An Agricultural Testament
An Agricultural Testament is Sir Albert Howard's best-known publication, and remains one of the seminal works in the history of organic farming agricultural movement.[1][2][3] Dedicated to his first wife and co-worker Gabrielle, herself a plant phsyiologist, it focuses on the nature and management of soil fertility, and notably explores composting.[3] At a time when modern, chemical-based industrialized agriculture was just beginning to radically alter food production, it advocated natural processes rather than man-made inputs as the superior approach to farming. It was first published in England in 1940, with the first American edition in 1943.[lower-alpha 1] Apart from a reprint by Rodale Press in 1972 and 1976 it remains out of print.[4]
Notes
- ↑ The online version of An Agricultural Testament states that the first American edition was 1945. This is an error. The hardcopy of the 1976 Special Rodale Press Edition clearly states: "First American edition, 1943". The online text otherwise appears to be identical with the hardcopy, including the replication of the comments from the inside flaps and back of the dust-cover.
References
- ↑ Howard, Sir Albert (1943), An Agricultural Testament (PDF), Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, retrieved 9 August 2010 pdf per Special Rodale Press Edition, 1976. See cover note on significance of book.
- ↑ William Lockeretz, ed. (2007), Organic Farming: An International History, Oxfordshire, UK & Cambridge, Massachusetts: CAB International (CABI), ISBN 978-0-85199-833-6, retrieved 10 August 2010 ebook ISBN 978-1-84593-289-3
- 1 2 Michael Pollan (2006), The Omnivore's Dilemma, The Penguin Press, p. 145, ISBN 978-1-59420-082-3
- ↑ An Agricultural Testament, Out of print description, Cumberland Books website, retrieved 10 August 2010
External links
- An Agricultural Testament - full text online