"I shall never, no never, forget that eventful night when accompanied by one courier, my Adjutant Edwards and Sergeant Major, both being wounded, I full of grief and bitterness, rode to the barns in our rear and saw with tears in my eyes, my brave fellows from away over the mountains in West Virginia, laid out in windrows, torn and bleeding. I shall never forget that night or the next morning's parade when I could muster but 96 enlisted men. Brave fellows, not a slave holder among them." Lt/Col. Vincent A. Witcher-34th Battalion Virginia Cavalry

You can scramble to the top of most Oregon mountain peaks and this guidebook will show you how

Various studies have shown time and again that small organic farms and home gardens are capable of producing more food per acre with less fossil energy than large-scale commercial agricultural installations dependent on machines and toxic chemical fertilizers and pesticides. This classic book by Wolf D. Storl, a respected elder in the practice of permaculture, details how food is grown holistically and beautifully by traditional communities around the world, and shows how to apply their ancient wisdom to our own gardens. With interest in natural, sustainable, organic and local food at an all-time high, people are looking beyond their farmers markets and CSA cooperatives to hyperlocal ways of growing healthy, delicious produce in urban gardens and their own backyards. Culture and Horticulture details time-tested methods that are as effective today as they were hundreds of years ago. On the practical front, the book works as a manual for creating and maintaining a bountiful harvest. It explains how to build the soil to maintain fertility; how to produce compost; how to plant, sow, and tend the various fruit and vegetable plants; how to rotate crops and practice companion planting; how to set up a favorable microclimate; how to deal with so-called weeds and pests; how to harvest at the right time; and finally how to store vegetables and herbs. Special emphasis is given to the art and science of composting, the compost being the "heart" of any self-sufficient garden and a model for the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. At the same time the reader is introduced to the wider aspects of horticulture, to its historical, philosophical, and cosmological contexts and social relevance. Gardening is a cultural activity, shaped by peoples' thoughts, wishes, and needs as well as by their cultural traditions. The author, an anthropologist by profession who has investigated the gardening practices of indigenous people throughout the world and worked for many years on biodynamic farms and in his own food garden, will introduce the reader to Rudolf Steiner's vision of the garden as an organic unit, embedded in the context of terrestrial and cosmic forces. Storl explains the importance of cosmic rhythms (solar, lunar, and planetary), the role of biodynamic herbal preparations as "medicines" for the garden organism, and the so-called "etheric" and "astral" forces. The book presents a vision of the garden as seen through the eyes of "Goethean science," a magical place where alchemical transformations of material substances take place.

Combine hiking and geology interests to have more fun in on the trail

This popular guide to climbing Mexico's volcanoes continues as the most complete book available in English. Updated for routes altered or closed due to volcanic activity.

Widely regarded as the crown jewel of the Great Smoky Mountains, Mount Le Conte harbors the greatest concentration of notable geological features in all of the Smokies. This unique book tells the history of the mountain, offering visitors a greater appreciation of its scenic splendor. Kenneth Wise and Ron Petersen combine their intimate knowledge of Le Conte with a wealth of scientific and historical information. Following introductory coverage of the mountain's geologic history and human exploration, they follow the six main trails up the mountain--Alum Cave, Bullhead, Rainbow Falls, Trillium Gap, Brushy Mountain, and Boulevard--and reveal each one to be not merely a path but a rich source of historical and personal testimony. A final chapter covers the distinguishing features of the summit itself. Along each route, the authors explain how the trail was developed and provide historic background for well-known landmarks, from Inspiration Point to Huggins Hell. They offer informative descriptions of the plants and wildlife indigenous to Mount Le Conte as well as observations on the effects of environmental changes on the landscape. The book is illustrated with dozens of photographs, many of historic interest. Also included is a fold-out vista map of ten panoramas visible along the way, indicating the notable features that can be seen from each vantage point. The Authors: Kenneth Wise is an administrator at the University of Tennessee library and the author of Hiking Trails of the Great Smoky Mountains: A Comprehensive Guide. Ron Petersen is a distinguished professor in the Department of Botany at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Ron Petersen and Kenneth Wise combine their intimate knowledge of Mount LeConte with a wealth of scientific and historical information. Following the six main trails up the mountain--Alum Cave, Bullhead, Rainbow Falls, Trillium Gap, Brushy Mountain, and Boulevard--they tell how each was developed and provide historic notes and descriptions for well-known landmarks, from Inspiration Point to Huggins Hell. They also point out a host of interesting features about plants and wildlife and offer observations on effects of environmental changes on the landscape. The text is enhanced by dozens of photographs, many of historic interest. Also included with the book is a fold-out vista map containing drawings of eight panoramas visible from the summit, indicating the geologic features that can be seen from each vantage point. Whether you're viewing LeConte from the Lodge or hiking its slopes, this book will enhance your enjoyment of this crown jewel of the Smokies. A Natural History of Mount LeConte is unlike any other book available on this magnificent mountain. It shows that history and natural history are two sides of the same coin and will make visiting or hiking the peak a more rewarding experience.