Archive for August, 2007
There is nothing more quaint than the preface to an old gardening book. F.F. Rockwell’s introduction to his Home Vegetable Gardening is no exception. Even the title is lovely:
HOME VEGETABLE GARDENING
A COMPLETE AND PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE PLANTING AND CARE OF ALL VEGETABLES, FRUITS AND BERRIES WORTH GROWING FOR HOME USE
Here’s the preface:
With some, the home vegetable garden is a hobby; with others, especially in these days of high prices, a great help. There are many in both classes whose experience in gardening has been restricted within very narrow bounds, and whose present spare time for gardening
is limited. It is as “first aid” to such persons, who want to do practical, efficient gardening, and do it with the least possible fuss and loss of time, that this book is written. In his own experience the author has found that garden books, while seldom lacking in information, often do not present it in the clearest possible way. It has been his aim to make the present volume first of all practical, and in addition to that, though comprehensive, yet simple and concise. If it helps to make the way of the home gardener more clear and definite, its purpose will have been accomplished.
Update (April 2009): We are in full swing in terms of a financial crisis and saving money is the topic of the day. I couldn’t help but notice the reference in the above passage to “these days of high prices”. Wow!