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whole plant and take all the goodness from the
bean pods; the only cure, when black fly first
appear, is to pick out the top of the plant. I make
no apology for returning to roses; if you haven’t
fed your rose bushes with a rose fertiliser you
should do so as soon as possible as we expect
them to flower throughout the season without
giving them a real tonic; I will also spray mine
with Rose Clear 3 which prevents mildew and
black spot and keeps the green fly at bay; for good
measure it stimulates leaf growth. May is a good
month to put in supports for your herbaceous
plants; try to use something that can be hidden as
the plant grows such as a square of wire netting
or hazel nut twigs. Lastly I hear that there are
more diseases spreading from the continent
despite our cold winter – the leak moth lays its
eggs in the centre of the plant and the
‘hatchlings’ feed off the centre and kill the plant;
there is no cure only protection with yet more
fleece.
Rushall Organic Farm
John Tennant
In the last couple of weeks everything has
grown in abundance. Our 70 odd cows and calves
were restless with anticipation to eat fresh green
grass after months of silage and straw in their
modest winter housing. It was to my surprise that
my boss, William Cumber, decided to sell our 30
Angus- cross cows with calves at foot. Prices were
high and he was keen to replace them with
Stabiliser heifers to calve next January. A buyer
arrived at the farm making notes and muttering
about a strong trade. I could see he had a keen
eye for stock and glancing at me he observed
shrewdly ”Have you got long to go?” I made it
clear that to my knowledge I wasn’t part of the
deal, or at least not at the moment. So it is going
to be Somerset, not Chalkpit at Englefield for
these fine organic ladies.
We received a letter from Dunbia, the abattoir we
supply near Carmarthen. I quote, “as a valued
supplier to Sainsbury’s” we have been selected to
be “part of Sainsbury’s carbon footprint initiative.
The process is one which could have considerable
benefit to your enterprise both financially and
environmentally”. I look forward to the outcome!
We’ve come to recognise the strange sound of
the Red Kite. They don’t just do Google Earth
without technology but locate lambs if they die in
the field. It’s a handy aid when checking stock.
They also love to prey over freshly cut silage or
hay fields mopping up field mice and shrews
caught up in the vicious knives of tractor mowers.
The growth of creation in May is stunning. You
can stand and watch a field of winter barley
coming into ear. There is a passage in the Bible
which talks about creation groaning, longing for
us to take regard for it as God intended. In May it
feels as though creation is bursting to express
itself with the sheer joy of being alive. The dawn
chorus breaks a night with no regard for the need
for 8 hours sleep. We have a chance to express our
gratitude to God for His provision and ask His
blessing on the land and livestock and the work
we do. This will be on Sunday 9th May at 3pm,
meeting at Rushall Manor and touring the area on
trailers, with tea afterwards. All are welcome, and
thanks to all who joined us at the Lambing Days.
Over £25k was raised for the Reading MS Society.
It’s time for the Christian
Resources Exhibition!
John Bishop
This month sees the biggest ever
International Christian Resources Exhibition
(May 11 – 14) being held at Sandown Park in
Esher. If you can possibly get down to it for a
day, you will not be disappointed!
6 MAY 2010