Regarding the prison idea, does anyone know anthing more specific about this?
Connie Falk
Las Cruces, NM
>Regarding the efficiency of growing one's own food on a small scale,
>I read somewhere (again, no reference!) that calorie for calorie the
>human body is more efficient than any machine (since petroleum contains
>so many calories). Perhaps this will one day change with advances in
>solar energy use (based on the properties of photosynthesis?).
>
>As for the effect that gardening can have on a person, I've seen
>wonderful things happen to children and adolescents. Children take such
>pride in their own accomplishments and that is clear with gardening. For
>them to have planted a seed and then to see it sprout into something as
>big as themselves amazes them. I'm not saying little terrors became
>angels, but to have a class of kindergarteners (what an appropriate
>term!) sit quietly, completely focused, for 15 uninterrupted minutes as
>seedlings are being transplanted feels like quite an accomplishment.
>
>Gardening's effect really depends on how you approach it. If you simply
>take it on as a job of planting and harvesting, it can be short, quick,
>and utilitarian. With a sizable garden it can even become drudgery. But
>if the garden is an educational setting, you could spend your whole life
>there learning. With kids it can be part of a bigger program aimed at
>increasing their appreciation for nature, where their food comes from,
>and better nutrition. I really can't believe that gardening doesn't do
>something good for people. Even the old crab is probably that much
>happier in his garden than in front of the TV. The point for me is not
>to make everyone a saint, but to widen their horizons, and as Dave Finnie
>said, to have a minimal impact on the environment in feeding ourselves.
>
>Lauri Scharf
>Arlington, MA
>