An unprecedented look at how colonial farmers adapted to the challenges of New England's climate and soil and achieved a sustainable agricultural system The farmers of colonial New England have been widely accused of farming extensively, neglecting manure, wearing out their land, and moving on. But did they? And if so, when and why? Brian Donahue offers an innovative, accessible, and authoritative history of the early farming practices of Concord, Massachusetts, and challenges the long-standing notion that colonial ...
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An unprecedented look at how colonial farmers adapted to the challenges of New England's climate and soil and achieved a sustainable agricultural system The farmers of colonial New England have been widely accused of farming extensively, neglecting manure, wearing out their land, and moving on. But did they? And if so, when and why? Brian Donahue offers an innovative, accessible, and authoritative history of the early farming practices of Concord, Massachusetts, and challenges the long-standing notion that colonial husbandry degraded the land. In fact, he argues, the Concord community of farmers achieved a remarkably successful and sustainable system of local production. Donahue describes in precise detail--using among other tools an innovative historical geographical information system (GIS) method--how land was settled and how mixed husbandry was developed in Concord. By reconstructing several farm neighborhoods and following them through many generations, he reveals the care with which farmers managed the land, soil, and water. He concludes that ecological degradation came to Concord only later, when nineteenth-century economic and social forces undercut the environmental balance that earlier colonial farmers had nurtured.
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Seller's Description:
Good-Bumped and creased book with tears to the extremities, but not affecting the text block, may have remainder mark or previous owner's name-GOOD PAPERBACK Standard-sized.
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Seller's Description:
Very good in very good dust jacket. No markings. Binding tight. Jacket has a small sticker scar at the bottom front corner. Glued binding. Paper over boards. With dust jacket. 311 p. Contains: Illustrations. Audience: General/trade.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good+ Very Good+ Dust Jacket. Very good+ hardcover copy, from a personal collection (NOT ex-library). Book itself is practically near fine-clean text, tight/sturdy/square binding, sharp corners. Unclipped DJ has a couple very light smudges but overall in very good+ condition and looks great. 1st printing with complete number line. Ships from Dinkytown in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Due to the size/weight of this book extra charges may apply for international shipping.