The New Stone Age. By Harrison E. Howe. (University of
London Press; Hodder and Stoughton. 12s. 6d. net.)—Mr. Howe gives a very readable account of the methods of preparing cement and concrete, and of their many uses, which are illus- trated by some remarkable photographs. Mr. Howe is con- cerned with American practice, but concrete—which he defines as " mixtures of coarse and fine rock particles, called aggregate, and water with Portland cement "—is now employed every- where and can, especially if reinforced with steel rods, be applied to an infinite variety of purposes. Ships, tanks, pipes, chimneys, factories, public buildings, and private houses can bo and are constructed entirely of this " new stone " and, if the material is properly combined, are virtually indestructible. Mr. Howe mentions a concrete chimney in Japan which is 570 feet high and yet " withstands frequent earthquakes." Ho gives pictures of some very attractive American houses built in concrete, showing what a capable architect can do. It seems a. pity that the Ministry of Health in the early stages of its housing campaign did not consider the merits of concrete and other methods like pisd which do not require the reluctant services of the trade union bricklayer.
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