Two Good Books - Cheap !

I agree, Scrungee, but now they're talking about bringing DDT back for use in Africa again. The thing with DDT was it's indiscriminate use in great quantities.

Looking through one of the old books printed in 1893 I found a list a garden chemicals of around 530! Just some to mention were, Ammonium Sulpho-cyanide, Caustic Alkali Washes, Copper Aceto-arsenate, gas lime, lead sulphate, lead arsenate, Nitric Acid, Phosphoric Acid, Prussic Acid, Gun Powder, Quicklime, Sulphuric Acid, Sulphuric Ether, Tobacco Powder, and a load more which made an Estate Gardener's life not a very healthy one.:DOH:

 

Yup, Scrungee, Mercury is on the list in the form of Mercury Chloride and Mercury Sulphide I did say I had named only a few from the 530 odd chemicals listed!!:D
Makes you shudder doesn't it. Those gardeners were risking severe illness and death every day

 

Oh my gosh, GCQ, there's an awful lot of gardening books out there, some good, some bad, and it all depends on what you're interested in. You don't have to buy new books to get a really good book.:D

One of the authors I really respect and like is the late Geoff Hamilton, one of the best for just every day projects in the garden and also infusing whoever reads it with enthusiasm for getting out there and doing some gardening.:happydance: One of the other books of his is Cottage Gardening, which isn't as specialised as you'd think, as he passes on down to earth gardening ideas that you can use in modern gardens.

Other books which will be recommended by others I'm sure, are Dr D G Hessayon's books which cover just about every gardening subject. I've got most of his books and they're very informative and easy to read. Having said that I don't find his books ones that make you want to go out in the garden and do something. But then, I don't think that's his intention and he just wants to pass on information.

 

I guess it's what ever floats your boat, GCQ!!!!:D I can still read Geoff Hamilton's books and get the buzz to go out there and do something, it's the way he wrote in such a down to earth way, yet seemed to be so optimistic about all things and pass on his own enjoyment of gardening:D. Some people who are just starting gardening need that style of writing to give them the confidence and urge to do things.

As you say, GCQ, what was mud to you when you were younger is now gold dust.:D

 

So there's another inspirational writer, ClaraLou. I've not read that book, but I will keep an eye out for it. It doesn't matter to me if the author strays away from practical gardening or that the book covers history etc. If the enjoyment and enthusiasm of the author is passed on
to the reader thats what counts.:D

Well, GCQ, I really don't think you could do better than Geoff Hamilton's books for inspiring you, although from after reading all your posts I don't think you need much of that:D His "Gardeners World" was first printed in 1993 and his "Cottage Gardens" in 1995 and, to me, are as still as fresh and enthusiastic as they were then

 

Awww, Gosh, GCQ, I'm blushing, but don't tell any one:D