credit to the artists whose ability enables him to 
do this; Messrs. Emerton & Faxon are to be congratu¬ 
lated upon having produced a series of drawings, which, 
while satisfying botanical accuracy, so embellish the 
work that it may be prized by lovers of beautiful books. 
This valuable work, issued in two volumes, is supplied 
by the Orange Judd Company. Price of each volume, 
$15.00, post paid. 
The Pacific Rural Hand-Book, by Charles H. Shinn; 
published by Dewey & Co., San Francisco, Cal. This 
contains a series of essays on Tree Culture, Vegetable 
and Flower Gardening, etc. The author is well known 
as a practical horticulturist, and a work especially 
adapted to their peculiar climate must be especially wel¬ 
come to all cultivators upon the Pacific Coast. The title 
above given indicates both that it is a “ Rural Hand¬ 
book,” and that it is issued by the publishers of our ex¬ 
cellent contemporary, the “Pacific Rural,” who send 
it post-paid for $1. 
Cameron’s Plasterer’s Manual, by K. Cameron ; 
New York: Bicknell & Comstock. A neat little hand¬ 
book of 54 pages, giving descriptions of all the materials 
used in plastering, engravings of the various tools em¬ 
ployed, and practical directions for the various opera¬ 
tions of the plasterer’s trade. Price 75c. 
The School Garden.— Translated by Mrs. Horace 
Mann, from the German of Prof. Erasmus Schwab, of 
Vienna. New York, M. L. Holbrook & Co. The idea of 
attaching a garden to a school is a pleasing one; how far 
it may be practicable with any but a very small school is 
a question. This work will excite an interest in this 
direction, and if it only converts the present desolate 
school-yards and surroundings into something more at¬ 
tractive, it will be of great service. Price 50c. 
Bee Culture; or, Successful Management of the 
Apiary, by Thomas G. Newman; Chicago: Thomas G. 
Newman & Son. A neat and abundantly illustrated lit¬ 
tle hand-book of 80 pages, by the capable editor of the 
“American Bee Journal.” In both English and Ger¬ 
man. Price, paper covers, 40c. 
The Hearing, and now to Keep It, by Charles H. 
Burnett, M.D.; Philadelphia: Lindsay & Blacliiston. 
This is a small illustrated work of 122 pages, giving the 
anatomy and functions of the ear, and directions for pre¬ 
serving the organ in health. It forms one of a series 
called “American Health Primers,” which, it is claimed, 
are published in the interest of sanitary science. To in¬ 
telligent persons, works of this kind are useful. What 
may be their effect upon the ignorant, the nervous, and 
the chronically “ out o’ sorts,” is a question. At all 
events, if we are to have popular books of this kind, it is 
fortunate that, like the present series, they are by men 
who stand high in the medical profession. Price 50c. 
Vade Mecum of Equine Anatomy, by A. Liautari, 
M.D., V.S. ; New York, published by the author. This 
is a hand-book of the anatomy of the horse, intended, 
as the title-page says, “ for the use of advanced students 
and veterinary surgeons.” Of course, a work of this 
kind has not a single popular feature, but, fortunately, 
the number of veterinary students and practitioners is 
yearly rapidly increasing, and such will find this work a 
useful remembrancer. The reputation of its author, who 
is at the head of the American Veterinary College, is a 
sufficient guarantee of the usefulness of the work to 
those for whom it was prepared. 
Ames' Alphabets, by Daniel T. Ames, New York: 
Bicknell & Comstock. This contains 33 ample pages of 
designs for Alphabets, each page usually presenting a 
number of different styles. The author, who is styled 
“Artist Penman,” would appear to have exhausted the 
capabilities of the alphabet in these designs, which 
range from the simplest up to the most elaborate, some 
being of exquisitely beautiful designs. The work is 
intended for architects, engravers, sign painters, etc., 
who must be difficult to please if they cannot find in this 
a letter suited to their wishes. Price $1.50. 
How to Breed Light Brahma Fowls, by Geo. P. 
Burnham, and published by the author at Melrose, Mass. 
This forms part seven of a series of treatises by one of 
the oldest, if not the oldest of our fowl fanciers and 
breeders. The experience and teachings of a veteran 
like the author, who claims to have had the Light Brah¬ 
mas 30 years ago, under another name, must be of value 
to others, who can purchase the work for 50 cents. 
A Manual of International Law, by Edward M. 
Gallaudet. Ph.D. L.L.D., New York: A. S. Barnes & Co. 
This volume, by the President and Professor of Moial 
and Political Science in the College for Deaf Mutes, at 
Washington, D. C., while intended as a class-book for 
colleges, is one which will interest the general reader 
who would acquaint himself with the principles of In¬ 
ternational Law. Beginning with the law among the 
ancients, its progress is traced up to the present time, 
and discusses the diplomatic questions brought forward 
by the late civil war. The mechanical style of the 
volume (pp. 321, 12mo) is such as characterize the pro¬ 
ductions of these publishers. Price $1.50. 
Ferns in Their Homes and Ours. —This beautiful 
work by Professor John Robinson has met with such a 
large sale that a new and enlarged edition is now called 
for. Price $1.50, post-paid. Address Orange Judd Com¬ 
pany. 
Fish-Hatching and Fish-Catching. —By R. B. Roose¬ 
velt and Seth Green. The authors of this little work 
have become authorities upon the various subjects which 
they treat. Price, post-paid, $1.50. Address Orange 
Judd Company. 
Practical Boat Sailing. —By Douglas Frazar. The 
author claims that this volume will enable any one who 
masters it to successfully and safely sail a boat. Price 
$1.00. Address Orange Judd Company. 
State and Other Hand Books.— Within a 
few years several States, whose areas are out of all pro¬ 
portion to their number of inhabitants, have issued “ by 
authority,” works which present the claims of their 
States to settlers, with the laudable view of increasing 
their population, and adding to their prosperity. Similar 
works, more or less extended, have been put forth by 
Railroad and other Companies having lands to dispose 
of, and devoted to more limited areas than those issued 
by States. So far as examined, these “ Hand Books ” 
appear to us to be eminently useful, even those in the 
direct interest of corporations seem fair in their repre¬ 
sentations. A brief mention of those recently received 
is all that we can now give_ Cheap Homes in Saule Val¬ 
ley is & title of a pamphlet by the “ Sauk Valley Immigra¬ 
tion Association.” It may be had free on application to 
the Secretary at Sauk Center, Stearns Co., Minn_ A 
Hand-Book of Virginia —A. volume of about 150 8vo 
pages, apparently carefully prepared by Doct. Thos. 
Pollard, Commissioner of Agriculture. Each County has 
its resources and advantages impartially indicated, and 
the work must be of great value to intending settlers in 
that State. We find no mention of the manner of dis¬ 
tributing the work. The Commissioner’s office is at 
Richmond_ A Manual of Georgia— This is also an 
official work, prepared for the use of “Immigrants and 
Capitalists ” by Doct. Thos. P. Janes, State Commissioner 
of Agriculture. A personal knowledge of the author 
warrants ns in commending this as a truthful account of 
the resources of Georgia. As the work is copyrighted, 
we assume that it is not issued at the expense of the 
State. The Commissioner’s office is At lanta.... The Lone 
Star Guide is issued by the International and Great 
Northern Railroad of Texas. This road runs from Gal¬ 
veston, northwesterly to Palestine, where it unites with 
another portion of the road running from San Antonio to 
the State line, consequently the road passes through some 
of the best portions of the State. The road has lands for 
sale. It sends this “Guide” free. II. M. Iloxie, Pales¬ 
tine, is General Superintendent. 
Peach Yellows. —The symptoms are, the produc¬ 
tion of fine, tough young shoots from the sides of the 
limbs bearing leaves of a yellow color. The fruit ripens 
prematurely; is insipid in taste, and presents patches of 
dark-red color through the flesh. 
Consumption of Sugar. —England heads the 
list, and consumes 50 pounds of sugar per head. The 
United States stands next with 44 pounds. France 
sweetens at the rate of 15X pounds, and Turkey uses 
only 3)4 pounds per capita. 
Corn is King. —Last year the Corn crop of the 
United States was worth 583 million of dollars, while 
ea-King Cotton gave us only 250 millions. Indian Corn 
is the sheet anchor of American agriculture, and de¬ 
mands our most careful consideration. What would 
England give if she could only raise Indian Corn 1 
Brewer’s Grains. — In brewing, but a small 
amount of the valuable food materials is removed from 
the grain, and at the same time the process renders the 
grain soft and more easily digested. This constantly in¬ 
creasing product of the brewery has two principal dis¬ 
advantages, namely: its tendency to sour in a short 
time, and the great amount of water it contains, thus 
making it unprofitable to transport it to any considerable 
distance. A remedy might be found in providing a place 
near the brewery where the grain could be thrown upon 
large screens in the sun, drained of the surplus water, 
and partially dried. A load of brewer’s grains thus 
treated would represent vastly more food, and could be 
wet again before feeding if it should be found necessary. 
Bee Stinging.— “Much depends upon how one is 
brought up.” It is now claimed that a person who at 
first is greatly injured by beestings may after a time be¬ 
come so accustomed to them, that they cause so little in¬ 
convenience that he may be stung and not know when 
the act is performed. 
When to Cut Fence Posts. — James M. 
Ryan, Galena, III., in view of the different opinions as 
to the best time to cut timber to insure its durability, 
thus gives his experience: “The best fence posts, sec¬ 
ond only to Red Cedar, are made as follows: Strip the 
bark off of the young White Oaks (of the proper size for 
posts) from near the ground upwards sufficiently to 
deaden the trees, letting them stand for six months or 
longer, when they may be cut down and made into 
proper lengths for posts. As a result, the wood becomes 
solid and dry without cracking, and when cut will be fit 
for immediate use, and will be in a condition to exclude 
dampness from penetrating and rotting the post. The 
deadening may be done at any season, but the winter, or 
when vegetation is dormant, may be the best time. My 
experience has been with trees deadened when in full 
leaf, the wood of which, after they had stood about nine 
months, was found dried and solid, with the bark above 
the girdle loose, and easily removed.” 
Storing of Fodder-Corn.— The succulence of 
green corn-stalks renders them difficult to dry thor¬ 
oughly. To stow away uncured corn-fodder, in stacks or 
barns, without precautions to prevent moulding, is un¬ 
safe. A good plan is, to shock the bundle in a convenient 
place, covering the top of the shock with a sheaf of 
straw, and binding the top tightly to exclude rain, and 
leaving the shocks out of doors until used. A few shocks 
may be brought in when needed, and will be found fresh, 
green, and in the best order. Sweet corn-fodder, with 
many small ears and nubbins on the stalks, may be cov¬ 
ered and kept in this manner in the best condition. 
Choice of Breeds.— The right thing in the right 
place is conducive to the best results. But it is unfortu¬ 
nate that so little judgment is exercised in selecting the 
best breed of sheep for use in particular cases. Persons 
are very apt to be misled by appearances, and a fine, 
large-bodied, long-wool sheep, which shows to advantage 
in an exhibition pen at the fairs, will tempt sheep-keep¬ 
ers to adopt that particular breed without consideration 
