BOOK REVIEWS. 
97 
" A Text-Book of Mycology and Plant Pathology." By John W. Harsh - 
berger, Ph.D. 8vo. 779 pp. ; 271 illustrations. (P. Blakiston's Son & Co., 
Philadelphia, 191 7.) $4.00. 
This book contains, as far as possible, an up-to-date account of the general 
morphology, classification, and physiology of the fungi. This is followed by a 
comprehensive survey of general plant pathology. Four chapters are devoted 
to specific diseases of plants and methods of control. The latter part of the book 
contains a useful account of the more important cultural and inoculation methods 
employed by the bacteriologist and mycologist. 
Teachers and students should find this book useful for reference and class- 
work. The illustrations and diagrams are numerous, and there is a good index 
of original papers. 
It is pleasing to find such a wealth of information included under one cover, 
and in the English language. 
"The Rose Guide for Amateurs." By E. Percy Smith. 8vo. 160 pp. 
(Garden Life Press, London, 1920.) 35. 
This is a little book of 160 pages, of which the first twenty-four and the last 
three are devoted to the usual cultural directions, the remainder being a descrip- 
tive list of garden varieties. Of these, upwards of 2 50 are described, each variety 
being allotted about half a page of letterpress. 
The book is therefore rather of the nature of a glorified catalogue, and as in 
a catalogue the older varieties are described in the groups to which they belong, 
but those introduced within the past five years are collected together irrespective 
of their affinities. 
The selection of varieties made by the author is a very fair one, and the 
descriptions given are often good, and are followed by a note of the faults of each 
variety. He has, however, included rather too many varieties which do not 
grow sufficiently well under ordinary garden treatment, and some of these are 
even described as vigorous. This is particularly the case among the new roses, of 
which some half-dozen out of the forty-nine mentioned are open to this criticism. 
His views as to roses suitable for garden ornament, however, are decidedly 
optimistic ; for instance, ' Mrs. Cornwallis West ' is recommended for this purpose, 
while ' British Queen ' is described as excellent for bedding. The flowers of the 
latter are certainly of very great beauty, but they are far too often found bending 
over face downwards, on or near the soil, while the plants produce too much 
thin and twiggy growth to be of any value as a bedding variety. 
A feature of the book is that at the bottom of each page is a short aphorism 
or piece of advice, such as " Roses are not bog plants. They require plenty of 
drainage." The author is to be congratulated on his industry in collecting 160 
of these recommendations. 
There is no index, but a list of the varieties is given with a reference to the 
page in which each is described. There are some half-dozen illustrations, one of 
which is coloured and represents the rose " Victory." 
" The Australian Rose Book." By R. G. Elliott. 8vo. 224 pp. (Whit- 
combe & Tombs, Melbourne and London, 1920.) 125. 6d. 
This book, which is illustrated with seventy photographs and illustrations, is 
an interesting contribution to the literature of the Rose, as showing the interest 
taken in rose-growing and hybridizing in the Colonies. A list of forty new roses 
raised in Australia and New Zealand is given, the greater number of which; are 
due to the industry of Mr. Alexander Clark in Victoria, and Mr. W. E. Lippiatt 
in Auckland. The volume is divided into four parts. Parts I. and II. deal 
with cultivation and treatment, Part III. with cross-fertilization and varieties, 
and Part IV. consists of seven chapters, each by a different writer, dealing with 
rose-growing in New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, Western 
Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand, to which is added one from Oregon, 
U.S.A. 
Naturally enough, the methods of cultivation employed in Australia do not 
differ materially from those that are found successful in this country, but, 
after reading Mr. Elliott's book, one is convinced the Australian climate is 
excellent for rose-growing, even in Western Australia that one had been accus- 
tomed to regard as parched and barren. The gold mines have provided the 
necessary water in unlimited quantity, and we read that with this addition the 
soil, a red clayey loam, is very suitable for rose-growing, plants growing very 
strongly and producing fine blooms. 
VOL. xlvii. h 
