REVIEWS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 365, 31 May 1911, Page 3

REVIEWS.

"Life" (6d monthly).-—The June number of this popular magazine contains a very topical article on "Flying in Australia" —an interview with J. J. Hammond, by Alex. Wethered: "Born at Feilding, New Zealand, he is a tall, fair person, with blue grey eyes--a look of a Scandinavian adventurer or Viking of olden days about him, not truculent or warlike, but determined and full of speculation as to the possible, and little as to the cost or danger of attaining it." Hammond has been a great traveller, first to Honolulu, then to Alaska, through the States and Mexico, and finally ail through Europe. It was in France Hammond took up what is now his life's work, and became an airman. "He evidently knows his business. He ha 3 climbed to an altitude of 8000 feet, and done a non-stop run of 200 miles —such as the big English expresses are famous for on terra iirma. Asked as to the prospcets of passenger carrying. Hammond said that regular flights would be arranged within twelve months between Sydney and Melbourne, doing the distance in about five hours, 'rather an improvement on the present train system.' " He thinks increase of speed will accompany increase of power; always uses the Gnome motor, and enjoys every flying minute. Aviation is advancing with rapid strides, and what was incredible five years ago is a commonplace to-day. The article on Mr Hammond is fascinating, and readers of "Life" are fortunate in geting that interview together with much other interesting matter.

"New Zealand Farmer" (June, 6d). —The Fruit Number of the "New Zealand Farmer" is again one of the best and biggest of a very fine series. It contains a number of special articles dealing with the fruit industry in New Zealand, illustrated by magnificent photorgaphs, almost life size, of various fruits produced in different parts. When one looks on these pictures and then on the present prices at which fruit is retailed in the King Country, one wonders why the industry has not been taken up in our midst by some enterprising grower on a large scale. Here, at all events, are ideas and hints in plenty, from "The Overseas Trade"---dealing with apples for export, as dealt with in South Australia—to "The Backyard Orchard" —described by the writer as "a hotbed for most of the pests that fruit trees are heir to" in most hands. "The New Zealand Farmer" is doing an exaellent work in popularising this great industry, and farmers, settlers, small or large, may very profitably "read, mark, learn and inwardly digest" the many, varied and useful articles contained in the new Fruit Number.

"New Zealand Poultry Journal" (May, 6d). —The new number of this invaluable monthly contains three articles which alone are sufficient return for the small annual subscription. "The Gospel of Cleanliness for Foultrymen," by Dr Morse; "Feeding and Rearing of Chickens," by Mr A. H. Padman, the "poultry king"; and "Fireless Brooders," discussed by various writers, are articles which deserve to be read by every man or woman taking an intelligent interest in poultry. It is not numbers that tell. It is quality. It is not how much food is fed. It is how it is varied. And so in rearing chickens, it is how it is done. Mr Padman 5 s article alone is invaluahle.

"The Simplex Milking Machine" (Simplex Milking Machine Co., Ltd., and Goodfellow, Ltd., Hamilton).— In a 52 page booklet, this fine milking machine is fully described and illustrated, every working part being fully shown and a mass of invaluable information being given. Users of the Simplex machine speak most highly of its merits and prospective users "will find the pamphlet, to be had from Messrs Goodfellow, Ltd.—by whose manager it has been produced—a very useful guide to the machine and how to use it.