Comfrey is noted by both organic gardeners and herbalists for its great usefulness and versatility. Of particular interest is the 'Bocking 14' cultivar of Russian comfrey. This strain was developed during the 1950s by Lawrence D. Hills, who founded the organic gardening organisation now known as Garden Organic. Lawrence D. Hills was the world authority on comfrey. In this book, originally published in 1976, he wrote for farmers and gardeners in all countries, showing how this useful plant could be cultivated in both tropical and temperate zones to produce a crop equally rewarding for gardener, smallholder and mechanised farmer. Subtitled Past, Present and Future, Hills's work remains the most comprehensive survey of the properties and cultivation of comfrey, and undoubtedly the essential book on the subject, as well as a lasting testament to his indefatigable efforts to achieve a better understanding of it.

Grow Your Own Fruit and Vegetables is Lawrence D. Hills's ground-breaking book on all aspects of fruit and vegetable growing. It was widely praised on its publication and remains a classic text in the world of organic gardening. 'Its great merit is that one feels that every operation described has been personally carried out by the author and selected as the most satisfactory after due consideration of traditional methods. The treatment of each plant is described from start to finish with sense, relish and humour; there are many fascinating analyses of vitamin and mineral contents and nutritional values, of different vegetables and fruits; and there is excellent advice on picking, harvesting, as well as on cooking ... it is the best practical guide to the subject that has appeared for years, and the author is not concerned with argument or philosophy, only with growing produce well.' Country Life 'There is no better guide to non-chemical gardening than Lawrence D. Hills ... He is exceptionally well read and a good practical gardener into the bargain, not a very common combination, and no doubt because of his wide-ranging knowledge he is more balanced in his views than some advocates of all-organic gardening ... Where I find Mr Hills most stimulating is in his highly personal approach to fruit and vegetable varieties and his recommendations based on such commercially unfashionable criteria as flavour and food value. There is a wealth of information here which would be difficult to find in any other single book.' A. G. L. Hellyer in the Financial Times

In this book Lawrence D. Hills covers the whole field of garden planning, landscaping, wall and path construction, the growing of flowers, shrubs, trees, hedges, alpines and lawns. Entirely realistic, he knows all about badly sited garages, disappointing loads of turf, inherited piles of building rubble, and the many snags and obstacles besetting suburban gardeners. Nor does he forget that the garden is also a children's playground, window-cleaner's base and domain of cars and clothes lines. 'A basic and eminently practical book about gardens - ordinary gardens, such as are owned by thousands of people all over Britain. The emphasis is on flowers, lawns and the leisure areas, with their roses, annuals, perennials and bulbs. There is advice on what to grow in a small garden - particularly important with trees and shrubs - and guidance on cultivation, propagation and the prevention of pests and diseases, for which the author has some unusual recipes.' Frances Perry, Observer