By W. C. Strong. Boston : Houghton, Mifflin & Co. 1885.

Numerous works have appeared from time to time on fruit culture and kindred topics. One would think there was no room for more. But in no branch of intelligence has there been so much advance as in horticulture. Every year solves problems insoluble before, and with new ideas new books naturally follow. It is just in this line - in the endeavor to elucidate fundamental principles - that Mr. Strong believes he finds an unoccupied field, and this book is the result. In the peculiar field it is destined to fill it will be found very useful. If it had been more pretentious, there would be room for more critical comments, as, for instance, the statement that pear leaf blight is confined mainly to young seedlings, before they are budded by the nurseryman. This may be correct of some of the New England States. In many other parts of the country the main cause of pears not ripening well, and of the poor flavor when they do ripen, comes from the premature fall of the foliage from leaf-blight.

Mr. Strong's work on Roses, and other literary ventures, have been very well received by the community, and this argues well for this new candidate for public favor. It is a large duodecimo of 202 pages, and the aim which is very well reached is to give plain practical directions to new beginners in amateur gardening, in advance of what they may require when they get more experience.