1896.} Current Literature. 175 
It is worth while noting the fact that both books are entirely de- 
pendent upon accompanying laboratory work, as indicating the pro- 
found change which is coming over the botanical teaching in high 
schools, ' 
Plant breeding. 
The second volume of the “Garden-Craft Series,” by Professor L. 
H. Bailey, is before us in tasteful dress. It deals with the very inter- 
esting questions regarding the breeding of plants to secure fixation of 
desirable features. The book consists of five lectures, covering topics 
Presented to the author’s students. 
In the first lecture the causes for the appearance of new forms of 
plants, and the fundamental methods for fixing these forms and mak- 
ing them permanent, are presented. The influence of soils and meth- 
ods of treatment, effects of climate, the change of seed, etc., are dis- 
cussed. The second lecture expounds the philosophy of crossing as well 
4 Its advantage as a means of originating new varieties. In the third 
lecture specific rules for the guidance of the cultivator are laid down, 
hone of which are to be found particularly set forth in this connection 
nother readily accessible writings. The fourth lecture consists of 
"anslations of Verlot’s classification of varieties of ornamental plants, 
ariére’s discussion of bud variation, including a list of bud varieties, 
and Focke’s chapter on the characteristics of crosses. In the final 
lecture, directions for the cross pollination of plants are given in de- 
nha illustrations. A brief glossary and a good index are ap- 
let ‘ Particularly commend this book to botanists, who have too — 
te © garden fence bar them from the study of some of the mos 
Pei and instructive phenomena of plant evolution. The first 
chapters will be found of especial interest and value. 
ec take exception, however, to Professor Bailey's se 
the ultimate unit or individual in growing plants is the bud an 
t . 
ra * Wood or tissue to which it is attached” (p. 8). And eae 
nthe This unit [in which variations arise] is the bud and the seed, 
4c, es, or the offspring of one parent; the other agave 
Phas, Pring of two parents.” The confusion regarding the 
pe seed plants ought not to be perpetuated, even in popular 
"8S It is throughout this book. Regarding this topic it is quite 
* to be accurate without being abstruse, and the wii el 
for an “all flowers “sex organs” the better, for gardeners as well as 
aNists, 
‘B 
tita93 “ss H.—Plant breeding. Garden-craft series, vol, II. 12mo. pp. 
"BS. 20. New York: Macmillan & Co. 1895. $1.00. 
