Handbook of Tropical and Subtropical Horticulture

U.S. agencies having responsibility in foreign assistance programs long have recognized the need for a handbook on horticultural crops in the Tropics. Information on the subject may be found in various scientific textbooks, treatises and papers. It is to fill the need for consolidated information in ready reference form that this Handbook on Tropical and Subtropical Horticulture is issued by the Agency for International Development in consultation with the U. S. Department of Agriculture. Based upon an extensive survey of available literature, this manual is designed for the use of US. A.I.D. technicians and contract personnel, and for Peace Corps volunteers engaged in rural development. It is written in layman's language so that it may be understood by the non-specialist who yet is called upon to work with farm families in solving their agricultural problems. Nevertheless, research workers and students also will find it of value because of its up to date and extensive bibliography. It also serves as reference and guide for teaching courses. In addition to U.S. A.I.D. and Peace Corps personnel, there are two other groups to whom this Handbook can be of great help. The one group is composed of missionaries living with rural people and concerned with agricultural education in the Tropics. Often lacking an agricultural background, they must search for practical information on tropical crops to help local farmers increase agricultural productivity. In the other group are employees of large agricultural companies. Some of these are foreign, others are local technicians. Perhaps their first aim is to promote the use of a specific agricultural chemical, for example, but since they have closecontact with farmers, they are called upon often to answer questions pertaining to other phases of agriculture. There has been a dearth of agricultural research people in the Tropics and a shortage of funds for basic and applied research. In general the quality of researcMortensen, Ernest is the author of 'Handbook of Tropical and Subtropical Horticulture' with ISBN 9781410220134 and ISBN 1410220133.