58G JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



on Rhododendrons, within the means of ordinary gardening folk, 

 has been so long in making its appearance. That there has been a 

 steady and growing demand for such a book is a well-known fact." 

 Every Rhododendron and Azalea lover will agree th,at no one is better 

 qualified to write such a book than Mr. Watson, the collection at Kew 

 Gardens being unique. Mr. Watson has also visited the most famous 

 nurseries in which they are a speciality, and such noted gardens as 

 Tregothnan, Ivernough, Tresco, Penjerrick, and many other well- 

 known places, but in every instance lime is absent where Rhododen- 

 drons or Azaleas are a success. Peat, leaf soil, and other soils may be 

 introduced, but if there is lime in the soil or water, they are doomed to 

 failure. Much money and time is wasted by attempting to grow these 

 plants in unsuitable soils. Some of the finest Rhododendrons we have 

 seen were grown in yellow clay only, showing how accommodating the 

 plants are where there is no lime, and we agree with the author that a 

 good deal of nonsense has been written on what is, and what is not, 

 suitable for these plants. The information on the propagation and 

 cultivation is all that one would expect from such an authority, and 

 is clear and to the point, so that anyone can understand it. In the 

 illustrations we are glad to see such well-tried old friends as ' Sappho ' 

 and * Fastuosum.' The book is full of instructive matter, well printed, | 

 and well indexed. 



"The Herb Garden." By Frances A. Bardswell. With sixteen 

 illustrations by the Hon. Florence Amherst and Isabelle Forrest. 

 Sm. 4to., 173 pp. (A. 0. Clarke, London, 1911.) 7s. Qd. net. 



The authoress has written this book in quite a different style 

 from that of any books on herbs that we have read before, and a very 

 instructive and pleasing style it is. We hope it may be the means of 

 bringing these plants into the favour they once enjoyed in this country, j 

 On the Continent herbs are in great demand for flavouring purposes, i 

 and the secret of many dainty dishes is the judicious use of herbs ; but j 

 there is another side in which they are of great value, viz. medicinally, 

 Mention is made in the Introduction of a famous doctor, then an invalid, | 

 taking chamomile-tea every evening, and his great faith in this old- 

 fashioned remedy, and after more than forty years' use of this herb- j 

 tea whenever unwell we can testify to its great beneficial results. | 

 Many herbs that were well known for their healing or curative properties ; 

 are now, unfortunately, seldom or never seen, although they had been | 

 proved through generations of our forefathers. I 



That the book is very comprehensive is shown by the chapter on j 

 the making of the herb-garden, tender and hardy annual and biennial j 

 herbs, herbs grown for their aromatic seeds, perennial kitchen herbs, ! 

 gathering, drying, and storing wild herbs for physic, and many otJierj 

 chapters of lively interest. Excellent instruction is given on the 

 ])est times to plant and to increase them. 



