Talkback: Christmas gifts for gardeners
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Somebody to promise to give a hand with bramble eradication in the spring!
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Gardeners' World Web User
Posts: 17,147
Gardeners' World Web User
Posts: 17,147
Posts
Merry Christmas everyone, happy 2010!
My father and I only ever give each other books for Christmas (apart from the deer-stalker, but that was just a big mistake). These are usually wildlife-related, and occasionally the odd gardening book gets given. A few years ago I received a copy of 'Permanent and temporary pastures with descriptions and illustrations of leading natural grasses and clovers', 5th edicion, published in 1895. OK not very garden-sounding, but it was written by Martin J. Sutton, grandson of the founder of Suttons Seeds. Apparently, as well as joining the family firm he made a name for himself as an agricultural scientist. The book is full of charming information about cows preferring meadow fescue over cock's-foot, and how timothy luxuriates in clay districts. The real beauty of the book, though, is in its 23 exquisite black and white engravings of grasses, each an artistic masterpiece.