| | Every year the same question comes up – what do you buy for the person who has everything? Where can you find that special, out-of-the-ordinary gift to give that ‘hard-to-buy-for’ person on your list?
Books and videos that make wonderful gifts. For the gardening enthusiast, farmer, rancher or 4-H member on the list, it may be worthwhile checking out some of the book choices available from Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.
There are dozens of agriculture publications, ranging from $3 to $30, as well as CD-ROMs and videos that make terrific gifts and stocking-stuffers. For example:
- Alberta Yards and Gardens ($15 plus GST) – gives a fresh, unbiased look at what grows best in Alberta. It’s packed with information about selecting ornamental trees and shrubs, lawns, small fruits and berries, flowers, vegetables, herbs and even water plants. Homeowners, hobby gardeners, serious horticulturists and landscape artists will find this book invaluable. It also gives tips and techniques for pruning, wintering roses, container gardening and attracting birds and butterflies.
- Pruning in Alberta ($3 plus GST) – this great stocking-stuffer takes the mystery out of pruning. This book shows how to control and maintain trees and shrubs without distorting their natural form and beauty. Also included are tips for increasing fruit harvest and improving flowering.
- Horse Health ($15 plus GST) – horse owners will love this book. It presents important information along with photographs and illustrations that give a thorough understanding of parasites, pests, infectious diseases, lameness and other common medical problems that can affect a horse’s health. It shows how to prevent problems before they begin, how to treat problems and when to call the veterinarian.
- Growing Native Plants of Western Canada: Common Grasses and Wildflowers ($30 plus GST) – with over 100 pages of text and photographs, this book looks at 48 species of native plants that have shown promise for ecological repair. It will help anyone interested in collecting, growing and commercially producing native plants.
- Horse Training – (Video - $30.00 plus GST) – is a compilation of four popular titles: Basic Horse Training, Horse Training, Training of the Western Horse and Loading and Trailering Horses. The video features Bill Collins, a well-known horse trainer from Cochrane, demonstrating proper techniques for training a pleasure horse and continues with instruction on how to use mechanical aids, from the snaffle bit to the full bridle, and how to perform basic maneuvers such as circles, jogs, lopes, gallops, stops, flying lead changes and sidepasses. It also includes footage of five of the top riders in Alberta describing how they approach training for pleasure, riding, trail riding, reining, working cow horse and cutting competitions. Instruction on safe loading and trailering, appropriate vehicle and trailer selection, teaching a young horse to load properly and working with the problem horse rounds out the series.
- Weeds of the Prairies ($20 plus GST) – full colour photos and illustrations detailing 112 weeds makes this the most complete work of its kind on the Canadian prairies. Weeds are colour-coded by flower colour for easy reference, and the full index makes it easy to find the species by common, scientific or family name. Charts on life cycle and habitat provide valuable information, and maps show how widespread particular weeds are. This 266-page book will make planning a weed control program easier and more effective. It can also help youngsters learn how to identify weeds.
- Beekeeping in Western Canada ($25 plus GST) – for experienced beekeepers and those just considering beekeeping, this book gives the information needed to manage honey bees successfully. Learn about the spring management of bees, winter feeding, honey extraction, honey bee health and marketing beeswax, pollen and honey crops. The provincial apiculturists in Canada’s four western provinces packed this publication full of the best possible information on beekeeping in the west.
- Silage Manual ($15 plus GST) – for those concerned about winter feed for livestock, this manual can help producers develop nutritious, cost-effective feed supplies. Examining all aspects of silage making will help producers balance costs against benefits. This 84-page manual covers key topics such as the ensiling process, crops for silage, silage additives, harvesting, silos, silage quality, feeding value and costs of production.
And, for people who like getting their information in front of a computer:
- Weed Identification Program CD-ROM ($10 plus GST) – is a helpful resource in identifying weeds and improving weed control. It was designed for farmers who want to improve weed control, and agronomists who provide field service. Backyard gardeners will also find the CD useful. It contains information on five grasses and 56 broadleaf weeds. It also features: a gallery of photos showing weeds at different growth stages; a description section that gives details about each weed; and, a glossary of terms.
- Herbs and Spice CD-ROM ($25 plus GST) – ideal for those interested in the herb and spice industry in Alberta and its potential as a small acreage diversification. This CD-ROM presents detailed information about the industry in a user-friendly format, complete with video and photos. The CD-ROM also includes an interactive business-planning component that includes marketing and resource information. It is a great resource for agricultural producers, acreage owners and anyone interested in the fast-growing herb and spice industry.
There are several ways to order one of the Alberta Agriculture’s many books, videos and CD-ROMS. For on-line ordering and a listing of Alberta Agriculture’s publications, visit the department website. All Alberta Agriculture book, video and CD-ROM titles can also be purchased at the Publications Office, 7000 - 113 Street, Edmonton, AB T6H 5T6, or can be ordered by calling toll-free 1-800-292-5697 or (780) 427-0391 in Edmonton. Please add $2 (plus GST) per order for shipping and handling. Please remember that when calculating order amounts, GST is 6 per cent.
Contact: Publications Office (780) 427-0391 1-800-292-5697 |
|