Re: Saudi Arabia or other Middle East Desert Climates
Nan's reply made me remember a book a by Daniel Hillel, _Out of the Earth:
Civilization and the Life of the Soil_, one of my "must reads" for all
gardeners and ecologists. This pre-eminently readeable book traces man's
relationship to the soil over the centuries and the destruction wrought on
civilizations through neglect and ignorance of the soil. And of course, all
civilizations ultimately are built from soil. Hillel's understanding, and
empathy, comes through loud and clear through out this amazing narative. His
background as an educator is apparent as the book begins with a clear and
concise introduction to soil science, providing the basis upon which Hillel can
then take the reader on a journey across continents and time to look at the
soil anew.
This is a book for all of us. Hillel spends a lot of time detailing soil
management in Israel where he served as Agricultural Minister for some time.
He is intimately familiar with desert soil management. But one would be
mistaken in assuming that only gardeners in desert climes can learn from him.
His vision encompasses the entire earth and his examples are born from every
continent. His clear and instructive text is easily digested; his examples are
well thought and so very concise. Everyone can benefit from the lessons taught
to us by civilizations and their rise and fall in realtionship to the soil that
sustained them.
Can you tell? I love this book. I have read it twice. It has become pivitol
in my thinking about soil. I hope you seek it out. It would be well worth
your time. I see that Barnes and Noble has it in stock, I didn't find it at
Fertile Ground.
Out of the Earth: Civilization and the Life of the Soil
Daniel J. Hillel
University of California Press
ISBN: 052008187
September, 1992
Um... sorry if I got soapboxey...
David King
Nan Sterman wrote:
> David -- It strikes me that you need to find out what they are doing in
> Israel, which I expect has a climate closer to what you are dealing with.
> There are a few people from Israel who contribute to the rare fruit growers
> on-line newsletter. It is not a listserv, instead, everyone sends messages
> to leom@rarefrut.com and leo puts out the collected messages every two
> weeks.
>
> Also, I'd search the internet for sites in Israel, I know there are several
> botanic gardens, etc though I don't know any particular names.
>
> Good luck!
>
> Nan
> **********
> '''''''''''''''''''''''
> Nan Sterman
> San Diego County California
> Sunset zone 24, USDA hardiness zone 10b or 11
