NOTICES OF BOOKS. xxi 



less burdensome pressure of the examination system which gives scant 

 encouragement to wander into branches of study requiring the ex- 

 penditure of much time in the field — time which could be so far more 

 economically and profitably (!) employed in getting up facts from books 

 and lecture notes, or in poring over sections in a laboratory. 



And indeed there is little enough to stimulate any one in this 

 country to undertake this kind of work. We are a " practical " people, 

 and we show our appreciation of the value of scientific help by allowing 

 our forests, in many cases, to get on as best they can under a mere rule 

 of thumb management. This course however has at least the merit of 

 providing those who care for such things with museums of mis- 

 management on a not inconsiderable scale. 



But in Germany they conduct things better. There forestry is a 

 serious pursuit, and the scientific assistance rendered to the forestry 

 departments by a properly trained staff of pathologists and botanists 

 working in suitably equipped institutions is appreciated as a matter of 

 the highest importance to an industry which is conducted on a purely 

 commercial — and remunerative — basis. There is no reason why silvi- 

 culture should not pay equally well in this country if its rudiments were 

 but understood. 



Much of the land now lying idle as the result of conditions of agri- 

 cultural depression which are not likely to be materially ameliorated, 

 might profitably be afforested, but it is of little use to go in for new 

 planting in the ignorant and blindly stupid fashion which is only too 

 prevalent in matters relating to landed affairs in England. " Where the 

 carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together," and where a 

 forest is there will always be diseases of various kinds to combat. A 

 successful issue to the struggle can only depend on the intelligent 

 application of remedial measures based on an accurate knowledge of 

 the structure and constitution both of the trees and their enemies. 



The translation of von Tubeuf's book will, at any rate, make clear to 

 those persons who are disposed to think at all on these matters, that 

 the subject of Plant-disease is a large one. The author expounds in 

 the introduction the general nature of fungal parasites and saprophytes, 

 and their relations to their living or dead hosts as the case may be. It 

 is tolerably certain that his views on some of these matters will not 

 secure very general acceptance ; this, however, does not affect the value 

 of the second and far larger part of the volume in which he treats of 

 the individual fungi, indicating their method of attack, and the kind of 

 damage they effect. Remedial measures are also often suggested for 

 particular cases. 



The work is illustrated by a large number of figures and photo- 

 graphs. The latter, however, can hardly be praised ; indeed, they are 

 often so badly reproduced as to be almost valueless. But in spite of 

 this, we can confidently say that every one who is at all interested in 

 these questions ought to have the book in his library. Many persons 

 who would find it difficult or tedious to read the original will be grate- 



