An Early American Botanic Garden

The minutes of the American Philosophical Society, June 19th, 1784, record that a botanic garden should be at once established; that "200 feet of the Arch Street lot next the observatory " should be at once prepared for planting; and "Hopkinson and Rittenhouse" were appointed a committee "to look out for a gardener".

The " observatory " at that time was where the grand public buildings in Philadelphia now stand.

Park For Wilmington, Del

Eighty acres along the beautiful Brandy wine, have at last been secured for the people of Wilmington, the ordinance appropriating money for the purchase having passed the city council in the early part of the present month. This has been an object of solicitude with Mr. Wm. M. Canby, the well-known botanist, and an ex-member of the city government, for many years past; and it must be a great comfort to his approaching threescore.

Insects Affecting The Orange

Report made under the direction of Prof. Riley by H. G. Hubbard. Published by the U. S. Department of agriculture.

This is a volume of 220 pages, with illustrations and descriptions of the insects injurious to the whole citrus tribe, and with accounts of such remedies as have come within the knowledge of the Department. It is a work of very great value to the orange grower.

The Annual Report Of The Pennsylvania State Horticultural Association For 1885

Secretary, E. B. Engle, Waynesboro, Pa. This volume is illustrated by a colored lithograph of the fringed petunias raised by Mr. Rupp, of Shire-manstown, and plain lithographs of the Keim and Cheese apples, Pennsylvania seedlings, which it is one of the objects of the proceedings to illustrate.

On Some Points In The Composition Of Soils

By Sir J. B. Lawes, and Dr. J. H. Gilbert. When agriculture does take rank with the sciences, the honor will be largely due to the work of these "Rothamsted farmers." They have been making painstaking experiments for over quarter of a century, and many of them have set disputed questions at rest. The present effort shows that the fertility of soils is dependent on the nitrogen it contains.

Profits In Poultry

New York: Orange Judd Co. In these days a work that has "profit" as part of its title, is bound to get a good patronage; and this book, with 256 pages and copious illustrations, will no doubt have a good sale. Pleasure, as well as profit, however, receives attention, and the publishers believe that no poultry raiser can peruse this volume without both profit and pleasure - a belief in which the reviewer shares.