(922) Mon 18 May 92 11:49 By: Lawrence London To: ALL Re: New book on working with difficult soils (from Usenet, rec.gardens) St: Local Sent ------------------------------------------------------------------------ @MSGID: 1:151/502 458ad4ce @PID: FM 2.02 Article 7352 (132 more) in rec.gardens: From: BAUM, STEVEN K Subject: new book about difficult soils Keywords: limstone, alkaline, clay, caliche Date: Wed, 13 May 1992 13:35:00 GMT I purchased my copy of the May/June "Texas Gardener" yesterday (which is, by the way, a nifty publication all around) and ran across an editorial about a book in which a bunch of (beware of incipient regionalism) y'all might have some interest. The title is _Gardening Success With Difficult Soils: Limestone, Alkaline, Clay and Caliche_ and the author Scott Ogden. I don't know if he's related to the other Ogdens of gardening reknown. Here's a few bits from the review (w/o permission, of course): "Ogden explains the nature of calcareous soils in a very detailed and easy-to-understand style. His background as a gardener adds immensely to the book. It is obvious that he has done a good job of research and his list of credits is impressive. In addition to covering the basics of limey soils, Ogden makes specific recommendations on a host of plants ranging from mid-season flowers to fruits and vegetables and just about everything in between. If you follow the guidelines he presents in this book you can't help but be a more successful gardener. My favorite chapter is titled 'Treasures of the Sierra Madre.' Here, Ogden writes 'Gradually, ineluctably, the gardener's attention draws southward, to the botanical treasure-house of North America: Mexico. Perhaps no comparable area on earth offers a greater diversity of floral wonders than the Mexican republic. Mexico combines the botanical provinces of plains and mountains in the north with tropical lowlands, deserts, plateaus, and barrancas in the south, so that each square mile displays and astounding array of species. Many of these grow happily on lime, and a great number accept intense heat and summer rain." Ogden goes on the charm the reader with his knowledge of Mexican flora as well as specify candidates for adaptation to limey soils. The book is published by Taylor Publishing Company and sells for $17.95. I notice further back in the magazine that is is also available via mail order (for cover price + $2.50) from Gardener's Bookshelf, TG5 PO Box 16416, Hooksett, NH 03106-6416. I've no interest in the book financially. My interest stems from two years worth of sore muscles and broken garden forks contending with the local "epoxy when wet, concrete when dry" montmorillonite "soil". May your tomatoes be juicy, your peppers hot, and your soil friable, S. Baum, --- * Origin: EARTH*Net*Host:SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE Echo*919-9323115 (1:151/502) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (2747) Fri 3 Jul 92 0:34 By: Lawrence London To: ALL Re: Good reading (from SANET, bibliography, Internet) St: Local Sent ------------------------------------------------------------------------ @MSGID: 1:151/502 5c179f5b @PID: FM 2.02 File: shb-132 Author: Anon. Title: Sustainable Farming Guide Book Publisher: Minnesota Department of Agriculture/Energy & Sustainable Agriculture Program Year: 1990 Contact: Linda Bougie (612-296-7673) Notes: Available in quantities. Freely duplicatable. Abstract: Written for farmers who want to change from conventional management practices to more sustainable practices and for the agri-professionals who assist them. The objective is to provide current information on sustainable agriculture practices and how to adapt these practices to Minnesota farms. Discussions include chapters on how to make the transition to sustainable practices; detailed descriptions of twelve Minnesota sustainable farms; sustainable weed management; and intensive rotational grazing. File: shb-133 Author: Anon. Title: Sustainable Agriculture Resources and Information Directory Minnesota 1991 Publisher: Minnesota Department of Agriculture/Energy & Sustainable Agriculture Program Year: 1991 Contact: Linda Bougie (612-296-7673) Notes: Available in quantities. Freely duplicatable. Abstract: A comprehensive listing of individuals and organizations involved in sustainable agriculture in Minnesota and surrounding states. It lists addresses, telephone numbers, contact people, and brief descriptions of the organizations. File: shb-134 Author: Anon. Title: Greenbook 1991 Publisher: Minnesota Department of Agriculture/Energy & Sustainable Agriculture Program Year: 1991 Contact: Linda Bougie (612-296-7673) Notes: Available in quantities. Freely duplicatable. Abstract: An annual report of activities of the Energy and Sustainable Agriculture Program (ESAP) of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Included are summaries of on-farm research conducted by ESAP staff and participating farmers; results of grant projects funded by the program; and descriptions of the sustainable agriculture loan program. File: shb-105 Author: Stone, Nicholas D., Title: The Planning Problem in Agriculture: Farm-Level Crop Rotation Planning as an Example". Publisher: AI Applications Year: 1991 Contact: Dr. Rosalind D. Buick or Dr. Nick D. Stone (703-231-9116 or 703-231-6885) Notes: Available in quantities. Not freely duplicatable. Abstract: Legislatures now require farmers to file resource management plans. However, neither farmers nor the government agencies responsible for administering and approving the plans have the tools necessary to devise plans that meet environmental, economic, and practical needs of farmers. In this paper we introduce AI planning methods, discussing three different planning engines(case-based planning, heuristic search and pruning, and constraint-based planning) applied to the problem of developing whole-farm crop rotation plans on a specific farm. The discussion is based on the development of CROPS, the Crop ROtation Planning System, a program funded by the USDA's program in low-input sustainable agriculture. File: shb-110 Author: Gardner, John C. (Editor) Title: Alternative Crop and Alternative Crop Production Research Source: An annual report including progress summaries of on-going studies. Publisher: North Dakota State University Year: February 1991 Contact: John C. Garner or Blaine G. Schatz (701-652-2951) Notes: Not available in quantities. Freely duplicatable. Abstract: Summarizes the second year of production research undertaken by the Alternative Crops Task Force at North Dakota State University. Research has been directed at developing new crops and providing needed production information on existing alternative crops. Other research has been directed to evaluating new crop production methods compatible with both traditional and new crops. Multiple cropping is being evaluated as a practice which holds the potential to effectively maintain or increase yield levels while decreasing the dependance upon purchased crop production inputs. File: shb-121 Author: Anon. Title: Conservation Tillage Fact Sheet Series Publisher: Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) Year: February 1991 Contact: Mary Ann Bahler Notes: Available in quantities. Freely duplicatable. Abstract: A series of 15 fact sheets on conservation tillage developed by the Conservation Tillage Educational Planning Group of which CTIC is a member. These single sheets are printed on recycled paper with soy ink. Topics covered include conservation tillage, non-till, ridge-till and residue management. File: shb-148 Author: Eckert, D. J. Title: Crop Production Alternatives Source: Bulletin 812 Publisher: Ohio Cooperative Extension Service Year: 1990, 1991 reprint Contact: OCES Office of Information (614-292-2011) Notes: Available in quantities. Freely duplicatable. Abstract: A compilation of recommendations designed for farmers who wish to produce field crops with fewer or no commercial ag chemicals. Covers tillage, fertility, weed control, insect control, disease control, and erosion. Written by a team of specialists with particular expertise in these fields. File: shb-106 Author: Anon. Title: Crop ROtation Planning System - a whole-farm planning system Source: A Trifold Brochure. Publisher: Information Systems & Insect Studies, Dept. of Entomology, VPI&SU. Year: 1991 Contact: Dr. Rosalind D. Buick or Dr. Nick D. Stone (703-231-9116 or 703-231-6885) Notes: Abstract: A color trifold brochure that describes the Crop ROtation Planning System (CROPS), the need for such a system in agriculture today and the system's output as a series of plans; a soil conservation plan, a pesticide management plan, a nutrient management plan, and a crop rotation and tillage plan. File: shb-101 Author: Strange, Marty Title: Family Farming, a New Economic Vision Publisher: Institute for Food and Development Policy and the University of Nebraska Press Year: 1988 Contact: Stansberry, Jan (402-846-5428) Notes: Available in quantities. Not freely duplicatable. Abstract: Americans decry the decline of family farming but stand by helplessly as industrial farming takes over. The prevailing sentiment is that family farms should survive for important social, ethical and economic reasons. But will they? Possibly not, if current policies are not altered, says Marty Strange. encourages expansion - a bias evident in federal commodity programs, income tax provisions, and subsidized credit services. The farm financial crisis of the 1980's is a result of this trend. File: shb-127 Author: Krush, Ann (Editor) Title: Practical Rewrites Publisher: Iowa's Organic Information Network Year: 1991 Contact: Ann Krush (515-244-4727) Notes: Not available in quantities. Freely duplicatable. Abstract: Iowa's Organic Information Network recognizes the difficulty in finding practical information on organic farming methods. Each "Practical Rewrite" is a single fact sheet which combines and presents information on one topic from several sources. File: shb-147 Author: Anon. Title: Information Packets Publisher: Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture Year: 1991 Contact: Lara Ervin (918-647-9123) Notes: Available in quantities. Freely duplicatable. Abstract: Information Packets on: Blackberries, Blueberries, Christmas Trees, Eastern Gamagrass, Meat Goat Production and Marketing, Organic Gardening, Range Layers, Shiitake Mushrooms, Sorghum Syrup, Strawberries, U-pick Farming, Walk Through Cattle Fly Trap. The packet includes KCSA "Newsletter" reprints, extension fact sheets, articles from appropriate periodicals, and materials from associations. File: shb-130 Author: Jackson, Wes Title: Altars of Unhewn Stone: Science and the Earth Publisher: North Point Press Year: 1987 Contact: Beth Gibans (913-823-5376) Notes: Available in quantities. Not freely duplicatable. Abstract: Restores the critical link between science and cultural wisdom, showing that recent findings support traditional attitudes about farming, land and resource use, and the interrelations of cultural and biological communities. File: shb-131 Author: Jackson, Wes, Title: Meeting the Expectation of the Land Publisher: North Point Press Year: 1984 Contact: Beth Gibans (913-823-5376) Notes: Available in quantities. Not freely duplicatable. Abstract: Essays in sustainable agriculture and stewardship by 19 authors. File: shb-125 Author: Ward, Jack, Title: Pacific Northwest Sustainable Ag Farming for Profit and Stewardship Newsletter Publisher: Oregon and Washington State Universities Year: April 1990 on Contact: Daniel McGrath (503-588-5301) Notes: Available in quantities. Freely duplicatable. Abstract: Represents a significant commitment by the Directors of the Experiment Stations and Extension Services of Oregon State, Washington State, and Idaho Universities. File: shb-145 Author: Sullivan, Preston Title: Summer Annual Green Manure Crops Publisher: Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture Year: 1991 Contact: Lara Ervin (918-647-9123) Notes: Available in quantities. Freely duplicatable. Abstract: One page fact sheet describing legumes adapted to the mid- South region including mungbeans, cowpeas, soybeans, and annual lespedezas. Selected seed sources are also listed. File: shb-129 Author: Jackson, Wes Title: New Roots for Agriculture Publisher: University of Nebraska Press Year: 1980 Contact: Beth Gibans (913-823-5376) Notes: Available in quantities. Not freely duplicatable. Abstract: Jackson calls for the development of plant combinations that yield food while holding the soil and renewing its nutrients without plowing or applying fossil-fuel-based fertilizers or pesticides. His new way of raising crops, working with the soil's natural systems, would keep the world's breadbasket producing perpetually. --- * Origin: EARTH*Net*Host:SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE Echo*919-9323115 (1:151/502) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (3733) Mon 17 Aug 92 0:56 By: Lawrence London To: ALL Re: Gardening book St: Local Sent ------------------------------------------------------------------------ @MSGID: 1:151/502 7300532c @PID: FM 2.02 Article 9856 (53 more) in rec.gardens: From: Lynsey Gedye Subject: Suggestion for books on landscaping... Date: 9 Aug 92 17:37:41 GMT-12 Further to books on how to design a garden... John BROOKES "Your Garden Design Book" - The complete practical guide to planning, styling and planting any garden. 1991 Dorling Kindersley Ltd, 9 Henrietta Street, London WC2E 8PS, U.K. ISBN 0 85091 404 3 In Australia, 1991, Lothian Publishing Company Pty Ltd 11 Munroe Street, Port Melbourne, Victoria 3207 Published in association with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. "John Brookes takes you step-by-step through every stage in creating your own design blueprints, from the easy to learn skills for measuring your garden and drawing up a plan, to judging scale and siting plants. He shows you how to give your garden a coherant style by the approriate choice of surfaces and enclosures as well as accessories, such as furniture and sculpture. He approaches planting from a design viewpoint, focusing on the plants' visual potential and showing how to integrate them successfully into your design." - from the sleeve notes, which are, IMHO, on the button. Please note I'm not a publisher's puppet - but if you're out there, Mr Dorling Kindersley, a) please continue to produce books like this and b) for a suitable sum I'm open to becomming a publisher's puppet =:)!! --- * Origin: EARTH*Net*Host:SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE Echo*919-9323115 (1:151/502) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (3905) Wed 19 Aug 92 11:01 By: Scott Parks To: All Re: Sence Of Humus 1/2 St: 3954> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ @MSGID: 1:343/70 748b0222 @PID: GE 1/b7 Message #6332 on "The Herbalist" (public) Date : 07-10-92 14:35 From : Song Bird To : All Subj : A sense of humus Til late in the midnite hours I buried myself in the old pages of this book. It's the recollections of a transplanted Californian woman who finds herself in New England territory back in the 30's. She remarks in vivid detail on the all the things that left indelible marks upon her as she attempted to garden in a place where the population considered her attempts to build humus for her garden as almost an affront to the natural way of things. Along the way her lively and sometimes lurid descriptions carried me away until I was no longer curled up in bed, but touching the knots of old pine floors, and savoring the smell of sweet corn-cob smoked ham. The feeling and passion of being in such a pleasureable "elsewhere" was not one I could easily put away. The room in the attic (saved for those family members that didn't rate the spare room) where the chimney kept the place toasty in winter and the first sound to greet you in the morning was the singing of birds, the dark cool root celler where was stored the toil of the summer in preserves - smoked meats - vegetables - and buttery things, and the kitchen that was yearly whitewashed and lovingly papered over wooden slats. She gives the heart of the book in a page that is at once terribly funny and thought provoking. Perhaps there is wisdom in her laughter. A Sense of Humus Bertha Damon Simon and Schuster 1943 "One who has used humus in horticulture falls into the way of thinking about other kinds of culture in terms of humus. Such education as he himself has -- what is it but a compost of all the things he once learned and has in a way forgotten -- a humus in which the original elements have lost their identity? Have not those green scraps of knowledge, mixed with tough experiences and ripened by time, turned into a kind of wisdom? He understands how it is that a word is said to have roots, and how its present meanings have grown up out of layers of old meanings. He sees a book as a small deposit of humus made from the writer's experiences and reflections, and a library as a great rich compost heap which has accumulated and preserved stored energy for future growth. Decayed liturature, as Thoreau observed, makes the richest of all soils. He sees that certain period of human history, such as the Periclean, the Renaissance, and the Elizabethan, are like certian geologic periods; they made better growth than others and laid down deeper layers. A humusist comes to think the answer to many problems would seem to be more humus -- more of that which was once vital itself and now has power to give vitality. For a soil, this might be a leaf mold or a green crop turned under; for a mind, it might be a page of history or an example left by a hero. To have a sense of humus is to have an appreciation of the past, to realize that to discard the achievements and virtues slowly built up through long periods of human society and to attempt to live solely in this present is like throwing away humus and trying to exist in more or less inorganic hardpan. A young human plant needs mellowed soil deep enough to encourage his roots to go down and rich enough in stored energy to give vigor. One who works much with humus sees it to be a symbol of democracy, in which many work for the good of one, and one works for the good of many. He comes in time to honor the ideal of service for itself and not for individual recognition, of service great and unending in which small and brief services have been blended. He comes to hold the modest hope that his immortality may be in a diffused influence for good, the hope that among "those immortal dead who live again in minds made better by their presence" he may take his honorable but undistinguished part." Take just a moment to clear the grand and noble laughter from the brain and think.... What makes a gardener garden? For me it comes in the indescribable joy of my hands in good soil, in the lingering sweetness of fresh corn upon the tounge, in the bundles of dried herbs the hang in the kitchen. Perhaps Damon gives breath to a wider feeling that leaves my own faculty wordless. Perhaps it's a secret fear of being made to feel foolish by such grand thoughts. It's not the money savings, though thats certainly something I'd love to pretend. As my husband casually remarked the other evening whilst chewing upon fresh garden lettuce, "Why, dear, I believe this is the most expensive lettuce I've ever eaten." It's not some sort of personal fastidiousness about clean food. After carting about loads of odoriferous manures, making war on bugs making whoopee, and rescuing Lady bugs from my disposal, I've come to the clear conclusion that food is much tidier from the store. So what is it? The hail beats my babies to a pulp, and the frost pulps my pumpkin and yet I persist. Maybe Bertha Damon has something and there is truly a grand and larger scheme in all of our struggles. It's certainly better than believeing that I'm one card short of a full deck. Song Bird >>> Continued to next message --- GEcho 1.00/beta * Origin: The Helix/Intentional Future/HST-DS/(206)783-6368 (1:343/70) @PATH: 343/70 300 209/209 13/13 151/1003 3641/1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (3906) Wed 19 Aug 92 11:01 By: Scott Parks To: All Re: Sence Of Humus 2/2 St: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ @MSGID: 1:343/70 748b0223 @PID: GE 1/b7 >>> Continued from previous message I spun, I wove, I kept the house, I nursed the sick, I made the garden, and for holiday Rambled over the fields where sang the larks And by Spoon River gathering many a shell, And many a flower and medicinal weed-- Shouting to the wooded hills, singing to the green valleys, At ninety-six I had lived enough, that is all, and passed to a sweet repose. What is this I hear of sorrow and weariness, Anger, discontent and drooping hopes? Degenerate sons and daughters, Life is too strong for you-- It takes life to love life. --Edgar Lee Masters: Spoon River Anthology --- GEcho 1.00/beta * Origin: The Helix/Intentional Future/HST-DS/(206)783-6368 (1:343/70) @PATH: 343/70 300 209/209 13/13 151/1003 3641/1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (4376) Tue 8 Sep 92 13:12 By: Lawrence London To: ALL Re: ECOLINK St: Local Sent ------------------------------------------------------------------------ @MSGID: 1:151/502 7e0cacf7 @PID: FM 2.02 alt.gathering.rainbow #94 (5 more) (1) Date: Fri Sep 4 22:20:00 1992 From: Peter Fraterdeus Subject: EcoLinking -- Book Access Attn: awf.rainbownews EcoLinking -- Book Access The book I referred to as "Econetting" is actually called "Ecolinking", and is being offered (interestingly) for $14. from MacZone, a Macintosh software distributor. The book, by Don Rittner is published by PeachPit Press. MacZone catalog says this about it: >> Join Forces and Save our Planet! Join forces with others who are battling to save our environment! EcoLinking is the first guide to the rapidly growing phenomenon of activists and researchers using personal computers and modems to link up with each other. The book covers four major resources: Global Networks, Electronic Bulletin Boards, Commercial Online Services, and Libraries that never close. With resources like these, you _can_ make a difference! << MacZone has a 24 hour 800 number for orders: 1 800 248 0800 I recommend this book as a valuable resource for anyone with an interest in how to use "new age" technology to help heal and re-direct the energies on the planet! Petros --- * Origin: EARTH*Net*Host:SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE Echo*919-9323115 (1:151/502) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1512) Sat 15 Feb 92 21:12 By: Lawrence London To: ALL Re: Houseplant magazine St: Local ------------------------------------------------------------------------ @MSGID: 1:151/502 17142bf7 @PID: FM 2.02 Article 5034 (48 more) in rec.gardens: From: Bob.Batson@kcufgat.fidonet.org (Bob Batson) Subject: HousePlant Forum Date: 28 Jan 92 19:23:01 GMT According to the January 1992 update to _Gardening by Mail: A Source Book_ by Barbara J. Barton (ISBN 0-395-52280-3), 3rd edition, the magazine _Houseplant Forum_ has ceased publication, but will be replaced by _HousePlant Magazine_, a quarterly. It will be larger, with color, and cost 19.95 a year. The address is as follows: HOUSEPLANT MAGAZINE 1449 William Sillery, PQ, Canada G1S 4G5 --- * Origin: EARTH*Net*Home:SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE ECHO*919-9293346 (1:151/502) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1519) Sat 15 Feb 92 23:28 By: Lawrence London To: ALL Re: Rix and Phillips photographic books St: Local ------------------------------------------------------------------------ @MSGID: 1:151/502 17142bfe @PID: FM 2.02 Article 4730 (12 more) in rec.gardens: From: Kay Klier Subject: Rix and Phillips photographic books Date: 9 Jan 92 16:59:38 GMT Organization: University of Northern Iowa Roger Phillips and Martyn Rix have collaborated on a number of photographic books for plant identification that I think are superb! Nicely photographed, often including habitat shots of the plant in its native area, all sorts of species I don't normally see in the horticultural trade (but I've often read descriptions and wanted to see the plant), and pretty solid information. I think the first book in the series was Bulbs, and was published in England-- finally republished here by Random House, who have since gone on to publish Mushrooms, Trees, Roses, Shrubs, and now two volumes on perennials. I drooled over the library's copy of the Bulb book, haunted the used book stores, but didn't find it again until it was republished. Now I'm starting to see the books show up in used book stores, and sometimes even in the bent-and-dent sale section in regular book stores. I think they're running about $25/ volume new, but I bought a copy of Roses with a damaged cover for $2 last week, and a copy Bulbs (virtually unused) for $10 (second copies for my class to use -- I wince when someone casually flops a book face down on a lab bench). Kay Klier Biology Dept UNI --- * Origin: EARTH*Net*Home:SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE ECHO*919-9293346 (1:151/502) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1534) Sun 16 Feb 92 18:12 By: Helen Fleischer To: Lawrence London Re: Re: MORE SEED SOURCE INFO St: Rcvd ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Brussels sprouts, "Rubine" is now widely available. It is inthe current Thompson and Morgan catalog and is also carried by Parks, and I think a few others I ordered form, like Pinetree. It is a great plant and winters over fro a second late-winter or early spring crop here in MD. --- TBBS v2.1/NM * Origin: The Coffee Club BBS: 301-353-9315, Germantown, MD (1:109/426) @PATH: 109/426 70 25 396/1 13/13 151/1003 3641/1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1592) Wed 4 Mar 92 15:15 By: Cissy Bowman To: Lawrence London Re: Organic Farmer Magazine St: Rcvd ------------------------------------------------------------------------ @PID: QE 2.75- Hi! I promise I will try to get that stuff in the mail ASAP. Meanwhile, here is info. on the magazine: Editor: Grace Gershuny, 15 Barre St., Montpelier, Vermont 05602, (802)223-7222voice/(802)223-0269fax. Current cost is $15.00/year (just went up); 2 year subscription for $28.00. This is a great source for legislative updates, and provides input from many of the big names in TRULY alternative ag. grace is a busy woman, but generally it is easy to get through to her. You may have read some of her books/articles in the past.. The publication encourages input from the grassroots level as well--let them know what you are doing. I'm gonna go see if I can get some plowing done!!! Keep in touch, and don't get too fed up with the system. As my husband says: "Anything worth doing is worth overdoing!" Later, Cissy --- QuickBBS 2.75 (Eval) * Origin: ORDOVICIAN OOZE * Into backyard self-sufficiency! (1:231/230) @PATH: 231/230 250 11/2 396/1 13/13 151/1003 3641/1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1613) Mon 16 Mar 92 9:42 By: Lawrence London To: ALL Re: More Booklists St: Local ------------------------------------------------------------------------ @MSGID: 1:151/502 26092f20 @PID: FM 2.02 Article 5619 (5 more) in rec.gardens: From: klier Subject: BASIC GARDEN BOOKLIST: HELP!!! Date: 5 Mar 92 16:57:06 GMT CALLING ALL EXPERIENCED GARDENERS! First garden season is upon us, and it might be nice if we compiled a list of worthwhile beginning gardening books. If you had a friend who wanted to start gardening and didn't know much more about plants than "green side up", and only wanted to read or buy one book, what would you recommend? My first choices for really basic and easily available: Better Homes and Gardens _Gardening Book_, very basic, and well suited to midwest/east and parts of the west. But probably less suited to the far west and south. Sunset _Western Gardening Book_, for the western states Time-Life gardening series, with titles like "Annuals", "Perennials", "Lawns", "Vines"-- though these are not exactly general because each major topic is a whole book, they are very nice, and often available at public libraries. Rodale has _The Complete Book of Organic Gardening_, but it's rather expensive, and I've never been able to spend much time with it. But it must be useful, since the 3 copies we purchased for a small public library were all stolen almost immediately, and the copy that I bought for myself developed legs after a day on my bookshelf... So: What over goodies are out there????? Kay From: K. Rogers Subject: Re: BASIC GARDEN BOOKLIST: HELP!!! Date: 5 Mar 92 18:57:21 GMT >read or buy one book, what would you recommend? Don't know how experienced I am but - >Sunset _Western Gardening Book_, for the western states This book is a God-send for us in the West. I use it over and over. >So: What over goodies are out there????? Ok, you didn't specify what kind of gardening, so here's my input. I like specialty books better than general ones, usually, because you get more than a glossing of the topic. Ferns: The Encyclopedia of Ferns, (by Davis, I think.) Timber Press. This is THE book to have for all fern lovers. Orchids: Orchid Grower's Manual (I think), the author is Northen. The best of a zillion introductory orchid books, IMO. Fruits: The HP manual on Western Fruits, Nuts, and Berries by Stebbins, for those of us in the West again. Bulbs: The HP manual on bulbs. I like virtually all HP books - more than Ortho or Sunset ones which are similar. Herbs: The Rodale book is my favorite of 6 or so books I own and more I've scanned or read. Xeriscaping: For Rocky Mountain states only (or primarily) The Xeriscape Flower Garden. A small book by a guy in Colorado on a mission from God to reduce or eliminate sensless water hogs for those of us who live in deserts. Lots of luck to him. In my case, he's preaching to the choir, after talking with other employees who have new yards they need to landscape, the only thing they'll listen to is Kentucky Bluegrass and roses. Makes a lot of sense for a place that gets 14" of water a year, 70% of it in the winter. But I digress and preach... Houseplants: No overwhelming favorite, but I like the Good Housekeeping Encyclopedia (Manual?) of Houseplants best of the ones I've read. Also, one college level introductory botany text is good stuff if they really get into gardening. My favorite of the ones I've read is Biology of Plants, by Raven, et al. Maybe Kay has some better ones or ones she likes better since she teaches this stuff for a living. I won't divulge titles about my real interest, lower vascular plants, living and fossilized, in which all the books are rather technical and obscure... -- Keith Rogers rec.gardens: From: david.j.daulton Subject: Re: BASIC GARDEN BOOKLIST: HELP!!! Date: 5 Mar 92 19:47:36 GMT What books does every gardener need. I know of two. 1. Wyman's. (That's how me and my gardening friends refer to it. I am sure someone will give the complete name.) 2. Dirr's (I think it is "Manual of Woody Landscape Plants" or something such.) Unfortunately, neither has good pictures, and I am still looking for a good book that illustrates plants, A-to-Z. Most such books are divided into inconvenient catagories, such as "pink ground covers", so as I go through my spring catalogues, I have to keep skipping back and forth through the picture-type book. Anybody got any suggestions in this area? Dave Daulton P.S. Since you are in Iowa, if you get a chance, stop by the "Bald Eagle Nursery" east of Clinton (in Indiana, I guess). He has American Chestnuts, a cold-hardy pecan, and lots of grasses. rec.gardens: From: kistler Subject: RE: BASIC GARDEN BOOKLIST: HELP!!! Date: 5 Mar 92 21:13:41 GMT The New Seed Starters Handbook by Nancy Bubel, Rodale Press. I think it gives an nice overview of seed starting techniques. It has a table of germination rates and optimal soil temperatures. She discusses a wide variety of plants, giving germination as well as transplanting hints. The book also has chapters on cold frame, hotbeds and greenhouses. The primary emphasis is on vegetables although she does discuss some flowers. I don't remember how much it cost but I think it was about $15.00. Doris Kistler rec.gardens: From: Paul Harvey Subject: Re: Banana seeds (growing bananas) Date: 5 Mar 92 18:52:28 GMT Some tips on growing bananas: You have to remove pups or offshoots. In a pot, only allow one pup to grow. Remove all others and repot or give away to friends or better yet distribute them on the net. Once the main plant has flowered and fruited and you have eaten the fruit, cut it off. You can eat it or compost it. The one replacement pup becomes the new plant and you allow a new pup to develop that will eventually be its replacement. In a pot, the pup competes with the main plant, so ideally you would remove all pups until the main plant has flowered and then keep one pup. The male blossom is ussually removed to avoid cigar-end rot, you cat eat it also. Growers place a plastic bag over the fruit to keep rain off, this might affect ripening and could be worth experimenting with. As for the fruit, some bananas produce better fruit as the corm matures, ie later and later pups produce better fruit. Also the fruit is somewhat like pears in that it ussually ripens better off of the plant. The trick, just like pears, is to know when to pick. You have to experiment, but when they just begin to yellow would be a good starting point. At this point, you can remove some fruit and ripen it like you would store bought fruit, (not in the fridge please!) Fruit left on the plant will either dry out or rot into mush. One of the virtues of the common banana that you find in the store is consistency. All fruits are equally bland and have equal texture. Most other bananas vary from fruit to fruit, so often no two fruit are alike. This is a trait common to most tropical edibles and is ussually expected and prefered by tropical peoples. It's us Europeans, in particular us US types, that have a hang up with consistency, some kind of fallout from industrialization. So if you are willing to occasionally eat some average fruit, you will also be rewarded with some occasionally incredibly good fruit from the same plant. You could argue that the non-commercial bananas have not been "developed", but I think if you want the best tasting edibles, you have to give up on the consistency requirement. If you want consistency, you have to settle for average taste. Isn't this the lesson of the 80's, you can't get it all for nothing, there is a price for everything? rec.gardens: From: Paul Harvey Subject: Re: BASIC GARDEN BOOKLIST: REQUIRED TEXTS Date: 6 Mar 92 18:20:19 GMT References: <1992Mar5.105706.2698@iscsvax.uni.edu> #1 CORNUCOPIA source book of edible plants,Stephen Facciola,Kampong publications, 1810 Sunrise Drive, Vista CA, 92084 #2 GROWING VEGETABLES WEST OF THE CASCADES Steve Solomon's complete guide to Natural Gardening, Sasquatch Books, 1931 Second Ave, Seattle, WA, 98101, (206) 441-5555 #3 SUNSET NEW WESTERN GARDEN BOOK, Lane Publishing, Menlo Park, CA, 94025 #4 Any of the SUNSET/ORTHO/HP books, esp. Ortho's Citrus and Subtrop's ---- #1 CORNUCOPIA: If you only grow what you find at your local sources, this book has little value. BUT, if you are at all interested in edible plants and their sources, YA GOTTA GET THIS BOOK. It is frequently referenced right here on rec.gardens! With this book, you too could be a rec.gardens super-guru! Maybe someone should submit a review of this book! #2 GROWING VEGETABLES WEST OF THE CASCADES OK, ignore the title. If you want one book to explain everything there is to know about growing food in your back yard in straight-forward english, this is it. No urban or rural legends here, he explains everything and covers all options. If you ever wanted to know why things are done certain ways, this it the book. Of course if you live in a maritime climate like Pacific NaM, NE NaM, N. Europe, this book is required. #3 SUNSET NEW WESTERN GARDEN BOOK Yeah, this book is for W NaM, but let's be honest here, we grow mostly European plants just like the rest of the non-tropical world. Oh sure, you'll also find S. European plants in here, and even some NaM natives! This book is such a good collection of plants and how to grow them, I think it has value for everyone. As a matter of fact, I would like to propose a challange. What are the other regional books that are equivalent to this one, if there are any? #4 SUNSET/ORTHO/HP books These books are in about every hardware store and they are a good source of low cost info. Ortho's Citrus and Subtropical Fruits is a must read. rec.gardens: From: Paul Harvey Subject: Re: human manure dangers Date: 13 Mar 92 17:44:42 GMT >Like you, I would like more scientific information. DOES anyone have any >or know where to point us in the correct direction? More other Homes and Garbage, Designs for self-sufficient living, Jim Leckie et al.,Sierra Club Books, 530 Bush Street, SF, CA, 94108, ISBN:0-87156-274-X Appropriate Technology Sourcebook, A guide to practical books for village and small community technology, Ken Darrow, Mike Saxenian, VIA press, POBox 4543, Stanford, CA, 94305, ISBN:0-917704-17-7 --- * Origin: EARTH*Net*Home:SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE ECHO*919-9323115 (1:151/502) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1654) Sun 22 Mar 92 19:05 By: Lawrence London To: ALL Re: something you might like... St: Local ------------------------------------------------------------------------ @MSGID: 1:151/502 29130e7b @PID: FM 2.02 * Forwarded from "Home and Garden" * Originally by John Tucker * Originally to All * Originally dated 22 Mar 1992, 10:10 found in the 1991 Southern Farmer's Almanac: "I have often thought that if heaven had given me a choice of my position and calling, it should have been on a rich spot of earth, well watered, and near a good market for the productions of the garden. No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no culture comparable to that of the garden. Such a variety of subjects, some one always coming to perfection, the failure of one thing repaired by the success of another, and instead of one harvest a continued one through the year. Under a total want of demand except for our family table, I am still devoted to the garden. But though I am an old man, I am but a young gardener." ---Thomas Jefferson to Charles Wilson Peale August 20, 1811 ---John ... The cost of feathers has risen... Now even DOWN is up! ~~~ Blue Wave/RA v2.05 [NR] --- * Origin: EARTH*Net*Home:SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE ECHO*919-9323115 (1:151/502) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1657) Sun 22 Mar 92 22:54 By: Lawrence London To: ALL Re: Landscaping solutions for urban heat islands (Usenet sci.engr.civil) St: Local ------------------------------------------------------------------------ @MSGID: 1:151/502 291680bc @PID: FM 2.02 Article 57 (2 more) in sci.engr.civil: From: JOSEPH T CHEW Newsgroups: sci.engr.civil,sci.geo.meteorology,sci.environment, misc.books.technical Subject: Heat islands book available Keywords: heat islands architecture city planning thermal urban summer Date: 20 Mar 92 23:17:38 GMT A book is now available through the US Environmental Protection Agency on the phenomenon of urban heat islands. "Cooling our Communities: A Guidebook on Tree Planting and Light-Colored Surfacing," by Akbari, Huang, Taha, and Davis, is available for $13 and is supposed to be written in nontechnical language for use by utility planners, government officials, and others interested in energy and environmental issues. Write: Superintendent of Documents P.O. Box 371954 Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954 --Joe --- * Origin: EARTH*Net*Home:SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE ECHO*919-9323115 (1:151/502) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1683) Fri 27 Mar 92 21:50 By: John Tucker To: All Re: found text St: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ @MSGID: 1:3641/1 2c80914e "Blossom by blossom, the greening of the land is now well under way. It started where the bogs are deep and silent, the first flaming of the swamp maples flaunting their red flags, signaling that the coast was clear. And then came the clear, clarion calls of the forest nymphs, those sprightly peepers in disorganized choir chirping their ancestral songs of spring in deafening harmony. Their words seem to say, 'The frost is gone; long live the sun.' The awakening call has sounded, the cathedral doors have been flung open, and something deep within Earth's bosom has responded. The pulsing of the Earth in its renewal affirms that there is something, some force beyond human control, that causes birds to return, spurs grass to grow, tells seeds to bring forth new life, puts perfume in blossoms, and summons bees to pollinate. Its certainty and purpose lift hope with the same power that causes sap to rise to the top of a giant tree. Spring comes in many colors. The deep blue of winter-washed skies, the pink-tinged white of apple blossoms, the fresh green of willow catkins, the purple of violets, the crimson flash of red-wing blackbirds and the gold of daffodils, all emerge from the tawny browns of death and decay. Winged messengers bring songs and colors, of bluebirds and golden finches, of iridescent buntings and russet of robins. Spring is a kaleidoscope of sound, of perfume, of color, all segments of nature's reassurance of a future." -!-relayed by John ... One step forward, two steps baWHOOOOOoooooooaaaaaaaa a a a a ~~~ Blue Wave/RA v2.05 [NR] --- GEcho/beta * Origin: - No GIFs, Games, or Goofy Junk! - (1:3641/1) @PATH: 3641/1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1728) Fri 3 Apr 92 1:10 By: Lawrence London To: ALL Re: Growing organically. St: Local ------------------------------------------------------------------------ @MSGID: 1:151/502 2e97f840 @PID: FM 2.02 Article 5679 (9 more) in rec.gardens: From: Jeff Fabijanic Summary: organic gardening thoughts Date: 8 Mar 92 02:28:22 GMT I thought this was a really interesting post and am taking the liberty of forwarding it here (don't have tracy's e-dress to ask her 1st). **Forwarded msg follows*** Subject: Deeper reasons for growing a garden From: TRACY LOGAN Date: 4 Mar 92 01:12:00 GMT Social Ecologist Murray Bookchin claims that an "organic garden" provides "chemically untreated food," and "a superior inventory of nutrients," and also improves rather than destroys our soil. "But organic farming does much more than this," he argues. "It brings us _into_ the cultivation of food, not merely its consumption... It brings us closer to the natural world as a whole from which we have been alienated. We grow part or all of our food and use our bodies artfully to plant, weed, and harvest crops. We engage in an ecological `ballet,' if you like, that greatly improves upon the current fad for jogging on asphalt roads and concrete sidewalks. "As one occupation among many that the individual can practice in the course of a day (to follow Fourier's advice), organic gardening enriches the diversity of our everyday lives, sharpens our natural sensibilities to growth and decay, and attunes us to natural rhythms. Hence, organic gardening, to take only one case in point, would be seen in an ecological society as more than the solution to our nutritional problems. It would become part of our entire being as socially, culturally, and biologically aware beings." It's nearly garden-starting time, folks, if you live in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere. You don't need a large plot: 3 meters by 4 meters would provide a lot of vegetables and even more opportunities for learning. No suitable land at all? Perhaps your college or business has some. Many places I've been, like Penn State, Lafayette, and in Yellow Springs OH, Antioch College, the Yellow Springs Instrument Company, and the municipality, all provide land for gardens. The Bookchin quotes are from p. 192 of *Remaking Society*, published by South End Press, 1990. I recommend the entire short book. In it Bookchin explains why he is deeply concerned by aspects of Deep Ecology, Ecofeminism, and Green Spirituality. The book is also a good overview of his longer works, including the *Ecology of Freedom*, and of Social Ecology. And if you don't know Charles Fourier's work (19th century), look him up. Especially the "Butterfly Principle." - tracy ***End forwarded msg*** Now, I'm sure this is a question that is often asked, but is there a specific netnewsgroup that deals with organic gardening issues? Deciduously, Jeff --- * Origin: EARTH*Net*Home:SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE ECHO*919-9323115 (1:151/502) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1729) Fri 3 Apr 92 1:11 By: Lawrence London To: ALL Re: Organic gardening book. St: Local ------------------------------------------------------------------------ @MSGID: 1:151/502 2e97f841 @PID: FM 2.02 Article 5991 (25 more) in rec.gardens: From: klier Subject: Good basic book Date: 19 Mar 92 07:17:01 GMT I've just gotten a review copy of Rodale's Chemical-Free Yard and Garden: The ultimate authority on sucessful organic gardening. Anna Carr, et al. (ed) 1991. Rodale Press. ISBN 0-87857-951-6 $27 Despite the overblown title (gag! gag!), it's a pretty solid book covering the basics of thoughtful gardening. I can recommend it for most North American gardeners without reservation (though much would not be applicable in the desert southwest). No pretty pictures, but lots of good information. The chapters on disease and insect control seem particularly useful. And they've gotten away from the self-congratulatory "holier than thou" rhetoric that used to pervade much of the organic gardening literature. (Some of that sort of stuff made me want to spread great quantities of chlordane and DDT, in hopes of taking out some of the worst preachers of the organic holy writ. ;-) (For those of you who don't know me, I consider myself a basic slob gardener with a good understanding of the biology behind gardening. I rarely use pest control methods, but if something gets totally out of hand, I'll use (horrors!) a synthetic pesticide. But only in minimal amounts, carefully chosen and applied. And I use a lot of compost, but I also use a lot of 10-10-10 (Arhgh! my heart! Chemical Fertilizers!!!!))) Chapter titles: 8pt system for successful organic gardening. garden planning and record keeping month by month garden management soil improvement and fertilizing weed control disease control insect control vegetables flowers fruits trees and shrubs lawns Do your public library a favor. Tell 'em to get a copy. It should circulate well. In fact, I'm considering it as a text for my proposed "botany for gardeners" lab class. Kay Klier Biology Dept UNI --- * Origin: EARTH*Net*Home:SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE ECHO*919-9323115 (1:151/502) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1731) Fri 3 Apr 92 1:17 By: Lawrence London To: ALL Re: New Royal Horticultural Society dictionary. St: Local ------------------------------------------------------------------------ @MSGID: 1:151/502 2e97f843 @PID: FM 2.02 Article 6164 (59 more) in rec.gardens: From: Bob.Batson@kcufgat.fidonet.org (Bob Batson) Subject: New RHS Dictionary Date: 25 Mar 92 23:21:32 GMT The following text is not meant as an advertisement, but is posted for informational purposes only! --------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW RHS DICTIONARY A publishing project that's been underway since 1987 will culminate this month with _The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening_. The dictionary is NOT a revision of the 1951 _RHS Dictionary_; it's an entirely new work. Besides the 50,000 plant descriptions and the 4,000 illustrations, the new four-volume set includes biographies of notable gardeners, landscapers, & horticulturists; essays on various aspects of garden design & regional gardening; extensive information on cultivation, propagation, soils, climate, pests & diseases; discussions of timely subjects such as ethnobotany, conservation, organic gardening; & accounts of the history & gardens of the world. This dictionary has been written with the needs of U.S. gardeners in mind. Hardiness information based on the USDA Zones is given for every plant, & the cultivation guidelines in each entry take into account the full range of North American climates. Moreover, the entries for popular genera such as Hosta incorporate descriptions of the cultivars known to be in commerce both here & abroad. Because the dictionary has been generated from a computer data base, it has been possible to keep taxonomic information almost up-to-the minute. This will be a boon to readers who're seeking an authoritative name for a dubious plant Unfortunately, the new work is expensive --- $795. So unless you're a gardening professional with the need for such a comprehensive reference, IMHO, I suggest you try to convince either your local library or your garden club to purchase a copy of the dictionary. If you're an information junkie like me, this book should prove to be a virtual gold mine. The _RHS Dictionary_ is being published in the U.S. by Stockton Press, a division of Macmillan (London) Books. Potential buyers may obtain a free illustrated prospectus by writing the press at 275 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010, or by phoning 1-800-221-2123; in New York State call (212) 673-4400 collect. *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Bob Batson Internet: bbatson@kcufgat.fidonet.org OR: bob.batson@kcufgat.fidonet.org * Origin: bbatson@kcufgat.fidonet.org... (1:280/304.5) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1787) Sun 12 Apr 92 19:13 By: Lawrence London To: ALL Re: Herb Powers 10/10 (Ugh!) St: Local ------------------------------------------------------------------------ @MSGID: 1:151/502 339309fa @PID: FM 2.02 * Forwarded from "Herbs-n-Such" * Originally by Tom Hill * Originally to All * Originally dated 11 Apr 1992, 21:48 You should, whenever possible, get your herbs from the wild. Unfortunately this is not normally possible if you live in the city. So, down below is a list of some various mail-order herb companies. APHRODISIA BURGESS PLANT & SEED CO. 28 Carmine Street 2200 E. Oakland Ave. New York, NY 10014 Bloomington, IL 61701 "Dried herbs plus a large "Herb seeds and plants." selection of natural and and compounded oils, self- GREENE HERB GARDEN lighting charcoal, books, Greene, RI 02872 exotic cooking special- "Herb seeds and bulbs." ities. Send a SASE for current catalogue price." GUERNEY SEED & NURSERY CO. Yankton, SD 57079 NATURE'S HERB CO. "Herb Seeds and Plants." 281 Ellis Street San Francisco, CA 94102 HENRY FIELD SEED & NURS. CO. "Dried Herbs. Send SASE 407 Sycamore St. for catalogue info." Shenandoah, IA 51602 "Herb seed and plants." NICHOLS GARDEN NURSERY 1190 No. Pacific Highway INDIANA BOTANIC GARDENS Albany, OR 97321 Hammond, IN 46325 "Exotic herbs and oils." GEO. W. PARK SEED CO. Greenwood, SC 29647 R.H. SHUMWAY SEEDSMAN "Herb seeds, along with a 628 Cedar St. wide variety of unusual Rockford, IL 61101 seeds for many kinds of "Herb seeds and plants." plants. Also a wonderful color catalogue." TAYLOR'S HERB GARDENS, INC. 1335 Lone Oak Road Vista, CA 92083 "Live herbs only, shipped anywhere in the union. Send SASE for catalogue info." WANDS An important tool in Witchcraft and herbalism is the wand. Many types of wood are used. Given below is a short list of different type of woods and there best uses as wands. LOVE MAGICK - Apple HEALING MAGICK - Ash EXORCISMS - Elder PROSPERITY - Fir PROTECTION - Rowan PURIFICATIONS and BLESSINGS - Birch MOON MAGICK AND WISHING MAGICK - Willow GENERAL ALL-PURPOSE - Elder and Hazel FERTILITY MAGICK - Oak topped with an acorn As the wood must be obtained from a living tree, you may not be able to obtain the type of wood you desire. But fortunately, most trees, especially fruit trees, will work adequately in magic. GOOD BOOKS There are many good books on the market for herbalism. Many about the medicinal value of the plants, others on the magickal properties. Included below is a small selection of very good books. (The ones marked with a star were used on this file.) * Cunningham, Scott, "Magical Herbalism, The Secret Craft of the Wise" Llewellyn Publications, (c) 1982, 1983 * Rose, Jeanne, "Herbs & Things", Grosset & Dunlap, (c) 1972 * Conway, D.J., "Norse Magic" (One section in the back), Llewellyn Publications, (c) 1990 * Conway, D.J., "Celtic Magic" (One section in the back), Llewellyn Publications, (c) 1990 Cunningham, Scott, "Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs", Llewellyn Publications, (c) 1985-89 Well, that is it. Enjoy the file, just remember that herbs cannot do everything by themselves. If you break your arm, SEE A DOCTOR! Don't just make a poultice and slap it on! There is no substitute for common sense. Blessed Be! The Wizard (a.k.a Muad'Dib) August 27th, 1991 There ya go. Remember, this is copyrighted so don't try to sell it or nothing. --- * Origin: EARTH*Net*Home:SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE ECHO*919-9323115 (1:151/502) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1884) Sun 26 Apr 92 0:35 By: Lawrence London To: ALL Re: "Remineralize the Earth" magazine St: Local ------------------------------------------------------------------------ @MSGID: 1:151/502 3a1683ee @PID: FM 2.02 I heard about this magazine recently from a friend: "Remineralize the Earth" magazine soil remineralization technology & research for natural farming issued 3 times a year @ $5/copy (not sure about this number) available from: The New Leaf Dist. Co. (book & magazine distributor) 5425 Tulane Drive SW Atlanta, Ga., 30336-2323 404-691-6996 1-800-326-2665 (voice, orders only) The title suggests that the publication deals with the use of various rock powders as soil amendments to increase fertility, tilth and microbial activity by increasing the level of available macronutrients and trace minerals, soil conditioners and Ph altering agents. Some of these materials increase water-holding capacity by creating a finer-grained soil aggregate and can loosen compacted or thick soil by intermixing with and separating particles of such, i.e. various types of clay. There seems to be a lot of interest recently in using these materials to build farm and garden soil. Dusts or screenings from just about any quarried or mined stone or mineral can be used. Some available from North Carolina are: pyrophyllite contains trace minerals and about .2 percent potash screenings - when blended with compost/sharp or coarse sand/ topsoil/vermiculite/colloidal or rock phosphate/N.J. greensand/granite screenings it produces a versatile and unbeatable potting or seed starting soil - added to garden soil, it will help produce a loose, non-crusting seedbed for direct seeding - added to clay or other heavy soils, it will add tilth, friability and drainage - when used as a potting medium it will retain water for long periods of time and will not cake up or crust over - it contains a high percentage of of fine talc dust which enables it to finely texturize any soil it is added to - truly a unique material, and very inexpensive - it will produce seedlings with extremely long and dense root systems - water/nutrient absorbing capacity is thereby greatly increased, transplant shock would be reduced also rock about 20% phosphoric acid, slow release; mined phosphate from coastal deposits of compacted skeletal remains of ancient microscopic sea creatures granite available from granite quarries - some deposits contain screenings a significant amount of potash and trace minerals bluestone available from many quarries that mill various screenings grades of rock for construction purposes, (from driveway the screenings are usually used in the production or constructon of blacktop - it is a very good tilthing and rock) reminerlizing agent - may be basalt - mentioned in Eliot Coleman's "The New Organic Grower" high-calcium from quarries in various locations - an limestone alternative to dolomitic limestone - contains more (used as calcium and less magnesium than dolomite - livestock useful when magnesium buildup in soil is to be feed avoided supplement) Available in N.C. but produced in Florida: shell meal ground seashells - can be used with/in place of the limestones to add calcium, alter Ph, tilth soil, break up clay - sold as a livestock feed supplement to add dietary calcium colloidal low analysis (about 8%) but quick release (for phosphate a rock powder); same mineral as rock phosphate but has colloidal clay mixed with it Upshot is that most any rock powder when applied to farmland will add significantly to the fertility and tilth of the soil. It is especially useful when serious micronutrient depletion has occured. --- * Origin: EARTH*Net*Home:SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE ECHO*919-9323115 (1:151/502) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1885) Sun 26 Apr 92 1:15 By: Lawrence London To: ALL Re: Book for herbal medicine enthusiasts. St: Local ------------------------------------------------------------------------ @MSGID: 1:151/502 3a1683ef @PID: FM 2.02 "Herbal Medicine Past and Present" Covers the practice of Appalacian herbalist, A.L. Tommie Bass. Based in large part on recorded interviews with Bass, his friends, neighbors and people in his comunity. Vol. I [covers practice of A.L. Tommie Bass, Herbalist] Vol. II "A Reference Guide To Medicinal Plants" [monographs] John K. Crellin Jane Philpott Duke University Press, 1990 [HB, in print] From the introduction: "This guide centers on plants known to Appalacian herbalist A.L. Tommie Bass (whose practice is considered fully in Vol. I), but by additionally referring to analagous species - indigenous, naturalized and domesticated, and sometimes foreign to the U.S. - it has a broad coverage of herbs known worldwide. Many of these have had a prominent place in Western medicine". --- * Origin: EARTH*Net*Home:SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE ECHO*919-9323115 (1:151/502) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1923) Tue 28 Apr 92 0:39 By: Lawrence London To: ALL Re: Books on plantings for wildlife (from Usenet, rec.gardens) St: Local ------------------------------------------------------------------------ @MSGID: 1:151/502 3b8047f8 @PID: FM 2.02 From: klier Subject: Re: natives to attract wildlife Date: 24 Apr 92 05:37:27 GMT >>> NATIVE PLANTS THAT PROVIDE WILDLIFE HABITAT >> >>This was a great list. Does anyone have a similar list they could post >>of wildlife-attracting plants native to the Southeast U.S., more >>specifically, North Carolina. > Ditto for Northeast U.S., specifically Western Pennsylvania, please. Dear folks: Try your local conservation commission/department of natural resources/horticulture departments at local universities. Many states have similar lists. I've got the Minnesota Non-Game Wildlife Program's _Landscaping for Wildlife_ sitting in my lap at the moment. 145 pages of great information on both the plants and the animals, all for the piddling sum of $9. The National Wildlife Federation also offers a "Gardening for Wildlife" kit that I haven't seen. Has booklets, landscape plans, bird feeder designs, seeds for butterfly and hummingbird attractant plants, and some other goodies. (1412 16th St NW, Washington DC 20036). Kay Klier Biology Dept UNI --- * Origin: EARTH*Net*Home:SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE ECHO*919-9323115 (1:151/502) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (2088) Wed 6 May 92 11:51 By: Lawrence London To: ALL Re: Gardening magazines (from Usenet, misc.rural) St: Local ------------------------------------------------------------------------ @MSGID: 1:151/502 3f8ac6d3 @PID: FM 2.02 misc.rural #2735 (5 more) (1) From: Steven W. Buchele [1] Journals, what do you read? Keywords: OG,NGA Date: Wed Apr 29 13:58:25 1992 I was wondering what journals misc.rural-ers subscribed to and what they thought of them. Currently I receive Organic Gardening - (5 yrs) Glad that the former editor was replaced, sorry to lose R.Rodale. National Gardening Association - (4 yrs) Tied for best gardening magizine. Best information source for new technology. Harrowsmith (renamed Country Life) (4 yrs) Photography and writing are a class above all other magizines in this class. Mother Earth News (3 yrs) - The reborn M.E.N. is better than the slick one, but still not up to the 70s M.E.N. Progressive Farmer (1 mo) - Still in its probation period. I purchase from time to time New Farm - Too preachy about organic methods working on a large scale. Don't really trust the writers, nor the source. Countryside - Too folksy, very very little science, lots of factlets. Backwoods - Very good "how to" journal. Didn't renew when price jumped from $6 to $20- something. One gripe: A few years back the postal service changed the price for bulk rate. In response, M.E.N., OG, NGA and Harrowsmith all went from monthly bi-monthly. Now they all arrive within days of each other. It takes me about a month to read them, and then I'm dry for about 3 weeks. Couldn't just one of them stagger their mailing month? Steve Buchele --- * Origin: EARTH*Net*Home:SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE ECHO*919-9323115 (1:151/502) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (2131) Sat 9 May 92 11:11 By: Lawrence London To: A. Balliett Re: was: ALAN CHADWICK INFO WANTED new: John Jeavons information St: Local ------------------------------------------------------------------------ @MSGID: 1:151/502 4109cfae @REPLY: 1:109/70.914@fidonet A6294ECC @PID: FM 2.02 > Please refresh my memory: Who is Jeavson and what is the > title of the book? Long and important story. John Jeavons is almost as innovative and important as Chadwick, in my opinion. He is associated with two organizations: 1) Bountiful Gardens, his mail order natural gardening supplies company - seeds, fertilizers, some tools, books, etc. 2) Ecology Action of the Mid-Penninsula, who publishes his books and sponsored the natural gardening community projects that resulted in those books being written. They began in the early seventies. There's more info on them in the Bountiful Gardens catalogue. His three most important books (two of them co-authored) are: 1) "HOW TO GROW MORE VEGETABLES* *than you ever thought possible on less land than you can imagine", by John Jeavons Revised edition, 1991 c. Ecology Action of the Mid-Peninsula, 175 pps, $14.95. Published by: 10 Speed Press P.O. Box 7123 Berkeley, Calif., 94707 Includes a chronology of events surrounding activities, projects and publications by E.A. from 1972-1990 plus much more information on the organization. 2) "The Backyard Homestead, Mini-Farm & Garden Logbook" by Jeavons, Griffin, Leler; $8.95, 224 pps., 10 Speed Press 3) "The Seed Finder" by Jeavons, Leler; $4.95, 160 pps., 10 Sp.Pr. The Bountiful Gardens catalogue can be obtained by sending a dollar to: Bountiful Gardens Ecology Action 5798 Ridgewood Road Willits, Calif., 95490 His hillside organic farm in Willits, Calif. hosts projects in 3rd world countries seeking to promote natural, permanent agriculture and help low-income folks grow an abundant supply of clean, nutritious food for themselves. His books have been translated into nearly a dozen languages. He popularized the concept and methodology of double-dug biointensive raised-bed gardening, utilizing the work done previously by Alan Chadwick. > Interestingly enough, Peter Tompkins who wrote Secrets of > the Soil lives just outside of Shepherdstown. Even more > interesting, it is a friend of mine that works his garden, Very impressive! > which apparently has been in production since colonial > times. We applied the biodynamic #500 there last weekend > (nothing is up (except sage ;-) Tell me about the BD #500. Could you pursuade Peter Tompkins to contribute to this conference? Could be he might even find material he could use here. It might be worthwhile to let him know that there is a grass-roots (organically grown, of course) telecomputing- based discussion group devoted to Sustainable Agriculture. I have Secrets of the Soil and The Secret Life of Plants in my library. --- * Origin: EARTH*Net*Home:SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE ECHO*919-9323115 (1:151/502) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (2150) Sun 10 May 92 0:53 By: Lawrence London To: ALL Re: Plant dictionary (From Usenet, rec.gardens) St: Local ------------------------------------------------------------------------ @MSGID: 1:151/502 4180a59f @PID: FM 2.02 rec.gardens #6539 (39 more) (1) From: klier [1] Eyewitness Visual Dictionary of Plants Date: Fri May 1 22:57:34 1992 I just bought a copy of the _Visual Dictionary of Plants_, part of the Eyewitness Visual Dictionaries series ($14.95 hardcover, Dorling Kindersley, NY, 1992, ISBN 1-56458-016-4). It seems to be sold in the US as a children's book, (is it considered such in Britain???), but I'm thinking of using it as a lab supplement for the plant portion of the beginning biology course here. Absolutely gorgeous photos of plants (sensu lato) from fungi and lichens, through algae to mosses, ferns, gymnosperms and angiosperms. All the major structures photographed and labeled, basic life history and ecological information, anatomical sections-- you name it, it's there. Good sections on roots, leaves, fruits, pollination biology, carnivorous plants, xerophytes, aquatics... I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys looking at nicely illustrated science books (check out the gladular trichomes of Pinguicula on p. 55!), who is sorta hazy on the difference between a simple and a compound leaf, or who has ever wondered what those little umbrellas are doing on liverworts. Better yet, recommend it to your local library, and spread the botanical wealth!!! Kay Klier Biology Dept UNI --- * Origin: EARTH*Net*Home:SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE ECHO*919-9323115 (1:151/502) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (2151) Sun 10 May 92 0:57 By: Lawrence London To: ALL Re: Wildlife plantings (from Usenet, rec.gardens) St: Local ------------------------------------------------------------------------ @MSGID: 1:151/502 4180a5a0 @PID: FM 2.02 Article 7130 (96 more) in rec.gardens: From: Klier Subject: Guide to Wildlife Food Habits Date: 6 May 92 02:01:07 GMT If you're looking for a cheap sourcebook on who eats what, I recommend "American Wildlife & Plants: A Guide to Wildlife Food Habits" by Alexander C. Martin, Herbert S. Zim and Arnold L. Nelson. Originally published by McGraw-Hill in 1951, my copy is the 1961 Dover republication. Although the focus is on game animals and cute&fuzzies, there is a small section on fish, reptiles and amphibians. The major portion of the book is organized by group of animals (for instance, in the "Songbird section", under Cedar Waxwing, there is a rough US distribution map, a short discussion of the biology of the species, and a list of the "best" food plants in four regions of the country (in the NE, the winners are redcedar, wild cherry, and flowering dogwood, followed by blackberry, hackberry, chokecherry, mulberry, serviceberry, blackhaw, pokeweed, grape, and some minor species. Another section of the book is arranged by species of plants, or groups of similar species. For instance, witch hazel seeds are listed as being heavily used by ruffed grouse, and less heavily by wild turkey... Anyone know if there's an update to this volume? Kay Klier Biology Dept UNI Article 7133 (95 more) in rec.gardens: From: klier Subject: More "Landscaping for Wildlife" Date: 6 May 92 02:41:53 GMT More information shamelessly stolen from the excellent book, "Landscaping for Wildlife", from the Minnesota Dept of Natural Resources' Nongame Wildlife Program. $8.95 from DNR Giftshop, 500 Lafayette Rd, St Paul, MN 55101 Trees, shrubs and vines rated "Excellent" for butterflies, moths and bees: Acer negundo box elder Aristolochia durior dutchman's pipe Betula spp. birches Ceanothus americanus NJ tea Cephalanthus occidentalis buttonball bush Cercis canadensis redbud Clethra alnifolia sweet pepperbush Eleagnus commutata silverberry Ledum groenlandicum labrador tea Lindera benzoin spicebush Philadephicus coronarius sweet mockorange Populus spp. aspens Prunus spp. cherries and plums Quercus spp. oaks Rubus spp. blackberries & raspberries Salix discolor pussywillow Salix humilis prairie willow Salix nigra black willow Salix pentandra laurel willow Spiraea alba narrowleaf meadowsweet Spiraea latifolia broadleaf meadowsweet Spirea tomentosa hard hack Symphoricarpos occidentalis wolfberry, coralberry Viburnum lantana wayfaring bush Wiegelia florida wiegelia Annuals ------- dill heath aster borage calendula canterbury bells cleome Dianthus barbatus (sweet william) heliotrope jewelweed touch-me-not sweet pea four o'clock sweet marjoram flowering tobacco petunia parsley anise blackeyed susan, gloriosa daisy scarlet sage winter savory marigold tithonia nasturtium garden verbena zinnia SHALL I GO ON? IS ANYONE INTERESTED??? Kay Klier Biology Dept UNI Article 7134 (94 more) in rec.gardens: From: klier Subject: "Landscaping for Wildlife" Date: 6 May 92 02:27:53 GMT Some information shamelessly stolen from the excellent book, "Landscaping for Wildlife", from the Minnesota Dept of Natural Resources' Nongame Wildlife Program. $8.95 from DNR Giftshop, 500 Lafayette Rd, St Paul, MN 55101 (no, no connection except one of my students will begin working with another division of the DNR next week...) Plants rated "Excellent" for landscaping for wildlife: (*=native to MN) Conifers -------- *Abies balsamea Abies concolor Chamaecyparis thyoides Juniperus chinensis Juniperus communis *Juniperus virginiana Larix decidua *Larix laricina Picea abies *Picea glauca Picea glauca densata *Picea mariana Picea rubens *Pinus banksiana Pinus ponderosa var scopulorum *Pinus resinosa *Pinus strobus Pinus nigra Pseudotsuga menziesii *Tsuga canadensis Grasses ------- *Andropogon gerardii *Andropogon scoparius *Bouteloua curtipendula *Panicum virgatum *Sorghastrum nutans Legumes ------- *Amorpha canescens *Amorpha nana *Astragalus adsurgens *Astragalus agrestis *Astragalus canadensis *Astragalus crassicarpus *Lotus purshianus *Oxytropis lambertii *Petalostemon candidum (=Dalea candida) *Petalostemon purpureum (=Dalea purpurea) *Psoralea argophylla *Psoralea esculenta *Vicia americana (red clover, white clover, alfalfa and birdsfoot trefoil rate only "fair") Kay Klier Biology Dept UNI --- * Origin: EARTH*Net*Home:SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE ECHO*919-9323115 (1:151/502) Article 11421 (128 more) in rec.gardens: From: klier@iscsvax.uni.edu Subject: Re: Books! Date: 15 Oct 92 17:52:01 -0500 Organization: University of Northern Iowa Lines: 48 In article <1992Oct15.170825.118791@watson.ibm.com>, clarke@watson.ibm.com (Ed C larke) writes: > > Ok, that does it! One thing this group really needs is a review of some > specific books. Kay mentioned "Hortus Third" before; I bought it and it's > wonderful. I did a small review of "How to know the Hornworts and > Liverworts" a while ago but never posted it. It'd sure be nice if people > would post review of outstanding books (FAQ fodder?) ... > > Information in reviews should contain ISBN, author, size, cost and publisher > as well as whether or not you think the book is valuable. I suspect that > reviews should only be of GOOD books with only minor comments on bad ones. > ( i.e. I didn't like xxxxx because it recommended poison ivy as a ground > cover. yyyyy has nice pictures and would make a good coffee table book > but has no real information in it ) --MORE--(45%) Yup, Ed, I've been collecting reviews of books for the FAQ list-- just haven't gotten 'em put together. I generally don't mention specific titles/ISBN's etc., because I'm often writing from memory and am too lazy to go look the book up -- or I've loaned it to someone (the Klier Memorial Traveling Library, my students call it, as I hand them a book and say, "Here, I think you'd like this one".) When there's really basic info that's widely available, like photos of nutrient deficiencies, I tend to mention likely places to find it, knowing that every public library likely has that information, it's just in different books. I'd love to get a better sense of the books other folks on the net consider important (there goes my book budget again, though, 'cause I'll buy 'em too). I'd also be willing to contribute my "library database" of gardening/plant/ soils books, but these are only subject indexed... and many of them are out of print, and many are in my library simply because I could pick up a copy of YYY for $0.50, but a new copy of ZZZ (a better written book) is $89.95... Any interest in that sort of thing???? Or should we deal strictly with books in print???? Or should I contribute it after heavy editing???? --MORE--(88%) Anyhow, folks, time to let us all in on the books you consider indispensable, a good read, or just plain fun. We know the westerners love the Sunset Western Gardens Book, but what are some good books on kitchen gardens? victorian gardens? garden design? annuals? getting kids interested in plants? etc, etc, etc.... Kay End of article 11421 (of 11479)--what next? [npq] Article 11422 (127 more) in rec.gardens: From: GC.SUL@forsythe.stanford.edu (Sullivan) Subject: Books I use constantly Organization: Stanford University, California, USA Date: Fri, 16 Oct 1992 01:14:14 GMT Lines: 34 Books I use constantly: GROWING CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANTS Marjorie G. Schmidt University of California Press, Berkeley, Ca. 1980 SEED PROPAGATION OF NATIVE CALIFORNIA PLANTS Dara E. Emery Santa Barbard Botanic Garden, Santa Barbara, CA 1988 AN ILLUSTRATED MANUAL OF CALIFORNIA SHRUBS Howard E. McMinn University of California Press, Berkeley, CA 1939 HOW TO IDENTIFY PLANTS H.D. Harrington L.W. Durrell The Swallow Press, Inc, Chicago 1957 Very good little drawings and explanations of all those strange terms such as: Imbricate, Scorpiod, Caulescent, Cericeous, etc. All those strange terms you need to know if you every try to key out natives. --MORE--(58%) I am waiting with baited breath for the new Jepson Manual from the Jepson herbarium. Will update the old Jepson, probably Munz, and McMinn, on California natives and new nomenclature. Was supposed to be out in December and I looked forward to poaring through it this winter, but the herbarium said April now. My biggest complaint about Sunset Western Garden Guide is that is tends to list plant hybrids or cultivars rather that straight species. also, I feel they should briefly state the origin of the plant so you know if it is native or exotic. However, when I was running Hummingbird Gardens Nursery and trying to track down all the plants I could that attracted Hummingbirds, I found Sunset to be helpful and also Hortus. Karen End of article 11422 (of 11479)--what next? [npq] 11428 Article 11428 (122 more) in rec.gardens: From: pharvey@quack.sac.ca.us (Paul Harvey) Subject: Re: Books! Organization: The Duck Pond public unix: +1 408 249 9630, log in as 'guest'. Date: Fri, 16 Oct 1992 06:06:25 GMT Lines: 41 In article <1992Oct15.170825.118791@watson.ibm.com> clarke@watson.ibm.com (Ed Clarke) writes: >Ok, that does it! One thing this group really needs is a review of some >specific books. Kay mentioned "Hortus Third" before; I bought it and it's >wonderful. I did a small review of "How to know the Hornworts and >Liverworts" a while ago but never posted it. It'd sure be nice if people >would post review of outstanding books (FAQ fodder?) ... OK, so you bought Hortus Third, that's the standard hort reference for North American Plants, available in most libraries, but I have to admit that a home copy is nice. It is a BIG book and carries a steep retail price of around a hundred dineros, if you look around at used books stores you can probably find it a half off or more since there is no shortage of these books out there. Now, what book to buy next? It's gotta be: Cornucopia, A Source Book of Edible Plants, Stephen Facciola, Kampong --MORE--(46%) Pubs, 1870 Sunrise Dr, Vista, CA, 92084, ISBN:0-9628087-0-9 That's assuming you're interested in edible plants beyond what's available at your local market or seed rack. This book lists the plants by species and cultivars and lists what is edible and how and lists the mail order sources. It's packed with info, for example maple tree flowers are edible and taste quite good, like brocolli and maple syrup. It has 1050 firms from the US and Canada and 150 "overseas" and 150 non-commercial sources that if you beg from may send you something. This book does not tell you how to grow, like zones, that is what Hortus is for or other books. OK, next book: Sunset New Western Garden Book, Lane Pub, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, ISBN:0-376-03889-6 If you live in the Western US, you've gotta get this book, it's in many hardware stores and garden centers. But, even if you don't live in the west of the west, it's still useful, particularly if you'd like to grow western plants. It's too bad no one else has done this type of thing to other parts of the world. Sunset has divided the West into some 25 zones or so and is a very good listing of plants and plant types and how to grow. It puts the USDA zone system to shame. Alright, one more: Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades, Steve Solomon's Complete Guide to Natural Gardening, Sasquatch Books, Seattle, WA, ISBN:0-912365-20-X OK, OK, I know another regional book, but sometimes these types of books are the best. Obviously if you live in this region you have to get this --MORE--(95%) book, it's the BIG one. But, it's also a very useful, honest, no nonsense guide to general organic gardening. Price about $15. Enjoy! End of article 11428 (of 11479)--what next? [npq] Article 11464 (93 more) in rec.gardens: From: jwilson@chopin.udel.edu (James Wilson) Subject: Re: Books! Nntp-Posting-Host: chopin.udel.edu Organization: University of Delaware Date: Sat, 17 Oct 1992 04:46:31 GMT Lines: 40 If I had to pick just one iris book, it would be this one: _The World of Irises_, edited by Bee Warburton, asst. ed. Melba Hamblen, published by The American Iris Society, 1978, 519 pages, 32 color plates, 219 b/w photos, 46 illustrations, ISBN 0-9601242-1-7 Does indeed cover the world (up to 1978), well-researched, good sections on bearded iris development. about $15 Another good one is _IRIS_, by Fritz Ko"hlein, Timber Press, 1987, 370 pages, 210 color photos, 48 line drawings, ISBN 0-88192-049-5. Somewhat more European perspective and discusses and pictures some species and varieties that are less commonly grown here. about $35 _The Louisiana Iris_, edited by Marie Caillet and Joseph K. Mertzweiller, pub. by the Society for Louisiana Irises, 1988, --MORE--(51%) 233 pages, 93 color photos, 23 b/w photos, 16 illus., ISBN 0-914641-09-3. Beautiful and well-done book on the topic, maybe the best of the iris specialty books. about $23 _The Japanese Iris_, edited by Currier McEwen for The Society for Japanese Irises, 1990, similar and also very good. about $25 _Siberian Irises_, edited by Currier McEwen for The Society for Siberian Irises, 1981, 74 pages, 9 color plates, is softback and more a handbook than a book, but good as that. about $7 All of these and more (some aimed at beginners, some more toward botanical illustration and photography) are sold by a place called Ibis Books, 13235 Hwy 234, Gold Hill, OR 97525 (503) 855-1480, or at least they were a year ago. Their brochure lists lots of other specialized horticultural books that I haven't seen elsewhere. Most can also be obtained through the American Iris Society, which also publishes series of checklists, updated from time to time. These are a reference to the many registered varieties. -- Jim Wilson jwilson@brahms.udel.edu --MORE--(95%) Instructional Technology Center (302) 831-1291 University of Delaware Newark, Delaware 19716 End of Article 11468 (89 more) in rec.gardens: From: Bob.Batson@mtask.omahug.org (Bob Batson) Subject: Re: Wanted - The Perfect Tree Date: 16 Oct 92 13:09:05 CST Organization: Multitasking Systems, Kansas City Followup-To: rec.gardens Lines: 21 bryant@neural.Kodak.COM (Steve Bryant) writes: > I have a spot for a tree in my back yard and I want the perfect > tree to put there. The tree has to have most(if not all) of the > following characteristics: > > * Flowers other than white in spring. > * Interesting Fall colors, red or yellow. > * Mature height less than 40 ft. > * Interesting bark/structure for winter viewing. > * Hardy in Zone 6 ( a must). > * Quick growing desirable. > * Something interesting to look at for every season. Try to obtain the book _Plants That Merit Attention: Vol. 1_ by Janet --MORE--(88%) Poor. This is a GREAT source of info (& descriptions) many beautiful trees that aren't well known or widely used. Bob Batson End of article 11468 (of 11479)--what next? [npq] Article 11553 (131 more) in rec.gardens: From: klier@iscsvax.uni.edu Subject: re: Books! Date: 22 Oct 92 00:02:37 -0500 Organization: University of Northern Iowa Lines: 29 A couple of new reference books for people interested in medicinal plants and their properties that I believe to be scientifically pretty solid: Tyler, Varro E. 1992. The New Honest Herbal: A sensible guide to the use of herbs and related remedies. 3rd ed. NY. Pharmaceutical Products Press. Duke, James A. 1992. Handbook of Biologically Active Phytochemicals and their Activities. Boca Raton, FL. CRC Press. I've not seen either of these books, though I do know the first two editions of Tyler's book. If I remember correctly, he's a pharmacology professor at one of the Indiana state universities. His book, quite readable by laypeople, is the one I recommend to my plant systematics students who are interested in medicinal plants. --MORE--(63%) Tyler goes through the lists of commonly talked about "herbal remedies", talks about the active ingredients, possible side effects, and, in general, separates useful information from bizarre claims. References to primary literature, esp. on pharmacological actions, are given for each species. Seems to be very solidly researched. Duke is a plant systematist working for the USDA on a variety of "useful plants" projects. His previous books have been well researched and carefully written. With that knowledge and the fairly good reputation of CRC Press, I suspect this will be a substantial reference work. Kay Klier Biology Dept UNI End of article 11553 (of 11558)--what next? [npq] Article 11556 (131 more) in rec.gardens: From: karenp@sybase.com (Karen Paulsell) Subject: Re: Books! Date: 21 Oct 92 03:59:58 GMT Organization: Sybase, Inc. Lines: 36 Here's a book for flower-lovers (and those who appreciate the British sense of humour, I suppose). It's a good read: Manual of Old-Fashioned Flowers by Lys de Bray Oxford Illustrated Press, 1984, ISBN 0 902280 91 0 The book focuses on herbaceous plants grown before WW I, but still available today, with cultural information and sources listed (mostly British info). And even if you can't extrapolate from British regional climates to your own location, there's good suggestions on plant combinations, propagation techniques, plant maintenance. But it isn't for the cultural info and sources that I recommend this rather odd tome, no. It's for the delightful sense of humor, and the great love for the trivia of plant history. Lots of info on who first grew it, when and where, and how the common names were acquired, etc. --MORE--(60%) Quotes from early growers, folklore, plant-exploration sagas, histories of hybridization, and wacky stuff. My favorite extract: The Violets were grown (probably in frames) by that rather tetchy-tempered critic and poet, Walter Savage Landor, who in a fit of fury, threw his cook out of the window; rushing back to look out he cried "Good God, I forgot the Violets!" Or how about this: Oenothera - Evening Primrose. This genus is often despised or scorned because some of the species rather let the side down by being seen scrambling about on railway embankments. The story of the lily-collecting expedition in remote China is too long to repeat here, but certainly conveys the flavor of the botanical-collecting frenzies of earlier times! Some so-so photos, but lovely color plates of a few families, she's a botanical illustrator. End of article 11556 (of 11558)--what next? [npq] Article 11533 (119 more) in rec.gardens: From: farmer@cs.utk.edu (SUSAN FARMER) Subject: Re: Wildflower seed sources? Date: 21 Oct 92 15:38:23 GMT Organization: Computer Science Dept, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Lines: 28 Message-ID: References: <1992Oct14.030521.3497@samba.oit.unc.edu> >In article moody@cs.cmu.edu writes: >Thanks to all who replied to my groundcover querey last week. Now, >does anyone have handy a name and phone number for a wildflower farm? Have you looked in the Wildflower Handbook put out by the National Wildflower Research Center? (2600 FM 973 North Austin TX 78725-4201 1-512-929-3600) It doesn't really tell you anything about the plants, but it *does* list (Carl Sagan Voice, please) Billions and Billions (voice off) of Conservation Organizations, Native Plant Societies, and (finally) Nurseries and Seed Companies (all arranged by state, thank you very much). The book also has chapters on 1) buying in bulk, 2) propagating from seed, 3) creating a wildlife garden and 4) a listing of landscape architects and designers who use native plants. --MORE--(71%) The book is 12.95 and *may* be available from your local bookstore (I got mine *at* BookStar, but B.Daltons couldn't even order it -- go figure) or you can order it from the NWRC address and phone above. Enjoy, Susan -- Susan B. Farmer farmer@cs.utk.edu Lady Jerusha Kilgore I can't even find time to clean house and you want me to come up with a .sig? And now she wants to go back to grad school after 14 years ..... We'll let her out when the delusion passes. End of article 11533 (of 11572)--what next? [npq] Article 11588 (87 more) in rec.gardens: From: ramirez@julia.math.ucla.edu (Alice Ramirez) Subject: cherimoya questions..some answers Organization: UCLA Mathematics Department Date: Fri, 23 Oct 92 14:31:06 GMT Lines: 13 Cherimoyas (named variety scions) are grafted onto seedling root stock. They are never, to my knowledge, grafted onto any other related species. I have a cherimoya growing in very slightly acid loam, somewhat shaded by my 40 foot Washingtonia palm and a tamarisk. As for type of grafting used, someone else will have to give advice. I haven't done any cherimoya grafting and due to Remodeling Hell, my "Manual of Tropical and Subtropical Plants" by Popenoe is mislaid, buried, temporarily lost. End of article 11588 (of 11593)--what next? [npq] Article 11598 (96 more) in rec.gardens: From: karen@athena.cs.uga.edu (Karen Snetselaar) Subject: Re: Books! Date: 23 Oct 92 22:44:00 GMT Organization: University of Georgia, Athens Lines: 21 The American Phytopathological Society publishes a series of compendia of plant diseases that are relatively inexpensive and generally very nicely done. They usually deal with diseases of a particular crop (e.g. Tomato, Rose, Strawberry) or a couple related crops (Apple and Pear Diseases, Rhododendron and Azalea Diseases) and a couple are more broad in scope (Ornamental Foliage Plant Diseases, Turfgrass Diseases). These guides have color photos to help identify diseases, and detailed descriptions of the organisms that cause diseases and possible control measures. They're paper-bound and usually cost about $25 US, $31 elsewhere. Most of these deal with disease caused by insects as well as by bacteria, fungi and viruses, and some of them include environmental causes (moisture stress, pesticide phytotoxicity, etc.). I've used some of these casually, and I think a person with a yard full of rhodies or roses or seeking that Perfect Lawn might find the --MORE--(92%) corresponding guide to be useful. APS Press is at 3340 Pilot Knob Road, St. Paul, MN 55121-2097. Karen End of article 11598 (of 11607)--what next? [npq] Article 11605 (95 more) in rec.gardens: From: Ecology Center Date: 23 Oct 92 08:42 PDT Subject: Re: Books! Lines: 22 Native Trees, Shrubs and Vines Gary Hightshoe Van Nostrand, Reinhold Not sure if this is still in print: if it is, it's likely to cost >$80. The book is an exhaustive compendium of woody plants native to the East and Central US, and southern Canada, with some Western US plants thrown in for good measure (usually if their range extends into the Central US.) Each plant is represented by accurate and beautiful artists' drawings, showing form, leaf shape, fruit shape, etc. Alongside the art is a list of "qualities" of the plant, including wildlife value, smog and compacted soil tolerance, longevity, floristic associates (what grows near this tree usually?), flower season, leaf drop season, etc. An incredible piece of work. --MORE--(91%) This book sat on the shelf in my local bookstore for 2 years while I summoned the nerve (and $$) to buy it. :) chris End of article 11605 (of 11607)--what next? [npq] Article 11611 (98 more) in rec.gardens: From: klier@iscsvax.uni.edu Subject: Re: Books! Date: 24 Oct 92 20:03:39 GMT Organization: University of Northern Iowa Lines: 40 In article <1453300095@igc.apc.org>, Ecology Center wr ites: > > Native Trees, Shrubs and Vines > Gary Hightshoe > Van Nostrand, Reinhold Hightshoe, Gary. 1988. Native Trees, Shrubs and Vines for Urban and Rural America: A planting design manual for environmental designers. Van Nostrand Reinhold, NY. 0-442-23274-8. Right about $90 now, I think. > > Not sure if this is still in print: if it is, it's likely to cost >$80. > The book is an exhaustive compendium of woody plants native to the East > and Central US, and southern Canada, with some Western US plants thrown > in for good measure (usually if their range extends into the Central US.) --MORE--(46%) > > Each plant is represented by accurate and beautiful artists' drawings, > showing form, leaf shape, fruit shape, etc. Alongside the art is a list > of "qualities" of the plant, including wildlife value, smog and compacted > soil tolerance, longevity, floristic associates (what grows near this tree > usually?), flower season, leaf drop season, etc. An incredible piece of > work. > > This book sat on the shelf in my local bookstore for 2 years while I > summoned the nerve (and $$) to buy it. :) Like Chris, I had to let this one percolate around in my brain before stumping up the $$$ -- but I got it for half-price from the Garden Book Club, on sale. I really like it-- lots of information on coloration at various seasons, form and spread of the plant, maps of native range, soil conditions, etc. If you want to play do-it-yourself-landscape architect, this is (IMHO) the best book to have for natives. Hightshoe is a landscape architecture prof at my alma mater-- and many of the trees illustrated are growing on the campus there. Kinda strange to look at a sketch of a redbud (with no background) and know that THAT particular specimen is in front of the hort building, while that sweet birch is on front of Student Health, etc., etc. ;^) --MORE--(99%) Kay End of article 11611 (of 11611)--what next? [npq] Article 11621 (104 more) in rec.gardens: From: klier@iscsvax.uni.edu Subject: Still more books! Date: 24 Oct 92 22:08:15 -0500 Organization: University of Northern Iowa Lines: 25 The other *big* purchase this fall was all of the remaining volumes in print of HW Rickett's Wildflowers of the United States, volumes 1, 5 and 6 (NE, NW and Central Mountains and Plains States). About $280 for 7 large volumes of color photos and descriptions, published between 1966 and 1973. These books have the species arranged by family with pretty good color pictures of most of the species in the region, excluding grasses, sedges and similar yucky-looking plants... ;-) Why would I sink that much money into old books? Aside from the fact that I've been lusting after them since first finding out they existed in 1971, there is still no complete flora of the US. These volumes, together with the o.p. volumes for SE, Texas and SW states, are about the closest thing we've got till FNA (Flora of North America) starts making its debut in bits and pieces (and I probably won't be able to afford that, and it won't have colored photographs anyhow!). --MORE--(77%) If you're interested, or you think you can get your library to spring for them, contact the Publications Department of the New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY 10458. They also have a limited supply of Luer's Orchids of North America Exclusive of Florida (or something like that)-- a must for N Am orchidophiles. The Florida volume is also o.p. Kay Klier Biology Dept UNI End of article 11621 (of 11621)--what next? [npq] Article 11620 (104 more) in rec.gardens: From: klier@iscsvax.uni.edu Subject: More books! Date: 24 Oct 92 21:48:25 -0500 Organization: University of Northern Iowa Lines: 20 The Hillier Manual of Trees and Shrubs, 6th ed. 1991. David and Charles, plc. Brunel House, Newton Abbot, Devon. ISBN 0-7153-9942-X. I went on a book-buying binge this fall, and spent my entire year's raise (post-taxes). Oh, well, never wanted to be rich. Always wanted to have more books and more cats... ;-) In addition to Hightshoe, Garden Book Club also was offering the revised Hillier's for half price, so I added that to the order. It is 700+ pages of descriptions of trees, shrubs and bamboos cultivated by Hillier's Nurseries in Winchester, UK, and about the only good cultivar descriptions I know of for many of these plants. Good stuff, but it's a reference book, not bedtime reading. Hillier's Arboretum is 160 acres with about 11K different species, open for visitors every day. I didn't manage to visit during my trip to the --MORE--(90%) Stately Bogs of Britain (no, the kind with sphagnum, not the kind with paper), but I hope to stop by next time. Kay Klier End of article 11620 (of 11621)--what next? [npq] Article 11628 (101 more) in rec.gardens: From: pharvey@quack.sac.ca.us (Paul Harvey) Subject: Re: More books! Organization: The Duck Pond public unix: +1 408 249 9630, log in as 'guest'. Date: 26 Oct 1992 01:25:21 UTC Lines: 24 Here's a gem I highly recommend, matter of fact most of the Cali Natural History Guides from UC Press are must reads. Though this book is about the US, it is relevant to much of the temperate world where European plants have gained a foothold. Natural History of Vacant Lots, Vessel and Wong, UC Press, 1987, ISBN:0-520-05390-7, price ~$10 "An imaginative introduction to the tenacious plants and animals that battle people and pollution to survive. Anyone concerned with the natural environment will be delighted by Vessel and Wong's guided tour of this unexpected territory" -Tim Larimer, SJ Mercury News "The book contains very good and useful descriptions of plants and animals regularly found in neglected lots throughout California. ... Part of the value of a little book like this is that it opens your eyes to things you would otherwise miss." -Lee Dembart, LA Times "Placed in the right hands, this book could help fuel another generation of environmentalists. ... in topical chapters and species accounts the --MORE--(72%) authors introduce us to more that 300 denizens of ignored urban places. They do so in clear, straightforward prose, accompainied by good line drawings and photos. Their inclusions and exclusions are selected with care and intelligence." -Gary Mozel, Naturalist Review "These handbooks are models of their kind. They are useful both as basic tools for ecologists and to instruct an interested public, partly so that public can take intelligent part in the debates over applications of ecology to our environmental problems." - Ecology End of article 11628 (of 11628)--what next? [npq]