NEW EDITION
   
   A Guide to Ecological Soil Management
   
   by Grace Gershuny & Joseph Smillie
   Third Edition, 1995
   
   This handbook provides a practical introduction
   to managing soils for long-term productivity.
   It offers useful guidelines to help make sound
   management decisions based on ecological principles.
   
   
   "This one belongs in the library of anyone who wants a quick reference
   
   manual on practical solutions to practical problems."
   --Charles Walters, editor of Acres, U.S.A.
   
   
   In an era of escalating costs, The Soul of Soil is a welcome tool,
   with many sensible ways to save money and use less chemicals. The
   reference shows you how to observe and evaluate your soil's texture,
   moisture, structure, drainage, compaction, organic content, and
   biological health. It explains how to interpret your own and
   laboratory soil tests, then design the best program to improve your
   soil, correcting its deficiencies to produce superlative crops.
   
   Some of the techniques for building fertile soil included in this
   reference:
     * Organic Matter Management
     * Building & Maintaining Humus
     * On-Farm Composting
     * Green Manures & Crop Rotations
     * Cultivation & Weed Control
     * Nutrient Balances & Soil Testing
     * Using Mineral Fertilizers
     * Storing and Applying Animal Manures
     * Drainage, Irrigation & Tillage
     * Erosion Prevention
       
   
  IMPROVE YOUR SOIL WHILE REDUCING COSTS AND USING FEWER CHEMICALS.
  
   The Soul of Soil explains how soil organisms supply plants with the
   necessary nutrients at the right time, in the right form and in the
   right amount. The goal of ecological soil management is to enhance
   conditions for the billions of microbes found in every gram of healthy
   soil, without reliance on purchased inputs.
   
   For those who have already implemented organic certification or are
   considering doing so, the discussions of recordkeeping, materials
   evaluation, and federal regulations will aid in planning.
   
   The Soul of Soil includes many tables, a glossary, lists of resource
   groups & organizations, and a bibliography.
   
   "The best basic work on fertility and sensible food production we've
   seen."
   
   --Necessary Trading Company, New Castle, VA.
   
   
  ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
  
   The authors are experienced farmers, farm advisors and writers. Joe
   Smillie has worked widely as a consultant in ecological agriculture
   since 1976. He is co-author of The Orchard Almanac. Grace Gershuny
   edited Organic Farmer: The Digest of Sustainable Agriculture from 1990
   to 1994, and recently joined the staff of the USDA's National Organic
   Program to implement its accreditation program for organic
   certification.
   
   
   
   Softcover: 6' X 9" 192 pages. Retail Price $16.95 ISBN 0-932857-16-7
   
   
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