permaculture

["Lawrence F. London, Jr." <venaurafarm@bellsouth.net>]

Interesting observations in the field and forest - during late afternoon 
walkabout.

1) Control of invasive Bermuda Grass is possible using interplanting
or overseeding of lespedeza, maybe sericea lespedeza, a perennial:
"Sericea lespedeza spreads primarily by seeds. The method of seed 
dispersal is probably by animals." (wind or runoff).
This is a wonderful plant. It can take over a field as it provides 
fertility through fixation of atmospheric nitrogen. It will outcompete 
many plants that become problems for farmers or gardeners, i.e. Johnson 
grass, Bermuda grass, redroot pigweed, winter ryegrass, fescue grass, 
crabgrass and many other "weeds" (compostable). It has done this for me
in a large field I have left fallow and I am grateful for it. I think I 
have it from a deliberate planting I made a long time ago. I bought a 
bag of sericea lespedeza and spread it over about .5 acre. It is 
extremely hardy resisting cold, heat, prolonged rainfall and drought.
It will thrive in poor, dry, compacted, unfertilized soil where you 
often find Bermuda growing. I am watching an unwanted patch of Bermuda 
disappear within an ever spreading stand of Lespedeza.

2) As I was looking at the new lespedeza sprouts I noticed a large, 
spreading spider web nearby, spanning the entire forest opening into a 
small glade. It was some unidentified harmless brown spider, lovely to 
look at. I focused my flashlight on bright beam on the web and saw the 
spider very busily walking around the web. I then noticed that it was in 
the act of spinning the web itself. I have never seen this before.
It seems that, after connecting the long strands attached to nearby 
branches all to a central point in the web, have laid a coarse series of 
concentric spirals out to the web edges then, as I watched, started 
inward, filling in the gaps with more rings in a more closely spaced 
pattern. It was also interesting to note that the very central thee 
inches of the web were made of thinner silk laid in very closely spaced 
rings. It seemed to be a part of the web specially designed to attract 
and catch prey as it had a small glob of white silk at the center of 
this highly flexible section which, with the slightest wind or 
vibration, would wobble in and out and vibrate, possibly looking like an 
insect to some other unsuspecting predator. This section was so soft and 
flexible that anything touching it would become immediately ensnared to 
provide food for the host.

3) Flashlight:
(I have one of these and would not be without it - cheaper knockoffs are 
a waste of money, Surefires always work when needed - a must have for 
waling at night during poisonous snake season (now and until mid to late 
October for me). Play it safe and never be wothout a good flashlight 
when walking outside at night, and the brighter the better.
reliable
bright (200 lumens)
durable (indestructable and waterproof)
highly versatile and functional
standard required gear for folks in poisonous snake country
Best bargain going:
Surefire  6XP Pro
http://www.surefire.com/6PX-Pro
Price:  $115.00
Specifications  
Max Output      200     .0      lumens
Low Output / Runtime    15      .0      lumens / 45 hours
Tactical Runtime*       2       .0      hours
Length  5       .20     inches
Bezel Diameter  1       .25     inches
Weight w/Batteries      5       .2      ounces
Batteries       2
Description
6PX-B-BK
The 6PX Pro's high-efficiency LED—virtually immune to failure since 
there's no filament to burn out or break—provides two light output 
levels: a brilliant, penetrating, perfectly pre-focused 200-lumen beam, 
and a 15-lumen low-output setting that lets you greatly extend the 
runtime per set of batteries, an invaluable option when you find 
yourself miles from civilization. Press the tailcap switch for 
momentary-on low, press further to click constant-on low, return to off 
and press or click on again within two seconds for high. The 
high-strength aerospace aluminum body is smoothly sculpted for a 
comfortable, secure grip and is hard anodized to military specifications 
for extreme resistance to scratches, abrasion, and corrosion. A 
polycarbonate micro-textured reflector delivers a comparatively wider 
beam with generous peripheral light. We also make a polymer-body version 
of this light, the G2X Pro, and a single-output version with a tactical 
tailcap switch, the 6PX Tactical.
Features
    Virtually indestructible LED emitter regulated to maximize light 
output and runtime
    Two output levels—high for maximum light, low for extended runtime
    Precision micro-textured reflector creates smooth, optimized beam
    Tough polycarbonate window resists impact
    High-strength aerospace aluminum body, Mil-Spec hard-anodized for 
extreme durability
    Dual-output tailcap click switch—press for momentary-on low, click 
for constant-on low, return to off then press or click again for high
    Weatherproof—O-ring and gasket sealed
    Includes high-energy 123A batteries with 10-year shelf life