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250 BOOKS
from one place to another.” He concludes further that man of today is childish,
does not know how to use his mind, or how to develop his character, solve his
problems, or train his children. The book has considerable value for use in self-
analysis.
The Genus Nicotiana. By THOMAS HARPER GOODSPED. The Chronica Botanica
Co., Waltham, Massachusetts, and Stechert-Hafner, Inc., New York. Pp. 536,
figs. 118. Price $12.50.
This is volume 16 of Chronica Botanica, which is a collection of studies in
method and history of biology and agriculture under the editorship of Frans
Verdoorn. The author is director of the botanical garden, University of California,
Berkeley. Parts I-V deal with distribution, morphology, and cytology of
species and F interspecific hybrids, and with phyletic. For part VI, on taxonomy,
the author had the assistance of H. M. Wheeler and P. C. Hutchison. The distribu-
tion and evolutionary development of the several species in the Americas,
Antarctica, and Australia are traced and illustrated. It is particularly interesting
to note that a living collection of 56 of the 60 known species and varieties are
now growing in the botanical garden at Berkeley. The appendix contains a list of
herbaria cited, description of the genus, key to subgenera and sections, and de-
scriptions of subgeneric categories, with keys to species and varieties. Reference
is made to the publications of some 200 authors. This is an exceptionally fine
presentation of the subject.
Grassland Farming. By GEORGE H. SERVISS and GILBERT H. AHLGREN. John
Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 1955. Pp. 146, figs. 48. Price $2.96.
The authors have developed a concise statement concerning grassland farming
and the practices related thereto for agricultural students in high schools
and junior colleges. A few references and a list of questions are appended to each
chapter. Three plates in color show potash deficiency, good and poor silage, and
spittlebugs on alfalfa.
Handbook of Food and Agriculture. Edited by FRED C. BLANCK. Reinhold Pub-
lishing Company, New York, 1955. Pp. 1039. Price $12.50.
The 26 chapters contained in this large volume cover a wide range of subjects,
starting with the soil and ending with the food, drug, and cosmetic act. Soil-plant
scientists will find of special interest the chapters on “Soils” by Eric Winters,
“Soil Fertility” by C. L. W. Swanson, “Soil Microbiology” by Charles Thom, and
“Fertilizers” by A. L. Mehring. And they will find many points of interest in the
discussions on pesticides; growth regulators; enzymes; rancidity; essential nutri-
ents; the storage, preservation, canning, and spoilage of foods; the cereal, dairy,
vegetable oil, animal, and poultry products; seafoods; plant chemistry; the
engineering, packaging, and quality control of foods; disposal of wastes; and
chemicals in food. The appendix contains the food laws and information on nu-
trition, special food agencies, research groups, food literature, and plant sanita-
tion. The editor, who has been associated at various times with the U. S. Depart-
