BOOK REVIEWS. 



587 



"Carnations and Pinks," By T. H. Cook, James Douglas, and 

 J. F. McLeod. 8vo., 116 pp. (Jack, London, 1911.) Is. 6d. net. 



Although a great deal has been written on these plants, the reader 

 will find plenty to interest him from the pen of three such talented 

 growers as the authors, one of whom has recently passed away, but 

 whose name will be associated for many years with carnations and pinks, 

 the late James Douglas, V.M.H. All types of these plants are ably 

 dealt with, from the humble pink to the gorgeous Malmaison, and even 

 the delightful rock-garden pinks are not forgotten. Every phase of 

 cultivation is gone into, from cross-breeding to all methods of propaga- 

 tion and cultivation. Pests and diseases and their remedies are care- 

 fully and fully gone into; in brief, a mass of sound information is 

 crammed into the book from cover to cover. Printing and plates are 

 excellent, and a good index finishes a good book. 



"Lilies." By A. Grove. 8vo., 116 pp. (Jack, London, 1911.) 

 Is. 6d. net. 



This is a well-written book by one who has evidently thoroughly 

 studied their different requirements and habits, and many, we hope, 

 will, after reading the book, find that the difficulties of cultivation are 

 by no means insuperable. In the preface Mr. H. J. Elwes, V.M.H. , 

 in one paragraph, touches one of the difficulties, in speaking of " those 

 who are fortunate enough to live on soils free from lime." Our ex- 

 perience is that few lilies like lime, but they do revel in a soil containing 

 plenty of humus, but not rich in manure. A most useful appendix at 

 the end of the book gives the name, place of origin, and remarks on 

 each. The printing and plates are very good. 



" Apples and Pears." By George Bunyard, V.M.H. Bvo., 116 pp. 

 (Jack, London, 1911.) Is. 6d. net. 



Mr. Bunyard's name is such a household word amongst fruit- 

 growers that anything from his pen on the subject is certain of being 

 carefully read, with benefit to the reader. And this book is so instructive 

 and practical that all, even experts, may learn lessons from its pages. 

 Only on one point do we disagree with the author, and that is the 

 advocating that all apples and pears should be allowed a year's growth 

 ifter planting before pruning. There has been much controversy in the 

 horticultural Press on this subject, and the opinion of the majority of 

 writers, and our own, is decidedly in favour of pruning the first year 

 ifter planting. We have planted thousands of fruit trees, and found 

 the practice so successful, that we feel sure it is correct so to prune. 

 We would like to add emphasis to Mr. Bunyard's advice on 

 summer pruning. He says, " Summer pruning is often done too early 

 for appearances' sake; but this practice induces secondary growth, 

 which is not desirable." Plow true this is! Vast numbers of fruit 

 trees are barren annually through summer pruning too early or 

 injudiciously. The end of August or early in September is quite soon 



