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Plowman's Folly by Edward Faulkner ➤ Grosset & Dunlap 1943
Plowman's Folly by Edward Faulkner Grosset & Dunlap 1943
Title: Plowman's Folly
Author: Edward Faulkner
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap 1943
Size: 5.25 X 7.75 * 155 pages
Synopsis: From the Jacket: Plowman's Folly is perhaps the most important challenge to agricultural theory yet advanced in this century. Its new philosophy of the soil, based on proven principles, is completely opposed to established concepts and may revolutionize the entire practice of cultivation in the United States. "This book," says Mr. Faulkner, "sets out to show that the moldboard plow is the least satisfactory implement for the production of crops.... The fact is that no one has ever advanced a scientific reason for plowing."
For generations, our reasoning about the management of the soil has rested upon the use of the plow. Yet, Mr. Faulkner shows rather conclusively that soil impoverishment, erosion, decreasing crop yields, and many of the adverse effects following droughts or periods of excessive rainfall may be traced directly to the accepted practice of plowing natural fertilizers deep into the soil. His examples of perfect soil economy are drawn from nature-the forest floor and the natural meadow--where the earth is constantly being improved through the accumulation of natural plant foods at the surface. Through his own test-plot and field-scale experiments, in which he prepares the soil by incorporating green manures into its surface with a disk harrow, he has transformed ordinary, and even inferior, soils into extremely productive, high-yield crop lands.
Conversely, Mr. Faulkner shows, the act of plowing such materials under places them below the reach of the crop roots, creates a subsurface "blotter" which interferes with the capillary movement of moisture upwards, and leaves the surface area a ready prey to all of the adverse forces of nature. With his "surface tillage," the author finds that he greatly increases his crop yield the first year, and that progressively his land is improved. Furthermore, he can bring about this greatly increased fertility without the use of any of the commercial fertilizers, and he has been able to detect a reduction in the susceptibility of his crops to insect pests.
It becomes apparent from the orderly manner in which the author has built up his evidence in this book that the acceptance of his principles on a nation-wide scale would, to a large extent, solve America's pressing problems of worn-out lands, soil erosion, and periodic shortages of certain staple farm products. The importance of his findings at a time when food production for the United Nations is at a premium is readily apparent.
Overall Condition: Very good: The book does not look new and has been read but is in excellent condition. There is no obvious damage to the cover the dust jacket (with minor wear and tear) is included. There are no missing or damaged pages, no creases or tears, and no underlining/highlighting of text or writing in the margins. It may have very minimal identifying marks on the inside cover as well as very minimal wear and tear. See images.
Secure shipping bubble-wrapped in a new box.
2026--U.S. shipping for this (One Pound Media Mail) is $4.39 with tracking.
Multiple items will be combined for the lowest shipping price.
International Shipping cost is based on the destination so inquire before buying. Mobile users must scroll to the bottom and click on 'use desktop site' to bring up the Ask a Question link which sends me an email.
(PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT FROM OUTSIDE THE U.S.)
==========================================================================================================================
Just about all the books are USED books. Some have been used more gently than others. Some have been in libraries and have typical library extras. Some are so old and/or interesting that they are being offered for the sake of preservation regardless of the condition they are in. If the condition of the book is very important to you, please feel free to click the 'Ask seller a question' link and I will tell you more.
=========================================================================================
Title: Plowman's Folly
Author: Edward Faulkner
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap 1943
Size: 5.25 X 7.75 * 155 pages
Synopsis: From the Jacket: Plowman's Folly is perhaps the most important challenge to agricultural theory yet advanced in this century. Its new philosophy of the soil, based on proven principles, is completely opposed to established concepts and may revolutionize the entire practice of cultivation in the United States. "This book," says Mr. Faulkner, "sets out to show that the moldboard plow is the least satisfactory implement for the production of crops.... The fact is that no one has ever advanced a scientific reason for plowing."
For generations, our reasoning about the management of the soil has rested upon the use of the plow. Yet, Mr. Faulkner shows rather conclusively that soil impoverishment, erosion, decreasing crop yields, and many of the adverse effects following droughts or periods of excessive rainfall may be traced directly to the accepted practice of plowing natural fertilizers deep into the soil. His examples of perfect soil economy are drawn from nature-the forest floor and the natural meadow--where the earth is constantly being improved through the accumulation of natural plant foods at the surface. Through his own test-plot and field-scale experiments, in which he prepares the soil by incorporating green manures into its surface with a disk harrow, he has transformed ordinary, and even inferior, soils into extremely productive, high-yield crop lands.
Conversely, Mr. Faulkner shows, the act of plowing such materials under places them below the reach of the crop roots, creates a subsurface "blotter" which interferes with the capillary movement of moisture upwards, and leaves the surface area a ready prey to all of the adverse forces of nature. With his "surface tillage," the author finds that he greatly increases his crop yield the first year, and that progressively his land is improved. Furthermore, he can bring about this greatly increased fertility without the use of any of the commercial fertilizers, and he has been able to detect a reduction in the susceptibility of his crops to insect pests.
It becomes apparent from the orderly manner in which the author has built up his evidence in this book that the acceptance of his principles on a nation-wide scale would, to a large extent, solve America's pressing problems of worn-out lands, soil erosion, and periodic shortages of certain staple farm products. The importance of his findings at a time when food production for the United Nations is at a premium is readily apparent.
Overall Condition: Very good: The book does not look new and has been read but is in excellent condition. There is no obvious damage to the cover the dust jacket (with minor wear and tear) is included. There are no missing or damaged pages, no creases or tears, and no underlining/highlighting of text or writing in the margins. It may have very minimal identifying marks on the inside cover as well as very minimal wear and tear. See images.
Secure shipping bubble-wrapped in a new box.
2026--U.S. shipping for this (One Pound Media Mail) is $4.39 with tracking.
Multiple items will be combined for the lowest shipping price.
International Shipping cost is based on the destination so inquire before buying. Mobile users must scroll to the bottom and click on 'use desktop site' to bring up the Ask a Question link which sends me an email.
(PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT FROM OUTSIDE THE U.S.)
==========================================================================================================================
Just about all the books are USED books. Some have been used more gently than others. Some have been in libraries and have typical library extras. Some are so old and/or interesting that they are being offered for the sake of preservation regardless of the condition they are in. If the condition of the book is very important to you, please feel free to click the 'Ask seller a question' link and I will tell you more.
=========================================================================================
