Small Culture. Edited by W. J. Malden. (E. Marlborough and
Co.)—This is the title given to two series of articles, pub- lished in separate volumes (Is. each), in which such subjects as "simple cow-keeping," pigs, poultry, gardens, and orchards are dealt with. Each is treated by an expert, and the editor adds notes. We cannot pretend to criticise these papers, and must be content with saying that they seem to set forth in a clear and practical way some very useful methods of procedure. Possibly there is now and then a tendency to idealise. The owner of an orchard, for instance, is exceptionally fortunate if its returns mount up to "from £40 to £100 per acre." (Gross returns, of course, are meant.) Any one who will look into a newspaper circulating in a fruit county for sales of standing crops will see a much lower average of prices realised. Advice, theoretically excellent, is given to the fruit-grower to grade his fruit for market. Practically, as far as Covent Garden is concerned, it is useless. Such, at least, has been the experience of the writer of this notice and his neighbours. On the other hand, the reader cannot lay to heart too much the counsel to rid his orchard of unprofitable sorts. Even good-flavoured small apples are almost unsaleable. Buyers will have size and, if possible, colour.— We may mention at the same time Carnations, Picotees, and Wild and Garden Pinks, Written by Several Authorities and Edited by E. T. Cook (G. Newnes, 3s. 6d.). The method is the same; experts write each on his own speciality, and a perfectly competent editor brings their contributions, so to speak, into line. The contrast between the useful and the ornamental seems sufficiently sharp, but it should be remembered that flowers also may be grown for sale. Anyhow, whether pleasure or profit be the object, there could not be a more complete handbook than this.
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