80 THE PLANT WORLD. 



BOOK REVIEWS. 



Encyclopedia of American Horticulture. Edited by Prof. L. H. 



Bailey, with tlie collaboration of numerous specialists. Vol. 1, A. 



D. MacMillan & Co. New York. 



For several years we have been looking forward to the appearance 

 of a much needed Cyclopedia of American Horticulture. The first 

 volume of the work bearing this title has recently been put out by the 

 MacMillan' s. This first volume includes all horticultural subjects be- 

 ginning with the first four letters of the alphabet. Three other volums 

 are to follow. Prof. L. H. Bailey, whose ability to turn ofi' high-grade 

 work at a rapid rate is almost proverbial, is the editor in chief. Mr. 

 Wilhelm Miller is assistant editor as well as author of many of the 

 most readible articles. In addition, Professor Bailey has had as colla- 

 borators one hundred of the leading horticulturists and botanists of 

 America. 



The treatment of the articles is very commendable. First the 

 derivation of each generic name is given. Then follows a nontechnical 

 description of the genus; then in large genera an alphabetical index to 

 the species; then follows the species in a systematic order separated by 

 useful keys. After a brief popular description of the species follows 

 the date of flowering, distribution and references to published illustra- 

 tions. Articles (with maps) on each of the states and regions of North 

 America are contributed by men who are perfectly familiar with their 

 locality; as for instance Arizona is prepared by Prof. Tourney and 

 Alaska by Dr. Evans. Many of the horticultural subjects are treated 

 in a most entertaining; manner enriched with historical and statistical 

 information. Among those in which the writer has been especially in- 

 terested are those on cranberry and celery culture. Biological 

 sketches with portraits are given of those who have had most to do 

 with the development of American horticulture. 



The book is profusely illustrated. It contains nine full paged 

 plates and 743 text figures while there are but 508 pages of text. As 

 has been pointed out one cannot open the book without seeing one or 

 more illustrations. The illustrations have been well chosen, and will 

 be very helpful. This work will be a most valuable accession to the 

 library of every botanist and horticulturist. In the Department of 

 Ao-riculture it is also beino; used as a check list and is to form the basis 

 of their economic herbarium. While the various s})ecialists may not 

 always agree in their treatment of the subjects yet it must be a(hnitted 

 that even in the completed articles the most recent revisions and mon- 

 ographs have been utilized. — J. N. 11. 



