News - The Mother Earth news almanac: a guide through the seasons

2016 Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.

Original text and illustrations Ogden Publications

First published in 2016 by Voyageur Press, an imprint of Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc., 400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA. Telephone: (612) 344-8100 Fax: (612) 344-8692

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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the copyright owners. All images in this book have been reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent of the artists concerned, and no responsibility is accepted by producer, publisher, or printer for any infringement of copyright or otherwise, arising from the contents of this publication. Every effort has been made to ensure that credits accurately comply with information supplied. We apologize for any inaccuracies that may have occurred and will resolve inaccurate or missing information in a subsequent reprinting of the book.

Voyageur Press titles are also available at discounts in bulk quantity for industrial or sales-promotional use. For details contact the Special Sales Manager at Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc., 400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA.

Digital edition: 978-0-76035-117-8

Softcover edition: 978-0-76034-985-4

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Title: The Mother Earth news almanac / by the staff of Mother Earth news. Description: Minneapolis, MN, USA : Voyageur Press, an imprint of Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc., 2016. | Includes bibliographical references and index. Identifiers: LCCN 2015037640 | ISBN 9780760351178 (sc : alk. paper) Subjects: LCSH: Home economics--Handbooks, manuals, etc. | Sustainable living--Handbooks, manuals, etc. | Organic gardenign--Handbooks, manuals, etc. | Survival--Handbooks, manuals, etc. Classification: LCC TX162.2 M685 2016 | DDC 640--dc23 LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2015037640

Acquiring Editor: Thom OHearn

Project Manager: Caitlin Fultz

Art Director: Cindy Samargia Laun

Cover Designer: Ann McCampbell

Book Design and Layout: Diana Boger

By the Staff of MOTHER EARTH NEWS

This book is dedicated to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Shuttleworth, Mr. and Mrs. Quentin Hendricks, Milton Kirkpatrick, and all the MOTHER EARTH NEWS subscribers and readers, whose warm support has made so much possible.

CREDITS FROM THE ORIGINAL EDITION

RESEARCH FOR THIS BOOK was done by Bob Arnold, Bob Crudele, David Jordan, Elizabeth Kandare, Gene Logsdon, Julie Needham, Esther Shuttleworth, Jane Shuttleworth, John Shuttleworth, Kim Zarney, and David Zavortink.

Copy written and proofread by Kenny Hodges, Julie Needham, Jane Shuttleworth, Cass Wester, and David Zavortinkwith some special assistance from Gene Logsdonunder the direction of John Shuttleworth.

Index by Cass Wester and David Zavortink.

Fantastical artwork by Kim Zarney.

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS FROM THE ORIGINAL EDITION

Some of the material in this book originally appeared in different form in the magazine MOTHER EARTH NEWS, published by MOTHER EARTH NEWS, INC., and/or was used on the syndicated radio program, News from the MOTHER EARTH NEWS, distributed by MOTHER EARTH NEWS, INC. and/or appeared in the syndicated newspaper feature, The MOTHER EARTH NEWS, distributed by the Register and Tribune Syndicate, and/or appeared in LIFESTYLE! Magazine, published by MOTHER EARTH NEWS, Inc.

Special thanks to Organic Gardening magazine, Rodale Press, Inc., for permission to reprint the companion-planting information on 57 of this book, and to Deere & Co. for permission to reprint farm and planting charts (especially the copyrighted John Deere Handy Acreage Guide) in the Charts and Tables section of this book.

W HEN JOHN AND JANE Shuttleworth founded MOTHER EARTH NEWS about fifty years ago, little did they imagine that the tiny startup launched from the kitchen table of a summer cottage would grow into one of the most recognized and successful names in magazine publishing.

What started as a simple newslettera printed clearinghouse for information on self-reliance, rural living, ecological stewardship, and a decentralized lifestylequickly became the holy word for the Back to the Landers of the 1970s. The message was clear, and it struck a chord with the growing number of people disillusioned with a broken society: take control of your own lives, live lightly on the planet, and dont put all your faith in government.

In just three years the magazine exploded to include a syndicated radio show and newspaper feature, a sister publication called Lifestyle!, a mail-order book business, and a mail-order general store specializing in practical tools and merchandise. People were hungry for information, and the enterprising Shuttleworths struck off on yet another course to help spread the word through book publishing.

Thus was born the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Almanac, a compendium of inspiration and old-timey wisdom, made available in print to our readers. Content extracted from the pages of the periodical was blended with a range of new pieces written to guide readers through the exciting world of alternative energy; owner-built homes; and healthy, organic food. The Almanac became a bestseller, owing to its casual, conversational tone, its accessible hand-rendered graphics, and its real bargain price.

A familiar adage has it that the more things change, the more they stay the same. From our vantage point nearly five decades later, its clear that people still seek a richer, more fulfilling life and are still hungry for the tools to make that happen. This new MOTHER EARTH NEWS Almanac features many of the timeless topics that made the original edition such a reader favorite. While more things than youd expect have stayed the same over the years, we have made considered and careful updates throughout. (Weve also removed a few topics due to changing times.)

Youll find, presented in the same friendly and approachable style as the original, features that just dont go out of datemoney-saving tips, wild food foraging, weather wisdom, organic growing techniques, crafts, kitchen know-how, homestead animal husbandry, sensible home finance, and much more. Like comfort food for the spirit, the