Countryside & Small Stock Journal articles from May 2006

Countryside & Small Stock Journal archives from May 2006

NAIS raises red flag for many home food producers.(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... The National Animal Identification System (NAIS) has a lot of folks up-in-arms. (The original article by Mary Zanoni appeared on page 67 in the Jan/Feb 06 issue of COUNTRYSIDE, It is also posted on our website www. countrysidemag.com). Here are...

NAIS from a different perspective.(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... COUNTRYSIDE: The Jan/Feb 2006 issue of COUNTRYSIDE carried an article, written by Mary Zanoni, PhD, JD, on the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) which is currently being developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and...

Alternative "bear bait" ideas.(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... COUNTRYSIDE: In response to Elizabeth Smith of Poulsbo, Washington's bear problems (March/April 2006): This is, I am afraid to say, a case where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of "proverbial" cure. There is one sure-fire way to remove...

Outwitting this sly bear wasn't an easy task.(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... COUNTRYSIDE: We have bears that hang around the area. We have one bear in particular that has a lounging area behind our home and another to the north of our home. We feed the birds thistle seed, sunflower seed and suet. The sunflower seed in...

Their problem is raccoons, not bear.(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... COUNTRYSIDE: In regards to the article from Elizabeth Smith, Washington with the problems with the bears and raccoons getting into her feeders: Our bird feeders are on poles off our deck, the past few years we've had problems with bears and...

Gardener puts faith in seed catalog's guarantee.(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... COUNTRYSIDE: AS an avid gardener in a rural, sparsely-populated part of southeastern Idaho, I get all those catalogs from companies mentioned in Jerri Cook's article ("The gardening game," March/April 2006). The selections locally are sad and I...

Seed catalog input wanted.(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... COUNTRYSIDE: After reading the current article in COUNTRYSIDE called "The gardening game" by Jerri Cook, I am prompted to ask you if you could help me. I have previously ordered from all of the seed companies in her article plus some she didn't...

Internal use of hydrogen peroxide clarified.(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... COUNTRYSIDE: I agree with the usefulness of hydrogen peroxide as described in Becky Ransey's article in the January/February 2006 issue with one general and one specific qualification. The regular drug store version of hydrogen peroxide that...

Homesteading means believing in yourself.(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... COUNTRYSIDE: In response to the article about living in the city and trying to live a homesteading life is a wonderful approach to begin with. However, homesteading is believing in yourself that you can survive by providing for yourself,...

Homemade balm recipes protect your lips.(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... COUNTRYSIDE: Was I ever surprised when my favorite lip balm changed their formula and added a preservative! Since then, I have made my own lip balm and found two great recipes: Honey Lip Balm 1/4 cup almond oil 1 tablespoon beeswax 1-1/2...

Finding a local strawberry supplier is best.(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... COUNTRYSIDE: I read the article by Tim King of Minnesota in the March/ April, 2006, issue entitled "Growing organic strawberries." He referred to "a specialized berry plant supplier from Detroit Lakes, Minnesota." I would like to know the name...

Chinese geese make fine "watchdogs".(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... COUNTRYSIDE: Recently my daughter received a one-year-old Chinese goose as a gift. We have chickens and ducks so I thought it would be okay. I have been out with the goose every day, changing its water, putting down fresh straw, and bringing it...

What is it? It's a stitching pony.(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... We received hundreds of replies to our "What is it?" question in the March/April issue--and we thank you all! Here are just a few of those replies: COUNTRYSIDE: The gadget on page 28 (March/April 2006) is a leather vice, to hold leather...

Animal allergies can make life miserable.(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... COUNTRYSIDE: In the March/ April, 2006 issue, Liz Hildreth from Wisconsin wrote about her allergies to rabbits and other animals. It saddens me that she seems to have decided to give up her dreams of owning livestock. It also shocks me that...

Scientific names provide clarity.(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... COUNTRYSIDE: When articles are written concerning certain plants, would you include their Latin (or scientific) names? For instance, the Jan/Feb 06 issue has an article on the avocado which does mention Persea (although more information...

Correction.(Country conversation & feedback)(Correction notice)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2006... COUNTRYSIDE: Thank you for printing my "Astronomy on the Homestead" article in your March-April, 2006 issue. I wanted to report a transliteration error in the article. On page 115, in the left column, the original sentence in the second...

Any ideas for cistern water use?(Neighbors in need)
May 1, 2006... COUNTRYSIDE: AS transplanted city dwellers to country farm owners, my husband and I have much to learn. A current question revolves around water cisterns. What can you do with cistern water aside from watering the garden? Is a cement cistern...

Selling pecan chips.(Neighbors in need)
May 1, 2006... COUNTRYSIDE: Can someone help me with the process of selling pecan chips? I need to know if they need to be dried out first, and if so, how?

Do you have a homemade wood chipper?(Neighbors in need)
May 1, 2006... COUNTRYSIDE: I first want to say I really enjoy your magazine and everyone who participates in writing various articles and letters. I wanted to know if anyone has had the experience of making a homemade wood chipper? A couple of years ago...

Coming events.(Calendar)
May 1, 2006... Send your event at least three months in advance to: Countryside Coming Events, 145 Industrial Dr., Medford, WI 54451; csymag@tds.net. Coming event listings are free. April 17-22, 2006 Advanced Photovoltaics I, River Falls, WI. This...

Where did all the money go? Rethinking the wisdom of simplicity.(Homestead simplicity)
May 1, 2006... Perhaps it is a bit unpopular to suggest that the secret to being really healthy and happy requires just two simple things, wanting less and reducing expenditures, but it is true. It is so true that deep down inside we all really know that it...

On-line recycling movement.(Homestead simplicity)
May 1, 2006... Free recycling is nothing new. You drive through your neighborhood and see an old barbecue you like sitting on the curb heading to the dump and ask your neighbor if you can have it, or a friend offers you a couch they want to get rid of. This...

Homestead security equals free-range chickens, a good dog, and Jerusalem artichokes.(Homestead simplicity)
May 1, 2006... We all take steps to protect ourselves--to mitigate the effects of catastrophe. The fear of catastrophe is sold to us, and sometimes, in the selling of protection, real threats are missed. This article is an attempt to sell you protection...

No greenhouse? No problem!(The garden)
May 1, 2006... You have meticulously compared the seed varieties from zillions of seed catalogs and have selected the absolutely perfect seeds for your garden. You send in the orders and wait... if only you had a greenhouse, sigh... Well, I am here to...

Know your zone.(The garden)
May 1, 2006... When planning a garden or orchard, too many people rely on the hardiness zone maps in the seed catalogs. A good map will have the zones broken down by your average lowest winter temperatures. For best results, use the temperature guides. I...

Build an adjustable seed starting stand.(The garden)
May 1, 2006... Starting plants inside is fun and easy when you have a seed starting light stand. While not everybody has room for trays and pots on window sills (not to mention a south-facing window!), a great alternative is a plant stand with adjustable...

What is intensive planting? How does it work?(The garden)
May 1, 2006... Intensive planting means that plants are spaced as closely as possible in triangular patterns covering an entire bed. When the plants are mature, their leaves should barely touch each other. Such spacing encourages improved growth, conserves...

Cold frames.(Notes from the Northwoods)
May 1, 2006... As the snow recedes from the garden I start eyeing my cold frames, wondering how early a start I can get on my outdoor gardening this year. It really makes sense to wait until the ground has warmed somewhat and the weather moderated before...

Crash course in gardening: 7 cheap and simple steps.(The garden)
May 1, 2006... Every aspect of gardening can be made more enriching, both to you and your garden, when you compost. Whether you use barrels, a three-way system or a three foot square pile, simply add kitchen scraps, leaves, grass clippings and animal manure...

Reduce moisture in a root cellar.(The garden)
May 1, 2006... COUNTRYSIDE: I have a problem with moisture in my root cellar. I actually have water drops hanging from the ceiling. The root cellar is a 12' x 12', block wall with a door in the interior center forming two rooms. The front wall is exposed...

Organically-grown gourmet garlic.(The garden)
May 1, 2006... We grow multiple varieties of hardneck garlics, trying new varieties each year and focusing on those that do best in our particular geographic conditions. We use organic methods and are in the certification process. Our top varieties include...

Great pumpkin recipes: your pumpkins are still little sprouts, so file these yummy recipes for later use!(Country kitchen)
May 1, 2006... COUNTRYSIDE: I am writing to request recipes for using pumpkin other than pie. I've tried using them like squash but do not care for it (I baked it and put butter on it). I'm trying to find uses for the various types of squash and pumpkin, as...

He doesn't need bread ...(Country kitchen)
May 1, 2006... COUNTRYSIDE: I was rereading the Sept/Oct 2005 copy of COUNTRYSIDE and I came across the question "Why doesn't his bread rise?" The poor guy kept turning out "brick after brick" of bread. This reminded me of when I was around 15 or 16, I wanted...

He doesn't need bread ... <T>Watch when you eat.(Country kitchen)
May 1, 2006... Most people eat their largest meal at supper, when their bodies need it least. As a rule, you should eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and supper like a pauper.--Jane Brody, nutritionist columnist, The New York Times

Some slightly different freezing methods.(The country kitchen)
May 1, 2006... For years we stashed food away in our freezers, following the prescribed methods as outlined in all the books on how to "properly" prepare veggies for the freezer. Mostly the food turned out pretty good but we had to make sure we ate the snap...

Prepare "slow food" fast.(The country kitchen)
May 1, 2006... A few years ago we were overrun with garden produce--it was hot in the kitchen, I had other things I wanted to do and quite frankly, I was tired of canning. I dug out my roasting pan--one of those big old classic blue enamel things and started...

Homemade health & beauty recipes.(Country kitchen)
May 1, 2006... Oatmeal Face Mask Pour 1/2 cup boiling water over 1 teaspoon dried rosemary. Steep 15 minutes, strain. In another bowl, crumble 1-1/2 tablespoons regular oatmeal and mix in 1 tablespoon almond meal. Add just enough of the rosemary infusion...

Demystifying the great laundry detergent dilemma.(Homestead finances)
May 1, 2006... I grabbed the phone and answered it. It was my daughter chuckling on the other end. We got another one," she said, "Another laundry detergent e-mail." For years now we have one reoccurring question. How can I save on my laundry detergent? ...

Build a chicken feeder for under $5 in about 15 minutes!.(The henhouse)
May 1, 2006... Recently I expanded my little chicken pen and needed another feeder for the new addition. My old one had held me well through the years, and was a hand-me-down when I acquired it... I had no idea how expensive buying a feeder was. I had...

Chicken feed and pig slop options.(The henhouse)
May 1, 2006... COUNTRYSIDE: I recently found an article about making one's own chicken feed. How can one do this? What can you feed, should not feed, how muck and can you feed chickens for free? I live in Colorado, were we can't grow corn like I could in...

Chicken tractor options are endless: readers continue to send in versions of their poultry housing ...(The henhouse)
May 1, 2006... COUNTRYSIDE: I thought I would send in pictures of my "rough ground" chicken tractor. All the ones I have seen would never be able to be moved over the uneven ground we have here. I have used it for two summers now. It has worked pretty well...

Breed characteristics and personality contrasts in dairy goat breeds.(The goat barn)
May 1, 2006... "Sylvia, please be quiet," I muttered to myself, "I know it's milking time but why can't you be quiet and wait patiently the way Edelweiss does?" Then it hit me; of course Sylvia is wailing, she can't help it, after all she is a Nubian! It must...

Small-scale milking machines.(The goat barn)
May 1, 2006... When I first wanted a milking machine I looked in all the goat supply catalogs and in the back of the American Dairy Goat Association's directory for the perfect machine. I bought one from one of the supply houses that was "designed just for...

Small grains useful for forage as well as feed.(Crops & soils)
May 1, 2006... Small grains variety trials at the University of Kentucky will not only be checking for their potential to produce grain but also for their potential as a forage crop for livestock. The annual wheat acreage in Kentucky is approximately...

Now keeping up with the Joneses requires a tractor.(Crops & soils)
May 1, 2006... According to a March 13, 2006 article in Newsweek, tractors are now the new status symbol. The new John Deere tractors are complete with headlights, adjustable cushioned seats, and of course, the quintessential cup holder. In 2005 an...

Defending "ugly" fish.
May 1, 2006... My good friend Phil is a serious fisherman and by most accounts a generally successful one. However Phil is one of those "catch and release" guys so no one can really confirm this contention. Out of pity, guilt or some other misplaced emotion,...

Time management for the self-employed: if you need a boss to nag you ... don't quit your day job.(Your homestead business)
May 1, 2006... Yesterday I got up at 4 a.m. to go to work. I'm an early bird, so it s easier for me to go to work early. Yesterday my husband Don got up at 9:30 a.m. to go to work. He's a night owl, so his internal clock makes it easier for him to stay...

Life on the wild edge.
May 1, 2006... The black bear passed by sometime early this morning. I found its paw prints in the damp earth by the side of the house. It's rank "wet zoo" smell lingers for quite some time under my study window. In fall of 2004, we moved from White Oak...

Home heating from the good Earth.(Life on the sunny side)
May 1, 2006... Imagine for a moment that you hear someone talking about a magic battery capable of collecting the oppressive warmth of the summer sun and storing it until winter, when you really need it to heat your house. By using the magic battery, he tells...

Using "Best Practices" with cordwood construction prevents problems.(Alternative housing)
May 1, 2006... We would like to thank Doug Kalmer for raising a very important point about cordwood construction (Country Conversation and Feedback, March/April 2006), namely, the problem of air infiltration caused by log shrinkage. Doug is also correct in...

Countryside solar/wind installation advanced photovoltaic workshop July 5th through July 9th, 2006.(Countryside workshop)
May 1, 2006... Countryside Publications has been in its new location in Medford, Wisconsin for a little over one year now. The old solar and wind systems have been removed from the previous building and will be installed at the new site in July. (To learn...

New mini water treatment plant for your home.(New product)
May 1, 2006... When my wife and I decided to build a new home, we had no idea that the area we chose would not have city water available, since it was so near several large cities. When we looked into the source of water for our new home we found that...

Homeopathy is not a placebo: readers reply to naysayers.(Homestead health)
May 1, 2006... I would like to respond to Bill Hall's article in the last issue of COUNTRYSIDE. I was undecided as to whether I wanted to tackle trying to convince the disparagers and those brain-washed into believing that continually popping expensive...

Crohn's disease under control with homeopathy.(Homestead health)
May 1, 2006... COUNTRYSIDE: In response to the letter from Bill Hall"Homeopathy--help or hoax?" (March/April 2006), I went to a doctor (a specialist in gastroenterology) for Crohn's disease. He prescribed a drug which was approved by the Federal Drug...

Animals can also benefit from homeopathy.(Homestead health)
May 1, 2006... COUNTRYSIDE: I offer my own experiences hopefully to stimulate others to learn more about that safe and amazing approach to "dis-ease." I am a student of homeopathy and have used homeopathic remedies successfully at my little animal refuge. I...

The benefits of frugality on the homestead hit home.
May 1, 2006... I save plastic bags, and when I asked my Mom about it, she said that when they first came out plastic bags were washed and reused because you never knew if you'd get another one. I believe that those of us with parents who grew up during the...

His wife knew the value of a dollar.
May 1, 2006... I just had to write about the article on page 96 of the current issue, Tightwad Genes. I applaud Ms. Waters' frugality. My beloved wife, who passed away on August 30, the night of the Hurricane Katrina impact with the Mississippi Coast, and Ms....

How can you convince your family to conserve? Here are the "tactics" some folks have found helpful.(Question of the month)
May 1, 2006... ANONYMOUS In response to the latest question of the Month, let me tell you how I have conquered the "druthers" of my "fake food" lovers around here: I scare them. You see, we had seven very good friends who all died of malpractice, as...

All I Need to Know in Life I Learned from My Hens.
May 1, 2006... All I Need To Know In Life I Learned From My Hens Wake up early, stay busy, rest when you need too, but always stay alert. Visit your favorite places each day. Scratch out a living. Routine is...

How do kids cope?(Question of the Month)
May 1, 2006... Last month Seth Willard asked how kids felt about living on a homestead. Here are the only two replies we've received by press time: Living simply MARY ANN You won't get answers from my children concerning how they feel about...

Wood carving seminars can teach you a lot.(The wood carver)
May 1, 2006... When I was a young man and first became interested in woodcarving, there were no carving classes available in the area where we lived. The only way to learn to carve was to buy a knife and start carving, or to know someone who did carve and ask...

Childhood during the depression: what does the word "poor" mean?(Looking back)
May 1, 2006... Chris Roberson, in "Depression-era Memories are Valuable," says she hopes Mrs. Osborn will write more, so I decided to write. I was born in 1928, so I grew up in the Depression era, too. We lived a few miles out of Raymond, Washington, on...

Investigate real estate before buying.(Looking back)
May 1, 2006... I had an event happen this week that should not have taken place at all. Perhaps others can use it as a lesson when looking for a place in the country. To give a little background, there is a plot of land down hill from me that is adjacent...

Late spring and early summer 2006.(Poor Will's Almanack)
May 1, 2006... The summer winds is sniffin' round the bloomin' locus' trees; And the clover in the pasture is a big day fer the bees, And they been a-swiggin' honey, above board and on the sly, Tel they stutter in...

The beauty of seeing yourself grow old.(After chores)
May 1, 2006... I don't need any reminders that I'm getting old. I'm reminded every day when I can't remember what happened an hour ago, what I went into a room for, or call one of my kids by the wrong name. I used to be able to remember details from years...