124 : BOTANICAL GAZETTE [ AUGUST 
different countries of Europe have books of this character, but up to the 
present our literature on the science and art of fruit growing has been scat- 
tered in horticultural reports and papers, and the bulletins of our experiment 
stations. In this book they are collected and added to from the personal 
experiences and observations of the author, joined with comparison of views 
made possible by contact with successful growers and managers. 
In our relatively new country we have not yet reached final conclusions 
as to the exact climatic adaptation of varieties and species to special condi- 
tions of soil and air referred to by Professor Bailey under the head of “deter- 
minants,” as has been done in most parts of Europe. But remarkable 
advances have recently been made in all divisions of the work of fruit grow- 
ing, adaptation to markets, etc., and this work covers the ground so com- 
pletely that even western growers find little room for criticism. Every page 
will furnish food for thought to the amateur and commercial grower on such 
topics as spraying, selection of orchard sites, winter evaporation of trees, soil 
adaptation to varieties, commercial outlook of fruit growing, fruit packing in 
its details, retardation of bloom, orchard wind breaks, air drainage and soil 
drainage, influence of frost and water, the stored food of varieties as affected 
by climate, effects of mulching, laying down tender trees, tillage of fruit lands, 
conservation of moisture, fertilization of orchard and nursery, the uses of 
nitrogen in orchards, soils, potash for fruit, alternating varieties for fertiliza- 
tion of blossoms, shading of tree stems in open exposure, and many other 
topics coming up each day in the individual experience. Besides its use to 
the actual fruit grower, it is really a book which can be used to the advantage 
of the prospective fruit growers in the horticultural class rooms of our agri- 
cultural colleges.—J. L. Bupp. 
A few familiar flowers.’ 
UNDER the above title a new book of suggestions for teachers of small 
children has appeared. In these days of that chaotic subject known as 
“nature study” such books are eagerly sought by the poorly trained teacher, 
and most of them are poorly trained for ‘nature study.’’ How to interest 
little people in plants, to teach them to observe wisely, and at the same time 
to keep well within the limits of knowledge, is a very serious problem. A 
sort of speculation is usually indulged in which is exceedingly unsafe, and 
which results in notions that are difficult to banish. The whole truth cannot 
be told, and it is difficult sometimes to tell a partial truth without, in effect, 
contradicting the larger truth. It is probably true that the professional bot- 
anist is apt to be captious in his criticism of all such attempts, and that he 
loses sight of the larger end in view. 
7 MORLEY, MARGARET WARNER.—- A few familiar flowers ; how to love them at 
home orin school. 8vo. pp. xiv-+ 274. Boston: Ginn & Company, 1897. 7° cents 
