Countryside & Small Stock Journal articles from July 1998

Countryside & Small Stock Journal archives from July 1998

The millennium bug: how will it change civilization. (computers' inability to recognize the year 2000)
July 1, 1998... Some people are awaiting the end of the century, and the millennium, with a great deal of apprehension, for many and varied reasons. Others--perhaps most--are scoffing or ignoring it all. Who's right? No one knows for certain at...

Airlines grounded. (impact of year 2000 computer problem)(Brief Article)
July 1, 1998... As of now, the Y2K bug is likely to shut down the airlines on Dec. 31, 1999. The 40 IBM computers that handle all high-altitude long-distance traffic won't be able to handle the Year 2000. The aging computers need to be reprogrammed, but...

Pursuing my vision of the ideal homestead.
July 1, 1998... I've had a very clear vision of my ideal homestead since I was a youngster. I came close to achieving it--several times--but it always slipped away, oddly enough, because of my involvement with and commitment to COUNTRYSIDE. While helping...

Time to get ready for the big one? (California earthquake planning)
July 1, 1998... Doomsayers have been watching for a west coast earthquake--"The Big One"--for a long time. Seismologists say it's inevitable: they just don't know when. Now, some people say they know the answer. The key is El Nino. There have been...

Who cares what defines a homesteader? An editor, that's who. (decisions made by Countryside staff for periodical's survival)
July 1, 1998... Some old-time homesteaders have wondered why I get so upset with some events and situations, or why I pursue such seemingly impractical questions as "what is a homesteader?" Why, they ask, don't I just chill out, ignore the maddening crowd,...

What's in a name? (how Countryside and Small Stock Journal got its name)
July 1, 1998... When I started a newsletter for homesteaders in 1969, I had no idea what to call it. No big deal: it was just going to be one page (12 by 18 inches, folded down to 6 x 9) going to maybe 100 people. Coming up with a catchy name wasn't a...

If you want to homestead, do it now!(Brief Article)
July 1, 1998... One group of homesteaders/readers warrants special attention and reassurance: Those who want to be homesteaders, but haven't yet taken action. Some of the information in this issue, and this series, will undoubtedly make many of them very,...

What went wrong: learn from my mistakes! (becoming a homesteader)
July 1, 1998... In past issues, many COUNTRYSIDE readers have said they'd love to become real homesteaders, but they can't. In this issue, I admit that after a lifetime of dreaming, I haven't realized my goal, either. And almost 30 of those years were...

California irrigation: an object lesson for the new age? (how state's farmlands are suffering from salt buildup produced by irrigation)
July 1, 1998... We are a society that made the deserts bloom, and the seas die. But now the deserts are dying too. No one is very willing to talk about it, but for the first time in history, California farm fields of fabled fertility are being quietly...

Why the millennium bug scares me. (year 2000 computer problem; includes related article on predicting consequences from computer glitch)
July 1, 1998... The Millennium Bug seriously alarms me, and not because I'm positive it will bring society to its knees. (I'm not positive). It's because of things like these comments that appeared on a web site where people could vote on what they think is...

Proposed rules on organic farming raise hackles, and questions; should foods altered by genetic engineering, undefined toxic ingredients, sewage sludge, irradiation and antibiotics be considered "organic"?
July 1, 1998... Late Bulletin: At press time the news arrived that the government has backtracked or its proposal after receiving more than 200,000 letters of protest. Irradiation, genetic engineering and sewage sludge will not be allowed on products labelled...

Emergency in the countryside? Do-it-yourselfers to the rescue. (emergency preparedness for homesteaders)
July 1, 1998... EMERGENCY! POLICE! FIRE! AMBULANCE! DIAL 911! Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that one does it? So what happens if there is no 911? You're on your own. Not a strange concept for most homesteaders, in most situations, but a...

CERT training brings a new attitude toward Big Brother. (benefits of Community Emergency Response Team training)
July 1, 1998... Having just completed the disaster preparedness training offered by FEMA, the Community Emergency Response Team classes, and having written about my experience to share with other COUNTRYSIDE readers, I should have a feeling of accomplishment...

"I'm amazed at how much I have accomplished on my to-do lists!" (homesteading)
July 1, 1998... I have been planning my ideal homestead ever since I was a kid. I grew up reading a few books about the wilderness and homesteading, over and over. My favorites were books by Bradford Angier like Skills for Taming the Wilds, How to Build Your...

How much mechanization do you need to accomplish your goals? (equipment for homesteading)(Selecting Farm Tools, part 2)
July 1, 1998... JEFF RAST, FARMER/DIRECTOR THE CENTER FOR SMALL ACREAGE FARMING P.O. BOX 219 FAIRFIELD, ID 83327 PHONE/FAX (208) 764-2332 In Part I of this series (82/3:48), I bared my soul. Truly, I suffer from an incurable affection for tractors and...

Starting wildflowers from seed: your patience will be rewarded.
July 1, 1998... JULIE HUNTER MAMMOTH SPRING, ARKANSAS Starting wildflowers from seed can take patience. However, the patience is rewarded by being able to have a wide variety of wildflowers growing in your own yard. Below is a list of tools and...

Using the humble soybean: grown on gig commercial farms for animal feed and industrial purposes, this little bean also deserves a place on the homestead.
July 1, 1998... Grown on big commercial farms for animal feed and industrial purposes, this little bean also deserves a place on the homestead The humble little soybean, one of the most nutritious, most versatile vegetables in the world, is one of the least...

Cast iron in the country kitchen. (utensils for homesteaders)
July 1, 1998... Heavy, clunky, out of place in a streamlined high-tech kitchen, inexpensive, and definitely old-fashioned. What more could a homesteader ask for? That's why although they win faint praise from most modern cooks, cast iron utensils are...

Why eat whole foods? (avoiding processed foods; includes recipes)
July 1, 1998... In 1990, I was running a cross-country ski lodge in the Wenatchee Mountains of Washington state. Both my guests and I thought that my cooking was pretty healthy, because I served vegetarian food with lots of fresh ingredients and some whole...

Planning for canning. (includes tips on avoiding discoloring)
July 1, 1998... Many homemakers preserve food for their families. The most common method used is freezing, probably because it is quick and easy. Canning takes more time and energy, but is preferred by many for preserving the large quantities of fruits and...

Culture clash confuses canners; who are you going to believe, Grandma, or the USDA? (canning technique)(Brief Article)
July 1, 1998... Life isn't as simple as it once was. Even something as old-fashioned as home canning has been affected by technology and the modern world. This sometimes puts a magazine like COUNTRYSIDE in an uncomfortable position. If we print your...

Home canning under pressure: an overview. (technique)(Brief Article)
July 1, 1998... All vegetables, as well as meat, poultry and fish, must be processed in a pressure canner. The water bath method (processing jars in boiling water not under pressure) is considered safe only for jellies and jams, brined and fermented foods,...

Six potentially deadly canning sins.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1998... * Making up own canning recipe. Without scientific testing, you will not know how long the product needs to be processed to be safe. * Adding extra starch, flour or other thickener to recipe. This will change the rate of heat penetration...

Favorite recipes for summer canning.
July 1, 1998... Over the years, many readers have shared their favorite canning recipes with us. Here's a selection to keep you busy this summer, and well-fed next winter! Catsup 1 gallon tomato juice (unseasoned) 2 cups sugar 3 tablespoons salt...

Cook with the sun! (solar ovens)
July 1, 1998... Would you like to make use of the sun's energy, but think it's too expensive, or too complicated? Think again! COUNTRYSIDE'S Steve Belanger made the ovens shown here at a cost of pennies, in 1-2 hours each. Note that this is a...

The hay box: the original slow cooker.
July 1, 1998... I was recently struck when reading The War Time Kitchen Garden, a BBC book, that during the Second World War the population of Britain needed detailed instructions from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Food in order to survive...

23 ways to save money (and increase quality). (homesteading)(Brief Article)
July 1, 1998... 23 ways to save money (and increase quality) RENEL HALL-BECK HC 55 BOX 773 STURGIS, SD 57785 Here are a few ideas to help you save your hard-earned dollar and probably increase quality in your life style. Household: 1. Use homemade or...

Growing celery substitutes. (cutting celery, celeriac and lovage)(Brief Article)
July 1, 1998... To get that great taste of celery one doesn't have to tackle growing demanding celery, but can grow instead three dependable and easy to grow cousins--cutting celery, celeriac, and lovage. Each contains some sodium and will add a slightly...

Saving tomato seeds.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1998... Tomato seeds are best saved by fermentation. This is done by squeezing the seeds and pulp into a container. (Plastic deli containers work fine, and even homesteaders who don't buy things like that can easily find them. If you can't, use a...

Growing lima beans.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1998... Lima beans provide troth carbohydrate and vegetable protein, thus making an important contribution to your family's diet. Limas are easier to shell than crowder peas, stand more heat and drought than green peas, and sustain less insect damage...

The pecking order. (raising poultry)
July 1, 1998... If social workers are right and today's victim truly is tomorrow's predator, be well advised of this when dealing with poultry. I don't mind poultry. I love them. I think they're great to have around, and some breeds are downright...

Sheep cotes. (shelters)
July 1, 1998... A sheep cote is a special shelter designed to protect sheep from the elements, predators and parasites. Its use comes to us from the ancient sheep keeping regions known as the Levant (the lands bordering the eastern extremity of the...

American milking devon: a valuable minor breed. (livestock)
July 1, 1998... During the bicentennial year of 1976, an effort began to locate authentic Milking Devon cattle for Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts. There were virtually none to be found. A group of these Village workers teamed up with local...

Recipes for animal treats.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1998... How about a few recipes for a couple of the animals that share our lives beyond the sidewalks? Dog biscuits 6 cups whole wheat flour 2 beaten eggs 4 teaspoons honey 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup powdered milk; 2/3 cup cooking oil...

Restoring old apple trees: those ancient, gnarled gems can be made productive again.
July 1, 1998... One of the legacies of our predecessors in the countryside are myriads of picturesque but unproductive old apple trees dotting the face of the land, particularly east of the Mississippi. These ancient gnarled gems can be used for more than...

Multipurpose woodlots require management. (includes related article on winter gardening)
July 1, 1998... Woodlots have many uses, and on most homesteads they serve more than one purpose. Woodlands can provide building materials, firewood, shade for livestock, hunting, cash from timber products, recreation, wildlife habitat.. . or simply the...

Poison ivy. (plant control)
July 1, 1998... Some people are so sensitive to poison ivy that the slightest contact causes blisters and swelling, while others can pull it up barehanded with little or no adverse effect. The different reactions arise from varying degrees of allergy to...

Aromatherapy: a home remedy whose time has come...again. (includes information on using essential oils)
July 1, 1998... "I'm not going to the doctor unless I'm dying!" Haven't we heard that before? This has to be how many home remedies came about. But how about the natural cure that's been around for centuries? Essential Oils. Remember in the Bible where...

How to relieve a headache without medication.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1998... During a recent conference on preventative medicine for laymen we were given a list of things to try to help relieve a headache without resorting to pain medicine. Homesteaders might find them of value, as our family did. 1. Soak in a...

She does a lot with very little land. (flower and vegetable gardening)(Brief Article)
July 1, 1998... Some good things don't last forever. This little country town didn't. Our once-beautiful farmscapes have nearly all vanished under the earthmovers, replaced by developers' overpriced, oversized, tastelessly ostentatious dwellings. It is now a...

Cheap is good; free is best. (money management)
July 1, 1998... THE INTENTIONAL PEASANT Around any homestead, even a city-bound wannabe like this one, there is a never-ending crush of work to do. Our backs might be equal to all that strain, but our wallets and pocketbooks often shudder in anguish....

Do you really need credit life or mortgage insurance?(Brief Article)
July 1, 1998... Credit life insurance, which pays off a loan if the borrower dies, is generally sold to people who take out installment loans or buy goods, such as vehicles, on the installment plan. On a home, it is generally called mortgage insurance rather...

The $700 solution. (money management; includes related article on Dollar General's stock)
July 1, 1998... It's good to have big goals... but thinking small might help you reach them faster Many people think that the most difficult part in starting out on a mission toward homesteading is saving a thousand dollars or more. This number seems to...

The Home Machinist's Handbook.
July 1, 1998... The Home Machinist's Handbook by Doug Briney, TAB BOOKS, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17294-0850. I got my copy from Grizzly for $19.95. (Grizzly has several catalogs of woodworking and industrial tools and machinery. The catalogs are worth having....

Math to Build On: A Book for Those Who Build.
July 1, 1998... Math to Build On--A Book for Those Who Build, by Johnny and Margaret Hamilton; 226 pp, $24.95 + $3 from Construction Trades Press, PO Box 953, Clinton NC 28328-0953; 1-800-462-6487 How many times have you been stopped by a simple (or...

Guide to Emergency Survival Communications.
July 1, 1998... Guide to Emergency Survival Communications, by Dave Ingram; Universal Electronics, Inc., 4555 Groves Rd. Ste 12, Columbus OH 43232 (614) 866-4605); $20 + $4 S&H. If you want to know what's going on in the world, especially in a...

Tough, Willing, and Able.
July 1, 1998... Tough, Willing, and Able, by Lois Flansburg Haaglund; 160 pp, 45 B/W photos, paper, $12; Mountain Press Publishing Co., 1301 S. Third Street W, Missoula MT 59806; 1-800-234-5308 This is a story about a family. But it's neither an ordinary...

The science of making moonshine. (includes related article on bootleg vodka in Russia)
July 1, 1998... This article is unusual in several respects. First, we don't normally print material from anonymous contributors, but this is an exception, for reasons that should be obvious. We also don't normally print information on illegal...

The unthinkable, and Grandma Rogers: would we want to live like she did? (pros and cons of homesteading)
July 1, 1998... THE INTENTIONAL PEASANT Unless the homestead is within downwind sniffing distance of a large city, generating enough cash income to pay the taxes (and those other expenses which refuse to go away) can be a genuine problem. Cities are...

Tool care for dollars and sense.(Brief Article)
July 1, 1998... Properly maintained tools will last longer, serve you better, save you time and money, and increase your pride of workmanship. Even homesteaders who are aware of this sometimes neglect garden hand tools. Rule #1 is to never, ever leave a...

Irradiation and mad disease.
July 1, 1998... Irradiation Your favorite uncle is coming over for dinner and you know he really likes his steaks rare. You take out a steak which has been in your refrigerator (not the freezer) for about a month, unwrap it, slap it on the grill until...

What homesteaders are doing on late June, July and August. (planting schedules)
July 1, 1998... Now, of all times, is when we're eating fresh-from-the-garden meals. Even those who don't do much preserving should be making very, very few trips to the grocery store at this time of the year. Stop cutting asparagus by mid-June. Topdress...

The 21st century and homesteading.
July 1, 1998... Introduction: Most people think of homesteading (if they think of it at all) as being rooted in the past. Those who know better can adapt it to the present... but not very many can see the future possibilities. Among the reasons...

To be a homesteader, believe in yourself, and persevere.
July 1, 1998... What does it take to be a homesteader? Several things come to mind. Probably the first is that we are still working toward the goal of homesteading and maybe we always will. Certainly we have made progress (i.e. starting a home business,...

The goat that laid green eggs. (homesteading anecdotes)
July 1, 1998... There is never a dull moment here at Sunny Side Up Farm, and this last month has been no exception. For instance, I was trying to nap off a headache in the middle of the day, and my wife had taken our six-year-old son out to the barn to visit...