xx SCIENCE PROGRESS. 



Sorauer's excellent book, we must regard it as an example of the old saying that " it is an ill 

 wind that blows nobody any good". For though there will always be a large number of 

 gardeners in England who will continue to practise their calling entirely by rule of thumb, 

 nevertheless the advance of education is undoubtedly leading to a feeling on the part of many 

 that they would do better for their charges if they knew more about them, and in many cases 

 the knowledge is desired also for its own sake. As the demand for advanced instruction 

 arises, the supply will follow, and to any one who is engaged in organising classes in conse- 

 quence of this demand, we can cordially recommend as a text-book the volume which forms 

 the subject of the present notice. 



Arranged upon a clear and comprehensive plan, clearly written, and conveniently broken 

 up into sections with appropriate headings, the book is one which will appeal strongly to 

 practical men, as in it they may find in simple language answers to questions which must con- 

 stantly recur in the ordinary course of their work. Dr. Sorauer's many years' experience in 

 connection with an institution engaged in training practical men has stood him in good stead 

 here, and he obviously understands perfectly well how to appeal to unscientific readers by 

 writing in a somewhat popular style. It must, however, be confessed that there are a few 

 errors, or at anyrate misleading statements, which here and there meet the reader, and it is 

 perhaps to be regretted that Professor Weiss did not exercise editorial discretion in these 

 cases a little more severely. In other respects, however, he has performed his task in a 

 workmanlike manner, and the translation runs easily and well. The figures also are clear 

 and good, a point of much importance in a work like the present. 



