326 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [APRIL 
If the book has any weakness it is that it attempts too much. It pre- 
sents such a vast array of principles, in so brief or concentrated a form, that 
there is danger of cloying the appetite, or producing mental dyspepsia. 
Some of the principles named are axiomatic and it seems scarcely necessary 
to repeat so much self-evident truth. In some cases non-essentials are 
emphasized and essentials are passed over slightly. By restricting the num- 
ber of topics, and elucidating the more important principles, the probability 
of treating them to the average student’s profit would be greatly increased. 
A book treating of the principles of agriculture can scarcely be called 
complete which has nothing to say about exchange and distribution. If 
farming is a business, the machinery whereby the farmer converts into money, 
or other values, that portion of his products which is not consumed on his 
farm, and the principles concerned in such exchange, are nearly as impor 
tant as those concerned in mere production. 
It seldom happens that a book which is the joint product of so many dif- 
ferent contributors possesses such a clear, vigorous and attractive style 
throughout as does this one. Scholarship and training are evident in every 
chapter. 
If this book could be placed in the hands of each earnest young farmet, 
it could scarcely fail to give him a broader, truer conception of what farming 
really is, and would teach him that thought and study, observation and 
reflection are just as essential and serviceable upon the farm as elsewhere. 
To all those who are resolved to be good farmers we commend we: 
volume, because no man in this age can be a thoroughly good farmer with- 
out the knowledge which can be more easily and rapidly acquired here than 
elsewhere.—W. R. LAZENBY. 
MINOR NOTICES. 
THE “NEW EDITION” of Hansen’s Pflanzenphystologie, 
1898, seems to be only a re-issue of that well and favorabl 
bearing date of 
y known book.* 
and concise information concerning the fundamental facts and 
plant life. This mission it fulfilled well. It would be wise ae 
progress which has been made since 1890 embodied in a thoroughly eer 
edition. To those who do not already know and use the original meer 
commend it as presenting many points ina clear and interesting fashio?, 
happy citation of examples.—C. R. B. 
: 's Dairy 
THE SATISFACTORY reception which has been given to Russell's 
: nd Lebens 
+ HANSEN, ADOLPH: Pflanzenphysiologie. Die Lebenserscheinung wag 
bedingungen der Pflanzen. Neue Ausgabe. 8vo. pp. vilit+3!4- POLE 
J. Ricker’sche Buchhandlung. 1898. 
