PLANT EXPLORER

by ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1961

The wonders of the magnifying glass, an intellectually curious family and a magnetic attraction to plants and insects motivated David Fairchild from early boyhood toward a career as a botanist. This is an account of his travels through Europe, the Orient, the Pacific, Java, Ceylon, in pursuit of indigenous and rare plant specimens. Dissatisfied with merely researching these, Fairchild soon was determined to discover some means of transplanting the grains, vegetables, vines, fruits and trees he encountered from foreign to American soil. Eventually with the aid of the Department of Agriculture such a project became possible, and, in the course of his career, Fairchild was responsible for introducing more than two hundred thousand assorted plant species to the United States. Many personal conversations are reported in a biography which concentrates on Fairchild's extensive travels and accomplishments, sparked with anecdotes and references to his personal life, rather than on the technical aspects of his work. Garden enthusiasts and agricultural students will find his explorations particularly interesting.

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1961

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Messner

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1961

Categories: NONFICTION