SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.
[Under this heading us notice such Books of the wmik as haw sot ban reserred for review in other forms.] Elements of Agricultural Geology. By Primrose McConnell, B.Sc. (Crosby Lockwood and Son. 21s. net.)—Mr. McConnell has the qualifications, not often to be found together, of a scientific education and the practical experience of a tenant-farmer. The result of this knowledge of theory in combination with the observation of facts is, of course, of very considerable value. "The Origin and Formation of Soils" is an instructive instance. When we see how soils are made and of what they consist, further shown in the "Mineralogy of Soils," it is not a very difficult thing to see what may be best grown in them. A branch of this subject is, indeed, directly attacked in "Formations and Farming." Tho nature of the soil largely depends upon the character of the formations underlying it. "In Sark," for instance, "we meet the most fertile soil of all the Channel Islands on the gneiss rock, and vegetation begins where mineralisation ceases." Sometimes, of course, the soil, however formed, is swept away. This is one of the worst troubles of Switzerland. It is not enough to know the general character of the formation. One kind of slate, for instance, is more easily influenced by weather than another; more soil is formed, and the region becomes more fertile. Then, again, there is great variety in the sandstones. Some of the land where these prevail is of very indifferent quality, but parts are exceedingly rich and fertile. One formation of the Old Red Sandstone, found in Herefordshire and Shropshire, has the local name of cornstones." "It is full of nodules of impure lime- stone, which, when weathered and broken down, supply a large amount of calcareous matter, itself a manure, and acting on the other portions of the soil to set free the fertility therein." The valley of the Dor, or Golden Valley, is formed of alluvium of this kind. The name is found elsewhere, and is given to similar formations. It is this kind of land that is picked out for the growing of hops, a crop that makes heavy demands on the soil. It may be said that wherever there is a hop-yard there is, or ought to be, a speciality of soil. This speciality is a very curious matter, and of inexhaustible interest. One is told, for instance, by some local sage that this or that meadow will fatten stock without special food, but he does not know why. The first chapter in the book is on "The Evolution of Live Stock," opening, possibly, a more hopeful prospect. As for the growing of grain, the best soils and the best farming are overpowered by the pro- ducts of the boundless plains of the West. What is the good of growing forty bushels on one acre when five acres can be made to produce twelve bushels apiece at a smaller cost ?
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