Countryside & Small Stock Journal articles from November 2001

Countryside & Small Stock Journal archives from November 2001

Modified greenhouse as temporary structure.
November 1, 2001... COUNTRYSIDE: I would like to pass along a comment about the $100 greenhouse plans. This could be used as a greenhouse or another type of temporary structure as needed. Try using the (usually gray in color) 3/4" PVC electrical conduit...

Parts correction.
November 1, 2001... COUNTRYSIDE: On checking the parts list of the greenhouse in the Sept./ Oct.2001 issue I found that you need 17, not 16 pieces of 3/4" PVC pipe, you need one piece 22-1/2" long. Just thought I would let you know. I can't tell you how much I...

Ezekial flour.
November 1, 2001... COUNTRYSIDE: Carlene asked about Ezekial flour in the last issue (July/ Aug. 2001, pg. 29). The ingredients are listed as follows: "Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentils, and millet, and fitches (spelt or rye)...

Getting rid of burdock and plowing with goats.
November 1, 2001... COUNTRYSIDE: I love this magazine! I can't tell you how long I stood at the checkout line in the grocery store, looking over the magazines and wishing there was a decent one to read! I bought my first COUNTRYSIDE two years ago, when we were...

COUNTRYSIDERS tie the knot.
November 1, 2001... COUNTRYSIDE: I have been a reader for the past three years. I have always found the articles to be very informative and everything printed to be interesting and helpful. In March of 1999 you printed a letter I had written. Soon after, I...

Turning a garden with goats.
November 1, 2001... COUNTRYSIDE: In the Sept/Oct 2001 issue Stephanie Nosacek asked about plowing with goats. You are quite correct in your response that goats are not strong enough to pull a plow, but the answer to Stephanie's question depends on what she means...

Source for mobile poultry pen plans.
November 1, 2001... COUNTRYSIDE: I purchased and received plans for the JA1:17 Poultry Mobile. This is a terrific portable chicken coop that I feel other COUNTRYSIDE readers will be interested in. You can contact Benjamin McInturff at kernichole @hotmail.com; ph....

Another way to get nitrogen.
November 1, 2001... COUNTRYSIDE: The cheapest nitrogen fertilizer for Lisa's corn is urine. Pee in milk jugs (easy for guys, check Freshette sani-fem for women (Google works best)). Pour it full strength along the base of stalks. If you have a decent size corn...

Small dairy equipment sources.
November 1, 2001... COUNTRYSIDE: In reply to Judith who was looking for butter churns, try Enos Yoder, 156 Shady Oaks Ln, Park City, KY 42160. His ad in Kentucky Agricultural News says he has three sizes of new crank type wooden butter churns. Guess he's Amish so...

Health issues prompt a flurry of letters.
November 1, 2001... COUNTRYSIDE: In response to Beth Barton's letter in 85/5 about handicapped homesteaders: I've had ovarian cysts for over 20 years, and since they vary in size, I can have anything from a mild bellyache to pain that even narcotics (Percodan)...

Bannocks correction.
November 1, 2001... The Bannocks recipe in the July/ August issue page 62, should read: 3/4 teaspoon baking soda (not one tablespoon)

Never a dull moment with animals.
November 1, 2001... COUNTRYSIDE: I have yet to find any other magazine so devoted to its readers with so much useful information and advice. (And I doubt I ever will!) My only complaint is that a new magazine is not available every month--but then, all good things...

This fly spray works for her goats.
November 1, 2001... COUNTRYSIDE: I'm doing a lot less crying over spilled milk now that I have found a dairy goat-friendly fly spray. A light misting over the goats' legs, etc., at milking time stops the fly-on-my-leg bucket kicking. I also wipe it on my calves'...

It's brewer's yeast and garlic for these critters.
November 1, 2001... COUNTRYSIDE: I use brewer's yeast and garlic tablets to deter fleas on my cats and dog. But I have found a good source of natural remedies for horses, dogs and people: Springtime, Inc., PO Box 1227, Cockeysville, MD 21030; ph (800) 521-3212....

Thoughts on ticks and horseshoes.
November 1, 2001... COUNTRYSIDE: I read Lisa Algarin's article ("Finding a horse...", Sept/Oct 2001) with great interest. The tip about using laundry bleach for thrush was most helpful. I had been using a preparation from the vet consisting of formaldehyde,...

Fly repellent recipe for horses.
November 1, 2001... COUNTRYSIDE: This fly spray is good, and the ingredients aren't too hard to find: Horse Insect Repellent Mix 1 oz. citronella oil 2 oz. Skin-So-Soft or Coat-So-Soft 1 cup cider vinegar 1 cup water Mix in a 20 oz. spray...

Double-digging works for them.
November 1, 2001... COUNTRYSIDE: My husband, four boys and I have 19 chickens and a fair-sized garden. We moved into a 1932 farmhouse with 3-1/2 acres and have become inspired to try to live more simply. With all the junk that goes into store-bought foods...

Become a purple martin "landlord".
November 1, 2001... COUNTRYSIDE: The advice given to the Cowlishaws (85/3:18) to control mosquitoes by putting up purple martin housing will not work for two reasons. First, purple martins do not eat mosquitoes! This is misleading information promulgated by the...

Countryside contacts.
November 1, 2001... Goat arthritis We have a one-year-old pygmy doe with arthritis in her fore legs. The vet gave me some pills to give her once a day, but so far they aren't helping. Does anyone know of an alternative treatment safe for a small goat? Kerra...

Construct a straw bale greenhouse.
November 1, 2001... I was instantly attracted to building with straw, probably because as a kid I lived in rural Wisconsin and spent many afternoons building bale forts in the hayloft. The moment I heard about Kate Brown's straw-bale pottery studio--much less...

Radiant floor heating provides comfort and efficiency.
November 1, 2001... LAWRENCE DRAKE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RADIANT PANEL ASSOCIATION What exactly is radiant energy? When you watch a campfire burn, the flames extend upward. Hold your hand over a hot cup of coffee and feel the heat. It is much warmer at...

Homestead sledding.
November 1, 2001... SUE ROBISHAW 770 N Fox RD. COOKS MI 49817 SUE@MANYTRACKS.COM WWW.MANYTRACKS.COM (PHOTOS AND DRAWINGS BY STEVE SCHMECK) The day after Thanksgiving in 1978 found us moving to our homestead in the north, with much enthusiasm but...

Put your dog to work Make him a PVC cart.
November 1, 2001... The advantages of the PVC cart are that it is extremely lightweight, which is great for smaller or younger dogs. I built this one as a training cart, but still use it even for cart rides for smaller children (I bolt-and-wing-nut a small plastic...

"Why do you eat acorns?" Pursuing traditions in the modern world.
November 1, 2001... CHRISTOPHER NYERGES Box 41834 EAGLE ROCK, CA 9004 WWW.SELF-RELIANCE.NET "Why do you eat acorns?" the mother in the back of the audience asked. I had briefly explained that I collect acorns every year, and regularly eat them. My...

Burghul: A nutrtional alternative to rice and corn.
November 1, 2001... HABEEB SALLOUM 58 LANGBOURNE PLACE DON MILLS (TORONTO), ONTARIO CANADA M3B 1A9 HABEEB.SALLOUM@SYMPATICO.CA "If Noth Americans only ate burghul, we could easily sell our wheat!" My father appeared angry as I helped him shovel yet...

The best butcherin' recipes.
November 1, 2001... PAUL JONES PO Box 608 RIDGWAY, IL 62979 Salami 4 pounds ground pork 4 pounds ground beef 1 teaspoon ground onion 2 cups water 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon Italian dressing 4 tablespoons Tender...

Canned vegetables aren't all bad.
November 1, 2001... Don't feel bad about serving frozen or canned vegetables to family or guests says Mary Darling, nutritionist with the University of Minnesota Extension Service. Locally-grown, fresh vegetables are good sources of vitamins, and have gained...

Rolling in the dough.
November 1, 2001... DEBORAH S. TUKUA IRON CITY, TN Some of my fondest childhood memories took place around my grandmother's kitchen table. I can still picture Granny standing beside the table topped with flour as she rolled out the biscuit dough. She used...

Blustery days are the perfect time to bake something special.
November 1, 2001... Make pumpkin pie without pumpkins I wanted to make a pumpkin pie from scratch, so I took the seeds out of a pumpkin, cut it in pieces and cooked it in the microwave for about 10 minutes. Then I pulled off the peel, mashed the pumpkin and...

How cheaply can you feed your family?
November 1, 2001... Homesteaders are thrifty by their very nature, and putting food on the table is no exception KERRA FOWLER MITCHELL, IN We feed ourselves (husband, myself and three kids ages 6, 4 and 2) on about $50 a month, average. This is what...

Buying organic is not as expensive as you may think.
November 1, 2001... DEBBIE ORTMAN 3547 HAINES RD. HERMANTOWN, MN 55811 DDO@CPINTERNET.COM It's time to dispel the myth that organically grown food is more expensive than conventionally (with pesticides) grown food. As an organic consumer and...

Make mine homegrown.
November 1, 2001... PAIGE BYRNE SHORTAL MISSOURI The tomatoes are coming in. New ripe ones every day now. I start waiting for them around the end of June, checking the plants, measuring their growth. I used to eat tomatoes year around and I enjoyed them...

A natural head lice treatment.
November 1, 2001... Registered nurse Gwen Le Mands sent us the following: COUNTRYSIDE: Just in case you know any families with young children I am enclosing an excerpt of the following article. Just think of the sorrow that could be prevented. This is a...

Homeschooling A natural.
November 1, 2001... KIMBERLY BRUNER 7001 S.E. TEENIE RD. PRINEVILLE, OR 97754 People choose to homeschool their children for a variety of reasons. Generally, parents have turned to educating their children at home so that they, not the public education...

Cloth diapers save money and the Earth.
November 1, 2001... TIFFENY HOWE 282 WHITE SANDS TR DALE, TX 78616 The article "Dispense with Disposables" in the March/ April 2001 issue was right on. Conserving energy and resources starts at home in simple ways. As I read the article, I kept expecting...

Everyday plants make extraordinary dyes.
November 1, 2001... LAUREN RIGGE 4999 CAMPUS HILL DR., APT. D-302 OKEMOS, MI 48864 For anyone who wants to make all-natural, homemade dyes from local plants, here's a list of what plant parts you'll need to make every color of the rainbow and more. ...

New thoughts on kids and juice.
November 1, 2001... Parents should limit the amount of fruit juice their children drink, according to new recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP says drinking too much fruit juice can contribute to diarrhea, cavities, obesity...

Prelude to winter.
November 1, 2001... When the weatherman reports that frost is on the way, it is very important to care for your gardens. Harvest all of your summer crops. Cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, and the rest are all killed by a heavy frost. After cutting,...

Organic pest management.
November 1, 2001... DIANNE PEARCE HIATT 602 WALKER AVE OLIVER SPRINGS, TN 37840 SONRISE@ATT.NET Have you ever read a gardening article that only referred to organic or soap based pesticides SBPs? Did you contact your county extension agent and ask for...

Grow herbs in winter.
November 1, 2001... And some great gift-giving ideas GAIL REYNOLDS TIMBERLAKES@MYMAILSTATION.COM Wintertime, in all its powerful beauty and nearly-silent change-of-pace splendor, can carry with it a good dose of chagrin and withdrawal. ...

Sweet corn stalks.
November 1, 2001... They have more uses than additions to the compost pile KEN SCHARABOK WAVERLY, TN SCHARABO@AOL.COM In my area it is common for people to grow far more sweet corn than they will use. Several will allow me to chop down the still...

Let someone else grow your corn for silage.
November 1, 2001... In the July/Aug 2001 issue there is an excellent article by Julia Sunkler on "Create your own corn silage." While reading it, I was struck with the thought you do not necessarily have to grow your own corn to produce it. In my area,...

Croatians raise beef both humanely and organically: Should this be a model for the U.S.?
November 1, 2001... KEN SCHARABOK WAVERLY, TN SCHARABO@AOL.COM While recently visiting relatives in the small town of Suhopolje in Eastern Croatia in May 2001, I learned there was a 3,000 head capacity feedlot a short distance away. As a cattle farmer,...

Understanding cow psychology.
November 1, 2001... Understanding the behavior of dairy animals is important for reducing work-related injuries on farms. About two-thirds of animal-related farm accidents in Minnesota take place on dairy farms, according to a survey of nearly 2,000 farms. ...

A year in the life of Cuesta Farm.
November 1, 2001... DEBRA HADEN CUESTA FARM PO Box 3513 EDGEWOOD, NM 87015 DHADEN@NMTR.UNM.EDU The suspense, the anxiety, the hand-wringing, reading the chapters on kidding over and over in the books, looking forward to the trips to the barn in the...

The many medicinal benefits of goat milk.
November 1, 2001... GEO. F. W. HAENLEIN, PH.D. DEPT. OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND AGRICULTURE BIOCHEMISTRY UNIVERSITY OF DE NEWARK, DE 19717-1303 Introduction Why goat milk? This is a critical question for all who are trying to establish a dairy goat...

Goats and sheep are frequently utilized in other countries.
November 1, 2001... At least 10 countries depend on goats and sheep for 30-76% of their total milk supply. Greece leads among developed countries, producing 178 kg/ milk/person/year, but 61% is from sheep and goats. Milk productivity per goat per year has...

Early imprinting.
November 1, 2001... What do you do with a lamb who thinks she's human? This week has been hectic! Three sets of triplets born and then there was "Buttercup." Her entrance into this world was not ideal--she was early and unwanted by her mother. My husband, Bob,...

Raising ducklings by the K.I.S.S. principle.
November 1, 2001... I raise Muscovy ducks as yard pets more than anything else. The hens normally lay three clutches of eggs each year. For some reason their preferred nesting is usually on a shelf in my garage/shop. Some will even push off a box to make a nest...

Grow your own feed ad reduce your bill by 25%.
November 1, 2001... I planted about 20 hills of comfrey around the outside border of the chicken run. From early spring to the first killing frost I can cut a bundle of fresh comfrey greens for the 10-12 laying hens. The plants regenerate to provide a continuous...

Chicken flavor depends on breeding and management.
November 1, 2001... Are there any significant differences in the flavor of chicken meat caused by genetics? What are considered the most delicious types of chicken? Is anyone breeding chickens for superior eating qualities? It's not polite to answer a question...

Winter horse care.
November 1, 2001... It's wet, it's cold, and it's windy. If horse owners consider a few management details, their horses can tolerate this kind of weather. Bob Coleman, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture equine specialist, said horse owners need to...

Botulism affects livestock, too.
November 1, 2001... Although it doesn't happen frequently, spoilage of silage, hay, and grain can sometimes pose a serious threat to livestock. You can minimize the threat by becoming aware of the different toxins that can harm cattle, horses and other animals....

How to achieve financial independence.
November 1, 2001... BRUCE PANKRATZ MINNEAPOLIS, MN Even in the country it's hard to escape the need for money. Modern society functions because people work for money and meet their needs by trading the money with other people. Homesteaders often...

Where does that paycheck go?
November 1, 2001... Anyone involved in operating or planning a homestead--or investigating changes that might take place in a homestead or other post-Industrial Age economy (or where current family economics might be improved) -- will find much to mull over in...

Turn the old Christmas tree into cash.
November 1, 2001... JOHN JURESIC JOHN'S WOOD ART 318 KOOB LANE ANDOVER, KS 67002 Christmas is over and the tree has started to shed its needles. There is another option to putting the tree at the curb or taking it to the recycling center. I have found...

Reflections on creativity, land, and patents.
November 1, 2001... BARBARA SANTHUFF-KOSA HCR 63, Box 2875 BELLEVIEW, MO 63623 Buying land A few seasons have passed since Marc and I first set out on our quest for land. I said I didn't care where we went or how much land we bought as long as it...

Back to basics.
November 1, 2001... Recovering from a lifetime of excess (Harry wrote: This bares our soul in a couple of places, but what the beck. If it can help someone else, it's worth it.) January 1991 marked our "rebirth." We had just suffered a business failure...

Planning and determination provides freedom.
November 1, 2001... My husband and I bought our property with the intention of being able and prepared to live completely independently, if we needed to. We were pretty sure that the day would come when we would need to provide for ourselves. We started from...

The hawthorn buck.
November 1, 2001... 12/2/00 Opening day of Pennsylvania antlered deer season is overcast and drizzling. It is late afternoon; this will be my last chance today. The morning was spent searching the valley below our homestead and produced nothing but damp tired...

Rural living and auto ethics.
November 1, 2001... I would never trade my home in the country for one in the city--but don't think I haven't thought about it. What really makes me consider such a move is my truck. That truck, with me behind the wheel, is on the road 100 miles a day, five...

Everything I Needed to Know About Business I Learned in the Barnyard!
November 1, 2001... Don Aslett; Marsh Creek Press, PO Box 700, Pocatello ID 83204; 115 pp, paperback, $9.95 As you might suspect from the title, this is an unusual book. Yes, it really is about running a business, and it's serious. But it's easy to read and...

Just the Greatest Life.
November 1, 2001... David Schafer; Poosey Press, PO Box 62, Jamesport MO 64648; 222 pp, paperback, $13 + $2.45 S&H There must be a reason why so many city people who move to the country feel compelled to write books about their new experiences. (This literary...

Reflections on a treadle sewing machine.
November 1, 2001... I seem to have come full circle. One of my earliest memories was playing with my great-grandmother's old (even then) treadle sewing machine. At five years old, I could manage to keep my feet moving in the right rhythm to cause the machine to...