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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
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(3906) Wed 19 Aug 92 11:01
By: Scott Parks
To: All
Re: Sence Of Humus 2/2
St:
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@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
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(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 <pfraterdeus>
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)
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(1512) Sat 15 Feb 92 21:12
By: Lawrence London
To: ALL
Re: Houseplant magazine
St: Local
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@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)
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(1519) Sat 15 Feb 92 23:28
By: Lawrence London
To: ALL
Re: Rix and Phillips photographic books
St: Local
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@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
---
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(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
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(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)
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(1613) Mon 16 Mar 92 9:42
By: Lawrence London
To: ALL
Re: More Booklists
St: Local
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@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)
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(1654) Sun 22 Mar 92 19:05
By: Lawrence London
To: ALL
Re: something you might like...
St: Local
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@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]
---
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(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
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@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
---
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(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
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(1728) Fri 3 Apr 92 1:10
By: Lawrence London
To: ALL
Re: Growing organically.
St: Local
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@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
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* Origin: EARTH*Net*Home:SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE ECHO*919-9323115 (1:151/502)
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(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
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* Origin: EARTH*Net*Home:SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE ECHO*919-9323115 (1:151/502)
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(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)
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(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)
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(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.
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* Origin: EARTH*Net*Home:SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE ECHO*919-9323115 (1:151/502)
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(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]