138 
SELBORNIANA. 
insects, their economic importance, and the operation of natural checks to their 
increase ; the next eight deal with insects destructive to the most important 
orders and genera of plants ; while the last three include insects injurious to 
various garden plants, and to farm animals ; and an appendix, including in- 
jurious anthropodes that are not true insects. W. F. K. 
The CttUure of Vegetables for Prizes, Pleasure, and Profit, by E. Kemp 
Toogood, F. R. H.S. — This little work contains practically everything that one 
would be likely to want to know in connection with the culture of all kinds of 
vegetables. Under each subject notes on the soil, planting, manure, and general 
treatment are given in a form at once easily found, full of information, and yet 
commendably brief. Numerous illustrations grace the book, and will doubtless 
be appreciated by those who endeavour to make the real objects coincide in 
appearance with the artist’s productions. Following a few pages of matter at the 
beginning (which will repay for reading) dealing with the soil, rotation of crops, 
manures, &c., each vegetable is afterwards treated in alphabetical order, and this 
is obviously convenient. Although nominally treating of vegetables, we notice 
one or two subjects {e.g., strawberries) are dealt with which most people regard as 
something else. But as there is no harm in giving good information, it would be 
ungracious to object to the introduction of these, more especially as their culture 
is practically mixed up with that of vegetables proper. J. W. 
The Dahlia. (Macmjllan & Co., 1897). is. This handy little volume of 
eighty pages is the outcome of the combined labours of five dahlia experts, who 
have treated their subject from every point of view. When it is stated that special 
attention has been given to the history, botany, propagation, culture, exhibition, 
and future of the dahlia, it will at once be evident that a great deal has been 
compressed into a little space. Indeed, almost the same ground has been 
traversed as that of the Dahlia Conference held at the Royal Horticultural 
Society’s Gardens at Chiswick in September, 1890, the papers which were read 
on that occasion forming no inconsiderable portion of vol. 13 of the Royal 
HorticulUiral Society's Journal. As a practical little handbook of the dahlia, 
Messrs. Macmillan’s publication maybe recommended. 
J. W. 
SELBORNIANA. 
Cats and Young Birds.— One of the chief pleasures to be derived from 
the possession of a large, well-timbered garden is undoubtedly the opportunity it 
affords of observing the birds during the nesting season, but the ple.asure of so 
doing is often sadly marred by the depredations of prowling cats, and it is 
distressing after watching the building of nests and the hatching of the young to 
find whole broods destroyed in this way. Mrs. Brightwen in her very interesting 
article on squirrels last month, truly remarks that the one condition for the 
successful observation and encouragement of wild life near the dwelling is that no 
dog or cat be kept. It is not, however, only the household mouse-catcher that 
gives trouble. On her some degree of restraint might be imposed. But unfor- 
tunately, most country gardens, especially if near a village, are open on all sides 
to these marauders. One is continually hearing the alarm note, indicating that 
a cat has been sighted by the old birds. Attention is drawn to the nest by 
the chirping of the young when being fed, and in their then helpless condition 
they fall an easy prey, and the whole family is doomed. Blackbirds and thrushes 
especially are frequent victims, owing to the comparatively low position of the 
nest. Can any reader give any practical suggestions for the prevention or mitiga- 
tion of this evil? It is obviously out of the (juestion to trap or kill the culprits, 
they are after all only following their natural hunting instincts, and no Selbornian 
would wish to destroy or injure any animal which is valued by its owners. One 
remedy would appear to be the provision of nesting boxes, of such form and in 
such position its to be in.accessible to cats, though the birds, in many places, do 
not seem, for some reason, to lake readily to them, only one out of some five or 
six in my garden being at present occupied (by a pair of tits). Any hints on 
these ])oints, from those having experience, would no doubt be valued by many. 
