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  • 9,600 Miles Through The U.S.A. In A Station Wagon
    (1954) Balfour, Lady Eve

    In the early 1950s Lady Balfour and her companion drove across the USA coast-to-coast, visiting many agriculturalists and meeting with notables including Francis Pottenger, William Albrecht, E. Pfeiffer, Cocanouer, etc. Many photos.

  • A History of the Vegetable Kingdom
    (1857) Rhind, William

    This book extensively covers three topics: The physiology and geographical distribution of vegetables; a history of useful plants and food crops;  the practical culture of vegetables. It is huge book, over 700 pages. Regrettably, the scan is not searchable and the file size quite large. At least the images are readable.

  • A Second Look
    (1947) Faulkner, Edward H.

    In this book Faulkner reconsiders Plowman’s Folly. Especially interesting is his review of the literature which makes up the essential core of this library.

  • A Training Manual For Soil Analysis Interpretation in Northern California
    (1999) Young, Gregg A.

    Thoroughly explains why the base cations (calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium) should be balanced. It explains how to interpret ammonium acetate extractions and how to grow great fruit, especially grapes.

  • Address to a Meeting of The Farmers’ Club
    (1939) Greenwell, Sir Bernard, Bt

    Full title—”With Discussion by Sir Albert Howard and G.T. Wrench”. Speeches and Q&A at the Royal Empire Society, Craven Street, W.C.2,on Monday, 30th January, 1939.

  • Agriculture of Tomorrow
    (1939) Kolisko, Eugen and Kolisko, Lili

    A Steinerian / biodynamic viewpoint on the way agriculture should evolve.

  • Albert Howard Papers
    Howard, Sir Albert

    Articles from periodicals by and about Sir Albert Howard. These have been supplied by numerous patrons and friends of the library.

  • Albrecht, William A.: Assorted scientific papers and miscellaneous publications
    Albrecht, William A.

    Albrecht published hundreds of papers in agriculture and health-related journals. He also wrote a many years long series of monthly articles in Let’s Live!, a popular health magazine. A collection of similar papers (without the Let’s Live! articles), is published in-print on-paper by Acres, USA as The Albrecht Papers in four volumes.

  • An Agricultural Testament
    (1943) Howard, Sir Albert

    Howard wrote this book to create public support for organic farming.

  • Annie Francé-Harrar Obituary
    (1971) Spohn, Dr. Eberhard

    From a generous donation by Thorsten Perl and friends of the digitalized collection of works by and about Dr. Raoul H. Francé and his wife Annie Francé-Harrar.

  • Available calcium a factor in salt balance for vegetable crops
    (1936) Tiedjens, Victor A. and L.G. Schermerhorn

    Observations made on vegetable farms in New Jersey located on sandy soils, show that pH is not always a reliable indicator of the available calcium and that many of those sandy soils which have pH values of 6.0 to 6.6, where large applications of soda and potash have been made, may be very deficient in calcium and magnesium.

  • Before Silent Spring: Pesticides and Public Health in Pre-DDT America
    (1974) Whorton, James

    If you think the current batch of pesticides are dangerous and harmful, read about what was used before WWII. This book helps put the pesticide issue into perspective.

  • Bio-Dynamic Agriculture: An Introduction
    (1976) Koepf, H. H. and Petterson, B.D. and Shaumann, W.

    A complete introduction to the history, philosophy, techniques, and benefits of the Bio-Dynamic school of farming and gardening.

  • Biocentrism
    (1998) Botar, Oliver Árpád István

    “Focusing on Weimar Germany, I ground the study of biomorphic Modernism in Ern6 Kallaifs 1932 identification of a trend he termed Bioromantik. Kallai wrote from a biocentric position, an amalgam of Nature Romanticism and biologism espoused by Nietzsche…

  • Biodynamics Journal
    Biodynamic Association USA

    Every issue of BioDynamics Journal USA from 1941 to 2007.

  • Bread From Stones
    (1894 (circa)) Hensel, Dr. Julius

    The book(let) asserts that animal manure is “unclean.” Fertilizing with manures produces less nutritious food. The proper way to farm or garden is by remineralizing with rock dusts.

  • Cation Equivalent Constancy in Alfalfa
    (1944) Bear, Firman E. and Prince, Arthur

    Firman Bear explores the idea that plant nutrients in soil determine the nutritional qualities of the crop.

  • Charter For The Soil
    (1944) Drummond, John

    How farming and overall public health should be improved, post World War II.

  • Chemical Letters, 2nd corrected edition
    (1844) Liebig, Justus von

    A few years after publication of these Chemical Letters, Liebig presented his full thesis in “Chemistry and its applications to Agriculture and Physiology.”

  • Chemicals, Humus and the Soil
    (1952) Hopkins, Donald P.

    Chemical fertilizers are effective and positive to the degree that humus remains in the soil; chemical fertilizers cause problems only when they completely or substantively replace farmyard manure. Hopkins takes on the Howardites point by point and demolishes many of their positions.

  • Chemicals, Humus and the Soil (1957 edition)
    (1957) Hopkins, Donald P.

    This later edition contains several new chapters, a new preface and much fresh information about fertilizers and their sensible use.

  • Comfrey Report: The Story of the World’s Fastest Protein Builder and Herbal Healer
    (1975) Hills, Lawrence D

    Hill’s final statement, information, facts and figures about comfrey.

  • Conquest of the Land Through Seven Thousand Years
    (1948, February) Lowdermilk, Walter C.

    An historical survey of worldwide soil erosion. Many remarkable photos showing the ruins of what were once fertile, productive places that are now desert or semi-desert that can barely support struggling people—the remnants of what once were flourishing civilizations.

  • Das Liebesleben der Pflanzen
    (1906) Francé, Raoul Heinrich

    From a generous donation by Thorsten Perl and friends of the digitalized collection of works by and about Dr. Raoul H. Francé and his wife Annie Francé-Harrar.

  • Das Sinnesleban der Pflanzen
    (1905?) Francé, Raoul Heinrich

    From a generous donation by Thorsten Perl and friends of the digitalized collection of works by and about Dr. Raoul H. Francé and his wife Annie Francé-Harrar.

  • De "Bostuin":Mogelijkheden om te leven en telen in harmonie met de natuur
    (2007) Hart, Robert

    Vertaling van het bekende boekje van Robert Hart, over het opzetten van een Bostuin in de stad of op het land, met een minimum van arbeid en hoofdzakelijk bestaande uit fruit- en notenbomen, en -struiken, samen met zelfuitzaaiende groenten en kruiden. Het verhaal van Hart’s eigen Bostuin in Shropshire, en over het gezonde ‘salade’dieet Nederlandse vertaling: Robert Hundscheidt.

  • Die Landwirtschaft der Zukunft
    (1939) Kolisko, Eugen and Kolisko, Lili

    Deutsche Übersetzung von "Agriculture of Tomorrow", verfasst von Lili Kolisko, erschienen in der Schweiz 1953.

  • Die Lichtsinnesorgane der Algen
    (1908) Francé, Raoul Heinrich

    Studien zum Ausbau der vegetabilen Reizphysiologie I From a generous donation by Thorsten Perl and friends of the digitalized collection of works by and about Dr. Raoul H. Francé and his wife Annie Francé-Harrar.

  • Die Natur in den Alpen
    (1910) Francé, Raoul Heinrich

    From a generous donation by Thorsten Perl and friends of the digitalized collection of works by and about Dr. Raoul H. Francé and his wife Annie Francé-Harrar.

  • Does a soil acidity test as used in soil testing laboratories determine our calcium need in Ohio soil?
    (1965, July) Tiedjens, Victor A.

    Many soils in the United States and Canada show a paucity of available calcium even though the pH reading seems satisfactory. A high pH does not necessarily indicate adequate calcium in the soil.

  • Dry Farming
    (1911) Widtsoe, John A.

    American prairie farmers ignored Widtsoe’s warnings, making the 1930s dust bowls inevitable. Provides insights that help grow vegetables with less or no irrigation.

  • Dry Farming: Its principles and practice
    (1909) MacDonald, William
  • Early American Soil Conservationists
    (1941, October) McDonald, Angus.

    A US Government publication surveying efforts taken to improve American agriculture and eliminate soil erosion.

  • English Farming Past and Present, Fifth Edition
    (1936) Ernle, Lord

    The finest and most readable history of English Farming every written.

  • English Husbandry: From the Earliest Times to the Present Day
    (1951) Trow-Smith, Robert

    A concise history of English agriculture. The easy-reading narrative tells what Trow-Smith considers the general progress of English farming with attention paid to social/economic conditions from the time of pre-history.

  • Factors Of Soil Formation: A System of Quantitative Pedology
    (1994) Jenny, Hans

    This scientific text should be studied by anyone seeking a full understanding of soil fertility. It doesn’t use high level maths, however, a well grasped secondary school science education and a touch of geology will go a long way towards making this book fully comprehensible.

  • Farmer’s Progress: A Guide to Farming
    (1950) Henderson, George

    A successful livestock farmer provides excellent advice to the young wishing to enter farming as a life-work. There are wise suggestions for the practicing farmer. Henderson was a crusty, enjoyable person well worthy of spending a few hour’s time with.

  • FARMERS OF FORTY CENTURIES: or, permanent agriculture in China, Korea and Japan
    (1911) King, F. H.

    One of the best travel books of all time. King’s remarkable account of his agricultural investigations in China, Korea and Japan in 1909 was an often-quoted source of inspiration for Howard in his 26 years as an agricultural investigator in India.

  • Farming And Gardening For Health Or Disease
    (1945) Howard, Sir Albert

    Provides a historical perspective on how soil fertility determines human health.

  • Fertility Farming
    (1951) Turner, Newman

    Turner’s first book, a less thorough treatment of the materials developed more fully in Fertility Pastures and Herdsmanship.

  • Fertility Pastures: Herbal leys as the basis of soil fertility and animal health
    (1955) Turner, Newman

    Turner used Robert Elliot’s system and writes passionately about the superiority of the organic method.

  • Friend Earthworm: Practical Application of a Lifetime Study of Habits of the Most Important Animal in the World
    (1941) Oliver, George Sheffield

    All about the earthworm. A classic of organic literature.

  • Gardening In The South: etc (long title)
    (1857) White, William N.

    Long book and quite useful still.

  • Germs of Mind in Plants
    (1905, 1911) Francé, Raoul Heinrich

    From a generous donation by Thorsten Perl and friends of the digitalized collection of works by and about Dr. Raoul H. Francé and his wife Annie Francé-Harrar.

  • Global Soil Biodiversity Atlas
    (2016) Orgiazzi, A., and many others

    This fully illustrated publication details what we presently know about life the soil and the complex ecosystem within which life is sustained. Of course, and here is the rub, when the soil is described as being a very complex living ecosystem, the information flies in the face of Industrial Agriculture. Modern farmers, with the help of their agents, have all but declared war on soil life by the use of petrochemical fertilizers and pesticides.

  • Grass Tetany
    (1963) Voisin, André

    Understanding how soil imbalances produce this livestock disease illuminates aspects of how human health depends upon nutritional balances.

  • Green Manuring Principles and Practice
    (1927) Pieters, Adrian J., Ph.D.

    A thorough review of green manuring and its contribution to the maintenance of soil fertility and the improvement of agricultural productivity. Contains photographs of great historical interest.

  • Harnessing The Earthworm
    (1947) Barrett, Thomas J.

    A practical inquiry into soil-building, soil conditioning, and plant nutrition through the action of earthworms, with instructions for intensive propagation and use of Domesticated Earthworms in biological soil-building.

  • Herdsmanship
    (1952) Turner, Newman

    The art of handling diary cattle, with a full battery of natural remedies and a discussion of proper feeding, handling TB positive animals and curing hoof and mouth disease without mass slaughter.

  • Human Ecology: 2nd Edition
    (1971) Stapledon, Sir George

    This book presents Stapledon’s views on how humankind should live in relation to the earth and the soil. Although written over forty years ago the challenges of that time have become more acute in the years since.

  • Humus
    (1936) Waksman, Selman

    The basic text on the topic for decades; a summary of everything known in the mid 1930s.

  • Humus and the Farmer
    (1946) Sykes, Friend

    Sykes farmed organically; the health and quality of his livestock was extraordinary. The book contains much information about mechanized production of compost on the farm.

  • Introduction: Biocentrism as a constituent element of Modernism
    Botar, Oliver Árpád István and Wünsche, Isabel
  • Jones, Dr. Christine, Publications
    Jones, Christine

    Dr. Jones explains how the main creators of humus are specialized fungi that plants feed sugars and other complexed nutrients. These fungi, in turn, help feed plants both nutrients and moisture.

  • Ley Farming
    (1948. Revised edition) Stapledon, Sir R.George and William Davies

    A thorough look at the use, establishment and management of grass leys, in the tradition of Robert Elliot.

  • Mikrokosmos
    (1906 - 1919) Francé, Raoul Heinrich

    Zeitschrift für angewandte Mikroskopie, Mikrobiologie, Mikrochemie und mikroskopische Technik From a generous donation by Thorsten Perl and friends of the digitalized collection of works by and about Dr. Raoul H. Francé and his wife Annie Francé-Harrar…

  • Miscellaneous Articles From Organic Gardening Magazine, 1945-47
    (1945-47) Howard, Sir Albert

    A collection of articles by Sir Albert Howard that were published in early issues of Organic Farming and Gardening Magazine.

  • Miscellaneous Papers of John E. Weaver
    (1915 through 1968) Weaver, John E. and sometimes others as well

    The University of Nebraska put a large collection of John Weaver’s publications online for free download. The Soil and Health Library is mirroring this material. Select this item to see the full list of publications with download links to them.

  • Modern Miracle Men
    (1936) Beach, Rex

    Dr. Charles Northen demonstrated that countless human ills stem from the fact that the impoverished soil of America no longer provides plant foods with the mineral elements essential to human nourishment and health! To overcome this alarming condition, he doctors sick soil and, by seeming miracles, raises truly healthy and health-giving fruits and vegetables.

  • More Food From Soil Science: The Natural Chemistry of Lime in Agriculture
    (1965) Tiedjens, Victor A.

    How spreading aglime in far larger amounts than conventional ag science calls for greatly reduces the need for fertilizer and grows crops with much higher nutrient-density.

  • Nathaniel Southgate Shaler Collection
    (1879 through 1909) Shaler, Nathaniel Southgate

    Nathaniel Southgate Shaler (February 20, 1841 – April 10, 1906) was an American paleontologist and geologist who wrote extensively on the theological and scientific implications of the theory of evolution. Soil and Health Library has a nearly complete collection of Shaler’s publications.

  • Nutritional Value of Crops as Influenced by Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer Treatments: Results of 12 years’ of experiments with vegetables.
    (1973, a journal article issued circa) Schupan, Werner

    Article’s content is as the full title states. May be the first significant study of the quality differences between organically grown and "conventional" foodstuffs.

  • Olena Farm, U.S.A.: An Agricultural Success Story
    (1969) Tiedjens, Victor A.

    This is the story of how Tiedjens purchased an exhausted Ohio farm and proceeded to rehabilitate it, mostly with aglime.

  • On Farming
    (- 200 BCA (circa)) Cato

    A classic of farming lore and practice from the golden era of the Roman Empire. Scholars usually call this book De Re Rustica (On Agriculture). A Critical English Translation by Andrew Dalby.

  • One Straw Revolution: The Natural Way of Farming.
    (1978) Fukuoka, M.

    We have been informed (October, 2014) that this worthy title has been brought back in print and is available through all the usual sources.

  • Organic Food, The case for . . .
    Organic Food: The Case For

    A collection of articles, bibliographies and miscellany compiled by Arun Shrivastava.

  • Partner of Nature
    (1939) Burbank, Luther

    Someday more of Burbank’s writings will be found on this site. Meanwhile, this popularized abridgment by Wilbur Hall will have to suffice.

  • PayDirt: Farming and Gardening With Composts
    (1946) Rodale, J.I.

    A collection of pro-humus-farming and gardening odds and ends, mostly from early Organic Gardening Magazines.

  • Plants As Inventors
    (1926) Francé, Raoul Heinrich

    From a generous donation by Thorsten Perl and friends of the digitalized collection of works by and about Dr. Raoul H. Francé and his wife Annie Francé-Harrar.

  • Plowman’s Folly
    (1943) Faulkner, Edward H.

    Faulkner’s book created a flurry of popular interest in alternatives to "scientific" agriculture. It is probably most important for what happened in American consciousness because of the interest it created rather than because of what the book says.

  • Postlude to the Adam and Eve Story
    (1971) Thomas, Chan

    Thirty some additional pages published a few years later. The document was donated by a library patron.

  • Prairie Plants and Their Environment
    (1968) Weaver, John E.

    This book is the product of a lifetime of ecological research “to clarify some of the many problems presented by this vast natural unit of vegetation, to better understand the importance and significance of grassland and its utilization, and to furnish a permanent record of a rapidly vanishing vegetation.”

  • Principles of Soil Microbiology
    (1927) Waksman, Selman A.

    Waksman’s massive work of scholarship was refused by many publishers who thought there was no market for such a book, but it became a best-seller and dominated the field for decades.

  • Raoul Francé’s Heritage – A Nightmare for Specialists
    Sokoloff, Dr. Stephen

    From a generous donation by Thorsten Perl and friends of the digitalized collection of works by and about Dr. Raoul H. Francé and his wife Annie Francé-Harrar.

  • Raoul H. France and the Doctrine of Life
    (2000) Roth, Rene Romain

    This book is available through the generosity of Hanna Roth.

  • Raoul H. France: “Das Sinnesleben der Pflanzen”
    (1906) Steiner, Rudolf

    From a generous donation by Thorsten Perl and friends of the digitalized collection of works by and about Dr. Raoul H. Francé and his wife Annie Francé-Harrar.

  • Results from the Biodynamic Sowing and Planting Calendar
    (2003) Thun, Maria

    Actual trial results from using Thun’s planting calendar.

  • Root Development of Field Crops
    (1926) Weaver, John E.

    Chapter I provides what may be the best basic soil’s manual ever written; Chapter III shows how to grow plants with an awareness of their root activities. Also of particular interest are Weaver’s frequent mentions of Albert Howard’s researches in India.

  • Root Development of Vegetable Crops
    (1927) Weaver, John E. and William Bruner

    The classic study, filled with species-by-species illustrations, each worth tens of thousands of words to someone who wants to grow vegetables better.

  • Russian Comfrey
    (1953) Hills, Lawrence D

    The long titles goes “A Hundred Tons an Acre of Stock or Compost for Farm, Garden or Smallholding.” Covers growing, harvest and feeding results feeding comfrey to livestock and for making compost with it. Handsomely illustrated.

  • Second Thoughts About Organic Agriculture
    Naylor, Justin

    A frequent correspondent of this library, Justin Naylor, has written a short and worthy article that appeared in Acres, USA about the organic/chemical controversy, using Donald Hopkin’s book as a springboard.

  • Sir Albert Howard –In Memoriam
    (1947) Rodale, J.I.

    When Sir Albert Howard passed away in 1948 Organic Gardening and Farming Magazine ran a memorial edition that contained a collection of tributes by important figures in the organic movement.

  • Sir Albert Howard in India
    (1953) Howard, Louise E.

    A thorough and scholarly review of Albert and Gabrielle Howard’s scientific career encompassing all the scientific literature and journal articles that would otherwise be virtually unobtainable. Louise Howard was the sister of Gabrielle, and became Howard’s second wife and ardent supporter after the death of Gabrielle.

  • Soil And Civilization
    (1946) Mitchell, Elyne

    Mitchell, an Australian, had a strong concern for the threat soil erosion poses to the sustainability of technological society. The small (but deeply significant) book encompasses the whole history of western civilization.

  • Soil and Sense
    (1941) Graham, Michael

    Graham wrote before the discoveries of micorhizzal associations and production of phytamins by soil bacteria. But he still did a very good job of explaining the essences of sustainable holistic farming to the general public.

  • Soil Fertility
    (1988) Foth, Henry D. and Ellis, Boyd G.

    What every soil analyst needs to know; a university-level textbook.

  • Soil Fertility and Animal Health
    (1958) Albrecht, William A.

    One of the most important agriculture-health books ever written. Albrecht published many articles in magazines and journals, but this is the only actual book Albrecht wrote and was his effort to encapsulate his whole message between two covers.

  • Soil Fertility and Permanent Agriculture
    (1910 (c.)) Hopkins, Cyril G.

    In part written to refute the claim by the Chief of the US Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Soil, Milton Whitney, who claimed that all soils are inexhaustible of the minerals needed to grow crops. In the run-up to the Dust Bowl in the 1930’s, this…

  • Soil Fertility, Renewal and Preservation
    (1947) Pfeiffer, Ehrenfried

    Seminal book in the Bio-dynamic farming movement that tells of replicated studies on the effects of BD practices on health and yields. Introduction by Eve Balfour.

  • Soil Fertility: A Guide to Organic and Inorganic Soil Amendments
    Parnes, Robert

    This valuable book went out of print years ago. It was revised and updated in 2013 and republished on the internet by the author.

  • Soil Health Based on Organic Matter
    (2006 (circa)) Strong, Richard

    Richard Strong considers climatic and land-use factors in determining organic matter levels in soil and the consequent health of the ecosystems supported on those soils.

  • Soil Management
    (1914) King, F. H.

    Published posthumously. King’s study of Chinese, Korean and Japanese agriculture was part of his plan for the work on Soil Management. The chapter on the study of Far Eastern agriculture has been collected by Mrs. King from ten different lectures and papers which he had already prepared.

  • Soil Microorganisms and Higher Plants
    (1958) Krasilnikov, N.A.

    Krasil’nikov found ways to improve plant growth and crop yields with special composts and microbial ferments of the sort that could be produced by the farmer in an old barrel. All these "primitive" solutions are based on a very high-level understanding of soil microbes and how crop species interact with each other via long-lasting soil residues (root exudates), and how plants and microbes interact with each other.

  • Soil Restoration
    (1953) Faulkner, Edward H.

    Faulkner’s last summary of how to farm, to improve soil and to restore highly degraded farms.

  • Soil, Grass and Cancer
    (1959) Voisin, André

    Health of animals and men is linked to the mineral balance of the soil.

  • Soil, Grass and Cancer (not searchable)
    (1959) Voisin, André

    Health of animals and men is linked to the mineral balance of the soil. Note: This file is not searchable, however it may display correctly on Safari browsers and in Preview. Adobe Reader may be used to view the searchable version on a Mac, PC or other…

  • Staircase Farms of the Ancients
    (1915) Cook, O.F.

    “Astounding farming skill of the ancient Peruvians, who were among the most industrious and highly organized people in history.” This is the subtitle of this article documenting a 1915 expedition to Peru to investigate the old Incan and pre-Incan farming techniques and culture. Their terracing systems are unparalleled.

  • Sustainable Soil Management: Soil System Guide
    Sullivan, Preston

    An introduction to soil science and soil management for holistic food growers.

  • The Adam and Eve Story
    (1965) Thomas, Chan

    This title counterpoints Hamaker’s Survival of Civilization. An imaginative fascinating account of a natural catastrophe that nearly wipes all life off the face of our planet about once every six thousand years.

  • The Biochar Revolution: Transforming Agriculture and the Environment
    (2010) Taylor, Paul

    A free download of Chapter 1 offered by the author/publisher, with a link to purchase the book from the publisher’s website. The Soil and Health Library offers this item because we feel that biochar is extremely useful and should become more widely known and used.

  • The Challenge of Landscape
    (1958) Yeomans, P.A.

    An illustration-filled practical farming textbook focused on water conservation, small-scale dam construction and gravity-fed irrigation projects. Especially useful for practicing sustainable rainfall-dependent farming.

  • The City Forest: The Keyline Plan for the Human Environment Revolution
    (1971) Yeomans, P.A.

    This is a tiny book of barely 100 small pages having as much or more to do with city planning and landscape architecture on a macro-scale as it does with farming.

  • The City with Golden Garbage
    (1952) Martinez, A.W.

    Another rare and obscure article on Pfeiffer regarding his bacterial cultures to compost Oakland’s garbage (probably simple food wastes and paper wastes in the late 40s and early 50s) – talked about in legendary terms but out of reach.

  • The Clandestine Farm
    (1980) Wigens, Anthony

    How to garden without owning land. Takes a fresh and inspiring look at land ownership, private property rights and eco-ethics.

  • The Clifton Park System Of Farming
    (1943) Elliot, Robert

    Elliot developed a system of humus/fertility restoration by rotating plowed fields into grass for four to eight years.

  • The Compost Manufacturer’s Manual
    (1956) Pfeiffer, Ehrenfried E.

    Fifty years before the soil foodweb became in the 1990s, Pfeiffer was using microscopes, preparing microbial inoculants, making superior quality composts, teaching farmers how to employ biological farming practices to improve soil organic matter, soil structure, and soil fertility – which in modern times is known as “soil health” — and conducting cutting edge research on soil fertility, soil biology, soil humus, and food quality. 

  • The Earth’s Green Carpet
    (1947) Howard, Louise E.

    A poetic, passionate and concise statement of the beliefs of the Organic Farming movement by the second wife of Sir Albert Howard.

  • The Farm That Won’t Wear Out
    (1913) Hopkins, Cyril G.

    Originally a series of four magazine articles appearing in The Country Gentleman, and later, responding to popular demand, published as a small book by the author himself. Explains in very few pages the way to achieve a permanent agriculture.

  • The Farming Ladder
    (1944) Henderson, George

    The story of Henderson’s youth and farming career. Contends that the farmer must also be a sagacious businessperson, personnel manager, etc. Most useful guide to creating a success in any business.

  • The Farming Manual: A Guide to Farm Work
    (1930) Henderson, George

    Henderson shares his lifetime accumulation of efficient farm methods, animal handling, including detailed instructions for newbies involving how to do physical work. Numerous photos and drawings.

  • The Formation of Vegetable Mould through the action of worms with observations of their habits
    (1881) Darwin, Charles

    Understanding the common earthworm’s importance is essential to a full understanding of soil fertility and plant health. Contains an interesting introduction by Sir Albert Howard.

  • The Keyline Plan
    (1954) Yeomans, P.A.

    Recommends a unique method of plowing that helps the land soak up all rainfall, opens it to root penetration and greatly accelerates the release of plant nutrients.

  • The Labouring Earth: A survey of agricultural conditions at home and abroad
    (1940) Baker, C. Alma

    This broad, world-wide survey was primarily done from a biodynamic point of view and with considerable acknowledgment for the contribution of Sir Albert Howard.

  • The Life of the Plant
    (1958) Timiryazev, Kliment

    Offers a uniquely Russian, holistic viewpoint on plants that seeks wisdom through observation of the obvious.

  • The Living Soil
    (1948) Balfour, Lady Eve

    An organic classic. Lady Balfour organized a farm, Haughley, where comparative experiments were done to prove the superiority of organic methods. It also states the organic case thoroughly, passionately and reasonably.

  • The Natural Way of Farming: The Theory and Practice of Green Philosophy
    (1985) Fukuoka, M.

    Highly unusual viewpoints with a cult following.

  • The Organic Front
    (1948) Rodale, J.I.

    The organic gardening and farming movement arrived in the United States in the early 1940s. J.I. Rodale was the prime mover. Within a few years tens of thousands were swept up by Rodale’s evangelical enthusiasm. Most of this book probably consisted of articles in early issues of Organic Gardening Magazine.

  • The Soil and the Microbe
    (1931) Waksman, Selman A. and Robert L. Starkey

    An Introduction to the Study of the Microscopic Population of the Soil and Its Role in Soil Processes and Plant Growth. A thorough overview of the topic.

  • The Soil: Its Nature, Relations, and Fundamental Principles of Management
    (1913) King, F. H.

    Obsolete soil manual.

  • The Story of the Soil
    (1910) Hopkins, Cyril G.

    One of the best "made-simple" holistic soil manuals ever written, all wrapped up as a romance about a bright young man with a solid ag-school education going out to buy a farm and falling in love.

  • The Stuff Man’s Made Of: The positive approach to health through nutrition
    (1959) Jenks, Jorian

    Explains that soil fertility, the nutritional qualities of food and the health of animals and humans are tightly linked.

  • The Survival of Civilization
    (1982) Hamaker, John D and Donald A. Weaver

    Continental glaciation spreads fresh, highly mineralized rock dust over temperate regions that by itself causes world-wide climatic changes. Another continental glaciation is both inevitable and imminent unless we significantly remineralize our agricultural soils.

  • The Vegetable Garden
    (1920) Mm. Vilmorin-Andrieux

    Illustrations, descriptions and culture of the garden vegetables of cold and temperate climates, written by Mm. Vilmorin-Andrieux of Paris. Written originally in 1885, this edition has been translated into English and contains additional varieties.

  • The Waste Products Of Agriculture: Their Utilisation As Humus
    (1931) Howard, Sir Albert and Wad, Yeshwant D.

    Howard’s most important scientific publication, detailing the nature, practice and significance of Indore composting, especially to Indian agriculture.

  • The Way of the Land
    (1943. Revised edition 1947) Stapledon, Sir R.George

    Stapledon’s lectures and short essays mainly in response to the stress WWII placed on feeding the population.

  • The Weed Problem: a new approach
    (1951) King, F.C.

    With a forward by Lady Howard. Another take on the subject of Cocannouer’s more popular book.

  • The Working of the Planets and the Life Processes in Man and Earth
    (1950 (circa)) Lievegoed, Bernard

    Often mentioned Biodynamic lecture given about 1950 by Lievegoed that discusses the planetary forces and their effects on plant growth and compost preparations.

  • Thirty Years Farming on the Clifton Park System
    (1944) Lamin, William

    How to supply Humus, Texture, and Fertility by the Aid of Deep-Rooting Grasses

  • To Love And Regenerate The Earth: Further Perspectives On The Survival of Civilization
    (2002) Weaver, Don

    This book offers potentially world-transforming information, ideas, and insights on the social, ecological and climatic problems now threatening the future of humanity.

  • Topsoil and Civilization
    (1955) Dale, Tom and Carter, Veron Gill

    This survey of world history shows how every civilization from Mesopotamia to Rome first destroyed its agricultural resource base and thus destroyed itself.

  • Toward a Sustainable Agriculture–The Living Soil
    (1977) Balfour, Lady Eve

    A talk about the Haughley Experiment, given by Lady Balfour at an IFOAM conference in Switzerland.

  • Tracing the History of Organic Sustainable Agriculture
    (2007) Gold, Mary V.

    An annotated bibliography of the foundational works behind today’s Sustainable and Organic Agriculture movement, put together by the US Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Library.

  • Tree Crops: a permanent agriculture
    (1929) Smith, J. Russell

    A list of the most important books ever written about sustainable agriculture (and human health) would include Tree Crops, as well as the books by Sir Albert Howard, the publications of William Albrecht and Price’s Nutrition and Physical Degeneration.

  • Trees and Toadstools
    (1945) Rayner, M.C.

    A foundation work of the Organic Farming and Gardening movement. It discusses the relationships between tree roots and fungi. Rayner’s work formed the basis of the organicist contention that supporting a complete and healthy population of soil microlife is essential to plant health.

  • Weeds: Guardians of the Soil
    (1950) Cocannouer, Joseph A.

    The wild plant species that are thriving in a field or garden reveal a great deal about the soil they are growing in. Weeds can be used to build soil fertility.

  • Wege zur Natur
    (1909 and 1922) Francé, Raoul Heinrich

    Eine Einführung in micrologiche studien für anfänger From a generous donation by Thorsten Perl and friends of the digitalized collection of works by and about Dr. Raoul H. Francé and his wife Annie Francé-Harrar.

  • Work on the Land and the Constellations
    (1979) Thun, Maria

    Some of Maria Thun’s research that is not found in her annual biodynamic sowing calendars. Included are explanations of astrological events and planting strategies.

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