200 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



" Manual of British Botany." By the late C. C. Babington. Ninth 

 edition. Edited by H. and J. Groves. 12mo., 580 pp. (Gurney and 

 Jackson, London.) 9s. net. 



This is an improved and enlarged edition. It is based on notes and 

 additions left by Babington, with new species, &c, added in smaller type 

 by the editors. An appendix contains a conspectus of the species of Bubi, 

 reprinted from the " Handbook of British Rubi," by Rev. W. M. Rogers; 

 while the species of Hieracium have been drawn up under the direction 

 of Mr. F. J. Banbury, from his notes and specimens, by Miss R. F. 

 Thomson, Babington's descriptions being retained wherever possible. 

 At the commencement the Linnean classification of the older editions is 

 replaced by that of the natural system. A useful glossary is added, and 

 the scheme for ascertaining any order is on the same plan as Bentham's 

 "Handbook," adapted from the French method. We do not know why 

 the authors change Centranthus into Kcntranthus, -when they retain 

 Callitrkhe, Cotyledon, Cypripedium, &0. 



"Small Culture." Series II. Orchards, Vegetables, Allotments, 

 Glass Culture, Bee-keeping. Edited by W. J. Maiden. 8vo., 80 pp. 

 (Marlborough, London.) Wrapper, Is. ; cloth, 2s. 



It has been well said that of the making of books on gardening there 

 is no end. If, however, the general public are as anxious to purchase and 

 read these books as writers and publishers are ready to supply them, then 

 is there no cause for complaint. The weakness of the bulk of the books 

 on gardening now so common is that they are generally either mere gossipy 

 descriptions of imaginary gardens, or, when they deal with practical 

 gardening, do but serve up somewhat diversely hashed what has been 

 written scores of times previously. It seems to be so difficult to find 

 much that is new in gardening, certainly in its cultural aspects. It is 

 perhaps more in the realms of science that horticulture must look for 

 purely fresh matter and for new ideas. 



The book under notice has the merit of cheapness, and it is well in 

 these days to purchase gardening books cheaply lest they prove to be 

 lacking in cultural value. Publishers generally have for some time 

 realised that outside of the moneyed section of the community there are the 

 millions who are fond of gardening, and for whom, through one- shilling 

 publications, they now cater. In addition to the editor, five writers deal 

 with diverse subjects, commencing with the- paying value of allotments — 

 a matter that is generally described, but much more of detail is wanting. 

 We have seen figures, taken from an ordinary 20-rod plot in Surrey, set 

 forth in greater detail, and far more convincingly. That allotments, if rent 

 be of a moderate amount and culture and cropping be good, do pay, there 

 can be no doubt. Still, the carefully prepared balance-sheet of a competent 

 allotment worker would naturally command most respect. 



Bec-kccpiiuj : its pleasures and profits. — A good portion of the book 

 is devoted to this interesting subject, although it is rather incongruously 

 wedged in between allotment culture and vegetable culture. That the in- 

 formation with respect to bees is excellent is certain, and the descriptive 

 matter is lucid and here and there much aided by illustrations. The details 



