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Soil Development
From the dust jacket-
"Grow soil while growing crops... or lose both, warns Edward H. Faulkner, the author of Plowman's Folly and A Second look– a farmer and writer whose novel ideas and techniques are making agricultural history."
"Grow soil while growing crops... or lose both, warns Edward H. Faulkner, the author of Plowman's Folly and A Second look– a farmer and writer whose novel ideas and techniques are making agricultural history."
232 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1952
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May 20, 2016
Having read books similar to this, I expected a rather dry book about how to replenish tired croplands, some history, some science, some how-to; but this book was thoroughly entertaining. The author takes time to recount long discussions with his neighbor Zeb, who often comes along, with his rural wit, to ask the author about this or that pest or to question him on what he's doing, usually half-jeering at him for his unconventional ways. I'm not sure if he was a real person, or more of a plot device; but it worked either way. Likewise, Faulkner himself has some pretty sarcastic and humorous moments.
And plenty of good information. I like his ethic of disregarding the common wisdom of the day and saying, "well, I'm gonna try this and document the results." And they seem to be good results.
My only problem with the book is the fact that he refused to make any soil tests or tests of nutrition quality of his crops:
"Meanwhile, I am making no tests of any sort, because the evidence seems conclusive, and I am content to believe that Nature, being in charge, is so much better a farmer than I am that there is no need to suspect trouble"
True enough, I suppose. However, his case would have been far more authoritative and scientific, and therefore more convincing, if he had done some soil tests before and after he started his work. I understand that the tests are not the end all be all, as he discusses in the book, talking about how they miss important aspects of mineral availability, and how anyways, the proof is in the pudding: his soil gets richer every year, his plants healthier, more vital, less disease and pest prone. I admit, I personally don't need the tests to be convinced. Still, it would have been interesting and could have bolstered his argument. There is a great deal of speculation and "it seems to me" type statements, not really backed up. All in all I think the book could have been far shorter, but I read it all through anyways.
And plenty of good information. I like his ethic of disregarding the common wisdom of the day and saying, "well, I'm gonna try this and document the results." And they seem to be good results.
My only problem with the book is the fact that he refused to make any soil tests or tests of nutrition quality of his crops:
"Meanwhile, I am making no tests of any sort, because the evidence seems conclusive, and I am content to believe that Nature, being in charge, is so much better a farmer than I am that there is no need to suspect trouble"
True enough, I suppose. However, his case would have been far more authoritative and scientific, and therefore more convincing, if he had done some soil tests before and after he started his work. I understand that the tests are not the end all be all, as he discusses in the book, talking about how they miss important aspects of mineral availability, and how anyways, the proof is in the pudding: his soil gets richer every year, his plants healthier, more vital, less disease and pest prone. I admit, I personally don't need the tests to be convinced. Still, it would have been interesting and could have bolstered his argument. There is a great deal of speculation and "it seems to me" type statements, not really backed up. All in all I think the book could have been far shorter, but I read it all through anyways.
Displaying 1 of 1 review