906: THE AMERICAN NATURALIST. [VoL. XXXIV. 
of its kind. Nearly twenty years have elapsed, however, since the 
work was published, and progress has been both varied and rapid in 
gardening, so that it is a matter for congratulation that Mr. Nicholson, 
the well-known curator of the Kew Gardens, has found time to pre- 
pare a supplement bringing it up to date. This supplement is to 
consist of two volumes, of which the first, bearing a preface date of 
June, 1900, is already in hand. ‘To say that the supplement equals, 
if it does not surpass, the original volumes is sufficient to indicate 
that in text and illustrations it is excellent. While for American 
gardeners Bailey’s Cyclopedia, being an American work, is likely to 
be more directly useful, the fact that its scope is limited to this coun- 
try makes the possession of the Nicholson Supplement, as well as the 
original Dictionary, all the more necessary for the larger establish- 
ments, which are constantly introducing the better of the plants 
grown abroad, and for all amateur libraries. 
James’s Practical Agriculture.! — The author has embodied in 
this work the most elementary principles and practical applications 
of agricultural science in a very pleasing manner. It is especially 
well adapted as a text-book for beginners in the study of agriculture, 
and is certainly an impetus for the more general introduction of the 
subject in the public schools. Agriculture embraces such a broad 
field, it is impossible to treat elaborately each branch in a text-book 
of the ordinary size. While these first principles are concisely treated, 
they are nevertheless clear and accurate, and easily understood by 
persons not familiar with the study of botany, geology, or other 
sciences that have to do with agriculture. 
The life cycle of a plant is traced from the seed to the mature 
plant, including both structure and essential conditions of germina- 
tion and growth. The nature, origin, and improvement of the soil 
and its relation to the plant are discussed. One part is devoted to 
various field crops, taking up grasses, legumes, root crops, etc., giv- 
ing the nature, habit, and treatment of each and the reasons therefor. 
Another part considers horticulture and its products, including the 
vegetable garden, orchard, and vineyard. The habits of many of 
the most common insects and fungous diseases of both field and gar- 
den are discussed. Live stock and its product, milk, receive some 
attention, as well as the history and characteristics of different 
breeds, H. C. IRISH. 
1 James, Charles C. Practical Agriculture. American edition by John Craig. 
D. Appleton & Co., 1900 
