130 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



A feature of the book is the excellent series of illustrations of trees and 

 shrubs from photographs. Unfortunately several of them are of trees photo- 

 graphed in inland situations, and do not therefore show the characters of the 

 trees as seen in maritime situations, exposed to heavy winds and the salt spray. 



It is curious to see no mention in the copious lists Mr. Webster gives of 

 Eucalyptus Gunnii, the hardiest of the blue gums thriving as tall timber trees 

 on an exposed hill-top near Brightlingsea in Essex, to note the omission from 

 the list of seaside plants of Sedum anglicum though S. acre is mentioned, and 

 to read that Asplenium marinum is the only seaside fern. More than one other 

 thrives on sea-cliffs, and on many a Cornish cliff Osmunda regalis grows in 

 abundance. 



" Genetics in Relation to Agriculture." By E. B. Babcock and R. E. Clausen. 

 8vo. xx + 675 pp. (Hill Publishing Co., London, 1918.) $3.50. 



This is one of the clearest accounts of the fundamentals of genetics and of the 

 applications of that branch of biological science to plant and animal breeding 

 that has yet appeared. Moreover the writers are careful to point out that, 

 in spite of the enormous development of the science during the past seventeen 

 or eighteen years since the translation of Mendel's last paper was published in 

 our Journal, " it must always be remembered that the full possibilities of 

 applying genetics to breeding problems must await the gradual development 

 of scientific research," and to warn the practitioner that "if he would do his 

 share in the creation of new and more efficient types of crop plants, he must 

 utilize the facts brought to light by botanical, physiological, agronomic, and 

 horticultural investigations. The scientific plant breeder of the future should 

 combine the qualities of investigator and practical agriculturist." 



The sentences quoted are perhaps the most emphatic statements of opinion 

 to be found in the book, the rest of it being clearly-set-out references to the 

 work and conclusions of almost all those who have made contributions to the 

 subject. 



The first 286 pages are devoted to fundamentals of genetics, the next 157 

 to plant-breeding, the remainder to animal-breeding, and at the end is a very 

 full index and an excellent bibliography, so that the book contains all that the 

 serious student can desire. 



The portion on plant-breeding will naturally interest the horticulturist most, 

 and it forms indeed a valuable epitome of our present knowledge of methods. 

 The history of the work, not only in America, but in other countries, is very 

 clearly and impartially written, and the importance of each method lucidly 

 described. 



The book covers so wide a range and that so completely, that it is impossible 

 to do more than indicate its contents in a general way and leave it with the 

 assurance that its readers will find no other book to surpass it as a lucid guide 

 to the science of genetics. 



" Genetics Laboratory Manual." By E. B. Babcock and J. L. Collins. 8vo. 

 xi + 56 pp. (Hill Publishing Co., London, 1918.) $1.00 net. 



This is the first attempt at a laboratory manual of practical plant and animal 

 breeding. The subject is a difficult one to deal with satisfactorily in a course 

 of laboratory work, on account of the length of time that elapses between one 

 generation and the next, but that is overcome to a large extent by the use of 

 the common vinegar fly, Drosophila melanogaster, as the type for experiment 

 and demonstration. This and work with plants to note variations, and plot 

 them out, with practical work in the recording of strains, descriptions of 

 individuals and the like, make a good course for the student of agriculture, and 

 the little book is one which the teacher will find extremely suggestive. 



" Everybody's Flower Book." By F. M. Ramsay. Illustrated by M. Snape. 

 8vo. xi + 126 pp. (Simpkin, Marshall, Kent & Co., 1918.) 5s. net. 



The title of this book scarcely conveys what the work really is, for it 

 is devoted to the artistic arrangement of flowers in rooms, table and other 

 decorations, and the most suitable receptacles for arranging flowers in. A great 

 deal may be learnt on these subjects ; the colours of the vase or receptacle, 

 and the most cifective foliage and flowers to use to match them so as to produce 

 the most harmonious blending, and so on. Where these things are not very 

 carefully considered, some ghastly combinations result. Those who are fond of 

 flowers about the house, and like to see them to the greatest advantage, will 

 profit by this book, and gain some useful wrinkles from its pages. 



The book is nicely printed and illustrated, and of a handy size . 



