GARDEN DESIGN HIstory, Princples, Elements, Practice byDouglas*Frey*Johnson*Littlefield et all hardbound c. 1984 1st ed. 224 total pages including index..good condition. INDOOR TREES: by Jack Kramer c. 1975 1st. ed hardbound 163 total pages including index. Very good condition. THE BOOK OF HOUSE PLANTS by T. Rochford & r. Gorer c. 1961 hardbound, 301 pages including index. excellent condition. BRINGING THE OUTDOORS IN: by H. Peter Loewer Oversized Softcover c. 1976 168 pages including index.

If you can't find exactly what you want used, you can try J.R. Greene who writes about Quabbin history. He's local to Orange/Athol area. The Jeff Book shop in Amherst carries Quabbin books, and the local libraries have copies of Quabbin books. Swift River Historical Society has a little museum to visit as well. Good Luck! Maryanne in WMass

Check out the Mediterranean Garden Society booklist. Also, there is a Mediterranean Gardening Forum. It's a shame it's not linked to from the regular section, maybe Spike figured that Californians already had their own forum. Ryan

Such and exciting subject to talk about the Bancroft Garden! The covers go on around late October or early November and stay on until April. Some of them are very large and it takes several days to place all of them. There is one that is like a very large tent around the most tender species (such as the aloe plicatilis, which they say is the largest in Northern California) and it even has a tent-like door. But most of the plants survive uncovered and are somewhat protected under trees or near larger plant, and even with the covers, the overall beauty of the garden is not spoiled. There is so much to see there any time of the year (this was the first year for winter tours). What kind of blooms are of interest? There always is something in bloom. Right now, many of the aloes are in bloom. There are also masses of bulbinella that look really impressive. I haven't seen the seasonal bloom cycle, but the many of the cacti should be starting in April or May. The tours are on the website and change depending on the time of the year. For example, summer tours are in the morning and early evening since the afternoon heat can be too much for flesh and blood. The tours are on the website and right now through the end of March are at 1 PM on Saturdays for docent tours.