154 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
the later days of March, April, or early in May. They are put in rows 
two feet asunder, and the sets fifteen inches apart in the row. This 
is a more liberal allowance of space than they usually obtain: but 
they pay well for it, for while the aggregate crop is heavy, a majority 
of the roots are large, and it is a fact of some importance that 
Jerusalem Artichokes cannot be too large, owing to the inevitable 
waste that occurs in preparing them for cooking. We measured 
some of our stems last year, and found the shortest to be eight 
feet, and the tallest fifteen feet, and nine-tenths of them flowered. 
re. br 
NEW BOOKS. 
Vitra GARDENING. By Witxrtam Paut. (Warne & Co.) This is the third 
edition of an unpretending but eminently useful book, by one of the “ great masters ”” 
of horticulture. It treats of all the subjects that are likely to have a place in a 
villa garden—the fruits, vegetables, flowers, ornamental trees, grass plots, and things 
fanciful, and even things exceptional. The information is conveyed in a series of 
agreeably written letters, and itis illustrated by engravings that serve their intended 
purpose, though they are not remarkable for beauty. 
Tur DWELiErs IN our Garpens, THEIR Lives AND THEIR Works. By Saran 
Woop. (Groombridge.) A truly delightful book, full of serious information on 
butterflies, bees, moles, moths, spiders, birds, snails, etc., etc., enlivened with well- 
told anecdotes and really charming pictures, not a few of which are entitled to be 
spoken of as works of art. Look, for example, at the frontispiece, which indicates, 
by a few happy touches, how nature arranges matters so that a butterfly shall bear 
a close resemblance to the plant it prefers to rest upon, and its enemies are thereby 
deceived, and through the deception its life is saved. The gold crested wren is 
beautifully drawn, as is the group of butterflies at page 35, the siskin at page 107, 
and the swarm of leaf miners at page 152. But the robin is of course badly drawn, 
and, strange to say, we have never but once seen a truthful portrait of a robin, and 
that was one drawn from the life, the figure of which appeared at page 183 of the 
first volume of “‘ Recreative Science,” and strange to say, that is a ragged figure, 
though from the delicate pencil of Mr. George Voyerz. “The Dwellers in our 
Gardens” challenges criticism, because it contains much that is true and sound and 
precious, but is not so complete and perfect as it might have been, owing to the 
mixed character of its pictures. It is a gem of a book, notwithstanding, and as it is 
published at the unusually low price of 3s. 6d., our mild censures may, after all, be 
ungracious, or, say, not in the best of taste. 
REFLECTIONS AND MaxIMs RELATING TO THE ConpucT or Human Lire. By 
Witt Penn. (Groombridge.) A nice little book.‘of wisdom for the traveller’s 
pocket, or to keep at hand for five minutes’ intellectual refreshment at any time. By 
the way, our friend the “ uncommercial traveller,’ who can, as a rule, appreciate 
good literature, follows the way of the world too much in stuffing his pocket and his 
satchel, and perhaps his bag or portmanteau, with newspapers, instead of taking 
with him a few good books, when he wanders from home. We lately met with an 
editor of a newspaper in a railway carriage quietly enjoying the Anabasis of 
Xenophon, and he apologised by saying, ‘‘ You see I am sick of newspapers, and so 
Tam having a fillip of Xenophon.” Being emboldened thereby, we rejoined, “ Ah, 
you go on with your ten thousand, our feast shall be on the wisdom of Penn’s Reflec- 
tions and Maxims.” There might have been less happy people in the carriage than 
the two who read books while the rest read papers. 
AnnvuAL Report or THE Mertrourne Botanic Garpens. By W. R. Guin 
roxLE, F.L.§., Ere. (G. Skinner, Melbourne.) We have read this report with 
much interest, and we hope advantage. It conveys a most agreeable impression of 
the progress of botanical and horticultural taste and knowledge in Victoria, and the 
talent displayed in its preparation amply justifies the cost incurred in making it 
public. We learn that the botanic gardens of Melbourne haye been in various ways 
improved, the stock of plants greatly enlarged, and the collections illustrative of 
