We are glad to see that the series of "Country
Readers" (Macmillan and Co.) is now complete. There are in all seven volumes, made up as follows :—(1) The Junior Country Reader, I., II., III. By H. B. M. Buchanan and R. R. C. Gregory. The first and second give stories of domestic and of wild animals respectively ; the third describes the qualities, habits, &c., first of domestic, and secondly of some of the wild, animals (such as an English child is likely to see, as the stoat, weasel, fox, &c.), including birds. (2) A Country Reader, I., II. By H. B. M. Buchanan. These are for older children, dealing with the same subjects in a somewhat different way. "Not meant as text- books," though pains have been obviously taken to make them interesting, but intended to attract. "I have tried with my whole heart to make them live with interest." (3) A Senior Country Reader. In this the ordinary agricultural operations, &c., are dealt with. Manuring, the various corn crops, the root crop, cottage gardens, pigs, poultry, pigeons, are some of the subjects treated. (Here are some good suggestions about fruit; gooseberries are more profitable when green than when ripe ; black currants sell better than anything else ; the birds do not like them, but they are subject to the deadly disease of "bigbud," —an insect such as is seen in the oak-apple). (4) Lessons on Country Life. By H. B. M. Buchanan and R. R. C. Gregory. A manual intended for the use of teachers, and treating from this point of view the various subjects, whether belonging to natural history or to agricultural industries, that are to be found in the Readers. The whole series is admirably suited to its purpose, and happily combines technical utility and literary interest.
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