Review.

Southland Times, Issue 4622, 4 May 1883, Page 2

Review.

THIS FARMERS' YEAS, BOOK, We have received a copy of the Farmers' Year Book, an agricultural annual, which, although published in Melbourne, will be found to be very useful to those interested in faimingj throughout all the colonies. It is edited by Emerson Macivor, the wellknown agricultural chemist, whose name is a sufficient guarantee for the value of the information it contains. The opening pages are devoted to a simple, but scientific account, of tl-ie manner in which plants grow, and contain just the information that every farmer ought to possess. Next follows a calendar of farming operations for the year, in which are to be found many valuable hints for the New Zealand agriculturist. A considerable space is afterwards devoted to the consideration of various crops, grasses, and fodier plants, with directions for growing each ; the remarks on the selection and pickling of seed, and the value of cocksfoot in permanent pastures, being specially noteworthy. The Southland firmer, however, will regret the omission of turnips from the list of root crops treated of. There is also a much needed' chapter on dairy management, which we strongly commend to the consideration of every one engaged in that occupation, for the truth may as well be admitted, that the quality of our dairy produce might readily be improved. We next find a short but very useful chapter on domestic veterinary practice, and it alone is worth the couple of shillings charged, for the whole volume of 116 pages, which also comprises a variety of useful tables. We heartily commend the Year Book to our agricultural friends, and would also suggest to the editor, that ia future years special consideration should be given to the requirements of New Zealand.