BOOK KEVIEWS. 



73 



fungoid pests that attack them, &c. Only a comparatively short chapter 

 is given to the cultivation of the violet, with another one on the best 

 varieties to grow. Where the violet is attacked by that persistent fungus 

 that causes yellowish brown spots on the foliage, we cannot do better 

 than quote the author's advice on p. 54 : " Whenever this is seen the 

 affected stem should immediately be removed and destroyed. Do not 

 throw these diseased pieces on the rubbish-heap, but burn them." 

 Although this advice is given for the disease on pansies and violas, it is 

 equally good for the violet. We regret the author recommends the use 

 of Violas as a groundwork for roses : our experience is most decidedly 

 against it, as the rich food usually given to roses caused rampant 

 growth in the violas, often a foot or more high, making the roses leggy in 

 growth, and we also find a much greater percentage of deaths amongst the 

 roses carpeted with violas than amongst those free from any carpet plant. 

 The viola is so beautiful from early in the year till quite late in the 

 season, that it is indispensable in most gardens, and we thoroughly 

 endorse all that Mr. Crane says in its favour. We can confidently 

 recommend the book to all lovers of these charming flowers, as it is 

 full of sound practical information, that may be followed out easily by 

 anyone. 



" The Illustrated Strawberry Culturist." By Andrew S. Fuller. 

 8vo., 59 pp. (Kegan Paul, London, 1908.) Is. 6d. 



This book was written for American readers, and scarcely one of the 

 varieties of strawberries named are known in this country ; still there is 

 so much interesting matter and a good deal of useful information in the 

 book, that it is well worth the British grower's perusal. 



" Gardens, Past and Present." By K. L. Davidson. 8vo., 232 pp. 

 (Laurie, London.) 6s. net. 



We have seldom read a book more pleasantly written or better printed 

 than this. Many gardening books are dry and uninteresting except to 

 the enthusiast, but even the least enthusiastic gardener will read these 

 pages with pleasure and profit. Mr. Davidson tells us how in the far past 

 ages, after the Roman Invasion, Julius Agricola fostered the cultivation 

 of the land so much that, under him and his successors,. Britain became 

 one of the granaries of the world. He traces the history of the formation 

 of physic gardens, and how the cultivation of vegetables was increased 

 and became general through the settling of Flemish cloth-workers in this 

 country. The chapter on "Trees Native and Naturalised" is very 

 interesting. Naturally Kew takes the premier place as a Botanic Garden, 

 and the author writes in an enthusiastic strain of its beauties and its 

 practical assistance to the community, while the gardens at Edinburgh, 

 Dublin, and other places receive their fair share of praise. 



In the second part of the book present gardens are equally admirably 

 dealt with, and most will agree with the author that the question of style 

 should be governed by environment only, and not by any passing fashion 

 of the day. To do away with formality in some of our old gardens 

 would be to ruin them absolutely, yet occasionally we see this occurring. 



