"Cloning", both the word and the deed, continue their frontal assaults on the world's languages and mores. By now-May, 1997-most of Planet Earth's human population must know that plants and animals-including mammals-can be cloned. In fact, laws are being written even as I write this prohibiting the cloning of people.

Therefore, barring a dramatic change in human nature, we can expect to see human clones popping up all over the place any day now.

But the cloning of plants has been going on by natural means for eons and by micropropagation in laboratories for decades. This book, now in its third edition, continues to inform and amaze us about this wonderful process called micropropagation. Talk about miracles!

There is a lot of basic science in this book. Fortunately, it's science written on the level of the dedicated amateur plant enthusiast.

In fact, the authors encourage tissue culture "gardening" as a perfect hobby for the elderly or the handicapped. If you're thinking

11 small business" along about now, you're right: the authors discuss such a venture. A suitable lab, it seems, can be set up without a great deal of expense or room and valuable plants reproduced for sale. The key to it all is sterilization, from one's equipment right down to the air likely to contact one's plants-in-the-making.

The first section of this book provides an overview and history of its subject, then carefully details items such as the laboratory, media, explants, transfer, growing on, business, etc. Following this section are details of the micropropagation of specific genera.

Many "bulbous" plants are detailed, complete with growing media formulas. Hippeastrum, Arum, Freesia, Iris-two formulas, one for rhizomatous, one for bulbous-Lilies, Hemerocallis, Begonia, they're all here along with many other "bulbous" genera. Contents and index (Why isn't the word "explant" listed in the index? Because it's used so many times throughout the book, maybe?) are here, of course, along with a comprehensive bibliography, a fine glossary, a useful Formula Comparison Chart and four appendices which cover Metric Conversions (metric to imperial), The Microscope..., Professional Organizations and Suppliers.

This is an altogether wonderful book for budding plant scientists or gardeners who seeks to expand their gardening knowledge.

Charles Hardman