The American Farm Book: A Practical Treatise on Every Staple Product of the United States, with the Best Methods of Planting, Cultivating, and Preparation for Market [Paperback]

R.L. Allen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2002

A pocket-sized guide to American agriculture.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This pocket-sized guide to American agriculture-the "most healthful, the most useful, the most noble employment of man," according to its author - pays tribute to the soil, the irrigation methods, and the grain, roots, fruits, and rice that helped make America what it is today. First published in 1849, The American Farm Book offers valuable and relevant information, including: how to identify soil, and know which kinds work best with which crops; instructions for preparing the land for planting by plow and irrigation; the purpose of meadows and grasses; tips for getting rid of weeds, bugs, and fungus; uses for corn, barley, rye, and wheat; methods to prevent rot and decay in potatoes; the health benefits for cattle of certain grains and vegetables; basic suggestions for farm buildings, fences, and shade trees.Illustrated throughout with vintage line drawings, this wonderful piece of Americana will intrigue, inform, and intoxicate small-scale farmers and armchair gardeners alike. (4 1/2 x 7 1/4, 328 pages, illustrations, charts)R.L. Allen was the editor of "The American Agriculturist" and author of Diseases of Domestic Animals.

Product Details

• Paperback: 328 pages
• Publisher: The Lyons Press; 1st edition (May 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585743542
• ISBN-13: 978-1585743544
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 4.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #147,428 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Introduction to Farming, April 24, 2007

By 

Marc Axelrod (Potter, Wi USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The American Farm Book: A Practical Treatise on Every Staple Product of the United States, with the Best Methods of Planting, Cultivating, and Preparation for Market (Paperback)

I pastor a church in a rural area, so I felt that it was in my best interests to learn a little bit about the chosen profession of some of my parishioners.

I was surprised by how interesting this book was and how practical and wise the counsel is 160 years after it was first written. The author begins with a discussion of the different kinds of soils in North America (rocky, clay, alluvial, light, dark, etc). He talks about how spreading manure or lime or charcoal or crushed bones on the soil can go a long way toward its resuscitation and/or continued fertility.

In the section on irrigation, the author favors underdraining to get rid of excess water. He notes that creating ditches and reservoirs are occasionally the best way to go, but he cautions against this in most instances because it will use up precious soil that could be used for planting and growing.

There is also a section on the different kinds of grass in the country. There is also a relevant section on how to grow sugar cane, cotton, oats, grain, corn, fruit, roots, and others products.

The author also discusses rotation crops and shade trees and how to build adequate farm buildings.

Some of the material in the book is dated, especially when the author talks about plows and harrows that are no longer used today. But most of what is here seems to be good, sane advice for the farmer. Recommended.

2 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend no matter where you live, November 16, 2008

By 

Great Mama "goddess" (western maine) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The American Farm Book: A Practical Treatise on Every Staple Product of the United States, with the Best Methods of Planting, Cultivating, and Preparation for Market (Paperback)

Even if you're not a farmer, this is a great book to help understand how far we've come from sustainable farming practices and what we need to do to get back to a more kind and gentler assault on Mother Earth. Down with the mega farms, seek out and know your local farmer, buy her goods and help the cycle of renewal instead of destruction.