Don Eggleston

I hope you haven't gotten rid of your dogs yet.  I have had remarkable success controlling my wild rescue dog with a "shock collar".  There are two settings, the first being just a vibration.  I have never had to shock my dog--vibrations alone stop her.  Any unwanted behavior can be extinguished in a few minutes.  They're only about $30 on Amazon.

Don Eggleston

This reminds me of a story about elephants.  (I worked with "at-risk" teens for 30 years and the one thing almost all of them had in common was fatherhood issues--not there, beat them, beat mom, etc., so this story made a lot of sense to me.)

About 50 years ago at a wildlife reserve in Africa, there were too many elephants, so the administration had to thin the herd.  They chose the old males because they had no obvious value.  Within a year, the young bulls had formed "gangs" and were rampaging through villages--even killing hippos for fun;  completely out of control.  This is what happens when older male models are not around.  

I like this true story even more, now that I'm in the older male category.

Thanks to you both!

Same questions about these two trees:

Apple tree, pippin.  I had a terrible fireblight infection on my pears and asian pears two years ago.  I think one of my apples was also affected.  Dark round rings around the trunk, produced almost no fruit.  Could it be fireblight?

Great thread.  I've never eaten one, but I used to mount their little heads.  At one point I had fifteen gophers, three moles and a vole.  It made me feel warm inside every time I looked at the little decapitated buggers.  They are the devils of the animal world, much like foxtails (in central CA) are of the plant world.

I've been campaigning for Bernie Sanders, so I've had a lot of interaction with strangers lately. I've been amazed at how little people listen--that's why Bernie has been repeating the message for 30 years and people are slowly beginning to listen.

With that insight in mind, I am repeating my earlier post:

Gee, folks. I didn't real all the suggestions for Paul, but I'm a little shocked that so many permaculturists that believe that everything is connected didn't point out the obvious and that is Paul's weight. (I'm carrying an extra 15 pounds in my belly and have corresponding lower back pain, so I understand.) Just as the natural organic soil determines the health of the tree (not chemical fertilizers or pesticides), the same principle applies to Paul. His body is clearly not happy and he needs to change his diet.

I might add exercise.

Most of us love Paul because he talks straight, calls a spade a spade, etc. Sooo....

Hey Paul, you're too FAT!

Many of the other posts are equivalent to spraying water on aphids. Yes, it relieves the symptoms, but a citrus tree that is not stressed should be able to protect itself from aphids alone. Again, back to healthy organic soil. Backpain is just the symptom of a systemic problem.

Where is the whole permaculture systems thinking on solving this problem?

Don Eggleston

Gee, folks. I didn't real all the suggestions for Paul, but I'm a little shocked that so many permaculturists that believe that everything is connected didn't point out the obvious and that is Paul's weight. (I'm carrying an extra 15 pounds in my belly and have corresponding lower back pain, so I understand.) Just as the natural organic soil determines the health of the tree (not chemical fertilizers or pesticides), the same principle applies to Paul. His body is clearly not happy and he needs to change his diet.

Don Eggleston

I'm not completely done watching yet, but the peace question has been responded to. I can't help but notice that the four men talking never said a word about TESTOSTERONE when talking about peace. How could anyone talk about international peace and not mention WOMEN?

Don Eggleston

I just asked this question of a Peaceful Valley pasture seed salesperson here in CA and she suggested vetch might compete favorably with foxtail. Also I have noticed that of all the seeds in the mixed pasture seed I put out last year, bell beans did well and left a ton of seeds. Perhaps over time they will overtake the foxtails. What I call foxtail here is the pest equivalent of the gopher in the flora world. I've taken three dogs to the vet for foxtails in the ears, vagina, etc. It clearly is a pioneer plant. On my property it grows on disturbed, infertile soil. It makes sense to me that if bell beans or vetch can at least compete, over time the soil would be rich enough that foxtail would disappear. Throwing out some seed is much easier than sheet mulching or trucking the harvested plants off your land. Much more of a permaculture solution. Using nature.

Also, in one orchard I have kikuyu grass. That has outcompeted foxtail completely.

Don Eggleston