146 



Such books can have but one good raison d'etre, that of 

 genius. Lacking this they are commonplace. 



As suggested in a preceding paragraph, the authors of Trees 

 in Winter ask consideration of their book both from the general 

 reader, and as a textbook for use in high schools and colleges. 

 In connection with the latter purpose they give a number of 

 suggestive methods by which it can be used in teaching. They 

 emphasize the necessity of careful planning in preparation for 

 field trips, and of requiring some kind of report of trips from each 

 pupil. A method by which the pupils are to compete in learning 

 to recognize different kinds of trees is also described. Under the 

 topic "Student collections" (page 28), the question of requiring 

 students to collect and identify one hundred or so specimens as 

 part of a tree course is objected to as requiring "an unduly large 

 amount of mechanical labor in proportion to the results ob- 

 tained." 



The book appeals to the reviewer as a practical teachable book. 

 To be used successfully, however, the classes should not be very 

 large. It is probably best adapted for use with college classes, 

 or perhaps with small classes of high-school pupils, especially in 

 the country or small towns. Its use except as reference for the 

 large classes in city high schools is undoubtedly impractical 

 owing to the large number of pupils per instructor. 



The scope and method of the first part can best be made clear 

 by noting the chapter topics which are as follows: I. — Structure, 

 life, and growth of a tree; II. — The propagation of trees; III. — 

 Tree planting in rural districts; IV. — Tree planting in towns and 

 cities; V. — The selection of trees for special purposes ; VI. — How 

 trees are planted; VII. — ^The care of trees; VIII. — Common 

 injuries to shade trees; IX. — The control of parasites; X. — 

 Insecticides, fungicides, and spraying. 



These topics are treated in a clear and readable way. For 

 example, under Chapter VIII, the writers discuss the sources of 

 injuries to trees, as wires, grading, pruning, etc., also tree surgery, 

 "dehorning," filling cavities, and bolting and chaining. Under 

 Chapter V are such topics as Trees with showy flowers, — Bloom- 

 ing before or with the leaves, — Blooming after the leaves, — 



