BOOK REVIEWS, 
535 
" The Small Garden," By Mary Hampden, 294 pp. 8vo. (Jenkins, 
London, 1918.) 5s. net. 
The authoress has written a very interesting book, containing a mass of useful 
information and advice that will be valuable for possessors of small gardens ; 
but there are a few things we do not agree with. We cannot endorse what she 
says on p. 158, as follows : " With all fruit trees that bear in early summer, 
on walls, there may be light-growing late summer-blooming climbers associated, 
such as Cobaea scandens, Canary creeper, and Convolvulus major among the 
annuals ; or the permanent Jackmani Clematis can be cut down to the ground 
nearly in March, and will come on slowly, attaining height and thickness of growth 
too late to injure the fruit trees, yet in time to give a splendid blossom before 
winter." Fruit trees on walls should have the first consideration, and to introduce 
any of the plants named into or over the trees may have a charming effect, but 
it will be at the expense of the trees : the young wood is unripened ; fruit buds, 
if any, are weak and poor, or killed outright, and in one or two years such trees are 
worthless, and to all thinking of such a plan to improve the appearance of their 
garden, we say " Don't." Again, we think the authoress must be residing in a 
warm sheltered place, as some of the plants she mentions are tender in the Mid» 
lands. Apart from this grumble, we have nothing but praise for the book, which 
is well printed, contains good plans, embraces a great number of subjects, and 
well indexed. 
» 
" Insect Enemies of the Allotment Holder." By Professor F. V. Theobald, 
M.A., F.E.S., F.R.H.S, 59 pp. 8vo. (The Author, Wye, Kent, 1918.) Paper 
covers, is. 6d. net. 
Of all the worries to which the grower of vegetables on allotments is subject, 
none looms so large in his eyes, as a rule, as those due to insect attacks. In this 
little book we have a safe and comprehensive guide to their treatment. Wire- 
worms, Flea Beetles, Pea and Bean Weevils, Cockchafers, Cabbage Gall Weevils, 
Cabbage White Butterflies, Surface Caterpillars, Winter and Codling Moths, 
Onion, Carrot, Celery, Beet, and Cabbage Root Flies, Leather Jackets, Pear 
Midge, Currant and Gooseberry Sawfly, Apple Sawfly, Aphides, Scale insects, 
White Fly, Bigbud, Red Spider, Millipedes, Woodlice are all dealt with, and the 
beneficial insects, Ladybirds, dec, are also referred to. Appropriate methods 
of control are given where they exist, and useful recipes for the making of 
insecticides conclude a very handy and reliable little book, 
" Strawberry Growing." By S„ W. Fletcher, 8vo. 325 pp. (Macmillan, 
New York, 1 91 7.) 75. 6d. net. 
This volume is an addition to the well-known Rural Science Series, and deals 
in great detail with the cultivation and marketing of the Strawberry in the 
United States. While the bulk of the information is mainly applicable to trans- 
atlantic conditions, the progressive grower will pick up many useful hints as to 
packing and marketing. 
From the scientific point of view the chapter on Pollination is interesting as 
showing that unisexual varieties are still grown in the States. It is curious 
that these types should persist when they have for so long been discarded 
in Europe. It is noticeable that varieties of British origin are little grown ; 
we notice only 4 Royal Sovereign ' in the list, and that is among those of less 
promise. The writer's experience of American varieties has been one of un- 
broken failure, and a curious problem in adaptation arises which tempts to 
further study. 
The author may be congratulated on the production of a useful work which 
should stimulate the economic cultivation of the Strawberry in his own and 
other countries^ 
" Rational Fruit Culture." By Hi C. Davidson. 8vo. 127 pp. (Garden Life 
Press, London, 19 17.) 2s. 6d. net. 
We must confess to a certain prejudice against the use of such a question- 
begging word as " rational," whether in matters of dress, ethics, or Fruit Culture, 
The author j ustifies his work by a very true criticism of his predecessors' dogmatic 
methods, his own being to give reasons for all that he advises. When, how- 
ever, one turns the pages of his work, the bright hopes that we always cherish 
on taking up a new book rapidly disappear, and one is tempted to think no 
reason at all is better than a wrong one. Space will not permit a detailed exami- 
nation of the author's extraordinary blend of fact and fiction, but one or two 
