| The Oat Crop: Production and Utilization Softcover Repri Edition Contributor(s): Welch, R. W. (Editor) |
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ISBN: 9401040109 ISBN-13: 9789401040105 Publisher: Springer OUR PRICE: $313.49 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: November 2012 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Technology & Engineering | Agriculture - General - Science | Life Sciences - Anatomy & Physiology - Science | Life Sciences - Botany |
| Dewey: 571.2 |
| Series: World Crop |
| Physical Information: 1.24" H x 6.14" W x 9.21" (1.86 lbs) 584 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Dr Samuel Johnson, that famous eighteenth century lexicographer, said of oats 'A grain which in England is generally given to horses but in Scotland supports the people'. And presumably it was a Scotsman who riposted 'But what people and what horses ' That exchange encapsulates much of the history and role of oats - a cereal, once important as human food in parts of northern Europe but latterly used mainly as animal feed, especially favoured for horses. Although no longer a major food anywhere, oats still have a special and favoured niche in the cuisine of people living in the cooler and wetter regions of some parts of northern Europe. However, there is currently a resurgence of interest in the crop, because there is now considerable scientific evidence to support the view of Scotsmen who never doubted its dietary value. This book - very much an international effort, carefully orchestrated by Robert Welch - traces the origin, history and scientific progress which forms a sound basis for any further crop improvement and for broadening the utilization and marketing of oat products. Should rational consider- ations lead to an increase in the importance of this cereal, I, for one, would be glad since I believe the rural landscape is the poorer for the increased rarity of golden fields of rippling oats which I used to be involved in harvesting. |
