Countryside & Small Stock Journal articles from January 2002

Countryside & Small Stock Journal archives from January 2002

It's happened in a way she never dreamed of. (Country conversation & feedback).
January 1, 2002... COUNTRYSIDE: It's finally happened, hasn't it and in a way we never dreamed of? We were so naive to think America, the greatest nation on earth, could ever be attacked in such a way. The ripple effect will be felt for years to come. Life as we...

Time for a new American pioneer. (Country conversation & feedback).
January 1, 2002... COUNTRYSIDE: We are a country born of war and revolution and tempered with justice and equality. As we grew over the years, we fashioned a capitalistic democracy that was unlike any other nation on the planet. Slowly spreading across the...

There are many treatments for head lice. (Country conversation & feedback).
January 1, 2002... COUNTRYSIDE: I got to page 65 (Nov/ Dec 2001), before I felt I had to write concerning the article, "A natural head lice treatment." I worked at the local elementary school last year. I only volunteered one day a week so the background...

Choose the right pumpkin for pies. (Country conversation & feedback).
January 1, 2002... COUNTRYSIDE: On page 52 of the Nov/ Dec 2001 issue a statement was made relative to pumpkin pie. "The terrible truth is that the best pumpkin pie isn't made from pumpkins." When I was a child and we lived in a rural area with no...

In search of canned meat recipes. (Country conversation & feedback).
January 1, 2002... COUNTRYSIDE: I have been intrigued by your magazine for the past five years and this is the first time that I have written to you. I enjoy all the articles that readers submit, and heartily agree with most all of them. I enjoy the articles...

Eating alternative grains. (Country conversation & feedback).
January 1, 2002... COUNTRYSIDE: First, thanks for all of the great info COUNTRYSIDE makes available. I am hoping you will be able to help me find alternatives to eating grains including corn, white potatoes, rice, wheat, and oats. The articles I read...

Tough chickens. (Country conversation & feedback).
January 1, 2002... COUNTRYSIDE: I have a flock of chickens about four to five months old. They were fed chicken starter for the first month and a half, cracked corn and let run to eat grass and bugs the rest of the time. I kill about four or five chickens at a...

Slow Grow and Cornish roosters. (Country conversation & feedback).
January 1, 2002... COUNTRYSIDE: In the Nov/Dec 2001 issue, Lesa Jones had trouble raising Rock Cornish Cross chickens. I had the same problem and asked the hatchery (Murray McMurray) what the problem was. After a long conversation, my altitude was mentioned...

Tips on breastfeeding. (Country conversation & feedback).
January 1, 2002... COUNTRYSIDE: In the May/June 2001 issue there is a letter concerning the use of camphor to dry up breast milk in animals. My mother-in-law used camphorated oil at the weaning of her third son, as that is what the doctor recommended in those...

Corn wasn't the best crop for double-digging experiment. (Country conversation & feedback).
January 1, 2002... COUNTRYSIDE: I just read the article on double-digging, and was struck with how misleading this article could be to your readers. The problem lies with the unfortunate choice of crop to plant, which was corn. Corn has shallow roots, and...

Tips for growing carrots in the South. (Country conversation & feedback).
January 1, 2002... COUNTRYSIDE: I thought I would explain my method of starting carrots. The south is not known for growing carrots or other crops normal to northern growers. I use several of the old standard varieties so there is no secret there. Danvers Half...

Job hunting from the country. (Country conversation & feedback).
January 1, 2002... COUNTRYSIDE: I am writing with a suggestion which may be helpful. One of the big concerns for those who are looking to move into the country or small towns is whether or not there can be an income outside the homestead, especially in the...

Love us ... (Country conversation & feedback).
January 1, 2002... COUNTRYSIDE: I just received my first issue and can hardly put it down! I have never read or even seen a magazine with so much useful information. We live on a 10 acre farmette, raising five of the remaining seven children still at home....

... or leave us. (Country conversation & feedback).
January 1, 2002... COUNTRYSIDE: I am cancelling my subscription because I was turned off by the article on butchering animals with a child participating and making it seem like a fun chore. If animals are going to be used as food or hunted, it should always...

Bale your digitaria decumbens. (Country conversation & feedback).
January 1, 2002... COUNTRYSIDE: Perhaps readers may be interested in a favorite plant of mine. People living on micro homesteads have many special problems, one of which is having enough room to produce all things needed by man and beast. If more people would...

Running a refrigerator with methane? (Country conversation & feedback).
January 1, 2002... COUNTRYSIDE: Someday I would like to run a gas refrigerator off of the methane gas from a manure pit, and perhaps compost as well. Can anyone explain how to do this along with some good diagrams? Is there a good book on how to do this? -- Tom...

Homesteading is not just for farmers. (Country conversation & feedback).
January 1, 2002... COUNTRYSIDE: I read about many people who bemoan the fact that they are not farming for a living and therefore must not be "true" homesteaders. Many express fears of even attempting to live in a rural location because they couldn't make a...

"Margarine like" butter recipe. (Country conversation & feedback).
January 1, 2002... COUNTRYSIDE: In the Nov/Dec 2001 issue, Sheryl from NY asked a question about low-fat butter. I have a recipe that may be of use to some COUNTRYSIDERS that I would like to share. This makes a soft "margarine-like" spread which should be stored...

Anyone interested in sharecropping? (Country conversation & feedback).
January 1, 2002... COUNTRYSIDE: You have an excellent magazine! I've only subscribed for two months now, but I've already learned how to make sassafrass rootbeer, how to grow and harvest grains, how to make pasta from whole grains, and how to build houses with...

Countryside contacts.
January 1, 2002... Your listing is free; however, please keep the following in mind: * We reserve the right to accept or reject any and all submissions for any reason or no reason at all. * Submissions may be edited for clarity or brevity. *...

Coming events.
January 1, 2002... Send your events at least three months in advance to: COUNTRYSIDE Coming Events, W11564 Hwy. 64, Withee, WI 54498; csymag@tds.net January 29-February 1, 2002 Reducing Your Energy Costs, New Orleans, LA. Presented by the Center for...

Designing your ideal homestead.
January 1, 2002... A homestead is neither a farm, nor a rural residence; therefore, it presents design challenges that are different from the others. A rural residence is basically nothing more than a suburban house plunked down on a larger lot, and any...

What's in your charasmatic kitchen? When setting up your ideal homestead, the kitchen deserves special consideration--not only for nutrition, but nurturing. So we asked ... (Question of the month).
January 1, 2002... Pantry This was good timing. I'm getting ready to move into my house beyond the sidewalks in the spring. I'm slowly buying cabinets and shelving for the kitchen. There is so much stuff that you use in the kitchen just once or twice a year...

Our flexible, movable kitchen. (Notes from the Northwoods).
January 1, 2002... A funny place, the kitchen. On the surface, it is an easily and simply defined place. But hardly that in reality. I take ours for granted. Except when I find myself in someone else's kitchen, or they in mine, and we are both a bit lost. Then it...

Move your water with a ram pump.
January 1, 2002... Ram pumps are nothing new. They have been used for hundreds of years (since the 1700s) and are an efficient and ecological way to move water without electricity. Here are some points to keep in mind when considering a ram pump. Determining...

San Francisco goes solar. (Alternative energy news).
January 1, 2002... San Francisco voters approved measures that would turn Fog City into the nation's No. 1 solar city. Powering San Francisco with the sun might seem doubtful in a town where the fog rolls in at 3 o'clock many afternoons, requiring woolen...

Let ol' Sol heat your water.
January 1, 2002... A solar domestic hot water system uses the sun to heat water for home use. A solar hot water system connects to a home's existing gas or electric water heating system, providing a supplemental source of heat for all hot water needs including...

Water: is it safe?
January 1, 2002... There have always been problems with contamination in the water we intend to drink. Even before man the earth's natural contamination polluted our drinking waters. Sometimes this took the form of mineral impurities. Sometimes the contamination...

Site specific system designs. (The Solar Cowboy).
January 1, 2002... Let's look at the way we develop a renewable energy (RE) system design for a specific site. We start by knowing our goals, which will guide the entire process. Having clear achievable goals will keep projects on track and moving forward....

Build a light stand for plants: conventional seed starting light kits can be expensive and don't always fit in the space alotted. Use this plan for a custom made light stand.
January 1, 2002... Instructions 1 Lay one prefab bookshelf side on the floor and attach the bottom shelf with drywall screws. Lay the other end on the floor, attach the center shelf (see photo on page 50) to both sides, then the bottom, and add the remaining...

Raised bed gardening: requires less time, results in more produce. (The garden).
January 1, 2002... When I first started gardening it was the same way farmers grow crops--long rows with a few feet between rows. My garden looked just like a farm, but in miniature. I used a tiller and walked behind it on my rows. When the temperature pushed up...

Move over Vidalia ...: grow your own sweet onions. (The garden).
January 1, 2002... A 19th Century gourmet said, "Without onions there would be no gastronomic art." Onion growers in Vidalia, Georgia would agree heartily with that sentiment. If you don't happen to live in central Georgia, you cannot grow a genuine Vidalia...

Start with some compost: it's not fertilizer, but it is "magic". (The garden).
January 1, 2002... When gardeners speak of soil, they are referring to earth that looks, feels, and smells pleasant: fertile soil with good structure, depending on the extent to which the inorganic soil particles, sand, silt, clay and humus are bound together. No...

Planting and storing your culinary treasures. (The herb garden).
January 1, 2002... Perusing the seed catalogues and preparing for spring. It's that time of year, and not a bad pastime while warding off the ills and chills of "cabin fever." Whether your attraction to herbs stems from an interest in cooking, a desire for a...

Interested in biomass fuels? Learn something from big farmers who use it. (Crops & soils).
January 1, 2002... Wood, hay, crop residues and other biomass materials could have potential as fuel sources for drying corn. But anyone interested in drying with biomass fuels needs to consider several key questions, as Bill Wilcke, an engineer with the...

Alfalfa is pretty tough stuff, but it still needs some care. (Crops & soils).
January 1, 2002... COUNTRYSIDE: I plowed an old alfalfa field and planted corn. However, even before the corn came up, the alfalfa grew back, thicker than before! I couldn't even see the rows of corn to cultivate! -- A Wisconsin homesteader Alfalfa has deep,...

White Snakeweed and "milk sickness". (Feeds & feeding).
January 1, 2002... Farming presents many risks. Danger as well as beauty comes with the territory. Virginia Snakeroot, Aristolochia serpentaria, has spread throughout the old frontier territories and presents a deadly danger. Fields that were once carefully...

Build an indestructible tub feeder: and it's practically free! (Feeds & feeding).
January 1, 2002... Years when I was desperate for a grain feeder that I could leave out in the pasture for my draft horses, I came up with this tub feeder idea. Horses are well known for tipping over just about anything that you put their ration in. That was...

How to build a hog-tight fence.
January 1, 2002... A good fence should be horse high, bull strong and hog tight--and for goats, water tight as well, some might say. But describing a good fence and building one are two different things! No one enjoys chasing cows or pigs out of the garden, and...

Build a drive-through gate to keep animals in place.
January 1, 2002... Here's a design for a drive-through electric gate I have worked out and use. It can be made for a few dollars with the most ordinary hardware, but of course has to be powered by a fence charger. On our minifarm here it keeps the dogs in and...

How to give a goat an injection. (The goat barn).
January 1, 2002... The best to learn how to way give a goat an injection is by watching someone else. Most veterinarians will show you how to do something as basic as this; they have more important things to do with their time and education than giving shots....

New scrapie eradication law requires goat and sheep ID. (The goat barn).
January 1, 2002... Beginning Nov. 19, 2001, most sheep and some goats, 18 months and older must be officially identified (ID) and breeding sheep and goats must be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspections (health certificate) to move into interstate...

Make a bottle rack for your kids.
January 1, 2002... In a 1" x 4" board of any length you want, cut or drill holes large enough to admit the necks of the bottles you'll be using. Nail the 1" x 4" at a right angle to a 1" x 10" or 1" x 12" to form an "L"; this allows the bottles to rest on the...

Breed does affect chicken flavor. (The henhouse).
January 1, 2002... On page 91 of CSSJ, of the Nov./Dec. 2001 issue, there were three questions concerning: 1. Flavor differences between breeds of chickens? 2. Most delicious types of chickens? 3. Better-tasting-chicken sources ? While the...

The American Buff goose. (The homestead goose).
January 1, 2002... Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat... That may still hold true today; however, it is certain that there are not as many geese getting fat for Christmas as there used to be. In modern times this bird has been finding its...

Which breed for beef? Don't overlook dairy breeds. (The cow barn).
January 1, 2002... When someone thinks of growing out cattle for freezer beef probably the first two breeds which come to mind are Angus and Hereford. However, they may not necessarily be the right choice. I have a 1974 copy of Animal Agriculture: the Biology...

You can poison pigs with salt. (The homestead hog).
January 1, 2002... Pigs are most often poisoned by eating excess salt in their feed which is sometimes accidentally added in large amounts. Or they can be poisoned by eating normal amounts on a hot day with very little or no fresh water available. Source:...

Worming tips. (The homestead hog).
January 1, 2002... It's wise to worm piglets after they are weaned. Sows should be wormed just before they are bred, then move them to clean quarters, washing the breasts with warm soapy water before farrowing. Wormy pigs don't grow well, show pot bellies,...

Formula for orphaned piglets. (The homestead hog).
January 1, 2002... Mix together one quart of milk, one egg, and six teaspoons of sugar. Bottle feed it at first, but they'll quickly learn to drink from a pan. Source: Ontario Pork, October 2001

Nasal spray for hogs. (The homestead hog).
January 1, 2002... Vaccine patches and nasal sprays are promising to revolutionize the way vaccines are delivered to livestock, say researchers in Saskatoon, Canada. These needle-free vaccines will reduce meat damage, improve vaccine effectiveness and make...

More reasons to grow your own meat: or to at least know your source.
January 1, 2002... In an October 18, 2001 article, Reuters reported harmful bacteria in meat and poultry are becoming more resistant to antibiotics due to the long-controversial practice of feeding the drugs to cattle and other food animals, according to research...

Selecting the right horse for you. (The homestead horse).
January 1, 2002... Selecting the right horse for you is a major component in having a good horse. You must also understand that the right horse for your neighbor, friend, or relative may not be the right horse for you. You must look at the sex, age, height,...

Make an outdoor masonry oven. (Homestead construction).
January 1, 2002... Breads old-world style--crispy on the outside, warm and soft on the inside--are impossible to make in a standard oven. Many ethnic meals are only complete with the addition of these types of breads. Desiring a way to bake not only breads, but...

Bread tips so easy, they'll become second nature. (The country kitchen).
January 1, 2002... I'm a senior and I've learned more tricks by experience and hard times that are so simple, I have a tendency to just not think of them. This is for all of you who are afraid of bread, or whose bread fails, or will be happy with bread/gravy...

Are these "survival foods" on your table? Cooking with whole foods is easy and nutritious. (The country kitchen).
January 1, 2002... In 1965, amidst war and rumors of war, the Dickey family was asked to help people in their community put together a program to package a year's supply of four basic foods. Esther was asked to find ways to make wheat, salt, powdered milk, and...

The intuitive cook: an international primer. (The country kitchen).
January 1, 2002... Today, cooking by intuition and instinct is popular and easier than you think. It just takes a willingness to try and learn along the way. Many home chefs are already cooking intuitively by spicing up store bought mixes and adding favorite...

Soup extenders: tips for the green cook. (The country kitchen).
January 1, 2002... Basically the packets or cans of soup you buy in the supermarket are intended for one, perhaps two, people. Can they be extended to feed a family of say, four? Yup, but with some advanced preparation. Start by freezing vegetables fresh out...

Pull up a chair and enjoy the tranquility while you knit a pair of socks. (Homestead crafts).
January 1, 2002... One item that is a "must have" for me is my homespun, hand-knit wool socks. There is no substitute for their fit and warmth. Now, I know some of you will move on to the next article, because wool is "scratchy." The secret to soft wool is to...

Herbal salves and ointments: sanitation is critical. (Homestead health).
January 1, 2002... The process is simple enough, so why do some salves turn out great and others mold? And how in the world do you grate beeswax without first having a salve to treat skinned knuckles? The reason salves, creams and ointments mold after a while...

Establish a financial plan. (Homestead finances).
January 1, 2002... I've received e-mails from several people who have recently been laid off from their jobs. Some were surprised and some weren't. If you are like most people with credit card debt, a car payment, a mortgage, and living from paycheck to...

Keeping a list of important documents is essential. (Homestead finances).
January 1, 2002... Nothing can prepare families for personal tragedy. Yet in times of uncertainty, families can ensure that their financial matters are in order to avoid undue stress during difficult times. Family communication about money is particularly...

Cutting expenses is a family affair. (Homestead finances).
January 1, 2002... Question: I long for the homestead life but do not have 100% of the support I need in order to make that dream a reality at the present. So for now I do what little I can. I have been "raised" with certain luxuries that I have become so...

The realities of making a living on the homestead. (Country neighbors).
January 1, 2002... In the last issue the question was asked "can you make your living from your homestead?" The answer is yes with some qualifications. The reason I say this is that subsistence farming would be another word for your aspirations. You cannot live...

Homesteading adventures in Arkansas. (Country neighbors).
January 1, 2002... Our family's homestead is 15 beautiful acres in central Arkansas. We are fortunate enough to live on my husband's grandparents' land. We have chickens, two milking does, horses and I'm getting started with rabbits. I love COUNTRYSIDE--I...

Partners and the homestead. (Country neighbors).
January 1, 2002... "HOMESTEADER" STONE AGES FARM 2104 TRACE RIDGE RD. LESLIE, AR 72645 Do you suffer from depression due to lack of support from your partner? Do you feel exhausted by all the work on your "dream" homestead? Do you feel your partner is...

Living in a topsy-turvy world. (After chores).
January 1, 2002... I had a strange dream the other night. (This is a true story.) I was in a supermarket, looking at the front page of the National Enquirer. One of the blurbs was "PREPARE FOR THE END OF CIVILIZATION! Warning from a forecaster with an...