Stephens' Book of the Farm Edwardian Farm Edition

A monumental 1176 page treatise on every aspect of Farm Crops and Farm Livestock in the Edwardian period this most complete work of its kind is a mine of information. The livestock section discusses numerous breeds of horses (including ponies and donkeys) cattle sheep goats and poultry; the history characteristics care breeding and showing of each individual breed as well as a more general discussion of animal husbandry live stock ailments and remedies farm pests and of course animal products-meat dairy wool honey etc.. Sheepdogs are not overlooked. The farm crop section covers all British grains beans and peas potatoes hops flax turnips forage crops (for cattle) in similar detail as well as subsidiary crops (that is vegetables I modern usage). As well as the material specifically on crops and livestock there is considerable background information including a summary of the seasons and seasonal tasks a detailed analysis of the then recent experiments in manuring and composting at Rothamstead that continue to this day and a discussion of the impact of non-farm animals (badgers mice owls ...) on the farm. In addition to sixty eight full page plates there are numerous illustrations in the text and a complete index. (Hardcover 978-1-84902-540-9 Paperback 978-1-84902-541-6)