Garden History
A Glossary of Garden History
Price: £9.99
ISBN: 978 0 74780 646 2 / Shire Library SLI 532 / 144 pp
Presents an alphabetical glossary of over five hundred entries that explains and illustrates such terms, aimed at readers of garden literature and visitors to gardens. A final chapter in this book outlines the work of British garden designers from John Evelyn to Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe.
Allotments
Price: £5.99
ISBN: 978 0 74780 681 3 / Shire Library SLI 469 / 64 pp
The humble allotment has a surprisingly turbulent history. Initially the right to an allotment was proposed as a charitable means by which the poor could grow their own food and stave off starvation, but it quickly entered political and social debate. During the World Wars the allotment became the focal point on the home front, as families took part in the Dig for Victory campaigns. The post-war years saw a decline in the popularity of the allotment as the supermarket took over from home-grown produce. Successive governments condemned allotments in favour of new housing. Recently, however, with increased concerns about the environment and the organic movement, allotments are in vogue once more. This book charts the rise and fall of the allotment – and the factors behind its most recent resurgence. Drawing on original documents and illustrations, the author explores the fascinating and surprising history of the allotment within the context of its social and political history.
Dr Twigs Way trained as an archaeologist and later developed a particular interest in garden and landscape history. She has designed programmes in garden history for the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education and has lectured for Birkbeck College, London. Her latest book ‘Virgins, Weeders and Queens: A History of Women in the Garden’ was published in 2006.
Discovering Herbs
Price: £6.99
ISBN: 978 0 74780 590 8 / Shire Discovering SDI 89 / 136 pp
Discovering Period Gardens
Price: £6.99
ISBN: 978 0 74780 340 9 / Shire Discovering SDI 129 / 112 pp
Discovering The Folklore of Plants
Price: £6.99
ISBN: 978 0 74780 178 8 / Shire Discovering SDI 74 / 176 pp
To primitive man the whisper and movement of leaves and the silent unfolding of flowers were proofs of life and power, and their regeneration was a promise of nature's continuity. Cures, magic, divination and portents were all connected with the rich variety of available plant life, especially in verdant Britain. Some of these beliefs were astonishingly long-lasting and, even if an altered or faded form, have survived the sophistications of modern life, as this book sets out to show. This volume is arranged in alphabetical order and is illustrated with engravings from old herbals.
Discovering Wild Plant Names
Price: £4.99
ISBN: 978 0 85263 213 0 / Shire Discovering SDI 166 / 64 pp
Many wild plant names originate from early Greek, Latin or Old English and through the ages their original meanings have become misunderstood or unknown. This book aims to bring order to the confusion of botanical classification by tracing the origins of both the popular English names and the scientific names of many of the most common species of wild plants and trees in Great Britain. With detailed line drawings of some of the plants mentioned, John E. Stevens provides a comprehensive glossary of plant names from ‘Aaron’s rod’ to ‘Yew’, making this a perfect pocket guide for keen gardeners and plant enthusiasts.
English Rose Garden
Price: £4.99
ISBN: 978 0 74780 442 0 / Shire Library SLI 375 / 40 pp
The story of English rose gardens and how they, the roses that grow in them and the way in which are looked after have changes over the years.
Garden Sculpture
Price: £7.99
ISBN: 978 0 74780 320 1 / Shire Library SLI 531 / 88 pp
This book explains the history of sculpture in British gardens, the materials and techniques used and the leading garden sculptors are described.
Japanese Gardens in Britain
Price: £4.99
ISBN: 978 0 74780 500 7 / Shire Library SLI 387 / 40 pp
Mazes and Labyrinths
Price: £5.99
ISBN: 978 0 74780 561 8 / Shire Library SLI 418 / 56 pp
Mazes and labyrinths in various forms have been a preoccupation of mankind for thousands of years. This text traces the history of mazes worldwide from the earliest known examples, and then describes those which have been created in Britain's gardens, parks and landscape.
Old Garden Tools
Price: £4.99
ISBN: 978 0 85263 869 9 / Shire Library SLI 41 / 32 pp
Some of the oldest implements in the world are those that have been used by land cultivation. Many garden tools are universal in use, like the rake, scythe, slasher, spade and saw, and much estate management of the past, before mechanization, was dependent upon them.
Old Lawn Mowers
Price: £4.99
ISBN: 978 0 85263 607 7 / Shire Library SLI 91 / 32 pp / Now Available
First invented in 1830, the early lawn mower was hampered by the inadequacy of materials and machine tools available and its development and speed did not pick up until the introduction of chains and small lightweight petrol engines. This book traces the progress of the lawn mower from the early hand or animal powered mowers, through to steam, petrol and electric-powered modern machines.
The late David G. Halford became interested in old lawnmowers in 1974 when he was asked, as Senior Lecturer in Horticultural Machinery at the Lancashire College of Agriculture and Horticulture, to look after some old lawnmowers belonging to the County Council. Some of the first ones that arrived at the college were very old and so different from modern machines that, when he commenced restoring them, he became so interested that he tried to find out something of their history. No one had made a study of mowers, so he started the long task of researching back to the time of the first invention. He also started a collection of the various types and makes of old machines. Many of these have been restored to working order. Storage became a problem but this was solved when the National Trust set up a permanent exhibition of the collection at Trerice Manor near Newquay, Cornwall.
Public Parks
Price: £7.99
ISBN: 978 0 74780 332 4 / Shire Library SLI 533 / 96 pp
Studies the history of Britain's municipal parks, from their origins to their features, and future in today's society.
Regency Gardens
Price: £7.99
ISBN: 978 0 74780 289 1 / Shire Library SLI 534 / 96 pp
The English Rococo Garden
Price: £7.99
ISBN: 978 0 74780 625 7 / Shire Library SLI 530 / 88 pp
In this book the author details the designs, the buildings and the planting of the English rococo garden.
Walled Kitchen Gardens
Price: £5.99
ISBN: 978 0 74780 657 8 / Shire Library SLI 339 / 56 pp
Walled kitchen gardens were found in the grounds of most large country houses in Britain and Ireland. They were designed to provide a continual supply of fruit, flowers and vegetables. The remains of these gardens can still be seen, some converted to other uses, some simply abandoned. This book examines the history of these old kitchen gardens.
Discovering Christmas Customs and Folklore
A Guide to Seasonal Rites Throughout the WorldPrice: £6.99
ISBN: 978 0 74780 175 7 / Shire Discovering SDI 32 / 120 pp