The United States Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection encompasses 7,497 botanical watercolor paintings of evolving fruit and nut varieties; alongside specimens introduced by USDA plant explorers from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Assembled between 1886 and 1942, these remarkable, botanically accurate, watercolors were executed by some 21 professional artists (including nine women). Authored largely before the widespread application of photography, the watercolors were intended to aid accurate identification and examination of fruit varietals , for the nation's fruit growers. Documenting the transformation of American pomology, the science of fruit breeding and production, and the horticultural innovations accountable for contemporary fruit cultivation and consumption, the USDA's collection offers fascinating anthropological and horticultural insights on the fruits we ecstatically devour, and why. Encompassing fruit-suffused anecdotes and observations drawn from the fields of archaeology and anthropology, horticulture and literature, ancient representation and contemporary visual art, Atelier Éditions' kaleidoscopic examination of the USDA's pomological collection, offers readers an engaging, biophillic meditation upon the sweetest of all earth's produce.

A historical examination of inventors and inventions and their effects on the American home.

Under threatening circumstances, psychologist Dr. Stanley Warlib and Uncle Sam are forced against their will into therapy. Sam has exhibited increasingly erratic behavior, alienating his international friends, withdrawing from vital agreements, amassing huge debt, spying on his family and invading a sovereign nation under orders from God on a messianic calling and mission to save civilization. The world, horrified by Sam's actions is powerless to stop him. At home, Sam's family supports his actions and exhibits traits indicative of severe personality disorders, which prevent them from taking appropriate action. Under impossible circumstances, Dr. Stanley Warlib attempts various interventions to help Sam to no avail. The personality disorders of Sam and his family are too intractable. Finally, in Sam's messianic mission to save civilization he tortures the very people he tries to save from a cruel dictator. Behind Sam's visions of grandiosity lies a more sinister and dangerous personality. Recovering from a near fatal gunshot wound, Dr. Warlib ponders whether Sam's family will recognize the deadly road that they are being led down and unseat Sam in an upcoming election or whether Sam will commit horrific acts in his own home playing on his family's fears ensuring his reelection.