PLANT DISEASE HANDBOOK

Dr. Westcott, whose Plant Factor should be on every garden bookshelf (mine is in constant use, I know), has performed signal service in this encyclopedic compendium of data on plant diseases. Trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, flowers, vegetables (not large scale crops) from Maine to Florida, New York to California. Some 1500 diseases, attacking 1000 host plants -- their description, control measures, etc. discussed, and identification aided by photographs and 100 or more illustrations. The book is divided into five sections. The introduction should be read first and last, or the amateur gardener would find himself becoming a plant hypochondriac imagining all the diseases in turn. For in the introduction is warning not to go too far in interpretation and diagnosis and treatment; but when trouble is located, and identified, to follow instructions meticulously, not haphazardly, else the cure may be worse than the disease. The book, throughout its reference area, is alphabetically arranged; garden chemicals and applications; bacteria, fungi, viruses; diseases and causative agents; host plants and locals. An essential book for landscape gardeners, nurseryman, flower growers, etc. And an important reference volume for all public libraries, for libraries of schools offering coarsen connected with gardening; and for the completely rounded private garden library.