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  • From: "TradingPostPaul" <tradingpost@riseup.net>
  • To: livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [Livingontheland] The Three Sisters: exploring an Iroquois garden
  • Date: Wed, 03 Jan 2007 09:07:01 -0700


Source: Eames-Sheavly, Marcia. 1993. The Three Sisters: exploring an
Iroquois garden. Cornell Coop. Ext. Publ. 142LM15.
http://www.css.cornell.edu/courses/190/abstr/reid.htm

The Iroquois were able to produce food sustainably for their culture for
over 1000 years. This indicates that their agricultural techniques are
valuable in the study of sustainable systems. Marcia Eames-Sheavly, an
extension support specialist at Cornell University, discusses polycropping
of corn, beans, and squash in Iroquois gardens and how non-Iroquois people
can adopt their techniques. Eames-Sheavly describes types of corn, squash,
and beans, and their role in Iroquois life and legend while presenting
several projects for the reader to explore. The booklet first discusses the
development and importance of corn to Native Americans. The author
describes six different corn races: popcorn, flint corn, dent corn, sweet
corn, flour (or soft) corn, and pod (or grandfather) corn. She then writes
about the advantages of polycropping over monoculture. Polycultures require
less fertilization and are more effective at pest control than
monocultures. A section of the booklet by Marvin Pritts is included to
support the need for diversity in agriculture by sighting famines that have
resulted from the over dependence on monocultures. Eames-Sheavly gives
specific instructions and suggestions on how to cultivate an Iroquois Three
Sisters garden, including how many seeds to plant and depth, time, and
distance of sowing relative to the other crops. Interspersed throughout the
booklet are stories and projects about the Three Sisters. There are recipes
and ways to prepare the crops that involve the whole family. Instructions
on how to make dolls from corn husks are included for children. This
booklet is a good source for those who want to learn about Native American
agriculture and enjoy home gardening.






  • [Livingontheland] The Three Sisters: exploring an Iroquois garden, TradingPostPaul, 01/03/2007

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