This is the neatest hand-book of its kind which has yet come to our table. The mechanical execution of the little book is elegant. The book is an enlargement of a chapter which appeared a few years since in one of the author's books upon general horticulture. A few concise and well considered remarks of a general nature open the volume, which is thereafter de-voted to a series of recipes upon all the common vegetables. It is the best thing of the kind which we know. First Annual Report of the Springfield (Mass.) Improvement Association. The Springfield Improvement Association exists for the purpose of cultivating "a public sentiment in favor of improving and beautifying homes, streets and surroundings of Springfield, and to endeavor to promote in every legitimate way the best development of the whole city." The first year's work has been an encouraging one. Among other things, a public bath-house has been erected through its efforts, improvements of the river enbankment have been inaugurated, and 6,450 tulip bulbs have been distributed among the residents of the city.

The particular work outlined for next year, and which has received attention during the past year as well, is the following: "To have our paved streets swept daily ; to have the cobble stones between the tracks of the street railroad replaced with block pavements, in harmony with the paved streets; to curb and straighten Merrick Park ; to further urge the city to sprinkle the streets; and to make an effort for the appointment of a road commission." Incidently the association aids in other undertakings which look toward the elevation of the beauty of the city, in literature and works of art. It is just the kind of an organization which should be emulated by other cities and villages in the country. The report contains an essay on "Hints for Home Improvement," one upon "The Streets of a City," and another upon the "Reform of Street Sprinkling".