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HORSE & PONY SURVEY

Rural Delivery, April 2009

  


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)



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