584 



JOURNAIv OF THE ROYAl/ HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



we say, or what needs saying, beyond the record of the author's name? 

 Who is hardy enough, or ignorant enough, to venture to appraise a 

 book written by Wilham Eobinson ? The simple mention of the name 

 is all-sufficing. In the Preface Mr. Eobinson tells us, his object in 

 issuing the book. Twenty years ago, by good fortune and good judg- 

 ment he became possessed of an old Tudor Manor house, which, with 

 its surrounding gardens, pleasaunces, fields, and woods, had been for 

 long neglected ; and he set himself to work lovingly to restore it all to 

 possibly even more than, its pristine loveliness; and, I thought that 

 the record (of my work) might be of use to others who are striving 

 to get all the beauty that is possible out of a neglected country place, 

 or one being formed anew. Everything was done with regard to 

 landscape beauty." And then the book itself tells all the details of 

 what he did and how he did it — we say advisedly " all the details," 

 for, like the true artist, no detail is too small for consideration of the 

 master mind — and the records deal with everything from oaks to 

 water-lilies, and from rabbits to foot-scrapers. 



" Gravetye Manor ' ' will make a delightful present ; the donor will 

 know that he is giving something which is genuinely worth having, 

 and the recipient will know that many most enjoyable hours by the 

 winter fireside are before him, together with stores on stores of well- 

 digested, well-thought-out hints of how he may improve his property, 

 and on which he can set to work as soon as the frost breaks. 



''Sugar Beet." By ''Home Counties." 8vo., xx -f- 424 pp. 

 (Horace Cox, London.) 6s. net 



From the beginning to the end of this book the hand of an expert 

 is apparent. From every conceivable standpoint the subject is dealtj 

 with in a remarkably impartial manner. A mine of information, it can} 

 be heartily recommended. Those having access to the Lindley Library] 

 may see it there, but will desire to possess a copy if at all interested inj 

 the subject. The conclusions are: — " The probable beet root areas of 

 England are superior to those of either Germany or France. We have 

 large areas of land suitable, and any land which will grow good mangels 

 will grow good beet, provided it is not too wet, marshy, or badly; 

 drained, is not very stiff retentive clay — this because of expense — or 

 perhaps, peaty soil. It is found on peaty or moorland soils the sugai 

 content is lower. Sufficient depth is essential." Labour in this 

 country is probably suitable and sufficient. 



"Outlines of Biology." By P. Chalmers Mitchell and G. P* 

 Mudge. Ed. 4, 8vo., xvi + 348 pp. (Methuen, London.) 6s. net. ; 



This book is written for students preparing for the Conjoint Board 

 Examinations. It is very like other books written with a similar aimj 

 except that the authors, wherever the opportunity occurs, emphasizj 

 their conviction that the characters shown by an organism depend upoi 

 the nature of the organism's parentage rather than on the environmed 

 past or present; its character is more a matter of Nature than nurture 



