Impressive story
RD: I was most impressed with the story and photos in the March,
2009 issue of RD entitled "In search of grazing pasture"
done by Nina Linton. Particularly dramatic were the photos that
accompanied the article, especially the cattle crossing the Niger
River, the blue-painted white Fulani cow waiting to be judged,
and the returning herders roaming the village streets announcing
their return to everyone.
It expands the reader's awareness to be exposed to the experiences
of rural people in other parts of the world trying to eke out
a living in the noble but humble agrarian activity of agriculture.
Kudus to Ms. Linton for her courage just in traveling to a part
of the world that most have not even heard about, and special
accolades to her for this lovely and interesting piece of work.
Well done. I look forward to reading more Rural Delivery dispatches
from around the globe.
David Palmer
Fredericton, N.B.
Would plant blue potatoes
RD: I have received my first copy of Rural Delivery and I'm most
impressed, thanks to a gift subscription from an organic
farmer friend in Bella Coola, B.C. I really enjoyed the
article on Owen Bridge, the young owner of Annapolis Valley
Heritage Seed company and have placed an order with this fine
young entrepreneur thanks to your publication.
Also, is there somebody out there who could supply me with a
few pounds of seed potatoes of the Blue Prince Albert variety?
I went online and came up empty handed and was amazed at the
lack of information on this potato. I live near Williams Lake,
B.C., and would strive to keep that heritage variety alive in
this area. Thank you for a great publication.
Brian A. Elleray
Williams Lake, B.C.
(Thanks for writing, Brian. We
would like to see more stories about young men and women who,
like Owen, probably find computer games boring. They're chasing
a passion for country things, especially relating for gardening,
farming, forestry, and the rural environment, and we would like
to hear from or about them. DvL)
Observations correct
RD: Quite a few years now I have been reading and subscribing
to RD and I must congratulate you and your staff for the informative
and often exceptional articles, which were published by you (e.g.
"Crisis or planned take-over" by Ed Deak).
I also would like to applaud you for the support for Palestinians,
whose plight has been ignored by the so-called "Canadian
media." Nowadays, publishing such "tabu" subjects
requires above-average integrity and humanity.
I travel and have connections in different areas of the present
economic meltdown and I found Mr. Deak's observations correct
and his stipulations quite possible. I realize that some people
may feel that what is described to be impossible. To me, the
situation as defined by the author is quite possible, which is
why I felt compelled to write to you. The destruction of family
farms, small communities, and personal freedom are visible everywhere.
Wishing you further continued success.
Alex S. Adorjan
Willowdale, Ont.
Kill the ant!
RD: A friend shared some issues of Rural Delivery with our family,
and a request for ant killer in the Sept. 2008 issue was noted
in Letters to the Editor, page 9. You may have received answers
to the problem already, but the following mixture works well
and is non-toxic.
To make ant destroyer, mix together 1/2 cup water and one cup
sugar. Boil for five minutes. Add four teaspoons of Borax. Put
the liquid in bottle caps or small, flat containers and place
in the garden, under trees, or in areas protected from the rain.
The ants will take this back to their nest. It works well.
Janice Kierstead
Kingston, N.B.
(Janice: Our information is that
borax is poisonous and should be kept out of the reach of children
and pets. Handle the powder carefully, and place the caps of
flavored and toxic water where pets and young people can't reach
them. DvL)
Bragging rights
RD: Just a short letter in response to your photo and letter
in the December 2008 issue, "Big Spud Contest?" The
picture of the spud from southeastern Ontario was interesting
but not extraordinary, and Prince Edward Island is not the only
Island or province where big spuds can be grown. We here on Cape
Breton Island can hold our own with any in producing a quality
vegetable.
I have been growing potatoes for more than 30 years as a hobby
and collect and save old heritage varieties. Good soil management
and acquiring healthy seed stock is very important to a good
healthy crop and a great yield. The main crops I grow for our
family come mostly from seed potatoes grown in Bowden, Alberta
(Eagle Creek Farms). They have a seed catalog and are online
as well. The seed from northern Alberta is very vigorous and
seems to be free from a lot of bad viruses that sometimes affect
seed from Atlantic Canada.
In my garden the difference in the Alberta seed and Maritime
seed is very evident when you see the difference in the growth
of the plants during the season. The results in the yield and
size of the potatoes is striking. I grow more than 30 varieties
and when I harvest in October I always put a few big ones away
for bragging rights. My favorite potato of all I have tried over
the years is the Green Mountain; there is none better as a baker,
it is exceptionally dry, and has flavor to die for.
Another favorite is the Netted Gems or Russet Burbank. These
are the best keepers in my root cellar and always the last to
be used each year. One of the newer varieties I enjoy is Ruby
Gold, which is yellow-fleshed and was developed by the late Stan
Johnston who worked at the University of Guelph. Stan was also
responsible for developing the Yukon Gold, another popular yellow-flesh
variety.
My family and I have been faithful readers of Rural Delivery
for many years and always look forward to the next new issue.
Keep up the good work!
W.R. (Bill) Higgins
Christmas Island, N.S.
More from Deak
RD: I am sorry not to find another "Opinion" by Ed
Deak in the March RD. Perhaps we may have another one in spring.
My Red Angus calves brought me 72 cents a pound this year at
auction. The average consumer has no idea what is happening to
their food supply. Recently, checking retail beef prices at SuperStore
I remarked to a fellow shopper that producers of beef half an
hour away were going broke selling at less than cost. She looked
at me, incredulous: "Is that true?" she asked. Being
one of the unfortunate producers I assured her it was true.
There seems to be no realization on the part of consumers that
their food supply is being placed at risk by the government policies
to which Deak refers. The only farm organization taking this
bone in its teeth is the NFU. This is not a "farm"
issue, but the business of everyone who eats!
Another interesting development is the International Baccalaureate
Programme. I hope to hear from Ed Deak on this subject. We should
look at its values and origins as well as its stated purposes.
Erika von St.-duBois
Mabou, N.S.
Grumpy and giggle
RD: I have read every Rural Delivery since you began publishing
and I have always loved it. But the March issue gave me one of
the biggest laughs I have ever had. I found myself agreeing with
Frank Macdonald's grumpy article on the 10 top "Crimes Against
Nature" I agreed with the silliness of permanent makeup,
body piercing, and toe shortening. Pretty funny. But then I read
with great interest the article on the Fulanis of Diafarabe.
"Piercings and tattoos are considered highly desirable;
some of their beauty routines take weeks and others, years."
This juxtaposition started me giggling. We are a long way from
the extremes the Fulani women will go to to please their men.
I am still amused! Thanks for the laugh on a hard old Friday!
Susan Hoover
Shelburne, N.S.
(Can't take credit for brightening
your day, Susan. The juxtaposition was never planned. Wonder
if Frank Macdonald noticed? DvL)
Great event
RD: My wife, daughter, and I just returned from a very enjoyable
day in Truro at the 24th Annual NSAC Rick Russell Woodsmen Competition
at the MacMillan Show Center. What a great, well-run event!
There were more than 150 competitors on 26 teams from Eastern
and Atlantic Canada and the northeastern U.S. The whole day ran
like clockwork, no doubt due to the amount of effort from the
organizing committee and a huge team of volunteers. The stands
were not quite filled, but almost.
Our son was competing on the University of New Brunswick team
out of Fredericton, N.B., and this crew dominated the team events
in the afternoon, led most notably by Bill Freeman of the Freeman
Lumber clan of Queens County, N.S. You may have seen the pros
on the Lumberjack Tour on TV doing the horizontal axe chop
you know the one where they're chopping the stick they're standing
on awfully close to their feet. It's quite unnerving to watch
it in person. Bill, obviously a fine athlete, had the best time
of the day at a little more than 15 seconds in that event, during
the Stihl Timbersports lunchtime competition.
As I mentioned this was the 24th annual and I'm sure there'll
be a 25th, if today's success is any indication. Next year you
should get out and see this thing. My son tells me this is the
best event of the University Team schedule that runs from here
to Québec and Ontario. There were many fine sponsors for
this event and forestry companies would be well advised to get
on this bandwagon. You should see these folks boil a pot of water
with a block of wood, axe, and three matches. The tea
is ready in three minutes!
Tom Miller
Greenhill, N.S.
(Tom, we had a story and photos
in Atlantic Forestry this year. Maybe next year we can catch
the show for Rural Delivery. DvL)
|
