Every hobbyist, both the serious and the casual, requires a reference document that is capable of meeting the demands of an inquisitive mind. Walter Page Wright's <i>An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Gardening</i>, first published in 1911, is one such reference manual for the gardening enthusiast.<br><br>Wright makes it clear in his introduction that this reference book is not for the professional botanist intending to work with exotic species of plant. Rather, <i>An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Gardening</i> is aimed squarely at the casual gardener. The vast majority of space within the manual is devoted to bulbs, fruits, flower gardens, kitchen gardens, and greenhouses. Many species of plant have been intentionally omitted in order to provide adequate space for the plants and fruits the North American hobbyist gardener will encounter.<br><br>If you have a plant or fruit growing in your backyard, there is a good chance it has been detailed within this reference book. Detailed descriptions, ideal growing conditions, expected life cycles and directions for propagation are all included for almost every entry.<br><br>Those who picked up An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Gardening in 1911 certainly would have been impressed by the depth and breadth of the information contained within. However, with the wealth of information freely available on the World Wide Web today, it is impossible to recommend this book as one's sole reference guide for the world of gardening. Despite its slightly outdated nature however, the book still stands up as a valuable addition to the library of any gardening enthusiast.