The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-09
Some Helpful Books.

Most readers, we imagine, viii prefer
20 limit their study Of the habits OF Wasps
to the delightful book OF George W. and
Elizabeth q. Pc ckhAm, called 'Wasps Social
and Solitary Houghton, Mihiin Co).
We have all been taught to admire the
busy be and his industry during each
shining hour. but after the first childish
attempt TO make friends with the agile
wasp most people take pains TO keep him
at a distance. He is an ingenious and
entertaining chap, however, for those who
are ready to take their lives In their hands
and draw close to him. Here we have
one OF the most char ming natural history
books we have ever come across. The
authors are enthusiastic and perse vering;
they tell their adventures in simple Ian
guage that any one can follow. and their
stories OF tracking out the wiles OF the
wasp are more exciting than detective
tales. We can imagine nothing better
suited TO arouse interest in nature in youth.
but hesitate TO recommend It till youth
becomes cautious or sting proof. A great
many Of the observations must be new even
TO natwalists. Mr.. James II. Emerton's
illustrations are very good.
One feature in Mr.. Charles f. Trevathan's
american Sportsmans Library Macmil-
Ians), redeems a good many faults. He
evidently admires the stamina Of the old
time horses and gloies in describing the
four mile heat races Of former days. These
are told in full by eyewitnesses and carry
the reader along. in the chapters on early
thoroughbreds We fancy the author has
come on new information, but his dlgrss-
sions are 50 many that he is difficult 20 fol-
low. Still we are able TO form an intelligent
idea Of American turf history down through
Ten Broeok With more modern times the
author is in hopeless confusion. He re-
members each years favorites, but they
crowd upon him too closely, and to tho
reader who has not followed the races the
last chapters can be but a tumble Of names.
| A selection OF few great races such as the
| author has picked out for the main part OF
his book, would have been far more To
the point. Mr.. Trevathan has correctly
chosen the racing side Of the thorough
! bred az that suited to this library
A wholly different point Of view Is that
| Of Prof. Isanc Phillips Roberts Of Cornell
! University in The Honse' (Macmillansl.
This is a practical treatise in plain language
! on the horse, from the Jtilitarian point OF
view. The development Of the horse In
America IL described, and the various
breeds with the uses 20 which they ara
put. There il much about breeding and
there are chapters on training, care, shoe
! ing, stables and so on. The homely, shrewd
advice il moro Characteristic Of an old
| farmer than Of a college professor.
Even though the practical season for
agricultural pursuits is here It Is not too
| late for the amateur TO learn something
| from Mr.. Charles l., Goodrioh's The Fret
Book Of Farming Doubleday, Page a CO...
We ina gine. however, that more good will
be done to the professional farmer, II he
will read il in his winter leisure. II is an
admirably arranged scientific treatise put
In popular language, beginning with the
general principles about plants and soils
and going on TO explain the effects offerhliz-
ing. Il gives the philosophy for the various
operations OF agriculture, and provides
suggestive experiments 10 spur on The
learner IL cannot take the place Of prac-
teal instruction, but it will tell the harner
the why OF things.