BOOK REVIEWS. 



173 



"The Ideal Garden." By H. H. Thomas. 8vo., 276 pp. 

 (Cassell, London, 1910.) 65. net. 



Mr. Thomas brings before our notice those phmts which may be 

 considered indispensable to onr gardens, and many others that would 

 also be considered indispensable if they were better known, including 

 many wild flowers ; but one plant, Gamipamda rapunculoides, mentioned 

 by the author we should rigidly exclude from every garden, as, once 

 estabhshed, it spreads so freely as to become a perfect pest, causing 

 no end of labour to prevent it smothering everything else. There 

 are also a few errors in spelling names, but no doubt these little 

 mistakes will be corrected in the next edition. With these excep- 

 tions, the book is full of valuable hints on the best way to im- 

 prove and make the garden beautiful for the greater portion of the 

 year. The printing is bold, and the many illustrations are well done 

 and add very much to the appearance and value of the book. At the 

 end of the book is a most useful list of hardy plants, giving the popular 

 and botanical names, the best varieties to grow, the colour of the 

 flower, the height, the season of blooming, and excellent remarks 

 on the plants themselves, such as the position they prefer, if free 

 bloomers, &c., all of which is just the information most needed. A 

 capital index concludes a very interesting book. 



" Gardening Difficulties Solved." Edited by H. H. Thomas. 8vo. 

 160 pp. (Cassell, London, 1910.) Is. net; cloth, Is. Qd. net. 



In this useful little book a careful selection of Questions and 

 Answers from the columns of The Gardener have been collected and put 

 together in book form. As all the questions have been actually asked, 

 the answers will be of more than ordinary interest to the amateur 

 gardener, for whom the book is intended. Almost every form of 

 gardening, both under glass and outside, that would interest the 

 amateur is clearly described, and we must compliment the author on 

 his book, which is well indexed. 



"Wells' Book on the Chrysanthemum." By W. Wells. 8vo. 

 4th Edition. 124 pp. (Wells, Merstham, 1910.) Is. 6d. net. 



From such a successful veteran-grower as the author we could 

 scarcely expect anything but a thoroughly reliable and up-to-date book 

 on this popular flower. It more than realizes one's expectations, and 

 we can confidently recommend it to all Chrysanthemum growers. The 

 book is not indexed, but any information required will be found under 

 the heading of the chapters. 



"Tomatoes and How to Grow Them." By E. F. Castle. 8vo., 

 100 pp. (CoUingridge, London, 1910.) Is. net. 



A very practical little work by an experienced writer, dealing with 

 the cultivation of the Tomato in all its phases, its diseases, enemies, 

 manures, varieties; omitting little, if anj^thing, one desires to know 

 about this popular article of diet. 



