|
Landscape
Construction Volume 1-4 by C A Fortlage and E T Phillips When the series Landscape Construction was received in the office it was going to be an interesting experiment to see if a feeding frenzy could be induced in said sharks resulting in them throwing off their anoraks - firm in the knowledge that "all they needed to know" was here. The initial reaction to the four volumes Volume 1: Walls, Fences and Railings; Volume 2: Roads, Paving and Drainage;Volume 3: Earth and Water Retaining Structures and Volume 4: Materials, Steps, Ramps and Light Structures, was that they provide a comprehensive and concise coverage of landscape construction and good information for specification. Within each volume the material was very well organised and easy to access, though later we did discover some technical statement anomalies between volumes. The text is well written, a good mixture of technical and background narrative, interspersed with well tabulated technical detail. Illustration and photographs were on the whole well chosen but, we were not happy about the crowded and rather sketchy nature of the drawings, always a dilemma when lots of information needs to be set out. The photographs, all black and white, seemed dated or poorly reproduced and we felt that perhaps there were opportunities that could be taken to really show off the landscape professional's work. For example, every photograph in the steps section of Volume 4 was built pre-1900: surely someone's done something as good since? There is no doubt that there are useful reference books for the shelves of students and professionals alike and would in the long term be worth the money. If on a tight budget we would say based on how often we think we would use them in the office, go for 2, then 4 then 1 and finally 3. The series provides an immediate source of information and its strength is to provide the theoretical checks when developing ideas. This could have been enhanced to give practical confidence to the designer by giving examples as simple case studies or linking ideas shown in sketches to finished landscapes shown in photographs. The authors clearly put a great deal of effort in to the work and with such a wide range of subject matter it is most difficult to ensure a series stays up to date when written over nine years. Two issues, environmental impact and sustainability, that have come to the fore in the last decade should have been included as they are entirely pertinent to construction, landscape and horticulture. Matters such as soft and bio-engineering should have been dismissed as not construction and sustainable drainage has not been discussed which was disappointing as many schemes are now being developed with these principles at their heart. As horticulturists we noted that the discussion of integrating plants with construction in the landscape eg tree soils for urban situations (not mentioned) was kept to a absolute minimum - again an opportunity missed. One particularly useful element of the books was site supervision checklists for differing types of construction. All involved with site works would do well to well to take heed of these. Unfortunately this section was not included in Volume 4. The outcome of the experiment - well - we have to conclude that there was no frenzy, and the anoraks are still firmly on. They are a good series of reference books for construction but they do have limitations. Across the team the score out of ten would be seven: we would use the books, but we're still swimming looking for more. Mark Ross, Julia, Paul @ mrla Landscape Construction Volumes 1-4 by C A Fortlage and E T Phillips (Volume 1: Walls, Fences and Railings 224pp Volume 2: Roads, Paving and Drainage 224pp Volume 3: Earth and Water Retaining Structures 218pp Volume 4: Materials, Steps, Ramps and Light Structures 234pp) is published by Gower/Ashgate Publishing Limited,Gower House, Crof Road, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU11 3HR. . Hardback. Price £45 per volume. ISBN (Vol 1. 0566 090414; Vol 2. 0566 090422; Vol 3. 0566 090430; Vol 4. 0566 083956) Herbal by Deni Bown Deni Bown, renowned for the RHS Encyclopedia of Herbs, has now turned her talents as author and photographer to a modern Herbal in conjunction with the Chelsea Physic Garden. This book is illustrated with a combination of Deni's beautiful photographs and old botanical plates which have been sourced from ancient herbals. In comparison with the herbals of Gerard (1636) and Mrs M Grieve (1931), this modern herbal focuses on key herbs for the 21st century which have been selected on the basis that they are enduringly popular, widely used , 'up and coming' and grown, with a few exceptions, at the Chelsea Physic Garden. The A-Z of 150 plants has been laid out in sections offering portrait, history, cooking, home , healing and notes for gardeners The descriptions are short and simple, balanced with interesting facts. For instance, it informs us that Satureja douglasii is sold in this country as Indian Mint, and that this refers to the American Indians, not Asian, which is a common mistake. Its common name yerba buena was adopted by the Mexican village that we now know as San Francisco. Dispersed within the A-Z of plants are 16 distinct and separate spreads or short chapters. This is at first a disconcerting device. These chapters start with Herbal Aphrodisiacs and end with Herbal Weeds. They illustrate additional herbs which are not, in the majority of cases, within the A-Z of plants. This book is a useful
asset for any herb enthusiast. Soils by William Dubbin
Basic aspects are introduced, from soil formation and taxonomy through biology and fertility to the very relevant subject of soil management. A most informative section on use and misuse and what lies ahead for the worlds' soils is included. Topics are discussed
with inevitable brevity - the book has only 110 pages of which 30 are
taken up with some excellent plates - but the author's obvious immense
understanding of this subject and its place in the wider world has enabled
him to convey the importance of soils and their central function in terrestrial
ecosystems. Many will want to pursue further reading, for which a list
of more detailed works is given along with a useful collection of relevant
websites. Soils by William Dubbin (110 pages) paperback is published by The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD. Price £9.95.ISBN 0 565 09150 6. Plants
in New Zealand
The publication costs
New Zealand $NX38 inc p&p; Overseas - Australia $NZ45 inc p&p;
Europe and USA $NZ52 inc p&p. To order a copy of the proceedings please
write to Denis Hicks, 19 Waddington Drive, Lower Hutt, New Zealand. BOOK DISCOUNTS |