In this 1948 book, of which the scope and treatment are quite unique, Dr Bell gives an account of all cultivated farm plants in Britain at the time. In the first chapters he deals with general matters. Then, in the main part of the book he describes individually the different crop plants and their place in British agriculture, directing special attention to grasses and grassland. Crops are grouped according to their botanical relationship, and the botanical characters that give economic importance are described. The foundations of the book are, therefore, botanical; but the practical agricultural outcome is never lost sight of, nor are the wider implications, the importance of crops to the development of civilised life and modern standards of living. Crop improvement is discussed throughout the book, and a special chapter is devoted to seed stocks and improved varieties and strains. The book is illustrated with 36 photographs.
