424 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



to what importance the "planting industry" has grown, and points out 

 the dangers as well as the advantages of large concerns. He comes to 

 the conclusion that the best course to adopt is to encourage the diversifi- 

 cation of agriculture, so that not only will many different kinds of crops 

 be cultivated, but all sorts of methods of cultivation will be employed, 

 from that of the large organization with modern machinery down to that 

 of the peasant proprietor who, with his family, cultivates a small plot 

 with primitive tools. • 



In part iv., which concludes the book, agricultural organization and 

 policy so far as it affects the tropics is discussed, and the author makes 

 many suggestions which are worthy of careful consideration. 



The book is well printed and bound, and the illustrations, which are 

 reproduced from photographs, are clear and instructive. We think, 

 however, there is some mistake with regard to plate xix., which certainly 

 does not illustrate the preparation of rubber. 



A perusal of the book will give one a good grasp of the subject 

 treated, but as a handbook for the planter more details are required in 

 that part which deals with crops. 



For the general reader parts iii. and iv. afford interesting reading, 

 and convey an idea of the problems and difficulties which the tropical 

 agriculturist has to meet, and at the same time point out a path by which 

 some at least of the difficulties can be avoided. 



" The Book of Flowers." By Katherine Tynan and Frances 

 Maitland. 8vo., 319 pp. (Smith, Elder, London, 1909.) 6s. net. 



"A First Book of Wild Flowers." By Margaret M. Rankin. With 

 112 illustrations, in colour, by Nora Hedley. 8vo., 180 pp. (Melrose, 

 London, 1909.) 6s. net. 



" The Wild Flowers." By J. H. Crawford. Containing 16 illustra- 

 tions, in colour, by E. Alexander ; and text illustrations, by J. William- 

 son. 2nd ed. 8vo., 232 pp. (Foulis, Edinburgh, 1909.) 5s. net. 



These three books are not botanical, nor are they suitable for nature 

 study. The first would, in our opinion, be the most useful for its 

 interesting folk-lore. The authoresses have collected a large amount of 

 matter from the old herbals of the sixteenth century, about the supposed 

 properties of plants, with legends, superstitions, &c, and added appro- 

 priate poetry. It is not illustrated. The plants are arranged according 

 to their seasons of blossoming. 



The second contains upwards of a hundred " talks " about the flowers 

 illustrated. It is intended for very young children, so no scientific terms 

 or descriptions are given, only simple matters. The illustrations are 

 beautifully done. 



The third is a more ambitious book in "getun," but like the two 

 former, it lays no claim to affording any instruction botanically. It 

 consists of pleasant descriptions of the author's ramblings, apparently 

 for the most part in Scotland, calling attention to (not describing) the 

 numerous wild flowers met with. Thus, turning to the Index with re- 

 ference to "Orchids " (p. 106), all the author tells us is, "At least four 

 orchids grow in this wood — among them the rose-coloured, sweet-scented 

 orchid, and the other with the black spots on the green leaves." 



