Agriculture, art, science, and industry of managing the growth of plants and animals for human use. In a broad sense agriculture includes cultivation of the soil growing and harvesting crops breeding and raising of livestock, dairying, and forestry. Modern agriculture depends heavily on engineering and technology and on the biological and physical sciences. Irrigation, drainage, conservation, and sanitation each of which is important in successful farming-are some of the fields requiring the specialized knowledge of agricultural engineers. Agricultural chemistry deals with other vital farm problems, such as uses of fertilizer, insecticide, and fungicide, soil makeup, analysis of agricultural products, and nutritional needs of farm animals. Plant breeding and genetics contribute immeasurably to farm productivity. Genetics has also placed livestock breeding on a scientific basis. Hydroponics, a method of soil less gardening in which plants are grown in chemical nutrient solutions, may solve additional agricultural problems.

All these issues in the context of teaching Agriculture have been discussed in the present work in detail. Undoubtedly, this will prove a very useful volume for all concerned.

Agriculture is witnessing a gradual change particularly in the cropping system, land use system and input utilization. The quest for higher productivity is leading to the serious problems of soil salinity and high water-table in irrigated areas. All these factors have provided ideal conditions for major trends towards diversification in favour of tropical plans such as fruit plantation crops, spices, vegetables and ornamental crops.

Though there are number of new books relating to the agriculture and horticulture of tropics and subtropics but the demand for Macmillian's Handbook of Tropical Plants, is ever increasing. It is recognized as a standard book which can be recommended with confidence.

This book will be highly useful to all those who are interested in agricultural or horticultural undertakings in the tropics. Thus, this will prove vade mecum to students and academics in the field of Botany and Agricultural sciences besides the botanists and scientists in the field.

The subject of environmental chemistry and pollution control has taken roots in most of the Universities and IITs. The subject is very vast and this book is designed specifically for the recently introduced course on 'Energy, Ecology, Environment and Society' for B.E. students.

The book is comprised of five chapters namely: Energy and environment; Environment and ecology; Atmosphere; Hydrosphere; and Lithosphere and noise pollution, in order of five units of syllabus, followed by Model Question Bank. Thus, the book will meet the basic requirement of the students.

The subject matter has been presented in sound, logical and lucid manner.

The book makes an indepth study of agricultural finance relating to institutional sources. It seeks to examine in detail their role in providing agricultural finance. Problems faced by the agriculturists in obtaining finance and likewise the problems faced by the beneficiaries and institutions suitable measures have been suggested to overcome these problems.

This book will certainly prove beneficial to the Government, the Reserve Bank of India, the teacher, and the researchers, the students of Economics at every level and for preparing various competitive examinations.