Homesteading library – by title

The mosquito is one of the greatest hinderances to the enjoyment of country living. They can bring disease. Dr. Campbell discovered ecological handlings that virtually eliminated night-flying mosquitoes by the cultivation of bat colonies.

Since the 1940s gardeners have used organic doctrines as their model of best practice. Helen Cushing points out ways to do much better.

This book contains the finest made-simple explanations of how soil works, why organic matter levels and qualities in soils is the key to intelligent management decisions.

A basic and effective how-to manual.

Gertrud Franck worked out her own system using living mulch, companion planting and other unique solutions deriving entirely from observations during her lifetime of raising the family’s food.

Twee onderwerpen in één boek. In deel 1 staat de funfamentele methode van het compostmaken beschreven; en in deel 2 staan de resultaten van een juiste of onjuiste omgang met de bodemvruchtbaarheid beschreven en hoe men zeer goede compost maakt.

Construction Of A Simplified Wood Gas Generator for Fueling Internal Combustion Engines In A Petroleum Emergency–Final Report.

Thorough discussion of the use of and problems with the use of cover cropping and green manure crops, particularly applicable to the middle latitudes of the United States and of great value to the home gardener considering cover cropping.

A small book about maintaining a healthy family cow.

K.D. Nelson spent 30 years working with water resources and consulting worldwide. His book provides a sound practical approach to investigating, designing and constructing small earth dams that do not fail. The book contains many detailed drawings and a few photos.

Esther Deans, poet, writer, gardener, conservationist, became famous in the 1970-1980s for her books which developed a no dig method of gardening in Sydney Australia. Esther tells the story of the transformation of her backyard garden. “You couldn’t di…

Illustrated manual for the farmer.

One hundred eleven photographic figures; fifty years of experience. This book has long been a classic among beekeepers.

Chronicles the Borsodi family’s journey from job-in-the-city to self-sufficient country independence during the prosperity of the 1920s. During the Great Depression many people saw this book as a guiding light toward financial security and a much better life.

Henderson was a master market gardener selling into the New York City market. He had effective techniques for wintering over vegetables, for producing out of season. The contemporary crop of garden gurus have nothing on this man.

A thorough treatment of Tasmanian gardening as it was in the 1970s by the state’s “Gardener Laureat” of the era. Covers fruits, vegetables and ornamentals, a full planting schedule, all the usual pests and problems.

This is a guide to growing food with little or no irrigation. It was written entirely from personal observations and original research between 1979 and 1993 in western Oregon, where there is rarely any rainfall between June through September. It has broad applications to any place where the rains can’t be depended upon.

About raising food in ponds, rivers, streams, lakes and seaside homesteads. The book shines when discussing areas that Logsdon knows intimately; in other areas it is a bit more of a report and summary of information assembled by Rodale’s editors.

Containing ten thousand selected household and workshop formulas, recipes, processes and money saving methods for the practical use of manufacturers, mechanics, housekeepers and home workers.

A complete look a the use of and problems with cover cropping and green manuring that encompasses all climates of the USA. A cooperative writing effort organized by the Sustainable Agriculture Network, U.S.D.A. Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD.

Hyams was an avid gardener with a passion for growing melons. Melons may be easy to grow where summers are warm and long, but to raise melons in chilly England is no mean trick. The book also contains helpful tips to succeed with cucumbers and zucchini where the summers are too cool for them.

Two subjects in one book: a basic, how-to-make-compost book in Part One; and an analysis of the nutritional consequences of soil fertility management choices and how to make really good compost in Part Two.

We think anyone seeking independent self-sufficiency should meet Dolly Freed.

A manual for producing your own motor vehicle fuel issued when gasoline was rationed during WWII.

De Intelligente Tuinier: Hoe Men Voedingsstoffenrijk Voedsel Laat Groeien. De smaak van voedsel is direct proportioneel aan de voedingsstoffendichtheid er van. Als de tuingrond in het juiste evenwicht wordt gebracht, dan smaakt het voedsel er van veel beter, complexer, interessanter; dit voedsel is dan tevredenstellender. In dit boek wordt uitgelegd hoe men een laboratoriumrapport moet interpreteren, om daarvan een remineralisering uit te werken waardoor er voedsel in die bodem kan groeien dat

De Intelligente Tuinier. Hoe Men Voedingsstoffenrijk Voedsel Laat Groeien Hoe Men Voedingsstoffenrijk Voedsel Laat Groeien. Deze omvangrijke maar samenvattende handleiding begint met een overzicht van de voedingsstoffendichtheid van de bodem, waarna de geschiedenis van de biologische agricultuur, en daarna  volgt een begrijpelijke fundamentele inleiding in de bodemchemie, en demonstreert zo hoe de thuis-tuinier de resultaten van een eenvoudige niet-dure bodemtest kan gebruiken voor een voor eigen bodem individueel aangemeten voedingstoffenvoorschrift. De auteur bespreekt stap voor stap de essentiële mineralen terwijl hij tegelijkertijd de verkeerd ontstane misleidende informatie van zowel de conventionele als ook de biologische landbouw bewegingen recht zet.

Staying healthy on long sea voyages has always been a problem. Neumeyer explains how to create fresh, living food at sea by sprouting, by gathering sea weeds, etc.

This book clearly and simply demonstrates how any energetic and determined person can make ethanol and/or methanol from all sorts of organic wastes, corn, sugar beets, etc., using home-made equipment of great simplicity, and best of all, this alcohol production is entirely powered by the sun.

A complete how-to manual of country skills; how-to make everything from bacon to medicine. The book creates an appreciation for mid-18th century English country life; it reveals how the diet and habits of the era created the diseases that demanded the medicines listed.

This little book enables an intelligent investor to understand corporate financial reports—if they have been honestly stated. When a corporate financial statement seems incomprehensible or unanalyzable after applying Graham’s book, then it is reasonable to assume that what is being analyzed is an example of accounting dishonesty.

A lyrical and passionate exploration of the life and consciousness of the termite. Translated by Winifred de Kok. First published in Afrikaans under the title Die Siel van die Mier.

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.

A passionate plea for independence and self-sufficiency on small, intensively worked acreages. Hall illuminates the social forces propelling people into city poverty when they could live with simple liberty and plenty in the country.

You might think an investment guide written in 1987 couldn’t be relevant to the current scene. Not so. The first 200 pages examines and demolishes all the usual investment strategies/sales pitches because these usually result in loss. Then Browne introduces the idea of a “permanent portfolio,” a mixture of very low overhead investments whose inevitable ups and downs balance each other resulting in moderate profit with great stability.

Roberts was a master builder; he takes the reader step by step through considering the intelligent design and construction of wooden houses. Roberts reconsiders materials, design principles and popular building styles that aren’t really sensible.