THE PLANT WOKLD 79 



joining the society on or before this date shall be enrolled as charter 

 members. We cannot urge too strongly upon our readers the impor- 

 tance of helping on this work, which requires, at the very outset, a con- 

 siderable outlay before much can be accomplished in the way of bring- 

 ing to public notice the aims and objects for which the society strives. 

 The treasurer is now prepared to receive membership dues or other 

 contributions, and we invite attention to the official notice in another 

 column, in which will be found full particulars as to dues and officers. 



Book Reviews. 



Peize Gaedening, How to Derive Profit, Pleasure and Health from 

 THE Garden. Compiled by G. Burnap Fisk, New York : Orange 

 Judd Company. 



This book is in many w^ays unique. Prizes aggregating two thou- 

 sand, five hundred dollars were offered for the best garden accounts for 

 the season of 1899. The contest was inaugurated by the American 

 Agriculturist weeklies. Orange Judd Farmer, of Chicago, for the West ; 

 American Agriculturist, for the Middle and Southern States, and the New 

 England Homestead, of Springfield, Mass., for the East. These prizes 

 were offered not for the story of bigger profits or for fancy results, but, 

 in the language of the rules, "to the records and reports which show 

 most clearly and accurately the methods pursued, and the receipts and 

 exiDenses of the garden, irrespective of whether it shows a profit or not." 



About 5000 people gave notice of intention to enter this contest, and 

 515 actually sent in reports of the season's work. The little book before 

 us is a condensed account of the various prize-winners in this unique 

 contest, and is replete with interest, telling how success was achieved or 

 failure encountered, mainly in the language of the contestant. It shows 

 clearly what may be accomplished by determination and a willingness to 

 work for it. Many a person of delicate health has found renewed life in 

 this kind of out-of-door activity. The book is well worth reading not 

 only by the home-seeker, but by the practical worker, for the many prac- 

 tical accounts it gives of operations in so many parts of the country. It 

 is illustiated throughout and should find a place in every farmer's 

 library. F. H. K. 



Asparagus, Its Culture for Home Use and for Market. By F. M. 

 Hexameter. New York : Orange Judd Company. 



This little book appropriately begins with an account of the various 

 species of asparagus that are now known in ornamental cultivation, but 



