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dedicated gardening enthusiast.
My last criticism is to do with the
conservation of plants worldwide; much of the
beauty of Beth Chatto's garden is provided by
"species" plants (i.e. not cultivated
varieties) from the temperate regions of the
world. A recent report in Oryx (Vol. 23), the
Journal of the Flora and Fauna Preservation
Society, underlines the increasing problem of
wild collected plants, particularly bulbs, from
various countries. Turkey is singled out.
From here tens of millions of wild collected
bulbs are exported annually threatening native
stocks of some species. So, if you do buy
"species" plants (in particular those with
bulbs) buy them from a reputable nursery such
as Beth Chatto's that propagate their own
plants and always enquire as to the origin of
the stock you are buying. It would have been
good in such a book to have had at least a
passing reference drawing this particular
problem to the reader's attention.
MARK HANSON
Recent Books to Help with Identification
One area which has long required an iden-
tification guide is feathers. "Tracks and
Signs of the Birds of Britain and Europe" by
Brown, Ferguson, Lawrence and Lees, published
by Helm at £17.95 provides an illustrated guide
to single discarded specimens. The main
character used is their length coupled with