ing, cutting, packing, shipping, pests and remedies, and lifting 
and storing. 
A partof the book of very unusual value is that devoted to 
"Dahlia Shows" and no one who has ever seen that gem of a 
Dahlia Show held annually b} r the Short Hills Garden Club will 
ever doubt the eminent qualifications of the author to write just 
such a chapter. Her refined taste is manifest also in the treatise 
on "Color Combinations in the Garden and as House Decora- 
tions." The book closes with a chapter on classification and a 
chart which includes more than six hundred of the leading 
varieties. These are referred to their class and originator, are 
briefly described as to color, and are checked off as to whether 
they are valuable chiefly for garden decoration, for cut flowers, 
or for exhibition purposes. Ninety-six of these have been marked 
as "especially desirable." This is confessedly an expression of 
personal taste, concerning which Cicero once remarked that it 
was hardly worth while to dispute, but in this case it is the 
expression of a taste that is based upon a highly successful per- 
sonal experience as well as upon an unusual native endowment. 
Every one who grows Dahlias and every one who expects to 
grow them will want Mrs. Stout's book. Under its inspiration 
many a new hoe "will become a wand" which will bring forth 
"from the dead brown earth" new visions of beauty. 
Marshall A. Howe. 
Insect Pests of Farm Garden and Orchard. Sanderson & Peairs. 
John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York. 
"The psychology of the bug is not particularly interesting: 
it's what he does that matters. " Dr. Headlee. 
A practical study of insects both injurious and beneficial is 
in this book presented by a master of his subject. Here, in plain 
English and simple terminology, one learns the name, residence 
and occupation of all the insect villains that harass our garden- 
ing days and bring to naught many a patient effort. To these 
complete dossiers are added many pictures from the entomolog- 
ical Rogues' Gallery. Front-faces, profiles, rear and side eleva- 
tions, cross-sections, enlargements and bird's-eye views are all 
there ! 
Careful information as to the control of these pests is also 
given. Altogether this is a most comprehensive and valuable 
book for reference, which should be in the library of every 
serious gardener. A. H. 
Truly Rural. By Richardson Wright. 
Houghton Mifflin Co., New York. Price $2.00. 
The reading of Truly Rural will afford garden lovers an even- 
ing of pleasure. It is a little book, delightfully whimsical and 
entertaining, which, with a light touch, pictures the course of 
a house-in-the-country experience. There are many joyous 
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