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The first version of this book came out as early as 1943 and is based on the observation that certain plants seem to affect others growing near them in both a favourable and unfavourable manner. This knowledge can enable us to improve the quality of our food and flowers and reduce losses due to pests and disease. Plants are understood as metabolic systems reacting in specific ways to environmental influences. The format is an A-Z compendium that can be consulted by farmers and gardeners according to their challenges. One learns that nasturtium can protect broccoli from aphids, that celery benefits from leaks growing nearby, as can raspberry from tomatoes. There is also an extensive table of insect pests and plant controls on page 70. Readers will be able to test and confirm the suggestions for themselves.