THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
229 
Our Book Uablc 
Breeding Plants and Animals. W. M. Hays, Assistant Secre¬ 
tary of Agriculture. Published by Farm Student’s Review, 
St. Anthony Park, Minn. 
This volume is a reprint of a series of papers published by the 
author in the Breeders’ Gazette, during 1902-3-4. The papers are 
popular discussions of various phases of plant and animal breeding. 
They refer largely to the experiences of the author in his important 
wheat breeding experiments in Minnesota and discuss theoretically 
some phases of animal breeding. The little volume contains a good 
deal of suggestive material, and although lacking in certain editorial 
and mechanical respects, will be appreciated by those who are 
interested in this phase of plant and animal production. 
The Book of the Rose, by the Rev. A. Foster-Melliar. 5 x 7^^ in. 
356 pages. Published by The MacMillan Co., New York. Price 
$2.00. 
The fourth edition of this excellent volume has just come from 
the press. It is prefaced by a memoir of the author. The fact 
that we have so many English authors who are clergymen is a 
striking commentary on the love of the clergy for outdoor life. 
This edition of the work has been improved by the introduction of a 
number of half tone plates illustrating desirable varieties of roses, 
methods of culture under glass and in the open. “The Book of the 
Rose’’ is one which every plant lover will appreciate, because it 
breathes the spirit of the man who wrote from his heart, and out of 
the fullness thereof, and transcribes not merely the thought of a 
book-maker. 
The Home Garden, by Eben E. Rexford. 198 pages. 5 x 8 in. 
Illustrated. Published by J. B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia and 
London. Price $1.25. 
In the foreword of this decidedly useful little volume, Mr. Rex¬ 
ford tells us that the garden which is well cared for will pay better 
than any other part of the farm. He urges every family which can 
do so to have a garden for four reasons: first, because a garden 
properly cared for will furnish at least half the living of an ordinary 
sized family, made up of persons who are fond of vegetables; second, 
it will furnish these vegetables fresh; third, it will afford large 
variety; fourth, it will provide a healthier diet than one composed 
largely of meats and other heavy foods. Further, he recommends 
garden work as a change for the man whose occupation keeps him 
indoors, and as a tonic for the woman who is inclined to make 
drudgery of her housework. 
The book is written so simply and interestingly that it makes 
gardening seem to the amateur almost like play,—yet it urges 
thoroughness in every detail. The gardener is warned to have his 
garden site well drained,—artificially if not naturally—to prepare 
the ground carefully by plowing and harrowing, to plant vegetables 
in long rows, and to simplify the work as much as possible by the 
use of garden implements, which are so varied and inexpensive. 
Several chapters are devoted to remarks on desirable vegetables and 
small fruits. The gardener’s calendar at the end of the book is a 
handy reminder. The volume deserves high recommendation as a 
handbook of concise and valuable information for the amateur. 
Report of the Commission on Country Life, published by 
Sturgis & Walton Company, New York. 5 x 7^ inches. 150 
pages. Price, 75 cents net. 
This book will receive a hearty welcome; for the work of the 
commission appointed by Mr. Roosevelt during his term of office as 
President to investigate conditions of country life, with a view of 
making suggestions which would lead to the development of a 
better rural civilization, cannot fail to have excited the interest of 
many people throughout the country, and a report of the com¬ 
mission has not heretofore been available to the public. The 
volume contains an introduction by Mr. Roosevelt which reminds 
us that the welfare of the whole nation is very intimately connected 
with conditions on the farm. The commission, whose chairman is 
Professor L. H. Bailey, presents remarks on such questions as dis¬ 
regard of the inherent rights of land workers; highways; soil 
depletion; and agricultural labor; and suggests as eorrective forees 
the making of agricultural surveys, which would indicate the 
possibilities of given regions; the redirecting of rural schools so as to 
make the education given therein relate to the daily life of the 
country community; and the desirability or rural citizens working 
together. 
REPORT OF FLORIDA MEETING OF THE AMERICAN 
POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 
Fruitgrowers throughout the country, but more especially the 
citrus growers and the producers of subtropical fruits, will be 
interested in knowing that the volume containing the proceedings of 
the American Bornological Society meeting held at Tampa, Florida, 
last February has just come from the press. Secretary John Craig 
of Ithaca, New York, writes that it forms an indexed book of over 
300 pages. He further states that the information contained within 
its covers is contributed by experts and specialists in their particular 
fields. 
This volume is valuable on a three-fold account. It contains 
the fullest presentation of methods of handling, transporting, and 
marketing citrus fruits to be found anywhere; it contains an im¬ 
portant symposium on the status of pecan culture in the Gulf 
region; orchard heating is one of the topics which is a live issue 
today, and this is discussed in the light of the most recent advances. 
In addition to these subjects, orchard management forms another 
important chapter. The history, classification, and propagation 
of the mango by Professor Rolfs of the Florida Experiment Station 
is the most important contribution on mango culture thus far pub¬ 
lished. The Japanese persimmon, its propagation, culture, and a 
method of processing the fruit so that the astringency is removed, 
forms an interesting chapter by Prof. H. Harold Hume of Glen 
Saint Mary, Florida. Persons interested in these topics and desir¬ 
ing the publication should write to the Secretary of this national 
society. 
Obituary 
AGED NURSERYMAN MEETS DEATH ON RAILROAD 
TRACK 
While attempting to cross the New York Central tracks which 
divide his property at Winton Road, Thomas C. Wilson, of Brighton, 
failed to see a passenger train but a short distance off, and met 
instant death when struck by the engine. Mr. "Wilson, by birth a 
Scotchman, was one of the first men to engage in the nurserj 
business in that section, having settled in Brighton with his parents 
seventy-eight years ago, when he was but five years old. He 
remained in that business until the time of his death. 
Messrs, de Graaff Brothers Ltd., deeply regret to inform you of 
the death of their senior partner Herr L. de Graaff, which occurred 
at Leiden April 2 5th at the age of 71. 
Jan de Graaff, 
W. H. de Graaff. 
Leiden, 25th April 1911. 
“We have had the biggest Box Strap trade this spring we e\er 
had. We are now engaged in the manufacture of car seals also. — 
Ward—Dickey. 
Judge the Nurserymen are doing good business. 
H. G. Benckhuysin, representing H. den Ouden & Son, The Old 
Farm Nurseries, Boskoop. 
