Agriculture, Practical and Scientific Agriculture The Horticulturist's Rule-Book

Abstract

PROF. MUIR'S neat and presentable volume is the latest claimant upon the indulgence of the agricultural public, the number of readers—and what is more to the point, the number of students—amongst whom is undoubtedly steadily increasing. Commencing with a discussion of the plant, the author speedily falls back upon the soil as the staple of his discourse, though parenthetically he introduces a chapter on plant food in the soil. Then we get the inevitable section on the British geological formations, which has about as much relation to the living art of agriculture as a list of our kings and queens has to a true understanding of English history. Drainage, irrigation, and other processes for ameliorating the soil are next discussed, and then half a dozen chapters are devoted to the important subject of manures. Implements and machines are next briefly glanced at, and the remainder of the book is occupied by chapters on the chief crops of British agriculture. We believe that, well-worn as the theme is, there is still room for novelty in the treatment of agriculture as a book subject, but Prof. Muir does not appear to have hit upon it.

Agriculture, Practical and Scientific.

By James Muir Pp. 350. (London: Macmillan, 1895.)

Agriculture.

By R. Hedger Wallace. (London and Edinburgh: W. and R. Chambers, 1895.)

The Horticulturist's Rule-Book.

By L. H. Bailey. Third edition. (London and New York: Macmillan and Co., 1895.)