"The Gardener's Guide to Growing Fritillaries"

[JPB]

Some time ago I bought the Dutch translation of this book (authors: Pratt & Jefferson-Brown), which was published by Schuyt & Co, Haarlem. While there's a lot of good information in it, the Dutch translation is by far the worst I've ever seen . My eyes hurt every time I start reading and I even spotted some irritating mistakes

Before I throw this one out of the window , I'd like to know your opinion on the original English version. Has it the same flaws or is it well written?

Thanks, Hans

[Maggi Young]

I can say that this is not a book I consult often, Hans.
It is not one I would rush to but again, shall we say.........

[Gerry Webster]

Hans - don't waste any more of your money.

[JPB]

Thanks for the comments. I presume that the original book is not that good either. But is there a good one on wild Fritillaries?

My junk-book-filter normally works fine, but this one slipped through, apparently...

Do you suggest a proper punishment for this book? Burning comes to mind, but that is so old-fashioned...Toilet paper? Christmas present for my mother in law? Eat it? With chutney, of course...

[Maggi Young]

I am against book burning on principal .... unless one is freezing to death in the tundra with no firewood......I vote for your mother-in-law 

[Tony Willis]

Compost it and then at least it will fulfil a use full purpose

[JPB]

But I don't have a mother in law. Divorce solves that problem too Finding a new one to give the book to will take years. Not to mention finding a nice woman

[Maggi Young]

Then I must concur with Tony! 

[Gerry Webster]

I am against book burning on principal .... unless one is freezing to death in the tundra with no firewood......I vote for your mother-in-law  

No, no! Hans' mother-in-law cannot deserve this. And I'd be very dubious about compost made from this book. Toilet paper seems most appropriate.

Currently, there is no book on Fritillaries nor, in the near future, is there likely to be one. A general book on bulbs, Brian Mathews The Smaller Bulbs (1987) is quite good on frits & the very old Fritillaries by Christabel Beck (1953) is worth hunting down. The website of the Fritillaria Group of the AGS contains useful information on cultivation.

[Maggi Young]

I know quite a few  mothers in law who should be burned.............

[Giles]

Hans,
There is also:
Hooker's Icones Plantarum Vol. XXXIX Parts 1 and 2
'Studies in the Genus Fritillaria'
W.B.Turrill and J. Robert Sealy
RBG Kew 1980

[Maren]

^{Oh Maggi, don't let your mother-in-law read this.}

[Darren]

Don't forget Phillips & Rix 'Bulbs'. It was available in any discount bookshop in the UK for years and is the best bulb book I have. Scant on cultivation info but practically all the eurasian frits are well illustrated, and with accurate data. Most North Americans too. Practically nothing on the more recently available Chinese ones though.

[Gerry Webster]

Yes, Rix & Phillips The Bulb Book is not bad, though I have the impression that the colour in the first printing (1981) is far superior to that in later printings.

As regards Chinese frits, the only current source I know is the online Flora of China:

http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

[Paul T]

OK, I give up.  What is wrong with the TGGTGF?  I've found it useful for identification purposes at the very least, although I have spotted mistakes etc in it as well.  You can usually find mistakes in pretty much any book though.  So what is so dreadful about this one that people suggest burning/throwing out/composting/using it as loo paper?