268 
fig and date. All varieties which have approved themselves to the 
experimenters of later years, and become standard, are carefully 
described, while many others of lesser importance are relegated to 
a convenient descriptive index. The editor has sought the aid of 
experts in their several specialties and made diligent use of the 
copious literature from the State Experiment Stations, so that 
every subject is fully up to date. An admirable feature of the 
work is its wealth of illustration, all cuts of fruit being from nature 
and life-size. An interesting, but too short chapter is that on 
« Wild Fruits,” including Buffalo berry, Huckleberries, June berry 
and Papaw (Aszmina triloba). Under this head, but in a larger 
book, the reviewer might also expect to see several species ot bar- 
berry, choke-cherry, yucca, cereus, opuntia, etc. 
This work aims chiefly at the imparting of “ practical direc- 
tions for the propagation and culture of all fruits adapted to the 
United States,’ and in so far is certainly very successful. The 
botanical part, that is the scientific naming and classification of 
species and varieties, was apparently considered of little relevancy 
and importance, and neglected accordingly. Yet I cannot help 
thinking that in a standard work of this kind proper efforts at a 
scientific arrangement of the many kinds of fruits described, re- 
ferring them, so far as known, to their parent species, varieties 
and races, would give it a distinct additional value. Under black- 
berry, currant, grape, etc., the generic, still less the specific names 
are not even mentioned, the various kinds being arrranged mostly 
according to color. Raspberry, plum and strawberry fare much 
better, being naturally classified. The improved cultivated forms 
of hickories are referred to the “shellbark (Hicoria Jlaciniosa)” 
instead of the shagbark (1. ovata). Valuable fruit trees seemingly 
are the black walnut and butternut “whose nuts are highly ap- 
preciated and much used ;” the better and more promising fruit of 
the California walnut is not mentioned. 
Despite these little imperfections, showing the lack of a botan- 
ist’s touch, this book remains our best manual of fruit culture, and 
the most useful guide and counsellor for all fruit growers. . 
V. H. 
