Table Of Content

— — SiDA \%iy. 1993 596 BOOK NOTICES Williams, DonaldL. Pluckni-tt, and Jennifer Talbot. Smith, Nic.elJ.H.J.T. P. and (ISBN 0-8014-2771-1, Crops. pbk). Tropical Forests their 1992. Comstock Publishing Associates, a Division of Cornell University Press, NY. 568 $27.95 (pbk), $69.95 (hbk). Ithaca, pp. "Many cultivated plants important for food and income in developing countries arose in A number of these plants are the subjects of this book, grouj-^ed into "Beverage tropical forests/' "Major mango, pineapple); and confectionery crops" (e.g., coffee, cacao); fruits" (e.g., citrus, "Regional fruits" (e.g., durian, rambutan), "Rubber, oils, and resins" (e.g., oil palm, tropical "Daily bread" bananas, breadfrLut);"Fuelwood, fodder, and woody grasses" (leucaena pines); (e.g., cinnamon, and "Nuts" and bamboo); "Spices and natural food colorants" (e.g., clove, annatto); Among (cashew, Brazil nut, macadamia). the data given for these crops are history, evolution, germplasm domestication, spread, genetic resources, gene pools, gene banks, collection, — breeding challenges, conscr\'ation not ofthese for each crop. Additional chapters discuss the all Most search for new plants to domesticate and the need for and strategies of conser\'ation. entries in the 50-page of "References" are post-1 950 (largely from the 980s). The book is illustrated list 1 with black-and-white photos and few drawings and well indexed. W. Thitrct. a line -Jolvi is A Thin Green Line National Research Council. 1993. Vetiver Grass. Academy against Erosion. (ISBN 0-309-04269-0, pbk). National Press, DC No Washington, price given. 171 pp. Vetiver, Vetiverid zizamouks, has long been cultivated as the source of essential oil of vetiver much used in perfumes and soaps. That also a grass of promise tor controlhng soil erosion it is in warm areas being increasingly realized. Hedges of this deep-rooted, robust, densely cespitose is plant create impressive "botanical dams" strong enough to retard runoff. Although its use as a hedge plane not new, has recently come much into the limelight. This book offers an excellent is it A Appendix summary on vetiver: biology, past use, current research, and future prospects. might highlights "some environmental horrors and points to role that vetiver play in tlie them"; Appendix B, "Other potential vetivers," gives data on other grasses and some alleviating C Appendix and shrubs and trees that might be useful in erosion control; has selected readings, D World Banks Appendix worldwide This book and the practical research contacts. lists handbook (noted \wSuhi 558. I993)area most valuablepair foranyone wanting _^mjj 15: VtY/V'tr information on this grass, -johi W^ 'rbierd.