REVIEWS. 
18; 
ical composition and food requirements of the plant are discussed in a 
simple manner. In chapters IX. and X. are given suggestions for planting 
and seed testing. In chapters XI. and XII. the subject of ploughing and 
tilling the soil is treated in a way valuable to the experienced as well as 
to the beginner. Simple and detailed directions for the care of growing 
plants and the combating of insect pests are given in chapter XIII. In 
chapter XIV. the cause of the rise of sap in stems, which has so long 
puzzled the botanists, is treated in an easy, conventional way; and a dis¬ 
cussion of the flower comprises the concluding chapter of Part I. 
Part II. is titled, “ Soil Fertility as Affected by Farm Operations and 
Farm Practices.” In chapter XVI. the factors necessary to bring about a 
fertile soil, in the broadest sense of the term, are discussed in easily com¬ 
prehended terms, though the author is unfortunate in the use of the term 
“ germ ” for bacterium. Chapter XVII. treats of soil waters in a manner 
which can not fail to be of benefit to the agriculturist and plant grower. 
“ After Cultivation of Crops ” considers the methods of caring for the 
soil after the crop is planted. Chapters XIX. and XX. deal with farm 
manures and fertilizers, especially with leguminous crops grown for fer¬ 
tilizers. Chapters XXL, XXII. and XXIII. should be of value to the 
farmer of eastern United States, as commercial fertilizers, their use and 
misuse, their composition, adulteration, etc., are discussed at some length. 
The two final chapters deal with the effect of different crops upon the soil 
and soil drainage. 
The book will prove of value to the teacher, especially to the teacher in 
rural districts, as well as to the farmer and plant grower. 
Ira D. Cardiff. 
A College Text-book of Botany. By George Francis Atkinson. New 
York: Henry Holt and Co. 1905. i2mo. Pp. xvi-f-737. 
This is the second attempt in this country to produce an advanced text¬ 
book in botany primarily for college use.* It is “ the result of a revision 
and elaboration of the author’s ‘ Elementary Botany,’ New York, 1898.” 
The general plan is practically that of the “ Elementary Botany,” with 
a division into five parts: I. Physiology. Here many chapters are un¬ 
altered, while some are revised and paragraphs added on nutrition and 
digestion written by Dr. E. J. Durand. II. Morphology and life history 
of representative plants. The subject of the morphology of fertilization 
in the gymnosperms and angiosperms has been revised “ in order to bring 
this subject abreast of the discoveries of the past few years,” and chapters 
are added on the classification of the algae and fungi. III. Plant members 
in relation to environment. A study of the ecology of root, stem, leaf, and 
flower, followed by, IV. Vegetation in relation to environment, with “Sug¬ 
gestions for Practical Study of Plant Formations.” This part has been 
entirely reorganized and rewritten. The section on “ Annual Growth and 
Winter Protection of Shoots and Buds ” is the work of Dr. K. M. Wiegand. 
Part V. deals with Representative Families of Angiosperms. 
* The other work is Campbell’s “University Text-book,” New York, 1902. 
