BOOK REVIEWS 279 



valuable addition to the study of the bird, and has practical inter- 

 est, too, for the aviator. One only regrets that these excellent 

 and cheap English books are not available to American students 

 without the additional cost of the tariff. 



Butterfly and Moth Book. Ellen Robertson Miller. Pp. xviii 

 -|-249. Chas. Scribner's Sons. $1.50. 



The author tells us in her preface that "My interest in moths 

 and butterflies was awakened some ten years ago while at the 

 farm on which we spent our summers. The big flower garden 

 and the old orchard served free luncheons to these insects, and 

 judging by numbers, they appreciated the treats offered. The 

 following year I found that the children of the neighborhood, and 

 even the children's parents, were taking an interest in the insects 

 v.hich we reared." It was in resix)nse to a suggestion by some of 

 the children that she began to write the stories of the "frail chil- 

 dren of the air." The book, therefore, is the result of years of 

 patient study. It is amply illustrated with scores of photographic 

 reproductions and pen and ink sketches of the eggs, larvae, 

 moults, chrysalids and adults of various common moths and but- 

 terflies. The author's descriptions are clear, her interest evident, 

 and her style simple. The book is a recital of personal exper- 

 iences in finding, rearing and caring for these wonderful crea- 

 tures. It has in it the spirit of enthusiasm of a nature lover. 

 Surely a boy or girl of high school age with a leaning toward in- 

 sect collecting would appreciate the volume and be led by it to 

 studies of his own. 



Productive Farming. K. C. Davis. Pp. \ Ill-i-l?.");. J. P,. 

 Lippincott Co. 



Doctor Davis is professor of agronomy. Xew Jersey College 

 of Agriculture. He says in his preface : "The ever-present 

 memory of the boys and girls with whom the writer has asso- 

 ciated as a schoolmate or as a teacher in the rural schools and 

 graded schools has been an inspiration and help in preparing 

 every lesson." This book is intended to suit the needs of the 

 rural schools of all kinds and graded village and city schools, 

 chiefly below high school rank. 



Part I is on plant production, and includes chapters on the 

 physiology of plants, plant improvement, soils, cropping and spe- 

 cial crops, like alfalfa, corn. etc. Part II is on animal production, 

 with horses, cattle, poultry management, bee-keeping, etc.. as the 

 topics treated. Animal products, sixteen pages, make Part III. 



