Countryside & Small Stock Journal back issues from March 2007:
Homestead progress arrives--albeit slowly.(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor)
Mar 01, 2007 ... COUNTRYSIDE: Just a quick note to tell you how much I appreciate your magazine. Pre Y2K I discovered your magazine at the local library. Since that time our family has realized our dream to purchase debt free a small piece of land in the beautiful county of Siskiyou in northern California ....
A firewood storage system that works.(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor)
Mar 01, 2007; ... COUNTRYSIDE: We use firewood on our homestead in Colorado. Our passive solar home gets about 75% of its heat from the sun and about 25% from our woodstove. Heating with wood can be messy and cumbersome, as we found early on. We developed a storage area and a method of storage that makes ...
Another twist on a kindling bundling system.(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor)
Mar 01, 2007; ... COUNTRYSIDE: I read with great interest the article by Mr. Gregory Lawrence about a kindling bundler (90/6). I have evolved to almost exactly the same system, only without the bundler, which I will make this spring before the cutting season. For those people who use slightly ...
Keep blister beetles and rats at bay.(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor)
Mar 01, 2007; ... COUNTRYSIDE: I once had a terrible plague of blister beetles on my Irish potato vines--they looked black when you looked down the row. I set up my old blender and put about a cup of water in it, then got a coffee can with a little water in it and a stick, and headed for the garden. I ...
Research comes before poultry (or at least it should).(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor)
Mar 01, 2007 ... COUNTRYSIDE: I am in the beginning stages of a small poultry business. Sure, I grew up in the country, I've raised chickens before--and goats--and a few other farm stock. But, before I went into this, I did my research. No, this does not mean hours and hours with one's nose stuck in a book ...
Correction.(Country conversation & feedback)(Correction notice)
Mar 01, 2007 ... The alpaca photo on page 89 in the Jan/Feb 2007 issue was misidentified. It actually belongs to ...
Reader disputes history of Mini Jerseys.(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor)
Mar 01, 2007; ... COUNTRYSIDE: I disagree with the article regarding homesteading with livestock (90/1). I have raised registered Miniature Jerseys and take offense when people write articles and don't know the facts. Although it is true that some people do breed down (size-wise) standard Jerseys with ...
Any advice for hardier cattle?(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor)
Mar 01, 2007; ... COUNTRYSIDE: Thank you for such an enjoyable magazine and so many delightful comments and articles from readers. I live on 300 acres in Oregon, situated on a rocky mountainside that has heavy clay, wherever there aren't rocks. It's mostly oak woodland, with soils that form a sea ...
Put an end to "lead bread".(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor)
Mar 01, 2007; ... COUNTRYSIDE: "How to choose a grain mill," by Jd Belanger (90/6), was an interesting article but didn't address why "the other loaf made from fresh-ground whole wheat, yeast and water--period" was what I call "lead bread." I began grinding my own flour with my Diamant mill and it was ...
Homestead tips to live by.(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor)
Mar 01, 2007; ... COUNTRYSIDE: Now, more than ever I believe, people need to grab hold of the land and maintain a good grip. My family and I moved way up north in Maine in 1981. The kids survived and prospered and moved on into the mainstream with a far better attitude than others of their age. They avoided ...
Is bucking the permit system worth it?(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor)
Mar 01, 2007; ... COUNTRYSIDE: This letter is in response to John and Cindy Pitonyak's question concerning building without permits (91/1): My wife and I retired to 84 acres of bare land and built our home from scratch four years ago. Like most, we were on a very tight budget and were as creative ...
NAIS website updates.(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor)
Mar 01, 2007; ... COUNTRYSIDE: I have been working on the questions of public policy as related to sustainable communities, and have been reading with interest your articles on National Animal Identification System (NAIS). Has anyone checked out the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund homepage ...
In search of a reciprocating mower.(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor)
Mar 01, 2007; ... COUNTRYSIDE: Do all of your contributing writers live in the northern part of the USA? Does anyone live in or around Texas? I really love your magazine, but the information seems targeted mostly to northern and northeastern readers. I am trying to establish a homestead in central Texas and ...
Uninvited guests? Many readers have advice for this dilemma.(Country conversation & feedback)(Letter to the editor)
Mar 01, 2007; ... COUNTRYSIDE: I read Angora's article (91/1, pg. 25) and had to chuckle. We found ourselves in the same predicament with uninvited guests about 15 years ago. Our dairy/sheep farm called out to family, friends, and school children ... all whom we loved, but as she has discovered, cause a ...
Keep your cool without electricity.(Country conversation & feedback)
Mar 01, 2007; ... COUNTRYSIDE: Responding to a letter in 90/5 on how to cool an apartment without electricity, I do not have answers to all of his questions, however I can try to help Mr. O'Connor with the following. Cooling an apartment without electricity: 1. Circulation can be ...
Reusing water filters.(Country conversation & feedback)
Mar 01, 2007; ... COUNTRYSIDE: While filter cartridges are sold as disposable at least some can be reused. I get my water supply directly from a spring. I have used either the paper or string cartridges. When they are changed I simply put them in an old, clean sock and put them in with a regular ...
Coming events.(Calendar)
Mar 01, 2007 ... Send your event at least three months in advance to: COUNTRYSIDE Coming Events, 145 Industrial Dr., Medford, WI 54451 or e-mail: csymag@tds.net On-going: * Solar Energy International: Solar energy and sustainable living: www.solarenergy.org. Call 970-9638855 for ...
A log cabin adventure: they built their cabin in the woods in New York--and hauled the logs from North Carolina.(Alternative housing)
Mar 01, 2007 ... ANONYMOUS NEW YORK STATE The dream It was with a lot of hard work and enthusiasm that I planned to build a log cabin on the 14 acres I had bought. I planned, I cut logs, then I went flat broke and had to simply wait ... and wait some more. Finally, I had had enough ....
Mortgage vs. home improvement loan: moving a house may be cheaper than buying or building.(Alternative housing)
Mar 01, 2007; ... Ever since I received my first copy of COUNTRYSIDE magazine, I've wanted to share this in hopes that it will inspire someone to fulfill their dream of affording a place in the country. After raising our six children (his-and-hers), my husband, Zane and I were financially way ...
The quest for homestead land: and tips in retrospect.
Mar 01, 2007; ... When we decided we were ready to buy property again, we had only a few ideas of what we were looking for. We did not have Internet at that time (10 years ago), nor a lot of money. So except for a few real estate dealers, we were pretty much on our own. Land prices were going up then, and ...
A tree house yurt: but it's not for living in (that's what the RV is for), because it would fill up with "stuff"!
Mar 01, 2007; ... It has been a couple of years since we first wrote to COUNTRYSIDE sharing our dreams of building a tree house in the backwoods of the Sierra Nevada's in California. Even though we experienced problems with our neighbor, we did end up building our tree house, which sits 15 feet above ground ...
Stand-alone solar water pumping.(Life on the sunny side)
Mar 01, 2007; ... Water. Because it's so often hard to come by without the application of a considerable amount of electric power, those of us living off the power grid seem to have a preoccupation with it. Generally, we either bring water home from town in a big tank lashed into the bed of a one-ton ...
As the turbine turns ...(Countrysides's wind turbine update)
Mar 01, 2007; ... As mentioned in the November/December, 2006 issue of COUNTRYSIDE, we had problems with our old wind turbine after its re-installation at our new location in northern Wisconsin. Basically, it wouldn't turn no matter what the wind speed. We decided to upgrade our Whisper H900 to a Whisper ...
Start your solar energy system on a manageable level.
Mar 01, 2007; ... For people with sights set upon homesteading, I would suggest they begin making the switch from grid-tie electric to self-solar production as soon as possible to increase their savings. With a solar-battery maintenance charger (about $20), two car lighter socket adapters ($10), two 12-volt ...
Family album.
Mar 01, 2007; ... COUNTRYSIDE: I live in this passive solar home near Mason City, Iowa. I also have some passive solar heat storage rods I might like to sell to the right buyer.--Charles Nasheim, PO Box 57, ...
4 steps to a bountiful garden.(The garden)
Mar 01, 2007; ... Every spring when it comes time to plant the garden, I wonder whether I'm doing it right. Are there enough nutrients in the soil? Am I allowing adequate space between the rows? How deep should I plant the seeds? What can I do to prevent weeds from taking over? Despite my questions, I ...
The secrets to growing delectable sweet corn.(The garden)
Mar 01, 2007; ... There are as many opinions on what makes a delectable tasting ear of sweet corn as there are silks on that ear. Corn perfection, it seems, is a matter of opinion. There are, however, some tried and true cultural methods for gardeners who wish to seek sweet corn superiority. To discover ...
High Desert gardening: what we do now for a spring garden.(The garden)
Mar 01, 2007 ... We gardeners, especially those of us in the High Desert areas, always have to be forward thinkers and planners. If we wait until it's time to do our planting to learn these garden techniques, we might have missed a good opportunity; spent money on frost-bitten and now dead plants; grown ...
Growing fruit on your homestead.(Question of the month)
Mar 01, 2007; ... I will discuss peaches, apricots, strawberry, gooseberry and bramble fruits. Oh, and how could I forget mulberries?! Peaches and apricots These stone-fruit trees grow well in this part of the country (Missouri), but are often troubled by brown rot and the coddling ...
Tending fruit trees.
Mar 01, 2007 ... I prune my fruit trees in December, when they have all lost their leaves. I'll also feed them. A feeding then will promote winter hardiness, and store nutrients through winter and early spring when they will be fed again. It will aid in making the underground root growth stronger. Feeder ...
Growing fruit on a northern homestead.
Mar 01, 2007; ... Living in Northern Wisconsin, most folks think we're really limited as to what fruits will actually grow up here. The contrary is quite the case. I've had great success (mixed with a few failures, of course) with the following, and I live in growing zone 4: Several varieties of ...
Insects love her "banana smoothies".
Mar 01, 2007; ... We grow a small variety of fruits on our homestead. Strawberries are a favorite but with late spring frosts that we have been having the harvest has been small the past couple of years. Apples and raspberries are our abundant crop. We still have trees of pears, peaches and sweet cherries ...
Fruit butters are a great way to preserve your sweet harvest.
Mar 01, 2007; ... I am one of those still aspiring to have "A Couple Acres to Call My Own," so I am using what room I have on my small city lot to practice my skills for whenever that day comes. Small fruits have proven easy to fit on the edges of my mostly-shaded yard. I have rhubarb, everbearing ...
Put fresh greens on your table--for free!
Mar 01, 2007 ... Spring is around the corner, and dandelions are one of the first edible greens to appear. They are also one of the most nutritious greens you can sink your teeth into. (In case you're wondering, in order of nutrition, they are: lamb's quarters, collards, amaranth, dandelions, broccoli, ...
Getting started with bees.(The apiary)
Mar 01, 2007; ... Hello. My name is Jerry Hayes and I have been in the beekeeping industry going on 25 years. My goal is to spend some time with some of you over the next year as we work together to develop a relationship with an insect, the honeybee. For those of you who read COUNTRYSIDE ...
Make a spill-proof livestock waterer that delays freezing.
Mar 01, 2007; ... For those who have animals and cold winters, one of the most common issues is freezing water buckets. When you set water buckets out for your livestock, ice soon follows. Here is a useful idea for those on a low budget. Make use of your old tires--you know, the ones you pay to ...
Contain your kid: with this handy disbudding box.(The goat barn)
Mar 01, 2007; ... Disbudding kids is one job goat owners don't relish, but it needs to be done to protect the herdsman from some nasty butting. Disbudding will also protect the goat, as horns can easily get stuck on wire, cattle panels or other fencing, when they simply must taste the forage on the other ...
Raising rabbits step-by-step.(The rabbitry)
Mar 01, 2007; ... When raising rabbits, you must first decide what breed of rabbit suits your needs. If you just want a couple of pets, it doesn't really matter what the breed is. If you want a few for the show circuit, you will need the very best purebreds you can afford. Most show rabbits are the exotic ...
Pullus fabula.(The henhouse)
Mar 01, 2007; ... Last summer was the first time we had ordered chicks in years. Once, back on our old farmstead, we placed an order for 25 chicks at the hatchery, of which breed I cannot recall with any certainty. That was the first and, until spring of 2006, the last time we ever purchased chickens, some ...
Let this be the year you start raising chickens!(The henhouse)
Mar 01, 2007; ... Spring is around the corner. Perhaps you've just escaped life in the city, such as an apartment or other close quarters, and finally gotten onto your "long dreamed of" homestead. Or maybe you've found housing in an area that will allow chickens or other farm type animals. So now you'd like ...
Quail provide a "change of pace" for poultry owners.(The poultry yard)
Mar 01, 2007; ... The steam rose gently from the frying pan as yet another chicken neared perfection. The fragrant aroma of the fresh corn and steamed vegetables filled the kitchen, a sign to all that dinner was close at hand. My youngest, a mere 12-going-on-30, entered the kitchen to check on dinner's ...
Which breed of cattle is best? That depends ...(The poultry yard)
Mar 01, 2007 ... COUNTRYSIDE: I am in need of some information on what type of beef calf I should get for our small homestead. We have Boer-mix goats, and we have decided to get calves, too. I was thinking of the white face breeds or maybe the Scotch Highlands or Charolais. Which one would be ...
History of the Red Wattle hog.(The pig pen)
Mar 01, 2007; ... It is said that in the late 1800s in southwestern Texas lived a wealthy land baron, who traveled the globe hunting big game. To add to his collection, on one of his trips to Australia he was told of a great animal only known to exist on one island off the coast of Australia, the Espirito ...
Safe shepherding: who is going to tend the sheep if the shepherd or shepherdess can't?(The sheep shed)
Mar 01, 2007; ... Many potential and new shepherds are told that sheep are born looking for a way to die," yet few of us are warned that there are hazards on the farm that can cause us harm too. The following is written because I love my sheep so much--and because my family also loves our farm life. We ...
Animal owner's options when faced with mandatory or compulsory aspects of NAIS.
Mar 01, 2007; ... This article is not intended to provide legal advice. Legal advice can only be given by a lawyer admitted to practice in your state who is familiar with your individual circumstances. At the present time the states vary enormously in the extent of their efforts to implement ...
A quarter-century of restoring old wagons.(The country kitchen)
Mar 01, 2007; ... In a spectacular canyon up on Glade Park, Colorado, there is some very unique work going on. Gary Kroft has been in the business of restoring old carriages and sheep wagons for over 25 years. His wife Marilyn helps with the wood varnishing, upholstery, and the refurbishing of the inside ...
No need to knead bread.(The country kitchen)(Recipe)
Mar 01, 2007; ... I thoroughly enjoy your magazine, and thought I should share a recipe for bread that has only five ingredients, doesn't require kneading, and clean up is easy. I live in a small town, across from Seattle, on the Olympic Peninsula. Twenty-five years ago, my girlfriend Delores and ...
Chicken fettuccine.(The country kitchen)(Recipe)
Mar 01, 2007; ... <Pre> 3 boneless chicken breasts 1 package (16 oz.) dry fettuccine noodles 2 quarts heavy whipping cream 1-1/2 tablespoons seasoning salt 2 tablespoons garlic powder Pinch of black pepper Pinch of parsley 1 stick of butter 8 oz. grated feta cheese 8 oz. grated Parmesan ...
Tips from an urban homesteader.(All around the homestead)
Mar 01, 2007; ... I do not homestead rurally, though at one point in time it was a passion of mine. Unfortunately, it was not a passion of my husband's, so I have had to make due where I have been able to, in living out my own version of a self-sufficient life-style in small towns and a mid-sized city ....
Make your own laundry soap and help your environment.
Mar 01, 2007; ... Two years ago I became intrigued with the thought of making my own soaps. I was trying to invoke new household rules of simplicity and trying to take steps to improve my own little environment. Researching the subject is very easy, as the Internet has many courageous people who are doing ...
A cumbersome job goes much smoother with Dutch's homemade firewood splitter.(The woodlot)
Mar 01, 2007; ... About 15 years ago, 78-year-old Walter "Dutch" Hamann, of Kootenai, Idaho grew tired of splitting firewood by hand and decided there had to be an easier way than the brute force needed in swinging a 10-pound splitting maul. The old tried-and-true method was too physical and too time ...
Inexpensive, portable sawmill now available.(New product)
Mar 01, 2007 ... A portable handheld sawmill is an inexpensive and practical solution for anyone in need of their own lumber. Even more importantly, however, it makes it possible for woodworking artisans to mill expensive and unusual wood. The concept is as simple as it is ingenious. Mill attachments ...
Encouragement for beginning woodcarvers.(The woodcarver)
Mar 01, 2007; ... My main purpose in writing this column is to encourage people to take up a hobby that will help occupy your time when you reach retirement age and cannot do the more strenuous things of your younger years. A hobby is also a relaxing pastime during the stressful years of trying to earn a ...
We're stumped.(What in the world ...?)
Mar 01, 2007 ... Do you know what this tool is and what it was used for? It's made of metal, roughly two feet long, with a crank-type handle that appears to move the spiral hook between two "arms." (The handle turns, but doesn't engage any other pieces, although it may have at one time--it's ...
Memories of Chocolate Gravy and Cat Head Biscuits.(Country neighbors)(Recipe)
Mar 01, 2007; ... I was looking at a magazine the other morning, and saw a picture of an old grandpa sitting at a little roughly-made table in a log cabin. He was blowing on coffee he had "saucered." It brought back some very fond memories of when I was a scrawny little girl. growing up in the rolling hills ...
Longing for more ...
Mar 01, 2007; ... For as long as I can remember, I have had a deep desire to live the life of a "homesteader." When I say that, what I mean is that I desire to have a simple life on a farm that has the ability to provide me with the necessities of life. That is what "homesteading" means to me. A no-frills ...
Lessons from the Great Depression.(Looking back)
Mar 01, 2007; ... There are many accounts of the Great Depression among those of us who lived through that period. I have known people who barely knew there were hard times, as they had steady employment. Their income purchased more than ever during this period, and by most accounts they were considered ...
Poor Will's Countryside Almanack for early spring of 2007.
Mar 01, 2007 ... The seasons bring the flower again, And bring the firstling to the flock. --Alfred Lord Tennyson Astronomical data for March Phases of the Red-Winged Blackbird Moon and the Robin Chorus Moon As most of the red-winged blackbirds set their territories, great ...
The salesman & the magic pumpkin.(After chores)
Mar 01, 2007; ... The sun shone brightly that fall day. There was no wind to speak of, and it felt good after the cold spell we had. It was the kind of day that makes you feel lazy. Dad had taken the last of the range cattle and their calves to the sale barn. All spring and summer I had grazed ...