A monumental 1176 page treatise on every aspect of Farm Crops and Farm
Livestock in the Edwardian period, this most complete work of its kind,
is a mine of information. The livestock section discusses numerous
breeds of horses (including ponies and donkeys) cattle, sheep, goats and
poultry; the history, characteristics, care, breeding, and showing of
each individual breed, as well as a more general discussion of animal
husbandry, live stock ailments and remedies, farm pests, and of course
animal products-meat, dairy, wool, honey, etc.. Sheepdogs are not
overlooked. The farm crop section covers all British grains, beans and
peas, potatoes, hops, flax, turnips, forage crops (for cattle) in
similar detail, as well as "subsidiary crops" (that is, vegetables I
modern usage). As well as the material specifically on crops and
livestock, there is considerable background information, including a
summary of the seasons and seasonal tasks, a detailed analysis of the
then recent experiments in manuring and composting at Rothamstead that
continue to this day, and a discussion of the impact of non-farm animals
(badgers, mice, owls ...) on the farm. In addition to sixty eight full
page plates there are numerous illustrations in the text, and a complete
index.