BOOKS KEVIEWED. 



215 



time the demand for rubber has increased to an enormous extent in the 

 making of cycle, carriage, and motor tyres, the annual consumption at the 

 present time being valued at £16,000,000. The book is of great interest 

 from the fact that the whole history of the rubber industry is brought 

 down to the present time, the cultivation of the tree, collecting the rubber, 

 and preparation of the same being minutely recorded. The illustrations, 

 too, are good, that of the Para Rubber tree in the Botanic Gardens, Ceylon, 

 and a flowering branch of the same, as a frontispiece, conveying a good 

 idea of this valuable species, which hails from the forests of the Amazon 

 valley. To those who are about to take up the cultivation of this rubber- 

 producing tree the information contained in this well-written book should 

 prove of the greatest value. 



"Vegetables and their Culture." By T. W. Sanders, F.L.S. 8vo., 

 463 pp. (W. H. & L. Collingridge, London.) 5s. net ; by post, 5s. 6d. 



A thoroughly practical and scientific work, with numerous excellent 

 illustrations, and containing most useful information on the formation of 

 gardens, paths, drains ; the cultivation and improvement of various soils ; 

 suitable manures to use for the different crops ; excellent information on 

 injurious and beneficial insects, diseases, &c. The common and botanical 

 names of each vegetable are given ; the lists of varieties of each kind of 

 vegetable are up to date and thoroughly reliable. A number of kinds, 

 with cultural details, that are seldom grown in this country are described 

 fully and are well worthy of more attention. The information is plain, 

 concise, and so easily understood that even a novice could scarcely make 

 a mistake in following out its instructions. And we can confidently 

 recommend the work to all interested in vegetable culture. 



"The Book of Shrubs." By George Gordon, V.M.H. 8vo., 83 pp. 

 (John Lane, London.) 2s. 6cl. net. 



A small well-printed book, containing valuable information in a brief 

 form. Some of the best kinds of trees and shrubs and the most orna- 

 mental varieties are described, with information on the best position and 

 soils in which to plant them. We can specially recommend the chapter 

 on planting and the culture of trees and shrubs, which does not always 

 receive the attention it deserves. 



"The Book of Town and Window Gardening." By Mrs. F. A. 

 Bardswell. 8vo., 105 pp. (John Lane, London.) 2s. 6d. net. 



A very attractively written book, dealing with a subject of much 

 interest not only to town gardeners but also to country gardeners, and 

 containing a mass of valuable suggestions. But what will be useful to 

 Londoners is the advice of what plants to grow to withstand the mis- 

 chievous influences of fog. On page 100 Anemone apennina and J. 

 Hepatica are recommended as wall plants, but unless the wall is much 

 moister than most walls, we are afraid they would be a failure, as we find 

 they succeed best in a moist cool position. The book is well illustrated 

 and nicely printed. 



