Book Description
In this new book noted grass expert and advocate Rick Darke addresses both the aesthetic qualities of grasses in private gardens and the opportunities and challenges of using them in wild and constructed public landscapes. All the true grasses, sedges, rushes, restios, and cattails that possess ornamental merit or that can contribute to ecological plantings are described, and practical matters of propagation, growth, and maintenance are also covered. More than 1000 stunning photographs show details of individual plants and hundreds of gardens and landscapes in which grasses play a prominent part. This worthy successor to The Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses is a new type of design reference that sets a standard for inspired, sustainable use of grasses.
Customer Reviews:
The best ornamental grass book ever.......2007-08-23
This book is the bible of all ornamental grasses, great pictures for referance and identifacation of grass plants !!!!!!!!!!
Interesting and encyclopedic.......2007-07-05
In depth, beautifully photographed and written by someone who obviously cares a great deal about the subject. Great for reference -- also great just to peruse.
Beautiful book.......2007-06-10
Beautifully illustrated book and so specific. I had a hard time getting used to the detail because most books give you just a paragraph on the grass and very little on care, etc.
It's everything you want to know about Ornamental Grasses and more. Very, very complete reference source. Maybe be a bit too much for a average gardener, but if you love grasses and gardening -- this is an excellent book.
Amazon.com
Hook-and-bullet adventures had by tough guys such as Teddy Roosevelt and Papa Hemingway may be out of favor in these times of eco-awareness, but Peter Hathaway Capstick's account of big-game hunting in Africa remains a classic. With humor, grace, and supreme tension, Capstick takes the reader on safari, eloquently stating his case for blood sport while portraying the intensity of the hunt.
Book Description
Few men can say they have known Africa as Peter Hathaway Capstick has know it-- leading safaris through lion country; tracking man-eating leopards along tangled jungle paths; running for cover as fear-maddened elephants stampede in all directions. And of the few who have known this dangerous way of life, fewer still can recount their adventures with the flair of this former professional hunter-turned-writer.Based on Capstick's own experiences and the personal accounts of his colleagues, Death in the Long Grass portrays the great killers of the African bush-- not only the lion, leopard, and elephant, but the primitive rhino and the crocodile waiting for its unsuspecting prey, the titanic hippo and the Cape buffalo charging like an express train out of control. Capstick was a born raconteur whose colorful descriptions and eye for exciting, authentic detail bring us face to face with some of the most ferocious killers in the world-- underrated killers like the surprisingly brave and cunning hyena, silent killers such as the lightning-fast black mamba snake, collective killers like the wild dog. Readers can lean back in a chair, sip a tall, iced drink, and revel in the kinds of stories Hemingway and Ruark used to hear in hotel bars from Nairobi to Johannesburg, as veteran hunters would tell of what they heard beyond the campfire and saw through the sights of an express rifle.As thrilling as any novel, as taut and exciting as any adventure story, Death in the Long Grass takes us deep into the heart of darkness to view the Africa that few people have ever seen.
Customer Reviews:
The Dangers of Hunting These Animals & The Importance of Hunting.......2007-09-09
Peter Hathaway Capstick is a very experienced professional hunter turned writer. This book covers his experiences with some of the deadliest game animals in the world. From the big five (lion, elephant, leopard, cape buffalo, rhino) to other dangerous species that inhabit Africa, Capstick tells in detail the horrifying, brutal, and deadly nature of these animals from his first-hand accounts of hunting them, guiding hunts, and witnessing attacks.
The author tells several hunting and attack stories for each species of animal. His style for telling these stories becomes a bit repetitive, but it in no way takes away from his stories. Each story will completely shock you when the author describes just how dangerous, brutal, powerful, intelligent, and cunning these animals can be. The lion chapter covering "man-eating" lions is especially good at describing the sheer terror of the vicious attacks.
Along with some of the best hunting and attack stories on dangerous big game, the author also includes some basic information on the different animals, and a few ecological facts and the importance of hunting to the ecosystem, all with some slight dark humor.
Whether you're interested in big game hunting or not, this book will certainly be an entertaining and interesting read. You will definitely have a newfound respect for these creatures.
Excellent read.......2007-08-31
I believe this to be THE best book ever about hunting the most dangerous animals on earth.There is something about hearing first hand about being mere feet from man-eaters in the wild. Capstick has a way of using humor that makes the book even more fun to read. A very brave man, a great writer and what a life he lived!!
Capstrick's Long Grass.......2007-07-26
A Great Book to read if you are planning to go to Africa as a hunter or even as a tourist!. The author explain the drama to live in the bush with his own stories and also with information that he has gathered during his time in Africa. He writes in a way that is sometimes very funny but without loosing the drama that the African bush always hide.
A great adventure book........2007-05-17
Not for the faint of heart. Exciting, scary and a bit gory.
Entertaining and Educational.......2007-04-12
Find out what it's like to hunt in the African bush. Your skin will crawl, and you'll laugh out loud as you make your way through this adventure.
Book Description
Anyone can have a lawn even greener than their neighbors’ envy with this definitive guide to improving the attractiveness of grass from seed to sod, in all seasons. Jerry Baker’s proven tips, tricks, and tonics cover problems from mowing and mole damage to drought or downpour. Regular cabinet items are repurposed—Epsom salts to cure yellow grass and mouthwash to banish bugs—and homeowners learn what they can do to conserve water, avoid sun damage, and boost the green of their turf using sensible techniques and natural products. The book includes a calendar with a season-by-season to-do list, taking the guesswork out of lawn maintenance for gardeners with green thumbs as well as those who need a little guidance.
Customer Reviews:
With this book anyone can grow grass........2007-10-11
All I can say this is one of the best book I bought about growing grass. I could never get my grass to grow. If your into natural recipes this is the book for you. A lot of the ingredients you need to make the recipes are everyday household items. I have a dog that is alergic to everything I could never use any type of fertilizer on my lawn. This book show you ways to feed your lawn without using a lot of chemicals. So if your like me and never can get grass to grow this book is the solution.
good information.......2007-05-18
I really liked the information, but I found that many of the ingredients were not readily available
Great Book.......2006-11-10
I purchased this book early last summer. I had the chance to try a few of his potions... WOW! They work!
Finally Organization.......2006-08-29
Jerry Baker's Green Grass Magic is a wonderful book for people who want to know more about growing grass (the turf kind) but, don't want to be to technical. He does get into the technical aspects of Grass but those sections are delivered simply and in small chuncks with a dose of humor. What I like about Mr. Baker is that reading his books is a bit like talking with your grandfather, he interjects tidbits about how life was and wisdom from his Grandma Putt, in with his advice for your lawn. Mr. Baker has finally gotten better in orginazing his books. You can quickly find the information that you want. His chapter headings give you an idea about that that chapter is about which makes it easier to find a given subject and the book is indexed. He has put all of the recipies that crop up in the book for his various tonics and such in the back of the book as well as through out the book. It makes it a lot easier to look up what is in a given tonic. I like the tonics that he gives though, the neighbors raise eyebrows when they find that I am buying Beer for my lawn, but, if you do what he tells you to do then you will have a more beautiful lawn.
Jerry Baker's Green Grass Magic.......2006-07-20
Good info. Have used one of the tonics and found that it does work...
Book Description
Your turf will stand alone as a testament to your commitment to excellence and creativity. Its easy to do, and requires no special equipment in many casesonly your desire to have the perfect lawn! Youll learn the basic patternscheckerboard, stripes, diamonds, waves, arches and circlesin simple step-by-step instructions, along with practical advice on equipment selection and use.
Customer Reviews:
Picture Perfect is a Perfect lawn resource!.......2007-08-14
Picture Perfect is a must for anyone who is serious about their lawn. I found this book to be extremely informative and helpful in achieving the ideal lawn. It is very user friendly and makes obtaining the perfect yard obtainable for everyone.
Picasso of The Playing Field.......2007-07-02
Our lawn is looking great this year thanks to following the care and maintenance instructions in Picture Perfect. David Mellor's easy to follow guidelines on mowing make our lawn the prettiest in the neighborhood. Why do people scalp their lawns?
This book is not just about pretty pictures. David Mellor tells us about the facinating history of lawns. He shows us how to establish good grass from the ground up beginning with soil testing and fertilization and culminating with how to apply a distinctive design.
I am giving a copy of this book to my sixteen year-old nephew who started mowing lawns this summer. It will give him and edge over the competition.
After reading this book I see why David Halberstam called David Mellor "The Picasso of The Playing Field."
Perfect guide on a great subject.......2007-06-25
David Mellor shares his particular expertise with authority and in a straightforward way. I wanted to learn how to "design" my lawn like the pros and I got that and more from this book. It's a great supplement to your favorite basic lawn care guide (Mellor's other book, THE LAWN BIBLE, is a good one) and will have you mowing circles (or diamonds or stripes) around your neighbor's lawns.
Not Picture Perfect!.......2007-03-09
I wish I could recommend this book! I really do. You know when your 13-year old writes one of his/her first research papers and repeats him/herself in every other paragraph just to create "filler"? Well, that's exactly Mr. David R. Mellor's problem in his book, "Picture Perfect": he repeats himself over and over . . . and over again. Holy cow!
What IS a sign of a good "how to" book? Well, to me it is its thoroughness: you want to have all the info on the subject in one guide, right? (Or certainly, as close to it as possible.) Well, "Picture Perfect" is NOT perfect -- far from it.
There are many problems with the book. One, Mr. Mellor is a bad writer. His aforementioned repetition of many facts does not create an appreciation for diligence; it signifies a sense of belittlement and ineptitude. Furthermore, although his writing style is accessible for the most part, it is confusing at times during THE moments when it should be the most simple and easy to understand: in the chapter in which he describes how to actually make patterns, he is far too complicated in explaining a simple task . . . such as mowing parallel, adjacent lines in opposite directions! In the first few chapters, Mr. Mellor uses bullets and subchapters to enunciate clear and important points. Great! Yet when he finally gets to discussing the actual techniques of pattern making in Chapter 12, he lumps all points into one, making for a poor overview: the main points don't "stick" out. That's really too bad.
Two, the book is poorly organized. The first half -- yeap, half! -- is dedicated to A-Z lawncare. Come on! All he had to do was to state that there are many other books out there on lawncare, point them out, and get into the heart of THE subject. (That should have taken one paragraph.) And although very important, lawncare is NOT the subject of this treatise, right? (My favorite is Scotts.) Why try to outdo a book like Scotts in a few chapters . . . when the Scotts book covers lawncare brilliantly?! Makes no sense to me whatsoever! This IS, after all, a book on mowing patterns, NOT lawncare. All that Mr. Mellor had to do was to, perhaps, write an opening chapter of HIS advice, findings and nuances on lawncare, all of us having learned some from personal experience over the years. But no, Mr. Mellor tries to reinvent the wheel. In addition, to use black & white photographs in a book published in the 21st century is embarrassing! (No, not all photographs are black & white. But . . . ) Let me get this straight: this book deals with the visual sense, right? So wouldn't you want to use color photographs?! Get real! Furthermore, the illustrations in the chapter on making patterns are not used effectively: all mowing passes could have actually been shown in ONE illustration instead of several, thus making the instructions more accessible. Also, Mr. Mellor tells you that with practice, you will get better. OK, let me get this straight? I am supposed to pay $38.70 to be told that with practice I will get better at doing something? We already know that! That's the whole point of a "how to" book: it is supposed to teach you a subject so that you will decrease the amount of time for you to get good at something, right? Good Lord! (Nope, we're not done yet.) At the very end of the book, Mr. Mellor writes about some of his personal experiences when he worked at Milwaukee's County Stadium, one of which involved the chasing off of seagulls from the field. Again, let me get this straight: you are supposed to pay $38.70 to learn how another human being . . . chased away seagulls?! Mr. Mellor, you are very audacious! I thought this book is about making patterns on lawns? And finally, here is the greatest downfall of the book. The book is 160 pages long, yet ONLY 32 pages actually deal with creating lawn patterns. And actually, I am being too generous: only Chapter 14 deals specifically with pattern instruction which is . . . 18 pages long! So let me get this straight? You are expected to pay $38.70 for a book which only gives you 18 pages on that subject? Are you kidding me?!
Now, having made this last point, let's look at it from a different angle. What does the fact tell you that only 18 pages out of a 160-page book actually deal with the subject at hand? Well, it tells me that the subject matter is NOT all that complicated! Look, if you have, or even HAVE NOT, any gardening experience, but are practical and use common sense, you can create lawn patterns. Sure you can! It ain't that complicated as Mr. Mellor would lead you to believe. I was successful on my first try . . . and so will you.
Holy cow! Mr. Mellor, you need to seriously consider writing a second edition of this book in which you leave out the opening half on lawncare (and leave that to others), use color photographs only, and devote MUCH more effort and time to the actual subject: lawn patterns.
So, if you have ANY gardening savvy and do NOT need your hand held, then I highly recommend that you do NOT buy this expensive book. If you DO need to have your hand held, then buy this book . . . I guess.
Picture perfect: Mowing Techniques for Lawns, Landscapes, and Sports.......2007-01-16
The book is very small. I expected a larger book with lots of pictures. There are a few pictures, but the book itself was disappointing.
Amazon.com
Much has changed in the role and use of ornamental grasses over the past 100 years. Whereas turn-of-the-century gardeners had perhaps a dozen perennial grasses to choose from, today's gardeners have hundreds. Ornamental grasses now embody a huge array of textures, forms, sizes, colors, flowering times, and cultural adaptations. The Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses is intended for gardeners in a wide range of situations and climates, and draws from the experience and creativity of great gardens and gardeners around the world. It begins with an exploration of the unique aesthetics and appeal of ornamental grasses before moving on to a review of the families of grasses and a survey of grasses in their native habitats. Gardeners usually speak of "ornamental grasses" in the broad sense, including not only the true grasses but also related families of grass-like plants. Following this tradition, the book provides a detailed treatment of perennial grasses, rushes, and cattails, as well as selected bamboos. Written by horticulturist Rick Darke, this encyclopedia will be invaluable to nursery professionals, landscapers, and home gardeners.
Book Description
This encyclopedia by a distinguished American horticulturist is the most authoritative and best-illustrated reference ever published on ornamental grasses. Rick Darke has been studying and photographing grasses in gardens and native landscapes around the world for more than 20 years, and this book includes the best 500 photographs from his collection of nearly 15,000. At its heart is the illustrated alphabetical encyclopedia of important ornamental grasses, sedges, rushes, restios, cat-tails, and selected bamboos, with many plants illustrated in more than one season. Intended for gardeners in a wide range of situations and climates, this book is an invaluable tool for landscape architects, garden designers, nursery professionals, and home gardeners.
Customer Reviews:
Masterful, Encyclopedic Guide Full of Helpful Photos.......2006-03-10
Rick Darke's book is typical of his work. It is extremely well written, a detailed, very thorough guide to ornamental grasses, full of helpful pictures as well as information on growing and maintaining grasses. This book should be a classic for decades to come.
Absolutely Fantastic.......2003-03-17
This is such a wonderful informational book... AND ... a gorgeous coffee table book. It is terrific from beginning to end! If you like or are interested in, or even thinking about Ornamental Grasses ... then THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU! I can't imagine anyone who has an interest in Ornamental Grasses NOT LOVING THIS BOOK, and would be delighted they purchased it. My only concern is that it is going to look dog-earred from my reading it over and over and over again ... which frankly takes away from its beauty on our coffee table.
Buy 2 copies..........2001-01-24
This book is structured, written, photographed and edited with parallel purpose and effect: communication of the author's respect and regard for the book's subject and for its readers. Mr. Darke sets out to inform and does so with enconomy but in full course; when he instructs, he teaches the novice and gives pause to the critic; when he photographs he shows his passion and inspires with the nature and wonder of his subjects. The book is encyclopedic, yet its prose is always to the point with the agreeable dryness of a good, well-bodied wine. Credible, trustworthy, enlightening. This is the best gardening book I have ever read. Negatives? Only one: Mr. Darke's standards are unimpeachable; those of the book's typographer and designer, however, are not.
Excellent information, awesome photographs.......2000-01-29
Excellent and complete information about ornamental grasses. A great book.
Thirty pages on the botany, anatomy, and classification of grasses. Twenty pages on native habitat, thirty pages on designing with grasses, and twenty pages of growing and propagating grasses. 170 page encyclopedia listing 400+ species / varieties of grasses. Each species is described in a paragraph or two of text along side a clear photograph of the plant. In the back of the book, you find a 2 page glossary, 5 page bibliography, 2 page grass nursery listing, USDA and European hardiness maps, and a complete index of all grasses by common name. Very complete book.
As a bonus, the book is also filled with awesome photography.
If you garden with ornamental grasses, this book is a must buy. Excellent information, well worth the money!
Excellent information and beautiful photos.......2000-01-03
If you have no grasses in your garden now, your yard will be transformed by this book. The cultural information is well researched and thorough, but it is the incredible photographs that will keep you reading. I often look up a particular grass and find myself still reading hour later.
Average customer rating:
- Neat Source to have...
- Don't pass this book by!
- Overload
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Jerry Baker's Backyard Problem Solver: 2,168 Natural Solutions for Growing Great Grass, Super Shrubs, Bright Bulbs, Perfect Perennials, Amazing Annuals, Vibrant Vegetables, Terrific Trees, and Much, Much More!
Jerry Baker
Manufacturer: Jerry Baker
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Jerry Baker
| Expert Advice
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Gardening & Horticulture
| Home & Garden
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ASIN: 0922433429 |
Customer Reviews:
Neat Source to have..........2007-06-06
I really like the 'down-to-earth' suggestions/comments. Enjoyable reading even quite humorous!
Lots of Recipes/Remedies using fairly common household items which are easily accesible & inexpensive. Instead of reading several products in the aisles, make your own right at home!! Things you use regularly may benefit your plants (EX: fling that banana peel in your rose bed - they'll thrive!)
Discusses many things from growing/caring for/etc Trees/Shrubs/Flowers to warding off unwanted 'pests' etc.
Good book to have. I'll be pulling it off the shelf often!
Don't pass this book by!.......2004-07-06
Boy, do I LOVE this book! I'm just a casual gardener, but boy, if you have nasty soil, need help getting your lawn started, garden started, problem with trees and plants, grab this book. I can tell you for a fact that that tonic Jerry has in this book for trees is just tremendous! Who would think that putting whiskey, beer, peroxide and jello on your trees would just make them grow huge in no time at all. My trees just love this stuff and I'm just thrilled with the results of all the recipes I've tried in this book. Plus, if you have problems with any plants you currently have, it's probably addressed in this book. Baker is the country's #1 gardener and this book shows why. I'm very thankful that I purchased it and got it for a great price on amazon.com. If you have roses and have trouble, this book is for you. He even tells you how to get rid of every bug imaginable. Also, if you're having trouble with your lawn, the remedy is in this book. Plus, Baker tells you how to select the proper plants for your area, and even outlines designs for you to have a nicely planted yard. He recommends what trees to plant as well and how they should be planted to take root quickly. He gives recipes for many tonics to get them off to a great start. Again, I can't emphasize how much this book has done for my garden. Now I'm attacking my clay soil and following Baker's advice. My yard is the best in the neighborhood!
Overload.......2004-06-15
I just finished reading this book and, while it contains some good advice, I'll probably wait until I retire to use most of it. This is definitely for a hard core gardener, not a casual gardener like myself. There are so many different plant "tonic" recipes, it's hard to know which ones to use. If I followed all the advice found in this book, I'd never get anything else done.
Book Description
Dubbed the "Lawn Geek" by USA Today, turf scientist Trey Rogers explains how to master the well-manicured look in all climates, from basic site preparation to mowing, fertilizing, irrigating, and of course, safe and effective pest management.
Whether readers are faced with their first yard or are long-time mowers, they'll find the Lawn Geek's enthusiastic and humorous advice perfect for weeding out their deep-rooted fears and insecurities. Rogers will have them looking forward to spring-and a lush lawn that will become the envy of their neighbors.
Customer Reviews:
LAWN GEEK is packed with tips and perfect for any public library strong in home and garden guides........2007-05-19
LAWN GEEK: TIPS AND TRICKS FOR THE ULTIMATE TURF FROM THE GURU OF GRASS comes from a lawn maven who loves everything to do with lawns. It was USA-Today who dubbed a professor of crop and soil sciences the 'Lawn Geek' - and he lives up to his name, providing his turf expertise on everything from maintaining healthy lawns to helping to determine how many people can stand on grass before it's damaged. From building an appropriate lawn 'base camp' to typical maintenance challenges, LAWN GEEK is packed with tips and perfect for any public library strong in home and garden guides.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
What tips?.......2007-05-06
Would have like to have seen color photos instead of black and white drawings. Many how to books at gardening stores have the same or better information.
Lawn Geek: Tips and Tricks for the Ultimate Turf From the Guru of Grass.......2007-04-03
Excellent and very informative read. One of the best in the lawn care book market today.
Product Description
From a woman who strayed to the other side of the marital fence -and returned to find forgiveness and restoration - comes this practical book about predicting and preventing an extra-martial affair. Based on the principle that the grass is aways greener when its watered, this book focuses on howto grow a beautiful marriage in your own backyard by establishing six protective "hedges" around it.
Customer Reviews:
Hope after heartache.......2007-05-11
Honest and insightful, this book not only reveals how easy it was for the author to be deceived, but also shares practical steps we can take to affair-proof our own marriages. Her now-successful marriage offers hope for those who have experienced the heartache of adultery. A must-read for every couple who wants to protect their marriage.
Great.......2007-02-17
This book is excellent reading for any couple who has had to deal with an affair. It is told by someone who has had to live the experience. I would recommend highly. My husband and I both thought it was useful. It is full of suggestions on how to avoid falling into old patterns.
How to Grow Affair Proof Hedges Around Your Marriage.......2006-11-10
very easy to read, and understand.
Good weapon.......2006-11-09
While all of the mad men chase the homosexual partnership laws, and the right to pray on your lunch break, those in the faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ have forgotten satan true agenda of destroying the family. The greatest weapon is also the oldest trick in the book. Adultery is at an all time high in this country and no one knows it except the ones it has effected the most. Children are broken, friends and familys are torn apart. Lives are ruin by this sin which has somehow become the least of all human errors. Adultery is a sin and as destructive and murder and stealing, but most adulterous are unaware of this fact. Plain hard and simple, you need to arm yourself with the knowledge of it's entanglement or find yourself a victim of the roaring lion who goes to and fro seeking whom he may desire.
The only thing green is the emotion of envy and jealousy evoked by fantasy.......2006-09-29
This is written from a Christian perspective and the author's first hand account of her own syndrome of "the grass looks greener". Thank God (literally) that she was able to restore her marriage. For anyone who is a friend of someone who has been horribly betrayed ... this is great for them and those who are emotionally supporting them through it. It also helps one understand both sides of the story so they don't take one side blindly, and detachment in the long-run aids in being a supportive friend. That said, it is urged that the one who is hurting seek out professional help as friends can never be fully objective. I found myself on the supportive friend side once in my life to someone who was very important to me at the time. Had this book been available it probably would have helped me be an objective support without taking on their pain of the drama, and being so drawn in to the toxic emotional aftermath that I had no choice but to extract myself completely for my own sanity.
Infidelity has been scorned in most religious thought circles because of this very thing ... the intense pain it causes everyone in the situation especially the innocent children and ... even those who committed the adultery. Society can accept men violating marital vows much more than women, but both genders are equally capable and ultimately responsible for some very serious damage to others and possibly themselves. Don't allow a mirage of the grass is always greener to ruin a situation that isn't that bad, can be improved, is worth fighting for - a marriage and a family unit. This is why wedding vows are till death do us part. Divorces done believing that a second marriage and partner will be better are statistically disproved given their higher failure rates on average. Whether the person who left or the person deserted finds a new spouse the residual bitter repercussions are so deep that any unfinished business (and with kids it is never over) spills over to a new relationship for the worse. Unless the marriage is violent (emotionally, verbally, physically, socially, etc) and life threatening hands down .... Those who stay find that they are happy they did two to five years later if both parties commit to working to make it better. Marriage is hard work and it makes you married not happy. Only you can do that .... Hence why the lure of an illusion that another man/woman will bring the true love happiness really ... is simply a mirage that soon evaporates. Assuming that it is true love between the spouses .... the question really is .... are you going to fight and stand your ground to keep it alive?
Book Description
Starting a small-scale livestock farm? First, you need this book! Yes, you can have a prosperous farm and achieve the lifestyle of your dreams ; and farming expert Carol Ekarius will show you how. Small farms can pay big dividends, Ekarius explains, but hard work alone isn't enough: Success demands knowledge and effective management. Ekarius's natural, organic approach to livestock management produces healthier animals, reduces feed and healthcare costs, and maximizes your profit. Through case studies of successful farmers, nitty-gritty details on every facet of livestock farming, and fascinating insights for working with nature instead of against it, you'll learn to make your farm thrive. Small-Scale Livestock Farming will help you: * Determine what you want from your farming life (even if your farm is simply a few backyard animals) * Choose suitable livestock * Understand housing, fencing, and feeding needs of livestock * Learn about reproducing stock and caring for your animals' hea
Customer Reviews:
I loved this book.......2007-05-10
Small Scale LivestockFarming:... is a simple easy to read text containing a broad overview of many more topics with more depth than expected and providing numerous references for areas which the text is not indepth enough for your needs. This book had to be the best money spent on a starting source for related knowledge. It is highly recomended to anyone intested in this subject.
lots of frosting very little cake. .......2007-04-18
I was put off by the author so I had a difficult time finishing this book.
The section on biology was nothing more than an eighth grade biology course and really unnecessary.
It appears that information that would be easily gleaned from other sources was abundant but firsthand knowledge was seriously lacking.
I didn't like her double standards. She advises readers to "Feel free to mark up" (page 116). She prices her meat to rural buyers slightly higher than the local butcher but she would have raised her prices even higher if she had lived closer to urban buyers. I can understand pricing higher if you have to drive farther to get to the city but that's not the advice. Then, in a story on fighting a factory farm on pages 124 & 125 she dubs a local man "Joe Greed". According to the story he sued because he had planned to sell his land to the factory farm envisioning lots of dollars in his pockets but with the new zoning laws he wasn't able to. If he's Joe Greed then she's "Carol Greed" for wanting urbanites to pay more simply because they live in the city. I don't agree with either of them.
I wonder if she's taken to writing books on farming intended to sell to city folks who only dream of country living and will never know her advice is of little help.
It was the little things that made this book bothersome such as her advice to have a silage pile but according to the author a farmer needs lots of specialized equipment for this. In the book The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It Seymour describes how to harvest by hand. For those modern small scale farms an electric weed whacker makes it a little easier. Cut it, turn it, stack it right in the fields and cover it with a tarp, voila, a silage pile. Fence it in order to control feeding and your done, nothing special needed.
One other point that I found difficult was her statement that she followed all the guidelines to be organic but wasn't certified, but mostly she advises to call a vet. I would have excepted that advice if the author would have included some information on how to get the vet to help without the use of antibiotics. According to the author antibiotics negate an organic animal standing and it must be sold as conventional. She gives 3 or 4 treatments for ailing animals and acknowledges successes with alternative treatments even names a few but that's it. I would expect someone that was farming organically to have a wealth of knowledge and include it when writing on the subject.
Excellent Resource.......2003-10-22
My brother gave this book to me for my birthday, and it has been great. We are new to farming, and it has helped us determine how to move forward, and to plan for our operation. We're retired, but we need this to pay some income, and that is what this book is all about, making money, but doing it so you don't screw up the land. The author has lots of excellent advice not only on caring for your animals, but also on direct marketing to get a bigger share of the consumer's dollar. She writes with a down to earth style that I really appreciate.
Is This High School Biology???.......2003-08-02
I was looking for a substantial book about small-scale livestock farming, and instead I was treated to a very basic introduction to agriculture. This book would make a great high school agriculture text, but beyond that it falls short of providing any real, useful, institutional knowledge that I was looking for. For example, in the book the author reviews basic high biology concepts such as the water cycle, the food chain, and the energy pyramid. She also reminds readers how to round up or round down. And if that were not insulting enough, she then informs readers that to be a successful farmer, you must dress like a farmer; "clean bib overalls and a straw hat, or a plaid shirt, jeans, and a cowboy hat." Give me a break. Again, if you want a simplistic, new age, farming book of little practical use by an author who has less than a decade of farming experience, this book is for you. If you want a no-frills, no-fluff, useful, dirt under your nails, John Deere farmer kind of a book, I would look elsewhere and I would suggest Gene Logsdon's The Contrary Farmer.
Inspiring ............2003-05-30
I got this book only a few months ago and I must say it has been a wealth of information. I learned about toxic plants, diseases, grazing management, budgeting your opperation effiecently, and also info on different feeding scales of species. Not to mention everything on this book but it has been an eye opening experience to learn from this knowledge and then apply it to my life.
Book Description
Bamboos are extraordinary in their ability to transform a garden, adapt to inhospitable surroundings, survive with little care and, most of all, surprise and delight the people who view them. Too long the exclusive pleasure of those with tropical and subtropical gardens, this hand-picked selection allows gardeners in cooler climes to experience the wonder and infinite variety of these magical plants. Besieged by winter wet, summer drought and bitter, drying winds, Paul Whittaker's garden has been a rigorous testing ground. In the first part of the book his compelling anecdotes, experiences and case histories illuminate how bamboos perform in different places, draw attention to their idiosyncratic nature, and highlight their geographical origins. A further section describes the bamboo's unique physical structure and growing habits. These fascinating insights give you the knowledge you need to choose the right bamboo for your site and grow it successfully. At the heart of the book are detailed plant descriptions that join with striking photographs and evocative illustrations to highlight each plant's characteristics. Using bamboos to best effect in the garden, propagation, aftercare and their resilience to pests and diseases complete the guidance for gardeners. The distillation of years of hands-on growing experience, this is the ultimate bamboo reference book for cool-climate gardeners. Enthusiasts will delight in the variety of new possibilities for their collection and gardeners everywhere will be captivated by the charm bamboos bring to countless different garden situations.
Customer Reviews:
The Best Bamboo Book........2007-07-21
The best bamboo book period. Wonderful pictures, excellent categorizing. I have several other bamboo books and this is by far the best.
Entertaining read, and good info too!.......2007-05-24
This book is surprisingly interesting to read, mostly because of anecdotes that the author includes--Paul Whittaker's self deprecating sense of humor makes you interested in meeting him in person.
The things that I appreciated the most about the book, outside of the easy going, easy to read nature of the book:
1. Characterization of the exhaustive list of bamboos included the spreading habit of the plant--how wide the bamboo would get in 10 years. This is great info for those of us who have to worry about containing bamboo...
2. Great pencil drawings of the nature of the bamboo--density of culms, upright vs. fountain appearance. It gave a sense of what the plant might look like in the yard.
3. Great pictures, including close-ups of leaves, and branches in addition to the typical photos of culms.
4. It gave me a better appreciation of the branching characteristics of bamboo families, which presumably has some relation to the density of leaves associated with a plant.
This is the book that I would read over and over again if I were trying to decide which bamboo to plant, or even if I were dreaming about getting a bamboo in the future.
Hardy Bamboo Taming the Dragon.......2007-05-13
Wonderful book. Well written, very helpful information--both general and species specific. Also beautiful, color photographs. Nicely organized, and even the sketches of growth habit I found to be very helpful.
Hardy Bamboos: Taming the Dragon.......2007-03-09
Excellent photos, clear and concise descriptions, well organized, just a super book for the beginner or advanced bamboo grower or enthusiast.
One of the best books about Bamboo that I have read!.......2007-01-12
Great book! A lot of information and a lot of great pictures! It really helps you identify bamboo species and helps you choose the right bamboo for your zone.
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- The Harsh Cry of the Heron: The Last Tale of the Otori (Tales of the Otori, Book 4)
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- The Nymph King (Atlantis, Book 3)
- The Pack: Touch Of The Wolf (Book 5) (Silhouette Nocturne)
- The Poison Master
- The Precipice (The Grand Tour; also Asteroid Wars)
- The Silent Cinema Reader
Books Index
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