BOOK REVIEWS. 



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that no one will be puzzled by too technical terms. Naturally a 

 writer like Mr. Farrer keeps back no secrets of how he succeeds with 

 plants difficult to grow, but supplies the information fully, nor does he 

 hide his failures, by which one usually learns more than by one's 

 successes. Very few people know much about the rarer forms or varieties 

 of Primulas, but those who like this beautiful class of plants will find a 

 most interesting chapter on both the well-known aud the scarcer kinds. 

 In brief, all who possess a garden of moderate or large size should read 

 this very delightful book, which is well indexed. 



"Spring Flowers at Belvoir Castle." By W. H. Divers, sm. 4fco., 

 110 pp. (Longmans, London, 1909.) 5s. net. 



The Spring bedding at Belvoir Castle has been famous for many 

 years, and is frequently quoted and written about in the Horticultural 

 press. Even those who annually fill their flower-beds with spring flower- 

 ing plants will be astonished to find what a vast number of plants, grasses, 

 bulbs, &c, are available for this purpose. Excellent advice is given on 

 the cultivation, planting, grouping for effect, and other items of interest 

 and value for those who desire early spring flowers. 



"The Small Garden Useful." By A. C. Curtis. 8vo., 206 pp. 

 (Smith, Elder, London, 1909.) 3s. 6d. net. 



Very few books on elementary gardening are so well written, and of 

 such value to the perplexed amateur, as this work. It is thoroughly 

 practical, and shows lucidly how Mr. Curtis manages his own garden 

 very successfully. And we can confidently recommend the book to every 

 amateur gardener, who will be sure to read it with pleasure, and gain 

 a vast amount of valuable information from its pages, which are well 

 printed and illustrated. 



" The Small Garden Beautiful." By A. C. Curtis. 8vo., 155 pp. 

 (Smith, Elder, London, 1909.) 3s. 6d. net. 



This is a companion work to " The Small Garden Useful " and, like 

 that book, it is admirably practical, and contains plans and illustrations 

 of how to make a garden beautiful, and the cost of doing it, which will 

 be of immense assistance to the amateur about to make his own flower- 

 garden. Very good lists of plants, trees, shrubs, bulbs, &c, to grow are 

 given, and vegetables are not omitted. This book will be particularly 

 serviceable to the suburban gardener. 



" The Children's Book of Gardening." By Mrs. Alfred Sidgwick and 

 Mrs. Paynter. 8vo., 235 pp. (Black, London, 1909.) 6s. net. 



Probably this is the only book of its kind written for children, and the 

 authors have admirably carried out the idea, so that any young reader 

 may easily carry out the suggestions made. Such a book has been 

 wanted for some time, as the love of gardening is now fully as deep in 

 young people as in their elders ; and we have frequently been asked what 

 is the best book to give a boy or girl on gardening. Some of the lead- 

 ing subjects are : Soil, Situation, Annuals, Perennials, Bulbs, Corms, 



