THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 75 



as given in this excellent little volume are as timely as if just 

 issued. The author has arranged the weeds according to 

 natural relationships and, after describing each in botanical 

 terms, makes various observations on their harmfulness and 

 gives methods of neutralizing their attacks on the crops. The 

 author, a well-known nature lover, has even introduced a con- 

 siderable number of appropriate quotations from the poets, 

 though how anyone can wax poetic while holding a heated 

 controversy with the weeds is beyond the comprehension of the 

 reviewer. The book contains 185 pages and numerous illus- 

 trations and is a very good volume for the gardener and farmer 

 to have at hand. It is published by the Nature Publishing Co., 

 Indianapolis, and costs $1.25. 



Gardening is undoubtedly one of the most popular of 

 pursuits at present and is engaged in alike by novice, amateur 

 and professional. As a consequence, garden books are becom- 

 ing as plentiful and as conspicuous as dandelions on a 

 neglected lawn though in most cases rather more useful. 

 Frances Duncan, whose "Joyous Art of Gardening" was 

 recently reviewed in these pages, has issued another book on 

 much the same lines with the design of helping the novice 

 over his troubles. The new book is entitled "Home Veg- 

 etables and Small Fruits" and is much like other gardening- 

 books except that it is rather more entertainingly written. 

 It begins with observations on the soil and its improvement, 

 garden plans and plant houses, and in clue course considers 

 all kinds of gardens and their management. There are also 

 chapters on garden handicraft, small fruits, cultural directions 

 for growing the usual vegetables, remedies for plant diseases 

 and insect pests, as well as directions for storing, canning, 

 drying and other schemes for preserving vegetables for winter. 

 The novice should find this an interesting and helpful book. 

 It contains 180 pages and forty illustrations and costs $1.40 

 net. Charles Scribner Sons, New York, are the publishers. 



