The Liberty Hyde Bailey Gardener's Companion - (Liberty Hyde Bailey Library) (Hardcover)

About the Book

"An anthology of literary garden writings of Liberty Hyde Bailey, considered the father of modern horticulture. Included are essays and poems from his literary and philosophical books, essays from periodicals, and an essay that he read over nationalized radio in 1930 that has never before appeared in print"--

Book Synopsis

"Every family can have a garden." -Liberty Hyde Bailey

Finally, the best and most accessible garden writings of perhaps the most influential literary gardener of the twentieth century have been brought together in one book. Philosopher, poet, naturist, educator, agrarian, scientist, and garden-lover par excellence Liberty Hyde Bailey built a reputation as the Father of Modern Horticulture and evangelist for what he called the "garden-sentiment"--the desire to raise plants from the good earth for the sheer joy of it and for the love of the plants themselves. Bailey's perennial call to all of us to get outside and get our hands dirty, old or young, green thumb or no, is just as fresh and stirring today as then.

Full of timeless wit and grace, The Liberty Hyde Bailey Gardener's Companion collects essays and poems from Bailey's many books on gardening, as well as from newspapers and magazines from the era. Whether you've been gardening for decades or are searching for your first inspiration, Bailey's words will make an ideal companion on your journey.

Review Quotes

Bailey's writing reflects his deep desire to educate... because he so wanted to share the joy he felt for plants and gardening with anyone who would listen. The book will be relished by gardeners, both novice and experienced, who will smile and nod knowingly at Bailey's descriptions of the smell of newly-turned soil, the miracle of watching a see sprout, or the feeling of pure contentment a garden can bring.

-- "The American Gardener"

This earnest collection will likely introduce Bailey's name to a new generation of gardeners and reacquaint older ones with the ideas of a justly celebrated master.

-- "Publishers Weekly"

About the Author

John Stempien teaches history in Lowell, Michigan, and served as the first director of the Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum from 2006-2012.

John Linstrom is a writer and doctoral candidate in English. He edited the centennial edition of Bailey's The Holy Earth.

Liberty Hyde Bailey (1858-1954) grew up on a farm in Michigan and went on to become Dean of the College of Agriculture at Cornell University, Chair of the Country Life Commission under President Theodore Roosevelt, and the "Father of Modern Horticulture." Simultaneously horticultural scientist and literary naturist, he authored more than seventy books, published thousands of articles, and founded or oversaw countless organizations.