Rain and Shine:
A Simple Guide on How Plants Grow

David F. Smith

Paperback, 130 pages

ISBN: 9781921421693

$24.95

Publication Date: 16th May, 2012


All of us are bombarded with persuasive messages aiming to convince us of the best ways to manage the plant resources of planet earth. To ask the right questions and make the best decisions we must be aware of the fundamentals of plant growth and the ways in which humans interact with them. This book, Rain and Shine aims to enable readers to understand the basics, whether it be as a good earth citizen or as a producer of the things plants give us: food, fibre, beauty and comfort.

The first part, What Makes Plants Grow, reminds us of our utter dependence on green plants for our supply of energy from the sun through the process of green plant photosynthesis, building up a range of carbohydrates and thence a myriad of organic chemicals. The oxygen derived from photosynthesis makes other life possible, so much and in intricate arrangements between living things in ecosystems. The second part, How We Grow Plants, traces the growing awareness of humans of the secret life of plants and the more recent scientific understanding of the processes, especially in producing food for the people of the planet. If there is a key text, it is We must know – and manage accordingly.

Dr David F Smith AM has had a long and interesting association with plants, from boyhood on a farm and in the bush, through teaching at all levels, researching many aspects, then, as Director General of Agriculture managing the resources of a large department dedicated to helping farmers grow plants better.