Page 18 RAIN March/April 1984 ACCESS: Farms and Gardens The American Cropland Crisis, by W. Wendell Fletcher and Charles E. Little, 1982,193 pp., $7.95 from; American Land Forum 5410 Grosvenor Lane Bethesda, MD 20814 This book offers a thorough analysis of one of America's most insidious problems—the loss of farmland through development. The history of the problem, the value of farmland, and potential solutions are examined in an open style that looks behind the vast array of statistics on the subject. Among our most common strategies for preserving farmland, zoning is inexpensive but can be easily changed, whereas purchase of development rights is permanent but extremely costly. The most likely solution the authors give, after examining many alternatives, is the establishment of a "farmland conservancy" as a middle ground between zoning and purchase of development rights. A good background book. —JS A Gardener's Guide to Propagating Food Plants, by Franklin Herm Fitz, 1978, 1983,152 pp., $11.95 hardcover from: Charles Scribner's Sons 597 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10017 Wouldn't it be nice to grow a tomato especially suited to your area and taste? Or maybe a nice heirloom dry bean that's especially tasty? Well, this book gives practical, step-by-step instructions on how to save seed from vegetables and fruits, as well as information on other forms of propagation, such as cuttings and grafting. The author does an excellent job of providing clear and complete information on all forms of propagation, without getting overly technical. A large part of the book is devoted to specific vegetable and fruit listings with information on how they are propagated, making it a useful book for both beginning and veteran gardeners. —Collette Gardiner Collette Gardiner is the greenhouse horti- cutturaiist at the Eliot Energy House and teaches gardening and landscaping classes in Portland. The Seed Finder, by John Jeavons and Robin Leler, 1982,1983,122 pp., $4 ppd. from; The Jeavons-Leler Press 5798 Ridgewood Road Willits, CA 95490 An interesting guide to seed catalogs. The book focuses on seed companies that carry open-pollinated seed or companies that have varieties well-suited to the home gardener. It gives a brief review of each company and then lists exceptional or unusual seeds carried by the company. The catalog covers the whole spectrum of seed companies, from a giant like Burpee to a small, local business like Territorial in Lorane, Oregon. Most of the companies are located in the U.S.; some are located in Canada or England. The catalog also offers information on whether the seed is organically grown or has been chemically treated before shipping. This is a good introduction for those unfamiliar with seed-catalog companies, and it provides a few unusual sources for even the seasoned gardener. —Colette Gardiner Ten Acres Enough: The Small Farm Dream Is Possible, by Ralph C. Miller and Lynn R. Miller, 1982, 249 pp., $8.95 from: Mill Press 3890 Stewart Street Eugene, OR 97402 If you've ever wondered what a Walden for family farmers would be like, then wonder no more: Teji Acres Enough is that book. First published in 1864 by an anonymous New Jersey truck farmer, this gem was recently unearthed by the Millers of Small Farmers journal fame. In this edition, they've reprinted the original Ten Acres Enough and attached a From: A Gardener's Guide section entitled "The Small Farm Dream is Possible," co-authored by the Millers, which analyzes and comments on the former. The author of Ten Acres Enough led a financially uncertain life as a self-employed Philadelphia businessman before he and his wife became convinced that life on a small truck farm would bring their family much more happiness and satisfaction than they had had eking out an existence in the city. Through liberal application of the three great manures (sweat, brain, and horse), the author and his family estiblished themselves as highly successful fruit truckers on only ten acres of land, raising peaches, strawberries, raspberries, garden crops, and a few animals. Ten Acres Enough is a thorough record of the authors' experiences in setting up the farm and making it prosper, while exuding his conviction that ten acres is indeed sufficient land for a family farm. The book is a delight to read and, with the Millers' help, has just as much relevance today as it did over a century ago. —JS
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc4NTAz