Book Description

The definitive book on greenhouse management--from one of the industry's leading authorities.Scientific yet practical, this brand-new edition presents the latest information in every aspect of the field:not only plant growth and development, but also mass-market sales and financing a greenhouse business.The comprehensive text covers such "hot" topics as hydroponics and environmental controls, while over 150 new photographs, figures, and line drawings depict new equipment and methods.Includes the most recent USDA statistical data on domestic and offshore competition. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Commercial Greenhouse
This is a good book, written as a first or second year college text book. It covers many topics associated with commercial greenhouse operations in a general manner, with a few topics covered in greater depth. It is informative and worth having on your shelf if your considering a commercial greenhouse operation. ... Read more

Book Description

During the past twentieth century, plant pathology has witnessed a dramatic advancement in management of plant diseases through in-depth investigations of host parasite interactions, integration of new concepts, principles and approaches. Our effort in brining out this book is to compile the achievements of modern times with regards to disease management of fruits which otherwise is widely dispersed in various scientific journals, books and government reports and to develop future strategies for the millennium. The chapters on individual crops are contributed by leading plant pathologists having authority in the respective field at international level. Each chapter includes the diseases of economic importance describing their history, distribution, symptoms, epidemiology, and integrated management approaches being adopted worldwide. Each chapter is vividly illustrated to make it more understandable to students, research and extension workers, planners, administrators and other end users citing pertinent references. ... Read more

Book Description

The ultimate guide to trees and shrubs.This comprehensive A-Z listing identifies over 2,000 plants, and includes a wealth of information on cultivation in all climate and soil conditions.Also includes a handy reference table and an index of common names and synonyms, which makes for easy use.Truly an exceptional value with over 1,000 pages and over 2,500 beautiful, full-color images.Makes an impressive botanical library with its companion volume, Botanica's Annuals & Perennials. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great value for color photographs alone!
The variety of trees and shrubs covered in this handy guide of 1000 pages is incredible. Each genus is described, and a selection of species within the genus is photographed either of the foliage, flowers, or growth habit. Cultivation notes are included, along with descriptions of the species, or cultivars. The color photographs are what makes this book stand out. For example, there are more than 30 color pictures of the various pine species, 52 pages and more than 130 color pictures of rhododendrons, 45 pages and more than 120 color pictures of roses, 15 pages and more than 80 color pictures of camellias. And since the pictures are in color and show the beauty of the flower or the habit of the shrub or tree, foliage color, you can really plan your purchases before heading to the nursery, or take the book along to visualize a fully grown specimen.

Major Disappointment
This book is a great, if you live in Asia or Europe.It's fair at best for the US.If you want books about about trees & shrubs of North America their are much better books you can buy.

An invaluable reference for gardeners and horticulturalists.
Botanica's Trees & Shrubs is a superbly organized compendium of more than 2,000 plants offering the gardener everything necessary to identify and cultivate their flower garden or landscape their property. Profusely illustrated throughout with full color photography, the A to Z listing of plant entries offers a wealth of practical information on soils, pruning, siting, and everything else required to successfully grow trees and shrubs. Botanica's Trees & Shrubs is an essential, invaluable reference and resource for gardeners, landscapers, and horticulturalists. ... Read more

Book Description

For the first time a book finally combines field experience with the fundamentals of turf science to help you understand the concepts involved in proper grown-in management, and to troubleshoot problems on-site throughout the management process. A major goal os this unique handbook is to outline and detail the numerous quality control issues that face golf course superintendents and managers—to serve as a guideline for the multitude of questions that need to be addressed before, during and after construction. It stresses the magnitude and importance of finish construction and grow-in as it relates to turf maintenance, turf performance and the playability of the course—from its opening into the future. A great resource to help educate owners and developers about the details of the grow-in sequence and its budgetary requirements. ... Read more

Book Description

Bananas and plantains are major fruit crops in the tropics and subtropics and make a vital contribution to the economies of a number of countries.They are very important in the nutrition of local populations as well as tradeable commodities with largemarkets throughout the developed world.This book provides an accessible review of the scientific principles of banana production and relates these to field practices. It is suitable for students and non-specialist research workers, and professionals in horticulture, agronomy and food science. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Outstanding
If your looking for a book on growing bananas, this is the only book you will need to buy. It covers everything from history to propagation. This is the third book on bananas that I have purchased and the only one I need. ... Read more

Book Description

Ecological Principles of Agriculture is a text for post-secondary students of agriculture and ecology. Its strength can be found in its versatility. Agricultural students with no prior coursework in ecology will find it invaluable as an introduction to ecological principles, while ecology students will gain insight into the practical application of these principles with respect to agriculture. This text will help readers understand the ecological processes inherent in any agricultural system as well as their implications in agricultural management. Without learning every type of agricultural practice (an impossible task), readers will come away with an understanding of how to apply these principles to agricultural design, management and problem-solving in very specific situations.ALSO AVAILABLE - INSTRUCTOR'S SUPPLEMENT: Instructor's Manual (ISBN# 0-7668-0654-5). Call Customer Support to Order. ... Read more

Book Description

Introduction to Biotechnology: An Agricultural Revolution provides students with a basic understanding of the concepts that contribute to agriculture?s biotechnology revolution. Each chapter of this comprehensive text includes topics such as cell functions, genetics and genetic engineering, the uses of biotechnology and biotech careers. Also included is a thorough examination of the controversy and concerns over the use of genetic engineering, genetically modified organisms, cloning and their potential dangers to humans and the environments. This information enables students to engage and utilize the text?s science-based content in classroom discussions and research activities. ... Read more

Book Description

The ultimate guide to annuals, biennials, and perennials.This comprehensive A-Z listing identifies over 2,000 flowering plants, and includes a wealth of information on cultivation in all climate and soil conditions.Also includes a handy reference table and an index of common names and synonyms, which makes for easy use.Truly an exceptional value with over 1,000 pages and over 2,500 beautiful, full-color images.Makes an impressive botanical library with its companion volume, Botanica's Trees & Shrubs. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Fair Reference - not the best
I bought both Annuals & Perennials, and Trees & Shrubs for considerable price and found them both lacking in listings and information. Some commonly grown plants that are excluded from this collection include: daffodils, artichokes, tulips, bamboos, chamomile, crocosmia, crocus, ostritch fern, cinimmon fern, and on, and on. I was hoping to use the books to correlate Zone information between Sunset Western Garden's system and the USDA Zone system, however, many plants that ARE listed in the Sunset book are NOT listed in the Botanica books. I'd highly recommend the Sunset Western Garden book over these two photo albums provided by Botanica. Whether you garden in the Western U.S. or not.

The 1 book I use almost daily
I have owned this book for 2 years and I use it almost daily during the "gardening season" and a lot through the cold times, dreaming and planning. There is also a wonderful reference table at the back of the book that lists quick statistics for each plant. (Perennial or annual, zone, bloom color, planting time & flowering season.)

This book does not claim to be a landscape planning book, so knocking it for not being one is unjustified.

The index is very comprehensive, even for common names. I've had no problems with it. But, to expect any book to know all of the strange, usually regional common names given to plants, as mentioned by an above reviewer, is unreasonable.

I loved this book when it first arrived and I love it more all the time. I can't imagine how this book was made for such a reasonable price! I've paid much more for books with far fewer pictures. You will love this book!

A lovely reference...but...
The excitement of having a plethora of pictures of each annual and perennial is accomplished with this book. The photos are lovely. However, had the contents been organized in a longer setting(12X14) and more user-friendly reference of the plants, I would have been more forgiving in this review. The book is too small (5x8)and too compact for the enjoyment of looking for the perfect plant(s). The common names are not included and this makes for a need for ordinary identification.

Kudos to the photographers.

Nice photos but flawed otherwise
I bought this book thinking it would be comprehensive and a useful resource for planning the flower beds around our house, but found it to have a number of shortcomings.

On the plus side, it does have lots of nice photos. However, I usually can't find the particular cultivars that it has in local greenhouses, nor does it often have photos of the cultivars that they do stock.

On the con side, the worst flaw is the index, which is practically useless. Many of the plants that I have looked up are not listed by EITHER latin or common names in the index, though some of them are in fact listed in the book. In some cases, the index will refer you to another name ("see under X") but then X is not listed in the index either. It is maddening. The end result is that in many cases I cannot find anything about even common species in this book.

Also, the book has very little specific information about what types of conditions each plant prefers, and how to cultivate it. This is due in part to the large number of different varieties that it contains, so that the book tends to generalize (eg, plants of the X family prefer sun or shade, depending on the variety). So that makes it much less useful.

I would recommend this book only if you know a lot about gardening already and only want it as a reference to look up photos of different strains of flowers.

annuals and perennials
Annuals and Perennials is a great book for gardeners of all ages. It tells you when to grow plants, when the flowers of that plant will bloom, and where in the U.S. it will grow. With full color pictures and info on tons of plants, I gave this book a five-star rating. ... Read more

Book Description

This one of a kind book covers the basics in pig biology from genetics, reproduction, nutrition and growth, to timely and current discussions on human resource management and social farming issues. It combines knowledge of biological studies with opportunities for getting practical experience in the pig production business. Unlike other texts, this book leads readers to understand the techniques involved in pig productions rapid growth and industry successes, and provides managers of small family farms or corporate establishments with an invaluable resource for applying these strategies and methodologies to boost business and production efficiencies. Beneficial for introductory through advanced curriculums, training programs, or as a helpful reference, it is an unparalleled source forthe basics and beyond in modern pig production. ... Read more

Book Description

The thale cress Arabidopsis thaliana is increasingly popular among plant scientists: it is small, easy to grow, and makes flowers, and the sequence of its small and simple genome was recently completed. This is the most complete and authoritative laboratory manual to be published on this model organism and the first to deal with genomic and proteomic approaches to its biology. ... Read more

Book Description

From the earliest harbingers of spring to the lilies of summer and the crocuses of fall, nothing adds color to a garden quite like bulbs do. Use this fully illustrated, comprehensive guide to select the best bulbs to create an ever-changing parade of garden color. In it you'll find:

* The best cultivars of beloved hardy bulbs such as tulips and daffodils

* Exciting new tender bulbs to grow for summer color--or in containers

* Lists of bulbs by bloom time to guide your selections and ensure flowers from late winter through fall

* Detailed instructions for propagating bulbs

* Complete information on how to overwinter tender bulbs

* Instructions on forcing bulbs for indoor flowers

For every plant pictured, you'll find complete growing information, including sun, shade, and soil requirements. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Limited cultural information
This book is an attempt to guide those interested in palm horticulture. However, finding that palm horticulture varies widely between the species, I found this title a disappointment. Some palms can't take iron for instance, but the authors neglect to give specific information on those species which would be helpful. The same applies to those palms that need iron. As a general guide, the book is ok, but if you really need to know how to care for your exotic and rare palms you may need advice from the local botanical garden or a nursery that specializes in growing palms to determine the nutritional requirements of a specific genus.

Correcting misunderstandings about this book
Tim Broschat and I had no intention in writing yet another book filled with photos of palm species that would instruct readers on what palms to plant. There are already many books that provide the service that two of these reviewers ask for, including one by me ("Betrock's Guide to Landscape Palms") that gives detailed horticultural information on 102 palm species. I thought we made our intent very clear in the introduction: this a book on how to deal with palms horticulturally, not a guide on which palms to choose in a landscape.

More textbook than anything
This is a useful book to have around when needing information on just about anything relating to palm horticulture. The only thing I was somewhat disappointed in though, was the lack of cultural information on specific palms. I was expecting something more like how best to grow this specific palm and then turn the page and go on to info. on how to grow the next one. This was more of a general and broad coverage of palms. But this might have been more my expectations were different, as the book is and will be very useful. But sometimes I just like to be able to look at a picture of a mature palm, read all the in's and outs of growing it, and dream or plan of fitting it into my landscape.

Limited Palm Horticulture Information
I found that there was a great deal of information on possible diseases and disorders of palms. However, my main disappointment was on the real lack of information on types of palm trees and the type of soil and climate needed. I would have liked to have had more information on the cold resistant palm trees. There was hardly any information on the species of palm trees. I found much more information just surfing the internet on palm trees than what I found in the book. I think that I could have made a much more interesting book if I had done a compilation of information from contributors off the internet! I either will sell the book as used or utilize it to assist in recognizing possible diseases or deficiencies. It would have been nice to have had more information on rare palm tree distributors of seed and/or plants as well.

Ornamental Palm Horticulture - Best book of its type!
The authors give good, solid often overlooked advice on growing and maintaining healthy palms. Many books assume a higher level of expertise by the purchaser. Common practices now have explainations for their useage. Wonderful pictorial section on pest, malnutrition and disease damage with clear photo's. A best buy for anyone in the industry or just a strong interest. ... Read more

Book Description

A Guide to Golf Course Irrigation System Design and Drainage details every phase of an irrigation program - from the system design to construction, from scheduling to operation, and much more.  It also covers the fundamentals of drainage design and installation.  Turfgrass managers and golf course superintendents will refer to this handy book often to plan and implement effective irrigation systems, ensure appropriate capacity, easy installation, and practical operation and maintenance. ... Read more

Book Description

This is the publication professionals and future professionals turn to for detailed information on pathology and parasitology in veterinary medicine. It features clear-cut descriptions, case studies, and methodologies experienced in the practical setting. Veterinary professionals and those in the animal, equine, dairy, and poultry fields will benefit from explanations about technical procedures, parasite life cycles, zoonotic potential, diagnosis, and treatment. A review of current literature provides valuable background, and the accompanying CD-ROM Image Library features extensive color images of parasites and various pathologies. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

What a treat!!
Fruit, An Illustrated History is one of those books you *really* want to have around as winter kicks in, especially if youÕre a gardener (or artist). There is no better way to spend a cold gray afternoon than reading this fascinating history, and taking in this stunning collection of botanical illustrations from different eras. The price is very reasonable for the wealth of information and the quality of the artwork. Excellent book! ... Read more

Book Description

In this sequel to his celebrated series of books on the Cattleya alliance of orchids, Carl Withner joins with Patricia Harding to explore "the debatable epidendrums."

Carl Linnaeus established the genus Epidendrum in 1753 to include the mostly epiphytic orchid plants his students and colleagues were sending back to him from tropical America. Over time the genus grew to include more than one thousand species of evergreen epiphytic, lithophytic, or terrestrial orchids. Some of these epidendrums were transferred to other genera, such as Barkeria, Dimerandra, Oerstedella, and especially Encyclia. Others have yet to be divided into natural subgroups, which could be split off into their own genera. A portion of these remaining epidendrums, those with pseudobulbs, are the focus of this volume.

Withner and Harding have collected the available data and organized it to show what we know about these plants and what problems remain to be resolved in determining how and where to classify them. The authors' data comes first from the literature (which often has conflicting reports) and then from first-hand experience in growing the plants. Keys are provided for each subgroup to assist in species identification, and the cultural information gathered should help keep these plants in cultivation. Supplementing the concise plant descriptions are 98 color photos and 68 line drawings.

Despite their controversial nomenclature, the debatable epidendrums are an interesting and often beautiful species, many being relatively easy to cultivate, making them ideal for beginning growers. This volume is certain to be of use to hobbyists, collectors, and growers alike. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

excellent
I am in the flower buisness and this book is an excellent resource of quality information. I've read many other books of this type, but this one is by far the best.

The Best
This is the best book We've found on the subject. We're starting a "cut flower" business in ME. It's an invaluable resource, and it includes lists of flowers, care, feeding, when to plant etc. etc.

The Flower Farmer An Organic Grower's Guide to Raising and S
This book was very informative. The author goes over every aspect of becoming a flower farmer from what flowers to grow, how to figure out what to charge, where to sell, how to preserve, etc. I can't wait to start my flower farm!

Outstanding Flower Grower's Reference
I have been growing flowers for personal use for some time, and have recently decided to begin selling at Farmer's Markets, but where to begin? Ordering this book was probably the best beginning I could have happened upon - it is packed full of useful and realistic information covering all aspects of beginning a flower business, not only on growing but how to get started, marketing, how to price, where to buy supplies, how to learn more about the business, even where to purchase a canopy for using at the market and how to build a flower cooler. Also, the farmer profiles were informative, frank, and uplifting and the pictures were beautiful and helpful.

I read this book from cover to cover, including the appendicies, which is rare for me - I usually pick out the interesting chapters and focus on them, but all chapters here were interesting!

Thank you Lynn for a marvelous reference. Although I know I have hard work ahead of me, I am even more inspired to begin my small flower business after reading your book.

Flowers
I find myself reading the book constantly. I have yet to read it cover to cover, but instead I will think of a topic and I will read about it in the book. I have enjoyed reading about the flower farmers and it is quite inspiring. The book has great details on what and how to grow and where to sell. Now, I must go do it. ... Read more

Book Description

This second edition text focuses on the scientific aspects of the animal agriculture industry.New chapters on the beef, swine, sheep, horse, and small animal industries have been added for comprehensive coverage of all livestock animals.This textincludes background on the various segments of the livestock industry and includes basic principles of biology to help readers understand the process of producing animals for human utilization.Features such as objectives and activities help readers understand the material.A CD-ROM that includes a lab manual, teacher's resource guide, computerized test bank, and transparency masters isavailable to help instructors organize and plan lessons. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

A must have resource for the Horticultural Professional
Don't confuse this text with a light weight treatise on the author's favorite plants. Dr. Dirr's work give insightful knowledge on those he dislikes to those he favors with equal depth of detail. I have been referring to this work for over ten years and have not found a serious error in that time. The Manual of Woody Landscape Plants has become the Bible at my place of work. From botanical classification to the plant's landscape value, I have not found a book that is its equal. My sole reservation is the quality of the binding. I've owned both the hard and soft covered books and both bindings have been inferior. They deteriorate not from abuse but from constant use far too quickly for a reference source of this level.

The Nurseryman's Bible
This is absolutely the best text available for the referencing of woody trees and shrubs grown in North America. This book is not meant as a guide for tree identification, so much as it's a way to look up all the significant horticultural information on almost any given species or cultivar. It's simply too lengthy a tome to incorporate many illustrations, and those present are usually small sketches of leaf characteristics. (For excellent photographs of a number of species see "Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs: An Illustrated Encyclopedia")

This text is very easy to use and alphabetized according to botanical name, with a glossary/index in the back to provide the scientific name when only the common name of a species is known. Dirr himself also provides entertaining blurbs on what he perceives to be the plants best (or . . . less than best) assets for landscape usage, and it's always interesting to see another's opinion regarding plants that you know and love. He also gives a list of stunning specimens and their locales that he's come across in his travels, as well as the "champion" (largest known) specimens for a given species.

I have used this (or previous . . . the text is updated somewhat frequently to keep pace with newer cultivars) edition of Dirr's manual for the last ten years as I worked at a major nursery (Waterloo Gardens, Inc.), and I frequently reccomended it to individuals interested in furthering their own knowledge. This text is an excellent reference for the professional nurseryman as well as the horticultural enthusiast, and the time and effort that Dirr puts into this text is equally evident and impressive.

Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Orna
Dirr has the final word on all woody plants. You would be hardpressed to find any tree or shrub commonly used (and not so commonly used) today that is not listed in this incredible encyclopedia. I saved my copy from when it was a textbook in my Woody Lanscape Plants class in college, and have since updated to the latest version to use in practice 15 years later. A truly unbeleivable wealth of knowledge.

A "Must Have" book for serious horticulturalists
This manual contains a wealth of information on the identification, cultural requirements, propragation methods, and place of origin for a wide variety of trees and woody shrubs. I keep my copy in my car, take it wherever I go, and refer to it on a regular basis.
Yes, it is a thick book. No, it is not without its own quirks. However, I recommend it highly over any other woody manual available.
I have only one quibble. I wish Michael Dirr would hurry up and write a similarly in-depth manual on herbaceous plants.

Directory of woody cultivars
In spite of all the accolades heaped upon this directory of woody cultivars it is not without a downside. The sturdy size and thick paper which make it stand up to horticulturally engaged hands make for a clumsy book at home or in the library. Not much thought was given to lay-out and typography, with the wrong font chosen for this lay-out. The style of writing is rather dry and a little wordy. The nurseryman's indifference to spelling shines through often enough to make me ache for a corrector's pencil.

The cover claims "Identification" as a primary function of the book, but all the 'Manual' has to offer here is looking up a supposed identity and making a comparison. Pictorial support is quite limited (usually one line-drawing per species, mostly of a single leaf).

What this book does offer is the chance to quickly look up an unfamiliar cultivar, and this is why reviewers call it a "Bible". Any use beyond that will be a bonus. ... Read more