Touchwood Books - June Newsletter

June Newsletter

Touchwood Books Newsletter - June 2010

The autumn colour here was absolutely fabulous from mid-April through till mid-May, partly because there was been no wind to blow all the leaves away. We have had not only the reds and oranges of the oaks, maples and pistacias, but also yellows from elms, gingkos and even walnuts - something we don't normally see in this part of the world. For 35 years I have been planting trees for timber (pines), shade (elms and zelkovas), shelter (pines), stock fodder (honey locusts), erosion control (poplars), firewood (eucalypts), autumn colour, (oaks, pistacias, maples and liquid ambers), flowers (magnolias and cherries), and nuts (chestnuts and walnuts). Plus I have planted many other trees like rimus and totaras, cabbage trees, taxodiums, redwoods, beeches, both NZ and European, and alders.

The autumn colour this year made it all seem worthwhile and has fired me up to do even more planting.

94 year-old Bob Berry, of 'Hackfalls Arboretum' at Tiniroto (on the back road between Wairoa and Gisborne) made six trips to Mexico in the 1980's to collect acorns from the various Mexican oaks of which there are about 200; there are about 500 different oaks worldwide. Bob brought the acorns back (something you could do in those days but no longer can) and they have now grown into fine trees. There were two reasons Bob made so many trips to Mexico. One was that all oaks do not seed every year, and the second was that our quarantine authorities overdid the treatment on two occasions that meant he got no seedlings at all from one trip, and only one from another. We can only be very grateful to Bob for all the successful importing he did, and at his own expense. Some of the Mexican oaks could prove to be very useful timber trees. From Bob's original imports, Appletons Tree Nursery, at Wakefield, Nelson (ph 03 541-8309 or www.appletons.co.nz) now have young plants of seven different Mexican oaks for sale. I have ordered five of each. Bob has about 150 different oaks, of which about 50 are of Mexican origin, in total he has about 2800 different plants in his 'Hackfalls Arboretum'. The important plants are all beautifully labeled, catalogued and mapped, and Bob has just produced a 3-disc (CD-rom) catalogue of the trees in his collection. There is a photo showing the full sized tree, then a close up photo of the leaves or other distinguishing features. Both common and botanical names are given, country of origin, where Bob got the tree from and date of planting. Though primarily a catalogue it is very useful for identifying trees like the oaks, and for seeing what a particular type of tree looks like. Each close-up photo of the leaves includes a 10cm (4 inches) white measuring stick to give scale. The three discs for only $30.00. Visit Hackfalls Arboretum at www.hackfalls.org.nz.

Some views of Hackfalls Arboretum (Source: www.hackfalls.org.nz)

"GRANDMA'S WAYS FOR MODERN DAYS" by Paul and Diana Peacock is about reviving traditional skills in cookery, gardening and household management. The authors are editors of the UK magazine Home Farmer and their book covers such things as making soap, household cleaners, keeping hens, bees and ducks, making bread, butter, cheese, bacon, sausages, beer and wine plus there is a large section of recipes for soups, main meals, budget meals and preserves of all kinds. A 328-page paperback. Our ace packer Tracey thinks the book is good, but expensive at $50.00. I think it good value for the information it contains. Basically all text.

For those of you old enough to remember the huge Whole Earth Catalogues with their very easily torn paper covers we now have something similar "COUNTRY WISDOM AND KNOW-HOW. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO LIVE OFF THE LAND" from the editors of Storey Books. It's American - big, 346mm high by 267mm across with a light cardboard cover. There are 1887 illustrations, diagrams and photos and 8167 useful skills and step-by-step instructions for all aspects of being self-sufficient. More than 200 separate topics are covered, being reproduced from Country Wisdom Bulletins that were published during the hippie era of the 1970's. Great value and fun at only $47.50.

"HERBAL - THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO HERBS FOR LIVING" by Deni Bown was first published in 2001 and has just been reprinted in conjunction with the Chelsea Physic Garden (London's oldest botanic garden). Some 80 per cent of the world's population still relies on plants collected in the wild to provide the medicines they need. This book covers not only medicinal herbs, but also aphrodisiacs, dye plants, salad herbs, tonics and poisons. She focuses on 150 key herbs that are either illustrated with good modern photos or old botanical plates. The history, cultivation and uses of each plant are given. A 320-page hardback and very good value at only $40.00.

"KIDS IN THE GARDEN. GROWING PLANTS FOR FOOD AND FUN" by Elizabeth McCorquodale is a kid's book that clicks with me, but I'm 67 and pretty much out of touch with children. Never mind, it is split into three parts - the basics of how plants grow; then how to grow various fruit and vegetables; and finally some good simple, but tasty recipes using what has been grown. The book is well illustrated with nice lively photos and line drawings with quirky comments and questions. Suitable for children of all ages and with lots of quips such as "Space scientists have discovered that the dust clouds that swirl around in our galaxy, the Milky Way, actually taste of raspberries." Paperback, 95 pages, $35.00.

"PRESTON BAILEY SPECTACULAR CELEBRATIONS" by Karyn Gerhard and John Labbe. The most amazing, lush flower arrangements on a huge scale for conference or corporate dinners, opulent tables, dramatic spaces and other inspirations for entertaining - a real 'WOW' book. Huge 219-page hardback, $120.00.

"GROW YOUR OWN DRUGS" by James Wong has been very popular, especially with those who have been watching his television programme. It is not about growing illegal marijuana or opium poppies, but about growing medicinal herbs, and making your own herbal remedies.

"A YEAR WITH JAMES WONG" is his latest book and has more than 100 new remedies for everything from headaches and aching joints to dandruff and head lice. 224 pages, hardback with illustrations throughout--the same format as the first book. Both are now $45.00 each.

"COLLINS BEE KEEPERS BIBLE" by a team of different authors is one of the most comprehensive books we have seen on the subject. With specially commissioned colour photos it covers all the practical essentials about caring for bees. It also includes old coloured illustrations covering bee history, trivia and lore. Uses are given for honey, bee's wax, pollen, bee venom and royal jelly. It even has pictures of the flowers to grow for bees, and concludes with about one hundred recipes using honey. A big hardback book, 412 pages, 252mm high by 195mm, it is a good read as well as being practical. $85.00.

Look for the “New Titles” on our website to see a description and cover picture of books that were new to our shelves during May 2010. Soon the June 2010 titles will start appearing on our website.

Diane has cut the sale price on a new list of books yet again. You can see the full range of her “Specials” in the “DIANE’S Specials” category on our website. Be sure to click on the “Diane’s Special Offers” heading above the list of recently added products to see a full list of books, with description and cover picture, that are at special reduced prices.

While you are looking around our website take a look at the Forthcoming category. Be sure to click on the “Forthcoming” heading above the list of recently added products to see a full list of books. We intend to keep this list to books that are not yet to hand from the publishers, and may not be here for some months. We will try to give you an idea of when the books will become available.

Peter Arthur, Touchwood Books, 2^nd June 2010