editor’s table. 
293 
The Trees of America; Native and Foreign, 
pictorially and botanically delineated, and scientifi¬ 
cally and popularly described ; being considered prin¬ 
cipally with reference to their Geography and History; 
Soil and Situation ; Propagation and Culture; Acci¬ 
dents and Diseases; Properties and Uses; Economy 
in the Arts; Introduction into Commerce; and their 
Application in useful and ornamental Plantations. Il¬ 
lustrated by numerous Engravings By D. J. Browne, 
Author of the Sylva Americana. Large 8vo. pp. 532. 
New York: Harper & Brothers, 82 Cliff St. This 
work, long announced as in preparation, has at length 
been laid upon our table, and we hasten to give our 
readers some idea of its contents, and of the manner 
in which it has been executed. We need not, how¬ 
ever, enlarge much upon the latter point, as the public 
have had ample opportunity to form a correct opinion 
of the capabilities of the author from numerous con¬ 
tributions from his pen which have appeared in the 
Agriculturist. Many years have been employed in 
studying, travelling and collecting materials for this 
publication ; and though of course it does not come 
under the category of an entirely original work, yet it 
has entailed an equal amount of labor, in consulting 
the most approved authorities, and of judgment and 
observation in verifying or correcting their statements. 
The title of the work, which we have quoted at 
length, sufficiently indicates its nature, and the mass 
of detail which it comprises. The trees are arranged 
according to the Natural System, which has been ad¬ 
hered to by De Candolle, Loudon and others. But 
our readers must not imagine, from our beginning to 
talk of Systems, that the work is intended for the sci¬ 
entific alone. It is addressed to a much more nume¬ 
rous class—even to the public at large. Let us take 
one tree and see how it is treated, and that will serve 
as a sample/or the whole. Our favorite fruit being in 
season, we irresistibly turn to the Peach-tree. First 
we find the Botanical name, with a Table of Syno¬ 
nyms, and a few lines of technical characteristics, in 
small type. Then comes a general description of the 
tree, and its varieties, short but to the purpose ; then 
the geography, history, soil, &c. &c., with uncommonly 
minute directions as to its management and propaga¬ 
tion, and an account of the diseases to which it is sub¬ 
ject and the insects which infest it, ending with its 
properties and uses. All this is conveyed in a pleas¬ 
ing style, totally devoid of affectation, and not ob¬ 
scured by scientific terms, as is proper for a work in¬ 
tended for the public at large. It is exceedingly grati¬ 
fying to observe the happy manner in which amuse¬ 
ment is blended with instruction throughout the 
volume; side by side with veritable history comes the 
classic legend, or the popular superstition, or the tri¬ 
bute of the poet, filling the page with variety and the 
mind with romantic associations. This characteristic 
is so pervading that many might read it with interest 
who hardly know an oak from an apple tree, and who 
have no more idea of cultivating the latter than they 
have of eating the fruit of the former. But it is to the 
farmer in particular that we would strongly urge the 
importance of such a work as the present. He should 
not be so entirely engrossed by his root and grain 
crops, as wholly to neglect the cultivation of trees. 
We fear this is too frequently the case, with the ex¬ 
ception perhaps of a few fruit-bearers. 
The Engravings are numerous, and are executed 
with considerable skill, “ and have either been made 
directly from drawings after nature, or from accurate 
delineations already in existence, one figure represent¬ 
ing the general appearance of each tree, and another 
of the leaf, flower fruit, &c.” The publishers have ac¬ 
quitted themselves handsomely in getting up the work 
—the paper, type, &e., being all that can be desired. 
No expense has been snared to render it worthy of the 
subject of which it treats; and we trust that the au¬ 
thor will meet with such substantial encouragement, 
as will induce him to carry out the intentions which 
he expresses in his Preface. 
We heartily commend this handsome volume to our 
friends both here and in the country; we commend it 
to the inhabitants of New York and Brooklyn, who, 
we are glad to perceive, indulge themselves, as much 
as limited space will allow, in the cultivation of trees ; 
we commend it to State and County Societies as con¬ 
tributing a valuable premium to be contended tor by 
agriculturists; and, finally, we hope that those who 
control our Colleges, Academies and Common Schools, 
will take care that the youth under their charge have 
every opportunity of gaining a thorough knowledge of 
the Trees of America. 
Temper and Temperament ; or Varieties of Char¬ 
acter. By Mrs. Ellis. Pp. 267. Price 50 cents, 
Harper & Brothers. This is a clever book by a clever 
woman, conveying a happy moral in a pleasing style. 
We especially commend it to the married, and those 
about to marry. However amiable their tempers 
and temperament may be, we promise them that the 
perusal of this little work will make them still more 
kind and obliging to each other and to all around 
them. 
Town’s Spelling and Defining Book ; contain¬ 
ing Rules for designating the Accented Syllable in 
most words in the language, being an Introduction to 
Town’s Analysis. One hundredth edition. Critically 
revised and corrected. Cincinnati: Derby, Bradley 
& Co., 113 Main St. 1845. The author of this little 
work remarks iri his preface that “All the spelling 
books now in use follow out the same uniform plan, 
of arranging words according to their sounds and syl¬ 
lables, irrespective of their import. On that plan, 
they are generally well executed, and would admit of 
little improvement. But if the above principle be 
well founded, something is still requisite, beyond a 
mere judicious arrangement and correct orthography, 
to answer the grand purposes of elementary instruc¬ 
tion. It is plain that, as far as practicable, the know¬ 
ledge of the sign , and of the thing signified , should be 
acquired together, inasmuch as both are to hold an in¬ 
separable connection in the mind.” 
Long Island Horticultural Society Show.— 
This will take place at Flushing on the 17th, 18th and 
19th of September. Great preparations are on foot to 
make a superb display of it, and we have no doubt it 
will be worthy the attention of the public. Steam¬ 
boats and Stages will leave New York frequently du¬ 
ring each day of the Show, making it easy to visit 
Flushing at convenient hours. 
The Bible, the Koran, and the Talmud; or 
Biblical Legends of tbe Mussulmans. Compiled 
from Arabic Sources, and Compared with Jewish Tra¬ 
ditions. By Dr. G. Weil. Pp. 264. Price 50 cents. 
Harper & Brothers. Here is an epitome of Mohamme¬ 
dan theology and morals, set forth in a racy, fascinat¬ 
ing style peculiar to Eastern literature. 
The Cultivation of American Grape Vine, 
and Making of Wine. By Alden Spooner. Pp. 96. 
Price 38 cents. Published by A. Spooner & Co., 57 
Fulton St., Brooklyn. Being a veteran horticulturist, 
the author has given a valuable little work to the cul¬ 
tivator of this vine. In it he has also embraced an 
account of the Isabella Grape, in the successful cul¬ 
ture of which Brooklyn has become quite celebrated. 
Rennselaer County Agricultural Show.— 
This Show will come off in Troy, the week after that of 
the State Show at Auburn. Great preparations are on 
foot to make a superior thing of it. Mr. Vail intends 
to make a large display of his beautiful Short-Horn 
Cattle; others also are coming forward with a goodly 
number of different things. 
