Hey plant detectives - win a prize!

BRAVO,BRAVO,wild applause,clapping hands while jumping up and down'''Everyone here is AWSOME'''

Now,feeling somewhat depressed,shuffling back to the coffee pot,after all the excitement,knowing that I merely created a "tiny little word" as my contribution to the garden,sniff,sniff' Wish my finners were better and brain bigger to contribute here,lol'
CONGRATULATIONS AIMEE''' Sis'

Aimée,

this url may give u some clue... http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/greatbooks-originofspecies/ ... since u are going to the UT library, this book would be nice to look into... http://touchwoodbooks.co.nz/torigin.html ... hope these url help u... ma vie

edited to add a link ... http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/IB181/VPL/Dir.html ... http://www.mortonarb.org/plantinfo/plantsoftheworld/geocollections.html

This message was edited Saturday, Mar 16th 6:09 PM

Sis

Great oaks from little acorns grow, each and every contribution goes forward to extend an already very extensive project and tool. Thanks :)

Aimee

I recall a book written about the life of 'China' Wilson a famous plant hunter from the 18-1900's not so long back. I understand there are a number of biographies and books of letters, some of the latter can be found on various websites of a fair few 17-1800's botanist/collectors. There is a gentleman who lives just 10 miles from me who is a modern day plant collector. I will try and get his name because I think he wrote a book on the plant hunters.

It's hard to imagine now how tough these people were, going into unknown territory in sometimes hostile environments. Plant hunting was most certainly not for the feint hearted!

This message was edited Saturday, Mar 16th 6:14 PM

You guys are all amazing!!!

Roy Lancaster was who I was thinking about, he co-wrote
"Chinese" Wilson: a Life of Ernest H. Wilson 1876-1930 and has written about his travels and collecting in Nepal and China.

http://www.antique-acc.com/acatalog/1851491759.htm

Here is a link to books about plant hunters.
http://www.gsbooks.com/currentlists/Planthunting.htm

Sis, I agree with Baa. When I first saw the thread, I didn't expect to enter much, but I wanted to contribute what I could find. I was surprised to find so much in my old books, not realizing some of it is now rather obscure. Remember, I live alone, and I'm still in recuperation mode, and no one depends on me for dinner or clean clothes or anything else, so I have odd hours to indulge my interests. Quite a change from just a few years ago, when it was difficult to find time for a bath some days. Those of you still busy with family and households are to be commended for even a tiny word. In your shoes, I wouldn't have accomplished that much. So I thank everyone who posts at DG, it takes a whole community to build Dave's Garden.

I must clarify one point: not all of the UT library is open to non-students, so I have to sort of slide in the side door at times. I was a student there, but didn't graduate (Alumni are more generously treated) and it was many, many years ago. I only know about some sections by accident, as they are for specialized projects, not for check-out. But the ones generally available are numerous, and are certainly more than most libraries seem to have. Austin also has a fine library, so between the two, I can get quite a wealth of material.

Baa,If your neighbor plantsman has suggestions, I would love to know. It would be wonderful to read a work by someone contemporary. The few things I have read, and the few books I have by such collectors, are so awe-inspiring. In my own soul, I feel such a drive to know plants, but I know it must have been hundreds of times stronger for those pioneers. I am thankful to the wealthy benefactors who realized the importance of their work and enabled them to pursue the knowledge. I was amused to note your mention of China Wilson, as my sister, who is also a plant-nut, named one of her many cats after him. It was a female, but no matter. That cat roams the woods of NE Louisiana, eating roots and flowers like no other cat I ever knew.

MaVie, I should have just emailed you for some links to begin with! I am saving them for a long session when I will turn off the cell phone, close the gate, make a large pot of coffee and totally indulge. Thank you!

Roy Lancaster (chappie near me) is far too famous round here for a poor humble soul like me to know but the links I sent have provided a couple of the books he has written and biographies of others. I'm keen to get a peak at his garden I hope one day he might open it for some of us to have a look around.

This is a link to the Museum of Garden History (another place I would like to visit). There is a piece on the Tradescants here too.
http://www.cix.co.uk/~museumgh/tradescants.htm

LOL I love the name of the cat, very apt!

Baa, you are a veritable fountain of knowledge! Thank you! I think that "chappie" would do well to invite you for tea.

Aww thanks Aimee :) (thank goodness for the internet!LOL)

Roy if you're listening, it's two sugars and a drop of milk please. Weak and sweet .. oh hang on come to think of it I might get bitten by the plant hunting bug and rush off to Outer Mongolia! ;)

We should be so lucky! Think of what you could send back on the web to sate our appetites. Roy, if you're smart, you will get this young lady to be your partner.

Aww shucks,thanks Baa and Aimee,didn't mean to rain on your parade:) OH,you just reminded me,it's Saturday nite and I get a bath(young oaks must still be tended,lol):D

Whoever said Saturday night was the loneliest night of the week,lol? They didn't have 8890 some folks in their house,ROFLOLBMF'''

Aimée,

i did not have those url's as bookmark, i search for them. i've been watching this thread for a while. i do not have the kind of books u guys have. i did have some good garden books and sets of encyclopedia, unfortunately not anymore :(.

You searched them out for me? You are so kind! I often wonder how you always come up with just the right URL so often. It is indeed your gift. I hope you have your garden and your library restored to you soon. I know you miss it terribly. Many thanks, my friend.

Aimée,

a great pleasure and honor ma amie. u know i will always take one step for u any time. =)!!!

Thanks again for all your efforts - I just sent Dave a final file of 6,314 genus and species names, each with a definition and pronunciation key.

If you added anything directly to Botanary and didn't send it to me or include it in this thread, please let me know ASAP, as I think Dave is planning to overwrite the current file with what I sent him - I'd hate to lose anyone's work :)

Aimee, I received a notice yesterday that your t-shirt is on its way - enjoy!

Congrats, Aimee: I'm sending out the garden cards I promised in today's mail...WZ

Weez, how sweet of you to remember, when I forgot! I am just feeling like a very lucky person right now. Thank you, and thanks to go_vols for the T-shirt. I must be sure to watch the mail.