Agriculture-as the economists agree-is the basis for a nation’s wealth. The abundance of plants profitably used by man is indicated by nearly six hundred pages in Uphof’s Dictionary of Economic Plants. From crib to coffin, man relies on cellulose as the basis for his shelter, clothing, fuel, fibers, basketry, cordage, musical instruments, and the paper on which he scribbles his philosophy. Sugar produces all our starches, fats, oils, waxes, cellulose. All the food, drink, intoxicants, drugs and medicines that keep man alive and, if properly used, radiantly healthy are ours through the sweetness of photosynthesis. The remainder comes from animal products, which in turn are derived from plants. Of the 375 billion tons of food we consume each year the bulk comes from plants, which synthesize it out of air and soil with the help of sunlight. All together, 25 million square miles of leaf surface are daily engaged in this miracle of photosynthesis, producing oxygen and food for man and beast. On the undersurface of every leaf a million movable lips are engaged in devouring carbon dioxide and expelling oxygen. Without green plants we would neither breathe nor eat. The true matrix of human life is the greensward covering mother earth. 'Plenty of hard facts and astounding scientific and practical lore.'-'Newsweek' Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.Short of Aphrodite, there is nothing lovelier on this planet than a flower, nor more essential than a plant.
The world of plants and its relation to mankind as revealed by the latest scientific discoveries. Tompkins and Bird's classic book affirms the depth of humanity's relationship with nature and adds special urgency to the cause of protecting the environment that nourishes us. Now available in a new edition, The Secret Life of Plants explores plants' response to human care and nurturing, their ability to communicate with man, plants' surprising reaction to music, their lie-detection abilities, their creative powers, and much more.
In this truly revolutionary and beloved work, drawn from remarkable research, Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird cast light on the rich psychic universe of plants.
Explore the inner world of plants and its fascinating relation to mankind, as uncovered by the latest discoveries of science.
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