Stoll explores early America's abiding concerns with natural resource management in the early 1800s, beginning with heated debates that occurred among farmers faced with failing soils in the Atlantic states. The "improvers" were intent on sustaining the soil of existing farms, while the "emigrants" thought it prudent to move westward as the soil gave out. In this paperback reprint, Stoll (history and environmental studies, Yale U.) covers topics including laying waste, the critique of American land use; why 1819 marked a new beginning for rural reform; and John Lorain asserts a new American agronomy. Annotation (c) Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
