The original edition of Practical Gardening and Food Production in Pictures, by Richard Sudell (who wasn’t a professor as I have mistakenly described him before) was first published in 1940 – as far as I can establish a date! Having a guide like this which still has relevant information and advice for today’s gardeners must have been especially valuable to people during the war when they were able to enhance their rationed diet through growing their own fruit and vegetables.
I have been looking through the instructions for growing vegetables and there are many nods to the ‘difficult times’ families are living through. For example the health-giving properties of various crops are mentioned:
- Beet – this root has great dietetic value
… and beetroot is one of the red foods praised and promoted today for its benefits; similarly Mr Sudell comments about the humble cabbage (suggesting nine different varieties for different times of the year):
- Cabbage – greenstuff is an important item in the food supply
Ever mindful of people having to be as productive as possible, Mr Sudell has this advice – these are just a few examples:
- Celeriac – has many advantages for the small garden or allotment ownder
- Couve tronchuda (sea-kale cabbage) – serves a double use, for in addition to the cabbage like heart… the thick fleshy ribs may be used as sea-kale
- Garlic – leaves of garlic are often appreciated as an addition to the salad bowl, and as it takes up very little room it can be included where desired
The different vegetables he suggests can be found in any green grocer’s today – people her had a far broader palate and interest in food than has been suggested. He implies without directly mentioning the war, that certain crops are particularly useful during troubled times:
- Capsicum In difficult times it is as well to aim at producing everything that will be required in the kitchen.
- Swede – a very useful vegetable in times of emergency
I wonder what future readers, say in seventy years time, will think of cookery and gardening books published now, how much of our society and the way that we live can be read from what to us seems instruction and advice?
Lois Elsden 