644 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
June 9, 1900. 
original book, in one volume, was the work 
of several eminent men of their day, and Mr. 
Robert Thompson, the then superintendent 
of the gardens of the Royal Horticultural 
Society, at Chiswick, was the editor. The 
present edition was commenced under the 
joint general editorship of Mr. Edward W. 
Badger and Mr. A. F. Barron, but after 
considerable progress had been made and 
the services of many specialists enlisted, 
they had to relinquish the formidable task 
on account of failing health. Since then 
the general editorship has been entrusted to 
Mr.. William Watson, of Kew, who intends 
to see the work carried to a successful issue. 
The work is indeed well advanced, and 
publishing has been commenced. It has so 
increased in bulk as compared with the 
original edition, that the present one is to 
be published in six imperial octavo, 
divisional-volumes, bound in cloth at 8s. 
each; and at the same time in 18 parts at 
2s. 6d. each. This latter method will suit 
the requirements of those who intend to 
have the volumes put in more costly or 
special bindings according to fancy, or re¬ 
quirements. 
The whole work is arranged in two main 
sections, firstly, the flower garden and 
pleasure ground, and secondly, the fruit and 
kitchen garden. The first divisional volume 
to hand runs to 208 pages, the subject 
matter of which is dealt with in seventeen 
chapters, all of the utmost importance to 
gardeners and gardening. The physiology 
of plant life, the morphology, external and 
internal, as well as the general structure of 
plants, are all dealt with by Dr. M. T. 
Masters, F.R.S., in the first ten chapters, and 
needless to say, the name of this eminent 
author is sufficient guarantee that the sub¬ 
ject has been brought thoroughly up to 
date, and in full accord with the opinions of 
the best informed authors of the present 
day. This is saying a great deal, for much 
has been discovered even since the last 
edition was published. The chapter on 
“ Plant Structure ” deals with the cell-life 
of the plant, and the protoplasm or contents 
of the complete cell, showing how from 
apparently very simple beginnings, a highly 
developed and complicated plant is built up 
of cells, variously differentiated according 
to the functions they have to perform. 
Under “The Living Plant” we have an 
explanation of various phenomena, such as 
parasites, saprophytes, microbes, symbiosis, 
sensation and movements of plants, 
continuity of protoplasm, &c. The various 
forms of roots, their respective parts and 
functions, the caulicle, stem and their modi¬ 
fications, the cotyledons, leaves, nutrition, 
growth, branching, reproduction, hybri¬ 
disation and classification of plants are all 
dealt with at great length, explaining 
matters in such a way as they have never 
previously been placed at the service of 
gardeners in a work of this kind, devoted 
purely to horticulture. For many years 
past, the physiology of plant life has been 
decidedly a weak point in the education of 
gardeners, if, indeed, it entered into the 
curriculum of their instruction at all. A 
thorough study of the information here 
placed at their disposal should do much to 
enable them to pass the examination in 
horticulture which is conducted annually 
by the Royal Horticultural Society ; or for 
the matter of that, the examinations insti¬ 
tuted by the various county councils 
throughout the country. It will have served 
its purpose if it induces young gardeners to 
study and profit by a general knowledge of 
the subject of plant physiology. 
The definition of “the sap” in plants 
will no doubt interest a great many 
gardeners, who take time to ponder the 
matter as here explained. There is no 
fluid of uniform composition throughout the 
plant nor any true circulation of the sap. 
The following quotation gives the author’s 
apt expression about the downward 
current:—“ There is also a passage of fluids 
in a downward direction, but not definitely 
or exclusively so throughout the plant. 
The juices, in fact, are transferred from 
point to point according to different require¬ 
ments, irrespective of direction.” A differ¬ 
ence in temperature upon one part of the 
plant will make that grow earlier and faster 
than the rest which may be in a colder 
atmosphere. In this alone we have an 
interference with the old fashioned hypo¬ 
thesis of a regular circulation of fluids in 
plants. We have seen one part of a Vine 
in an early vinery, and the rest, including 
the roots, in a much later house. That part 
of the Vine in the early house ripened its 
bunches of grapes much earlier than those 
in the later house. Verily the gardener 
will find many useful and interesting lessons 
on the physiology of plants here. 
A calendar of operations for the twelve 
months of the year is dealt with by Mr. H. 
C. Prinsep, who is a well known and com¬ 
petent authority on such matters. Edward 
F. R. Mawley, Esq., tackles the subject of 
meteorology. F. W. Burbidge, M.A., 
F.L.S., deals with hydridisation, a favourite 
subject of his. Plant diseases caused by 
fungi come under the master hand of G. 
Massee, Esq., of Kew. Soils and manures 
are the themes which J. J. Willis, Esq., of 
the Rothamsted experiment station, sets 
himself to explain and elucidate. Mr. W. 
Spinks, of Birmingham, takes up the sub¬ 
ject of tools and instruments used in 
gardens ; and Mr. James Boyd, of Paisley, 
tackles the subject of garden structures, for 
which he is fully competent. Mr. J. 
Fraser, F.L.S., has a lengthy chapter on the 
subject of insect and other plant enemies, 
as well as a shorter chapter on garden 
friends, which may help the gardener to 
distinguish between friend and foe when 
trying to keep his plants clean. 
The above covers the subject matter of 
the first divisional-volume, so that each 
section is more thoroughly, and exhaustively 
dealt with than in any previous edition of 
the work. The fact may also be borne in 
mind that each subject is brought in line 
with the present state of knowledge, cover¬ 
ing all the points which have been the 
burning topics of recent times. Succeeding 
chapters and volumes will be largely filled 
up with the writings of Messrs. A. F. 
Barron, W. J. Bean, Edwin Becket, W. 
Crump, Richard Dean, W. H. Divers, Rev. 
Wolley-Dod, James Douglas, Malcolm 
Dunn, W. Goldring, James Hudson, James 
Kelway, Frederick Moore, James O’Brien, 
Archibald Piper, T. F. Rivers, J. Smith, A- 
Ward and William Watson, all of whom 
are well known writers, and experts in one 
subject or another, while some of them are 
authors. The reliability of the information 
throughout the work will therefore be un¬ 
questionable, seeing that so many experts 
in various parts of the British Isles have 
been enlisted in the cause, thereby ensuring 
that The Gardener's Assistant will continue to 
be the standard work on all matters horti¬ 
cultural. While the work will be published 
as described in six imperial octavo divi¬ 
sional-volumes, it may be pertinent to the 
subject to state that the pages measure 
ioi in. by 7| in., each of which have two 
columns of letter press. The cloth boards 
are stout and serviceable; while the paper 
is thick and smooth, without being glazed 
or glossy, so that the eye can peruse the 
pages for hours together without being 
wearied or dazed under the influence of 
artificial light as in the case of glossy paper. 
The illustrations used throughout the 
volume and intercalated with the text are 
exceedingly numerous ; and consist of 
carefully executed woodcuts. This method 
of illustration is a necessity where micro 
scopic work has to be reproduced in exact 
detail as in the histological delineation of 
the structure of plants externally and intern¬ 
ally as well as in giving the minute details 
of insects injurious to plants, and the fungi 
likewise parasitic upon or in them. Need¬ 
less to say, the illustrations of the 
histological structure of plants, and the 
insect and fungoid enemies of the same 
have been dealt with on a scale hitherto 
unattempted, so that the numerous figures 
add incalculably to the value of the book. 
Modern tools and machines of various 
economic importance are also well repre¬ 
sented and according to the spirit of the 
times. Several coloured illustrations are 
also inserted at intervals throughout the 
book, so that no pains have been spared to 
make the work both attractive and of the 
first importance to gardeners, amateurs and 
all who take an interest in gardening or any 
of its various branches. Every young 
gardener should make a point of securing 
the book as part of his equipment in joining 
the profession, and we have no hesitation 
in affirming that those who set themselves 
to master the contents or any particular 
portion will find many a useful and valuable 
hint to guide them in their career for the 
time being, and in after life. Gardeners 
who have already climbed to the top of the 
ladder in the profession, will also profit by 
having it on their shelves in a handy posi¬ 
tion for reference when in doubt upon any 
subject, or when memory may fail in any of 
the intricate phases or points of their pro¬ 
fession. The amateur, with leisure, and 
who loves his garden, could not enlist the 
services of a more reliable assistant. 
The Reed Mace, Typha latifolia, is one of the 
handsomest of British aquatic plants. 
The Star of Bethlehem naturalises beautifully in 
grassy lands. 
Winter Cucumber plants like a good bottom heat 
and fresh soil to ramify in. 
Warts are said to be removable by rubbing them 
several times with an Onion dipped in salt. 
Hawthorn Leaves make a substitute for Chinese 
tea. but flavour is a matter of opinion or acquired 
taste. 
Roots of Dlelytra spectabilis, Solomon’s Seal, 
and various flowering shrubs, are suitable for 
forcing. 
Dried Sugar Pulp.—The dried pulp of the Beets 
used in making sugar can be used for making paper, 
mucilage, and as a food for stock. 
The Scarlet-fruited Thorn. Crataegus Oxyacan- 
tba punicea, is almost equal in decorative merits to 
the renowned Fiery Thorn, C. Pyracantha. 
The Common Hop, Humulus Lupulus, grows 
many feet during a season. For shady arched 
trellises it is a subject worth noting. 
Anthurium Wardii and A. Knightii are rivals for 
first place in the favour of plant lovers. The latter 
is. if anything, the better variety. 
Pine Seeds.— At Riga, Russia,more tons of Pine 
seeds are put on the market oach year than at any 
other point of the world. 
Sparrows are an unmitigated nuisance in many 
places. Being so, it is no crime to harry or destroy 
their nests. By doing this we largely diminish the 
numbers of possible young ones. 
Drafted Roses.— The American Florist says" It 
is now a common opinion with growers of Roses 
that grafted plants of The Bride, Bridesmaid, and 
Kaiserin are more profitable than those on their own 
roots. 
Standard Fruit Package.—New York now has a 
1.1 w making the standard fruit package one quart, or 
67 cubic in., and providing a penalty for violations, 
unless the smaller package is marked *' short" in 
letters at least J in. high. 
