BOOK REVIEWS. 
directions that are given as regards drawing a topographical plan 
(Plan II.) are clear, and, having made this and drawn the outline of 
the future house upon a separate paper, it is easily moved about upon 
the survey plan until the most suitable site is found. 
The main idea of the book is that the garden should be considered 
even before the house is built. By doing this and counting the cost 
of upkeep and maintenance, the possibilities of future developments 
and the amount of lawn and shrubbery space to be looked after, the 
householder can keep all well within the limits of his income. So 
often a large sum is spent upon building and nothing is left over for 
garden use, or the design of the garden is so complicated that it needs 
a large staff to maintain it. 
Plan IV. is admirable and very simple to read, although even 
the depth of the top-soil and the contours of different levels are shown. 
On Plan V. it is possible to see how, by building a pergola at the end 
of a garden, several purposes are answered, for shadow and a restful 
arbour are obtained, and the neighbour's back entrance is concealed 
thereby. 
The book should be considered chiefly as a guide to the " lay-out," 
giving as it does suggestions for walks, drives, ornamental boundary 
fences, but it is not so helpful where colour arrangement in borders 
is required. The works of modern designers of colour schemes would 
not advise so free a use of white, even if it is intended thereby " to 
avoid the clash of inharmonious colours." The smaller the garden, 
the more restricted should be the use of white flowers if glare is to be 
avoided. 
" Rose-growing for Amateurs." By H. H. Thomas. 8vo., 151 pp. 
(Cassell, London, 1916.) is. ; cloth, is. 6d. 
This little book certainly provides a good deal of information 
within its covers. The author is right in insisting on a thorough 
preparation of the beds before the roses are planted. In a well-made 
bed or border, roses should last for from seven to ten years with com- 
paratively little attention, whereas if the preparation is neglected in 
the first instance no amount of subsequent manuring of the surface 
soil will give equally satisfactory results. There may be some 
favoured districts where roses will grow with little preparation beyond 
turning over the soil, but they must be quite exceptional, and anywhere 
in the London district careful drainage and attention to the prepara- 
tion of the rose-beds are the first conditions of success in rose-growing. 
The usual subjects, such as pruning, propagation, and pests and 
diseases, which are almost common forms in a Rose-book, are 
sufficiently dealt with; the chapter on pruning gives the essential 
details concisely and simply, and is one of the best of these. Another 
chapter on the author's favourite roses is also likely to be appreciated. 
Some of the chapters dealing with the different sections into which 
garden roses are divided are perhaps rather less satisfactory. The 
