BOOKS REVIEWED. 



•279 



formations, and soils are all dealt with in a thorough, plain, yet concise 

 manner. A most valuable chapter on u Chemistry of the Garden, and 

 Manures," is one that will be read with interest and instruction, as it tells 

 us plainly the manures best adapted for different soils and crops, and 

 thus prevents the waste of time, money, and labour so frequent now 

 by injudicious manuring. The chapters devoted to fruit, flower, and 

 vegetable culture are excellent, and the lists given of what to grow 

 are reliable, and may be safely followed. Very ofren a car-.iener has n 

 take up the duties of forester, and to such the information on the value of 

 timber, measuring it, and much other serviceable matter under the heading 

 of trees and shrubs will supply a long-felt want. The question of how to 

 deal with the host of insect pests attacking the vegetation of the garden and 

 park is gone into thoroughly, and is one of the striking features of the 

 book : this and u Garden Recipes " are very useful. Garden meteorology 

 is also explained in the same clear, interesting style, adopted all through 

 the book. Roses, Ferns, Decorations, Are.. Arc, are all dealt with, and 

 altogether the information, printing, and method of arrangement leave 

 nothing to be desired. In two cases only did we notice any error in 

 spelling names — viz. Xi/mphaa adorata should be JV. odorata, and 

 Osmonda should be Osmunda ; however, these small printer's errors do 

 not detract from the value of this really excellent work. A good index 

 is attached, rendering it easy to find any special subject. 



The Uses of British Plants." By Professor Henslow. M.A. 8vo., 

 184 pp. (Lovell Reeve & Co., London.) -is. (kl. net. 



We have enjoyed reading this interesting little book, and think it will 

 become popular. The illustrations are clear and recognisable, and recall 

 those of the "Handbook of the British Flora." It is well to know the 

 uses of wild plants, though perhaps it is seldom that we make much use 

 of the knowledge obtained. Were we a more salad-loving race, we could 

 make many a good one from wild plants, but so long as the cultivated 

 lettuce is within the reach of all at certain portions cf the year, there is 

 not much need to go in search of chicory, valerianella . corn-salad 1 , and the 

 many other wild plants mentioned, that are so often introduced into salads 

 in France and liked so well there. We still see the old-fashioned * herb 

 doctor'* in country places, though we may not feel inclined to try his 

 experimental medicines. He would no doubt vastly increase his stock of 

 knowledge by reading "The Uses of British Plants." This book will 

 add greatly to the enjoyment and instruction obtained from summer 

 rambles. 



"My New Zealand Garden." By A Suffolk Lady. *vo., Ill pp. 

 (Elliot Stock, London.) 3*. 6*7. net 



A pleasantly written, refreshing little book ; a sort of horticultural 

 hors d' aut re, creating an appetite in the reader for further knowledge of 

 the beautiful plants discussed and the land where they can be grown 

 S3 well. The writer tells us its object is "to let others know the pleasure 

 and mental profit which I have derived from gardening, and also to give 

 a fair account of plants which flourish here." That she has reason to 

 encourage others to follow in her steps may be judged from her statement 



