Horticulture

The Unlikely Lavender Queen: A Memoir of Unexpected Blossoming

“I couldn’t help but question how I’d gotten to this strange spot in my life, so far from what I’d expected for myself. Yes, there had been a heady romance a few years back. Then a slew of subsequent decisions, fueled by love and yearnings I didn’t even know I had. But I never, ever would have suspected that this was where the sum total of them would bring me. That afternoon a new doubt dripped into my mind. When do you know, I wondered, whether the choices you’ve made were the right ones?”

In 1990, Jeannie Ralston was a successful magazine writer and bona fide city girl—the type of woman who couldn't imagine living on soil not shaded by skyscrapers. By 1994, she had called off an engagement, married Robb, a National Geographic photographer, and was living in Blanco Texas, population 1600.

The Unlikely Lavender Queen is the intimate story of a woman who gives up a lot for the man she loves – her beloved blue state, bagels and all-night bodegas—only to have to wonder: Was it too much? Ralston offers a lively chronicle of her life as a wife, new mother and an urban settler in rural Texas. As she labors to convert a dilapidated barn into a livable home, deal with scorpions and unbearably hot summers, raise two young children while Robb is frequently away on assignment, she realizes her ultimate struggle is to reconcile her life plans and goals with her husband’s without coming out the proverbial loser. And just when it seems like she might be losing that fight--and herself-- a little purple bloom changes her life.

For centuries lavender has been a mystical herb, so valuable to ancient Romans that a bushel would cost nearly a month’s wages. But when Robb returns from a trip to Provence with a plan for growing lavender on their land, Ralston is not convinced—in fact the last thing she needed or wanted was to take up farming on top of everything else. Then, much to her surprise, she slowly but surely falls in love with lavender, and in the course of growing and selling blooms, hosting the public at the farm, and creating lavender products, she discovers a new side of herself. A few short years later, Ralston had built Hill Country Lavender, a thriving commercial enterprise that transforms both her little corner of Texas and her life.

The Unlikely Lavender Queen will resonate with all women who have faced the tough choices that come with “having it all” and secretly (or not so secretly) hoped for great adventure to come along and surprise them. Ralston’s honest, funny, and poignant memoir is a testament to the fact that such adventures await us around every bend in life.

Laboratory Manual for Comparative Veterinary Anatomy & Physiology

An abundance of photos and illustrations help bring to the forefront comparative veterinary anatomy and physiology veterinary technicians and pre-veterinary medicine students. The book covers the muscular, digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular, urinary, reproductive, endocrine and nervous systems. It also covers skeletal anatomy of many species. Each chapter includes a physiology experiment to help illustrate some of the principles of physiology covered in lecture portions of the course instruction. Histology of tissues is also covered in this manual. A basic knowledge of biology is assumed.

General Viticulture

Wherever grapevines are cultivated, this book will be welcome because it fills a long-standing need for a clear, concise treatment of modern viticulture. During the past fifty years, more progress has been made in the science and art of growing grapes for table use and raisin or wine production than in any previous century.
This new edition has been revised throughout. The chapters on vine structure, vine physiology, the grape flower and berry set, development and composition of grapes, and means of improving grape quality add to our knowledge of the vine and its functions. The text is designed to enable those concerned with either vine or fruit problems to arrive at considered diagnoses. The student will find the text and the cited references a comprehensive source of information.
The grape and allied industries should welcome the updating of the major portion of the book. Here the emphasis is on modern practices in vineyard management in arid and semi-arid regions--with special reference to California. Full and detailed treatment is provided or propagation, supports, training young vines, pruning, cultivation and chemical weed control, irrigation, soil management, diseases and pests, and harvesting, packing and storage.
The practices recommended in the book are based on the extensive research conducted in California and elsewhere by the authors and their distinguished colleagues. Examples of practices based on experiments are: methods of propagation which by-pass the usual one-year-in-the-vine-nursery; pruning as related to leaf area and time of leaf functioning, and its effect on berry set and fruit development; virus disease control through thermotherapy and soil fumigation; pests held in check by sanitary, chemical, and biological procedures; irrigation practices as related to soil texture. Tissue analyses are employed as guidelines indicating the mineral deficiencies or excesses of vines. Machine harvesting of raisins (with cane cutting) and some wine grape varieties with problems are described.
The regional recommendations for table and raisin varieties are based on log years of observations, while those for wine grapes are the results of studies of the interrelation of variety and the heat summation of the different climatic areas.
No one concerned with the cultivation of grapes can afford to be without this book.

Equine Science

Equine Science, third edition was designed to make teaching and learning easy. Based on a thorough, easy-to-follow outline that makes developing a lesson plan simple, each chapter starts with a list of learning objectives that helps the student identify the most important concepts in the chapter. Throughout the book, tables, charts, graphs and illustrations provide easy access to information without wading through excess detail, enabling students to quickly grasp the content. To help maintain interest, each chapter contains at least one sidebar to encourage retention of the information learned, and the discussion of new topics. In the Student Activities section at the end of each chapter, students and instructors will find opportunities for learning by applying the knowledge they have gained from the book. The Appendix contains helpful tables with information for converting units of measure, and for making contact with the industry and organizations as well as web addresses for equine industries and other useful Internet sites.

Soil Science & Management

Essential to the understanding of sustainable agriculture, the effect of human activity on soil, and the management of soil and water resources including soil nutrition and other influences, this is a solid reference and learning tool. Non-technical, and easy-to-understand, Soil Science and Management, 4E teaches the essentials of soils from the perspective of farmers, horticulturists, environmentalists, and others who are concerned about how soils work and how they are used most effectively. An emphasis on management and the sustainable use of soils and water resources make it especially relevant to these audiences. Nutrient management, best practices and relevant legal issues and government programs related to soil management make this book a popular addition to the bookshelves of farmers, horticulturists and government agricultural personnel alike.

Veterinary Office Practices

Veterinary Office Practice is a well-written book that clearly serves the need for valuable, detailed information about veterinary assistant work. It is designed to give the reader a clear sense of the assistantÂ’s responsibilities not only in working with the veterinarian, but also in other key areas often overlooked in other resource manuals. The author covers such topics as interpersonal communication with clients and co-workers, how the billing and payments system works, record keeping and filing. Emphasis in these areas is meant to aid in developing a broad knowledge base for the office assistant who will become a valuable contributor in a smoothly run veterinary office.

Landscaping Principles and Practices

Landscaping: Principles and Practice is the book serious horticulturists need in order to prepare themselves for success in this industry. They will come to understand how to expertly run a landscape business. From interviewing clients and prospective employees to quoting jobs, this book covers all tasks related to the landscaping business. And, when it comes to teaching landscape design and installation, this book is second to none. Readers will learn such critical skills as graphic arts, interior plantscape design techniques, irrigation system design and lawn and plant installation to assure themselves and their clients a superb job every time.

The Art of Floral Design

The Art of Floral Design, 2E is an illustrated full-color book which highlights floral design techniques-from the basic to the cutting edge. With a well-balanced presentation of theory and practice this book sets the standard in floral design. Topics covered include the principles and mechanics of flower arranging, basic flower anatomy, as well as arrangement styles for a variety of special occasions. Updated to reflect the latest concepts and practices, this new second edition will place users at the forefront of their field.

Hartmann's Plant Science: Growth, Development, and Utilization of Cultivated Plants (4th Edition)

Written by some of the most respected innovators in the field, this comprehensive text takes an in-depth look at the environmental, cultural and social factors that influence how plants are grown and used worldwide. The newest edition cites the most recent statistics, production methods and issues concerning the production and utilization of plants. It offers several web-based resources including a free companion website with practice questions andonline crop fact sheets that give information at a local level. Along with information on climate and environment, it also explores plants’ tremendous economic impact in both developed and developing nations. Introduces the basics of plant science including the ecosystem; climate; managing soil, water and fertility; and pest management. Examines plant structure, chemistry, growth and development; genetics and biodiversity and their relationship to crop growing and utilization systems. Covers multiple crop types and growth settings including nursery, landscape and greenhouse. Also discusses how crops are preserved, transported and marketed. For anyone interested in how plants are cultivated and utilized.

Manual of Woody Landscape Plants : Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses