374 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



gives a list — though by no means a complete one- — of timbers for special purposes, 

 such as bridge-making, cabinet work, furniture, turnery, carving, and such- 

 like, arranged in alphabetical order. The geographical distribution of timber 

 is an interesting subject, and the author has wisely, in such a gigantic under- 

 taking, divided the chapter approximately into continents, though even in this 

 way. repetitions are unavoidable. 



Regarding the " World's Timber Resources " a great amount of useful infor- 

 mation and statistics have been culled from different sources, though to obtain 

 reliable data of such would, as the author says, be an impossible task, and would 

 be true for a very limited period. Under " Manufactures &c." a great amount 

 of valuable information is recorded, and the notes on basket-making, charcoal 

 manufacture, fuel, and tanning are up to date, the authors of the information 

 being well known for their researches on the various subjects. Fungus and 

 insect pests cause great damage both to the living wood and converted timber, 

 and both subjects have received a considerable share of attention in this book, 

 though the best means of dealing with such attacks as dry rot, the very destructive 

 beech-coccus, and other pests of the woodlands receive scant notice. 



We hardly think that the author has been definite enough on the attacks of 

 such well-known insects as the pine-beetle, leopard-moth, and willow-mite on our 

 home-grown timbers. 



The practical side of the uses of wood in the various manufactures, with its 

 structure and formation, methods of seasoning and testing for various purposes, 

 are all interesting reading, and the letterpress is illustrated by nearly a hundred 

 photographs, which, though not very distinct, will yet be useful in elucidating 

 the text. 



" Romance of the Wonder Plot." By W. G. Moore and A. Smith. 84 pp. 

 8vo. (Romance Publishing Co., 1920.) Paper covers, 2s. 6d. net. 



That such results as are described in this little book can be attained 

 there can be no doubt — indeed, three crops a year are frequently secured when 

 soil is in good heart and skill is used in arranging them. The raising of crops 

 valued at the rate of ^500 an acre per annum is no dream, but a result fairly 

 frequently achieved, especially on small plots. With this part of the book (even 

 though much of it is written in irritating journalese), and with its object of help- 

 ing to secure reasonable permanence of tenure for allotment holders, we have no 

 quarrel, and so far the book will do good. But much harm is done to a good 

 cause by such books when, as here, comparisons quite unfair are made between 

 the results obtained on a small plot and on the farm. That the latter may be 

 improved goes without saying, but the improvement must be along economic 

 lines. The " law of diminishing returns " soon begins to work if care is not 

 exercised in adjusting manurial requirements and labour expenses to the value 

 and yield of the crop. 



Here, according to the authors, three hours a day are devoted to a 12-rod plot, 

 and 10 tons of stable manure. A little careful calculation will show that at this 

 rate, at the present price of labour and manure, to say nothing of the other out- 

 goings of cultivation, even ^500 an acre for produce would not pay. 



" The School Gardener." By J. Norris. xiii + 194 pp. 8vo. (Cassell, 

 London [1919].) Limp covers, 2s. net. 



This is a book partly for the teacher, partly for the pupil, and mainly practical 

 in its nature, with little of the pedagogical side of the subject. The practical 

 directions are, as in all really good books, clear and simple, and the illustrations 

 are adequate, even profuse. Notes on pests accompany the descriptions of work 

 to be done in the case of each crop, a chapter is devoted to garden friends, and 

 another gives a calendar of operations. This is all admirable and very useful, 

 but we cannot help wishing that it were all a little different, for we fear that 

 at times school-gardening is apt to become an end in itself, and this is not as it 

 should be. Its main place must be as a means to an end perhaps altogether 

 apart from gardening — a means of education, and a very powerful means, too, 

 when rightly directed, suitable to almost all children's requirements, even though 

 they may never again be able to " garden." Such a garden may be and should 

 be a great aid to development not only of body but of soul and spirit too. 



" The Journal of Pomology." Edited by E. A. Bunyard, F.L.S. Published 

 quarterly. 8vo. (Bunyard, Maidstone, 1920.) 10s. per annum. 



We are very glad indeed to welcome this new addition to the annals of so 

 important a branch of horticulture as fruit-growing, and we take the opportunity 



