182 



THE GUIDE TO NATURE. 



Doubtless, however, there is a needed 

 word of caution, rather than mere "odious 

 comparisons" in a part of what the author 

 says of bird photography: 



"Now books upon nearly every phase of 

 bird life lie close at hand, both the result of 

 compilation and of rich personal experience, 

 while dry-plate photography has come to be 

 the recorder of much that words cannot 

 express." 



"Those who use the camera must take 

 care that by causing its eye to intrude and 

 pry rather than swiftly glance and record, 

 they do not even do more damage in a way 

 than the gun that kills swiftly and is done. 

 To be really useful, bird photography must 



he is going to tell, but tells you at once 

 how to make and care for a lawn. Then 

 follow other practical chapters on gardens, 

 window boxes, flowers, greenhouses, sea- 

 sonal work, growing plants for table dec- 

 orations and village improvement societies. 

 Mr. Rexford is an acknowledged authority 

 on his subject, and the publishers have 

 set forth that he has to say in excellent 

 manner. 



The book, like many others of its kind, 

 has one great fault, in that it lays all 

 stress of interest in plants on aesthetics. 

 The whole point of view is that of decora- 

 tion. Not a suggestion is given of interest 

 in the plant itself. I wish some one would 



PORCH POSTS WELL CLOTHED IN VINES 



From "Four Season in the Garden" by Eben E. Rexford 



penetrate the leafage that hides the nest 

 and brood unperceived by its object, even 

 as the rays of sunlight themselves pene- 

 trate the shade. To my thinking the latest 

 method of rearranging the nesting haunts 

 to suit the photographer and forcing the 

 bird to perform many domestic functions 

 in public, or else leave its brood, is without 

 excuse, and this work lacks both scientific 

 and artistic value." 



Eben 

 Lip- 



"Four Seasons in the Garden:" By 



E. Rexford. Philadelphia: J. B. 

 pincott and Company. 



This is a book without a preface. That 

 omission is characteristic. The author 

 starts in at once, without talk about what 



write a book on the garden and tell of plant 

 life, as well as plant care and flower deco- 

 ration. 



"Onr Trees and How to Know 



Clarence M. Weed, D. Sc. 

 by Arthur I. Emerson. 



Them :" By 



Photographs 



This book is ideal in its simplicity, con- 

 venience and fullness for ordinary identifi- 

 cation and description. A page of text 

 faces a page of illustration. The photo- 

 graphs are for the most part from wild na- 

 ture, and show the entire tree, leafy branch, 

 flowers and fruit. The whole story is 

 gained almost at a glance at the two pages. 



The book is well printed. The cover is 

 especially attractive and in good taste. 



