LEARNING TO GARDEN

This has so much immensely useful and valuable information about gardening that I hesitate to criticise its shortcomings. BUT-it purports to be a gardening book for the wholly inexperienced gardener, and my feeling is that too much is attempted, and too little attention given to follow out her own advice- start with a small garden. The beginning gardener, who attempts to study this book from first to last (and part of every section is important to every gardener) will find that the apparent simplicity is soon lost in over-expansion. The summary of Do's and Don'ts at the end of each chapter may help minimize this difficulty. A glossary of terms would help. But, for the most part, here is the book to recommend to the gardener who has been at it long enough to discover how much he (or she) has still to learn. Soil- preparation for planting-starting seeds- annuals, perennials, bulbs, shrubs, vines, roses --the vegetable garden- diseases and pests- putting the garden to bed -- excellent lists in the appendix -- yes, there's plenty there. The finished book will be thoroughly cross indexed. The sketches are very amateurish, but add a decorative (and occasionally factual) note.