The farmer of yesterday and to-day. The world situation of agriculture. Properity, security, and the future. The farm in its wider connections. The soil, a living organism; The "load limit" in agriculture. The treatment of manure and compost. Maintenance of the living condition of the soil by cultivation and organic fertilizing. How to convert an ordinary farm int a bio-dynamic farm. Comments on forestry. Comments on market gardening. The dynamic activity of plant life-some unaccounted characteristics. Scientific tests. Fertilizing; its effects on health. Practical results of the bio-dynamic method.

Chapters on soil fertility and plant nutrition explain the chemistry of the plant, the soil, and the soil solution and outline the importance of plant macronutrients and micronutrients. The book offers practical information on using of green manures, composts and lime to maintain soil fertility; introduces methods of tillage of land; provides organic methods of controlling weeds, insects, and diseases; and suggests how food produce can be stored without refrigeration. The text provides information on how to assess and govern the nutritional status of crops and the fertility and condition of soil and presents guidelines, recommendations, and procedures for determining the best fertility recommendations for individual situations. This edition includes an entirely new chapter on hydroponics that explains organic approaches to hydroponic crop production.

"Every agricultural enterprise is a self-contained, biological unit." --Ehrenfried Pfeiffer There have been numerous developments and advancements in biodynamic agricultural methods since Ehrenfried Pfeiffer introduced North Americans to the foundational principles and practices of biodynamics, the basics of which continue to be used today. Thus, although Biodynamic Farming and Gardening was first published in 1938, it remains a foundational text for anyone who is or plans to become a serious biodynamic farmer or gardener. In this volume, Pfeiffer lays out the essential practices for successfully operating a biodynamic farm, including the principles behind each technique and practice. He backs up these methods with scientific research and data, as well as his own experience as a farmer and researcher, describing what works and what doesn't. Pfeiffer covers soil qualities, making compost, crop rotation, best planting practices, using biodynamic preparations and sprays, and much more--all with the goal of growing the highest-quality foods by using sustainable methods and working with nature and caring for the earth. This detailed book is an indispensable guide for both experienced, beginning, and prospective biodynamic farmers and gardeners. C O N T E N T S Introduction 1. The Farmer, Yesterday and Today 2. The Situation of Agriculture 3. The Farm and Its Broader Connections 4. Soil as a Living Organism: The "Load Limit" in Agriculture 5. Manure and Compost Treatment 6. Maintaining Living Soil: Cultivation and Organic Fertilization 7. How a Conventional Farm Becomes a Biodynamic Farm 8. Forestry 9. Market Gardening 10. The Dynamic Activity of Plant Life 11. Scientific Tests 12. Health Effects of Fertilizing 13. Practical Results of the Biodynamic Method 14. Human Responsibility 15. Summary Cited Works Books in English by Ehrenfried E. Pfeiffer Further Reading