BOOK REVIEWS

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 November 1923, Page 3

BOOK REVIEWS

“The Romance of Westland,” by A. J. Harrop >(Whitcombc and Tombs 5/-) is a well illustrated and chattily written story of the Golden Coast, and in which the romance of goldseeking and the beauties of Westland scenery are interestingly described. Much of the matter will not be new to Coasters, themselves, but the book would make an excellent Christmas gift to friends in other parts of the Dominion or the Empire generally. The book should, however, find a place in all West Coast households, as the story of the pioneer struggles is interesting in itself, and should inspire the present and succeeding generations to follow the courageous examples of earlier days.

Pasture Plants and Pastures of New Zealand,” one of the series of New Zealand practical handbooks published by Messrs Whitconihe and Tombs, Ltd., Christchurch, is a small volume which should be on the bookshelf of every farmer. The author is Mr. F. W. Hilgendorf, M.A., Biologist to the Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, who has devoted a good deal of attention to the means of recognising the various grasses. In the author’s words on this study depends the solution of the most important of all problems facing the New Zealand farmer, namely: ‘‘What is the best grass mixture to sow on my land?” The book contains much concise and interesting information regarding the botanical and agricultural characters of common pasture grasses; description of weed grasses and native grasses; key for identification of all common grasses; clovers and other pasture plants; and management of pastures. The various chapters are clearly illustrated, and the 100 pages of the book are clearly printed on good paper, making it well worth the price, 2/6.