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Set in Nevada in the 1860s, Bonanza chronicled the adventures of the Cartwright family who owned a large ranch called The Ponderosa. Ben Cartwright and his three sons, Adam, Hoss, and Joe fought for what was just and decent in a time where lawlessness was common.
The widowed patriarch Ben Cartwright had three sons, each by a different wife: the oldest was the urbane architect Adam Cartwright, who built the ranch house. The second was the warm and lovable giant Eric, better known by his nickname "Hoss." And the youngest was the hotheaded and impetuous Joseph or "Little Joe." They all lived and worked on The Ponderosa. Nearby Virginia City helped populate the episodes with guest starring characters from all over America.
Broadcast between September 1959 and January 1973. Filmed by the National Broadcasting Company at Paramount Studios.
"The Gunmen"
Season 1
Episode 19
Joe and Hoss arrive in the town of Keowa Flats, Texas. They are immediately mistaken for two gunslinging brothers - the Slades. Joe and Hoss soon find themselves involved in a feud. They soon realize that they are the only ones who are in a position to stop the fighting before it gets any worse.
This movie is part of the collection: Classic TV
Producer: NBC
Audio/Visual: sound, color
Keywords: Bonanza; Classic TV; Classic Television; Westerns; Color; Public Domain
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benkid77 -
Subject: Another comedy episode
We know right from the start despite the shocking, murderous prelude that on hearing the "comedy" incidental music, this episode is not going to take itself too seriously.
It's got a few funny scenes featuring some giggling young ladies and really it's a bit like an affectionate spoof on the western genre.
Quality of the copy archived here is indeed inferior and some momentary drop-out of picture near the end betrays that this appears to come from a VHS source or similar.
As mentioned, a scene near the end also has some very quirky, jumpy editing which is a bit disorientating to watch.
Also, the only Cartwrights we see are Little Joe and Hoss, doing their comedy "double act". Ben and Adam just aren't in it.
Although, for what it aims for, it works quite well. But if like me, you prefer the more serious Bonanza episodes, then you'd be more inclined to give it a middling score. As it's just not as deeply absorbing as the more sincere stories. Verdict: Light entertainment.
The Bridge -
Subject: WELL - here it is.
Yes, this is the first show I worked as an electrician on, it was still at Paramount then. We worked into the late evening. It was a fun bunch on this show for sure. I think the Gaffer's name was Roy Woodside, nice boss to work with. I saw this episode when it came out, and I was not paying attention to the story, I was looking for the scenes I worked on hahaha. But, have watched Bonanza for many years and always enjoy it. Take a look at this one.
jazzfan -
Subject: Is this the episode.....
....where Michael Landon sings "I'm too sexy for my scarf"?
Donfield -
Subject: Light-hearted Bonanza
Dan Blocker and Michael Landon play dual roles as Hoss and Joe are mistaken for notorious gunslingers. Guest stars include veteran actor Henry Hull, Ellen Corby ("The Waltons"), and King Donovan, whom you can find playing Harvey Helm on Bob Cummings episodes here at the Archive.
Familiar theme replaced by what sounds like Duane Eddy.
Picture quality unfortunately isn't as good as some of the other Bonanza episodes available here, looks as if copy was made from television screen. This particular print shows signs of unusual editing in the last act apparently to make up for missing frames.
Worth the download for the shocking opening teaser.
richgoup -
Subject: The Gunmen (Bonanza)
Season 1, episode 19.
Original air date: 23 January 1960.
Hoss and Little Joe are mistaken for bloodthirsty hired killers in a small Texas town dominated by two feuding families.
Cast: Dan Blocker (Eric `Hoss` Cartwright/ Big Jack Slade), Michael Landon (Joseph `Little Joe` Cartwright/ Little Jim Slade), Lorne Greene (Ben Cartwright: credit Only), Pernell Roberts (Adam Cartwright: credit only), (Henry Hull (Sheriff B, Bannneman Brown), Geroge Mitchell (Jubad Hadfield), Douglas Spencer (Alonzo McFadden), King Donovan (twirly Boggs), Dennis Holmes (`Black` Alonzo McFadden), Ellen Corby (Lorna Doone Mayberry), Ann Graves (Amanda McFadden), Jenny Maxwell (Clara Lou Kinsey), Billy McLean (Bartender in Kiowa Flats), Jonathan Gilmore
(Anse Hadfield), Jody Fair (Lisabelle Jones), Dorothy Neumann (Ouisey McFadden), Dorothy Crehan (Suzan Hadfield), Bill Clark (Battender: uncredited) and Bob Miles (Man in Saloon: uncredited).
Copyright has expired abd is now in the public domain.
From IMDB.


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Definitely something to remember when you feel like you aren't being heard.
The last step of repentance is to forgive yourself. It's a step we often so easily forget; sometimes I think we forget it on purpose. As difficult as it is to recognize our mistakes, and to ask for forgiveness, that final step is by far the hardest. Especially if we feel we don't really deserve to be forgiven. However, our Savior has already suffered for each and every one of our sins and sorrows; and they have already been forgiven. If The Lord can forgive us of our sins- who are we to hold onto them.
I found this post interesting. The author and I grew up in the same ward. I feel like Kenyon hits on some plain and precious things. I've always been curious about the symbolism behind some of the images on The Salt Lake City Temple, but I've never been inspired to research them. For all the "pros" and "cons" of attending an LDS college, I think classes/projects like this would definitely be a pro! There is so much depth to the gospel. I find myself amazed when I ponder how much knowledge our Heavenly Father has given us through the scriptures and modern revelations through our living prophet. We can find answers to any question if only we ask with faith and pure intent. We may not receive answers in the way (or time) we would expect; but in the Lord's way (and the Lord's time) all things will be revealed. There are no secrets.Thanks Kenyon!
Hooray! Love this- emergency preparedness has always been a super tricky thing for me. There never seems to be enough time or energy to get all of those kits up and running. This blog makes the whole concept seem absolutely POSSIBLE! :)
Thank you to my good friend Sarah for posting a link to this article. She and her husband served as tour guides for The Kansas City Temple's open-house, so I think this story has special meaning for her.
The article is written simply and eloquently. I loved reading from the point of view of someone so open-minded, and obviously spiritually-connected. I especially loved the section where the author spoke about feeling the spirit anywhere- even from inside her "ratty old car". Even though temples aren't sacred for this Episcopal Priest, she understands their significance and I think that's beautiful.

subset: commoncrawl


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By: Bill Schammert
LB-451 is a rather simple bill, but it packs a punch. Basically, it bans any federal gun law passed after January 1st, 2013, from being enforceable within Nebraska's borders.
During Wednesday's testimony on the bill, Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers questioned its introducer, Fremont Sen. Charlie Janssen.
"When you took this oath to support the Constitution, did you agree to support the part that says the Constitution and its laws are the supreme laws of the land?"
Senator Janssen responded quickly.
"I do support the Constitution, but I will not blindly do so. If I Feel like something is going wrong or rights are being taken away from citizens, I must stand up."
The back and forth went on for almost twenty minutes during the Judiciary Committee hearing.
The bill says Nebraska would be exempt from any federal changes dealing with regulations on magazine size, further registration requirements and the legality of semi-automatic firearms.
Amongst its biggest supporters were two Nebraska county sheriffs.
"They can call it gun control all they want," Grant County Sheriff, Shawn Hebbert, testified. "It's about control. It's about rights; who gets to say what rights we keep and what rights we give up."
Lincoln County Sheriff, Jerome Kramer, also testified in support.
"LB-451 at least tells the government how we feel here in Nebraska."
But the future may not bode well for the bill. Sen. Chambers promised that LB-451 will not become law.
Hoskins Sen. Dave Bloomfield introduced similar legislation. The Nebraska Firearms Freedom Act says any firearm made and kept in Nebraska is not subject to federal law.
Another bill heard would remove handgun registrations and certificates from the public record.
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Authorities said no one was hurt in a fiery crash at Deer Valley Airport in Phoenix.
FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said the single-engine Piper PA 28 was fully engulfed in flames after crashing during takeoff about 11:30 a.m. Feb. 4 at the airport at Seventh Street and Deer Valley Road.
"The plane was in the process of taking off, heading eastbound, when there was some type of malfunction," said Phoenix police Sgt. Tommy Thompson.
According to authorities, three people from TransPac Aviation Academy were on board and were able to get out of the plane after the crash before it burst into flames.
Russ Flory works next to the airport and saw the whole thing. He was outside on his cell phone when the plane crashed down to the ground.
"It flipped nose first, then kind of kicked over to its right," said Flory. "It immediately caught fire as the plane rolled and they were still in the plane as it caught fire."
The CBS 5 News helicopter showed smoke coming from the small plane. From overhead, skid marks could be seen.
Flory said he did not expect to see three people walk away from the crash after the plane burst into flames.
"They were kind of rejoicing around each other," Flory said.
The aircraft belongs to the TransPac Aviation Academy, a flight school with an office at the Deer Valley Airport.
TransPac Aviation Academy issued the following statement in the wake of the crash:
"One of TransPac Aviation Academy's aircraft landed off runway near Seventh Street and Deer Valley Road this afternoon.
"All three crew members evacuated the aircraft safely with only very minor injuries. The aircraft apparently suffered significant damage.
"TransPac is cooperating in full with the FAA and NTSB as they complete their normal investigation. However, Stephen Goddard, President & CEO, would like to acknowledge the fine job our crew members did in safely executing an emergency landing - something we practice and prepare for each and every day.
"'The safety and security of our instructors and students is TransPac's highest priority,' Goddard said."
A second incident reported a short time later involved a single-engine Beechcraft that apparently made a hard landing. No one was injured. The FAA is also investigating that incident.
This isn't the first incident involving TransPac Aviation Academy.
According to the NTSB, since 2009 the academy has experienced nine accidents - three of them fatal.
Last May, one of TransPac's planes collided with another school's plane just north of the Deer Valley Airport. Four people died in the mid-air crash. An investigation into how it happened is still ongoing.
In February 2011, a TransPac flight instructor and two students were killed when their plane slammed into Bronco Peak in the Tonto National Forest.
And in January 2010, a student pilot was killed when she flew her plane into power lines shortly after takeoff from Deer Valley Airport.
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The Order of Sacred Nighthttp://mara-morven-online.socialgo.com -- domain name soon, deals with paranormal research, occult, vampires, media, music and jewelry, styles and cultures.
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Site Housekeeping: Story Suggestions, Reader Requests, and Moving the Feed
Published on - July 24th, 2008 (by J.D. Roth)
It's been months since I did any public housekeeping. I have several items that could use some feedback, however. Now's a good time to discuss them.
Feed transition
First of all, my RSS feed is in the process of being moved from the old Feedburner site to the new Google-based Feedburner site. There may be some glitches during this process. The subscriber number may swing wildly. (I've seen 51,000 and 62,000 today, and right now it doesn't show at all.)
There may be trouble with the e-mail newsletter. Some bloggers report 150 copies of their e-mail being sent out this morning. My subscribers saw zero copies in their inboxes. I'd rather have the zero than the 150. Things should settle down as the team at Google works the glitches out of the system.
Public relations
I used to share a lot of cool tools and sites I found as I poked around the internet reading about money. I've done that less in the past few months, largely because I'm inundated with e-mail from public relations firms pimping their articles and applications. I'm reluctant to post about something that I first heard about via a PR e-mail. It feels too close to selling content (which I choose not to do).
On the other hand, some of these look genuinely useful. Should I refrain from mentioning Qvisory simply because two PR people contacted me? I'm beginning to believe it doesn't matter how I hear about cool money stuff — I should share it with you, anyhow. What do you think?
(On a side note: I just about died when a PR person contacted me today to give me info about the company I worked for in the story about the worst job I ever had. Uh, no thanks.)
Repeat material
I've mostly tried to refrain from covering topics that I've explored in the past. There are several articles about buying a new car in the archives, for example. However, most of these articles are months (or years) old. Get Rich Slowly has seen a lot of new readers since then, and most of them haven't gone back through to look at the old articles.
It's time to cover some of these topics again, and to do so, I'll reuse certain key passages from old posts. (Why reinvent the wheel, right?) In an article about buying a new car, I might reuse a bullet-point list, for example, updating it with new information. If you have suggestions on how to approach "repeat" material, I'd love to hear them.
The sidebar
I haven't monkeyed with the sidebar in nearly a year. It's woefully out of date. I plan to make some changes to it soon, and I welcome your feedback. Are there features you'd like to see? Features you want removed? How many of you ever use the "recent comments" to track ongoing discussions? How would you feel about a weekly poll?
Guest posts
I've has a number of people write lately asking for my policy on guest posts. I'm happy to consider all submissions. I tend to post guest articles on "Wednesdays and weekends". This isn't a hard and fast rule, but I try to share two items from other writers every week.
If you have something to share about personal finance or productivity, feel free to send it to me. But please be warned I'm becoming much choosier lately. Guest posts must be well-written and informative. I've actually begun to reject submissions that will require too much editing on my part.
(Also, if you have favorite guest posts or guest authors from the past, please let me know. If there are some clear favorites, I'll ask them if they'd like to contribute again.)
Reader requests
This seems like a good time to ask for reader requests, too. Are there topics you'd like to see covered? Topics you're tired of hearing about? For example, one reader yesterday mentioned that my focus has been too much on rural stuff lately and not enough on city stuff. Excellent point, and one I'll try to consider over the next few weeks.
Would you like to see more "ask the readers" columns? How do you feel about the current posting pace (which has remained essentially unchanged for eighteen months)? More daily links (or "twice weekly links", as the case may be)? Fewer? More book reviews? Contests?
Also, I've had some people mention that the articles seem to be getting longer, and they'd prefer shorter posts. Thoughts?
Thanks, as always, to all the Get Rich Slowly readers. You folks are awesome. The discussions around here never cease to amaze me. I've learned a lot over the past two years, not just from my reading, but from your stories and advice. This site would not be what it is without your contributions. Thank you.
This article is about Administration
I would be interested more discussions on pros/cons etc of early payoff of mortgage debt.
Maybe some articles on building a house versus buying, "green" additions to the home (solar panels, rainwater collection, renewable materials, strawbale) that will save money in the long run, going "off the grid" to save money (how possible is it without living in a tent in the woods or something). All just random suggestions off the top of my head. And I love the rural stuff because too many blogs say "ditch the car and bike to work," which isn't even close to being an option for me.
Love the stuff you've done on lifestyle design.
I don't care who sends you something. If you think it's cool and readers would find it useful, tell us about it!
I do prefer shorter posts. Maybe break up the really long articles into separate posts. I tend to lose focus–maybe I have ADHD.
I like GRS the way it is, so I'm not going to be very helpful. Since you asked, I'll tell you that I don't use the recent comments feature, though, so it won't hurt my feelings if you lose that.
And I like the practical frugal stuff you post the best, but I understand that there needs to be a balance between that and investing-type topics.
PR – I don't care how you find out about something. If it's interesting/useful, pass it on!
Sidebar – I usually read the feed, I only come to the site to comment or read comments on an especially interesting post.
Posts – As long as the topic demands, but no longer. I like April's ideas about "green" ways to save money, and I always enjoy reading about your gardening adventures.
Hey J.D,
You should definitely do a post on life insurance. These are the things you should hit on:
1.) It's importance as a method of income protection, as the loss of an income due to death could be devestating to the surviving dependants.
2.) The importance of buying term and investing the difference and avoiding cash value like the plague!
Yes I am an agent for a financial services company and sell ONLY term life insurance. Regardless, I still think it'd be important for your readers to understand the value of life insurance.
I'd have to agree with the concensus so far, J.D.–it really doesn't matter where the content comes from as long as you believe it to be relevant in some regard then I'm certain everyone else will as well. You can borrow from me any day!
I do have to say that some material does deserve rehashing, especially if there has been a drastic change such as the new bill regarding housing bail-outs, or simply something that you wrote about last year, but still seems relevant (or even moreso) today.
Hmmm…well, I'm a newbie, and I haven't explored this site in-depth, but I have a comment about navigation, I guess.
"Where" people are financially seems to run the gamut here. Some have been coming here for years and have reached the investing stage, whereas some are on the verge of losing everything and are wondering where to start. So, maybe it would be nice if there were a way to organize the different topics into "Just starting out," "Halfway there," and "Ready to build wealth!"
For me, the success stories are inspirational, but finding myself on a thread where everyone is talking about where they're investing all their extra money makes me feel behind, left out and discouraged. Maybe it should be inspiring- but I would feel more comfortable if I were reading about people who were closer to where I am in the process.
Maybe it's just my problem- too sensitive as I'm just starting out eliminating my debt.
1. Do tell us about cool stuff, even if the source is less-than-ideal. (It'd probably be important to identify your source, though.)
2. My guess is that you don't own any pets – you've never talked about pets and money (To my recollection.).
3. I'm an RSS-based reader. I don't generally visit the site. Visiting now, it sure seems that the sidebar is quite wide.
4. In general, guest posts are great. In a generic fashion, I tend to really enjoy topics that are a little beyond what you cover, but are none-the-less related.
Keep up the great work – I always enjoy it!
I like the idea of sharing green ways to save money. I think there are a lot of simple green ideas out there that most of us don't even realize.
For example, I know there is a company (the name eludes me, if you are really interested I will look it up) that will lease solar panels for a cost, as opposed to buying them. It's not exactly cheap compared to other forms of energy, but perhaps a better alternative to purchasing the panels. They also take care of installation, maintenance, and replacement I believe.
I'm also an RSS-based reader and an urbanite, though some sweet day we're going to move to the country. I really enjoy reading about your gardening project for future reference, but I could definitely use some "saving in the city" tips for today. Because dang, the city is expensive.
I also enjoy a mix of long and short articles (busy workday vs. evening/weekend reading). As to repeat material, one thing I always find myself doing when I come to this site is following the links to related articles at the end of the post. If you do re-use stuff just say you're doing so, so I don't go reading the same thing twice and getting bored.
I never notice the "recent comments" sidebar thing unless there's an argument going on in some other post, and then it's just distracting.
Overall, this is a great site, and I've definitely learned a lot from it. I find myself bringing this blog up to my husband probably once a week, and he's always interested to hear what I learned, too. Keep up the great work!
I really like the balance you currently have between guest posts, reader requests, cool sites and tools you've found poking around the web, and original stuff. I wouldn't really change much, if anything. As for you giving in to the PR folk, I don't care where it comes from so long as it's useful. As long as you're not a trying to sell product I think you'll stay on the straight-and-narrow.
Newcomer to your blog, and just wanted to say that I love it. I do save, but the money never really stays with me – most of my savings lately went into paying taxes (miscalculated, duh) and financing the last three low-income years (freelancer), but I still have some savings left. Trying to build more wealth again, and your blog is really encouraging Thank you.
I prefer shorter posts, if only because a longer post is one I'm more likely to skip.
I think that if you find something potentially useful in your review/experience, then however you heard about it is irrelevant. If you'd prefer, out of full disclosure, to tell use how it was introduced to you (which it seems you do most of the time anyway) then you can let the readers judge for themselves if they feel they want to try this thing that you heard about thru a PR person.
Honestly I pretty much just read the RRS feed on livejournal and only load the actual site to comment. But I think I will bookmark the actual site and take advantange of some of the other options, I just don't have any real comments on those right now.
That being said, it stands to reason that I haven't read a lot of the older posts. Definitely I think going thru and updating the older posts with new info, maybe trimming them down to the most relevant info and making sure it's all current data would be useful.
I think everything you are doing is great. I think if you get emails from PR firms, you should tells us about it, but only if you believe it is not a scam and worth hearing.
I do think you should start revisiting topics you have covered in the past. Because you are right, some people are new and would love to hear that stuff.
Keep up the good work!
JD-I wouldn't change too much. You have a fantastic blog so you obviously are doing something right!
I wouldn't worry about the PR issue. If it is quality put it out there. If you have an affiliate tie or some other connection just note it. We trust you and know you won't violate your integrity.
As for guest posts I'd have more from that Brandt Smith guy. He was fantastic…wait, that's me. Is it wrong to invite myself back?
I would like a contest in which I win $100. Better yet, $1000!
No, seriously, I think you have a really well written site.
The comment about having some sort of page dedicated to newbies probably would be pretty useful. There is some good content in the archives. Your "about" page actually is pretty good, but maybe you could retitle it something more grabbing. About pages often are just a short quip about the site/author, but yours has a lot of info that many people might skip over.
Regarding repeat material: Unclutterer.com has been having posts titled "A year ago on unclutterer" where a bullet list of links is the entire post. While I find that this site does this too often, it does help get the older content out there again with little effort. Some similar format could be used, where you do a revisiting article that contains a little new info, with links to the older info at the end.
I sent a story suggestion and never heard back. I included details but didnt get too wordy – didnt want you to read a lot of information and then decide how to proceed. Do you instead prefer a well written piece to be sent before you decide if it is useable?
Since I never heard back, I assumed ideas are just deleted then. I think it would be wise to post your policy and/or state you do not reply to emails you are not interested in.
It was a topic that I have never seen covered on any pf blog or newsy site, although you had a related post fairly recently.
I think overall it is valuable to post on what readers ask for and 'ask the reader' entries are always much enjoyed (I enjoy the comment section as much as the original post).
What I enjoy most are the little stories you tell about your life and then how you relate them to PF.
As a new reader I would like to see topics covered again. Some of the most interesting parts comments. I often find that I would like to join the conversation but can't do that on an old post. You can keep them different by offering other points of view on the same subject.
For topics to cover I would like to see more on dealing with others (spouse, kids, family, friends) with differing views on money. I find these to be some of the hardest money issues to fix.
Another nice thing to see on the site would be more biographical info on you and Kris.
Wow, thanks for re-linking to 'the worst job you ever had'. How sad and touching. You mention in the comments that you are still working at the box factory — how far you've come!
PR: My thought would be to decide if you'd want to share the item had it come from another source. If so, share.
Repeat material: Subject matter can change with the times, subjects rarely so. Substantiate, update, innovate, modernize.
Those are my 2 cents (I'm economizing : )
If a PR person alerts you to a good/interesting item then I'd like to hear about it. I don't care who tells you about it really as long as its useful.
For repeat material I think having occasional reminder posts listing old topics would be good. Occasionally pointing us to a set of old posts that might be worth going back to would be handy.
I always enjoy Kris' guest posts–she's a great writer with an interesting take on things and quite knowledgeable about gardening– and I love your little interjections throughout her posts! You two must be a fun pair!
PR: It doesn't matter to me how you hear about the cool stuff, I think you should share it anyhow.
Repeat Material: I've been reading GRS for a while but I look forward to repeat material. Sometimes articles are interesting but not yet relevant. My only request would be a link to the original article(s).
Sidebar: The only part of the sidebar I use is the 'categories' section. I've tuned out the rest. I don't think I'd pay much attention to a weekly poll.
Guest posts: My favorite guest posts are from Kris. I love the occasional recipes and the garden updates.
Reader requests: Topics: DIY home improvements/fixes vs hiring contractors; anything about investments; frugal traveling; The length of the articles and the posting pace seems perfect to me.
All in all, great site!
My favourite guest posts have been the ones written by Kris. I'm particularly interested in food growing, preparation and storage and I enjoy your posts on these subjects.
After discovering personal finance blogs about 18 months ago, yours is one of the few that I still subscribe to.
Repeat stuff. Have a post of 5 great posts on subject X. Change the subject every week.
I think we could also allow a twitter application on the site to let say, registered readers chime in with short links. Any moderating should be done by your mod team!
Use what you have. You have far more than you think!
"I'm beginning to believe it doesn't matter how I hear about cool money stuff — I should share it with you, anyhow. What do you think?"
You're the gatekeeper. If you get a tip from a PR person about something that you truly deem noteworthy, you call the shot! I'm certain you'll ignore far more than you mention either way
Sidebar suggestion > I'd make your popular posts much more prominent. I didn't notice them for a long time.
I like the sidebar – esp the "most popular" and categories sections. It's uncluttered and easily readable without hijacking the whole blog. It would be cool if you could add a short list in the sidebar of randomly generated posts from the archives – because realistically, I'm never going to go back through all of them, though I would like to. And it refreshes with a new random list every time you reload.
I like your link posts, but I think you do them just often enough and don't need to do more. But keep doing them.
Honestly, I think guest posts are a teeny bit boring (eek) except for your wife's. But I know you have to take a break sometimes, and I don't have to read every single post.
As for the interesting tools/sites you hear about from PR, I would be interested in hearing about anything you think is a good idea, regardless of it's source. Just because a PR guy tried to sell it to you, doesn't make it bad.
The sidebar- I think a weekly poll would be a good idea. Personally, I don't read the recent comments, but maybe others do?
Repeat content- I have no problem with repeat content, I think it's inevitable and useful- things may have changed since you last wrote on a topic, or maybe you learned more about it (if that's possible)?
I really enjoy this blog, thanks for working hard at it!
I actually have a reader request about something that has been bothering me lately. A lot of personal finance blogs and site invoke Dave Ramsey like he is the second coming. He obviously is good at what he does, and has set many on the right path to financial freedom.
However, I'm new to all of this and when I went to his site I was instantly turned off by how monetized his site was. "Come pay to see me talk! Pay to read my books! Pay for my software!" I listened to one episode of his podcast and every 5 minutes there was a commercial pushing one of his products.
So I guess I'm asking how do you reconcile a person talking about becoming debt free, pushing so much stuff on the very same people, much of it kind of pricey? Maybe because my debt is uncomplicated (credit cards), I'm just not the market for that stuff (especially when here and simpledollar give me all the info I can use for free as it is)? I don't know, but I was wondering if you had any thoughts on this.
Also, I like that you will be repeating topics. That's the best way to learn something is repetition. Sure, the archive is right there, but sometimes it's nice to have important info shoved in your face again.
Looks like I'm going to be in the minority on the PR issue. I'm a news editor for a community newspaper, and I've developed a deep distaste for the hundreds of press releases we wade through each week, not so much because most of them are useless, but because I have trouble with the amount of spin I see in some of them. JD, I trust you to weed the BS from the occasional item that may be useful. But, to me, posting something from a press release is too similar to selling content — either way, you're letting someone else use your site to push a product. If you do decide to use press release info, please let us know the source.
Otherwise, I love this site! I wouldn't change a thing!
I am really loving eaverything you are doing here JD. A safr as your specific questions go though –
I don't see a problem with a PR person pointing the way to something interesting – so long as you find it useful then it's your opinion you're sharing – not theirs. I would only have a problem if you were receving kick-backs that you weren't open about.
I like a mix of lond and short posts. Sometiems all a post needs to do is point us in the direction of a resource, other times its nice to get a longer run-down on something. I look forward to reading what you have posted overnight (I'm in Aus) every morning when I get to work so its always nice when there is something substantial to read.
I have found the blgo a bit rural lately. I don'tmind the rural-type posts but I city stuff is more relevant to me personally right now (maybe one day I will have enough space for fruit trees etc).
I think rehashing is a good idea, as a late-comer to GRS (a few months ago) I have pretty much trailed through the archives reading all your old stuff. I find the links in your posts to old posts incredibly useful so definitely keep them up!!
I can't remember any specific guest posts that have been my favourite but I have enjoyed them all so keep 'em coming.
Finally, the daily links is really useful. You basically save me time by scouring the web for the most interesting tid bits. I always read everything you link to and have discovered some other great blogs because of it.
In short, you're doing a great job so keep it up!
Polls — yes please!
On PR stuff :
PR people can save you time and introduce you to new stuff *or* waste your time with drivel.
If you've got the patience to sort it out and give us the good stuff, that's great and please do. It might be nice to have a tag or something so that we can know if it came via a PR agency.
Other Suggestions:
Sometimes a post will generate all sorts of interesting comments and you're nowhere to be seen in the responses.
Personally, I like it when you're responding in the response thread. It makes it feel kind of like a classroom discussion. And come on, you work at home…probably just lazing about all day (jk!).
Regarding content, I would like so see some advice (maybe guest posts?) geared specifically to the issues single people (women especially) face regarding financial planning, retirement, mortgages etc. I have found myself in the position of starting over after a relationship ended and so much of the personal finance advice is geared to couples. I am hoping to buy a home by myself but it seems so much less achievable than when my fiance and I were planning this together.
I love where you have gone with this site. I like the mix and I like that you include personal stories. Of all your guests, I like your wife the best. Not that you shouldn't have guests, I just enjoy her voice the most. I use the link to the "life remix" button and the archive list on your sidebar, but nothing else. I do come to your site almost daily. Thanks for the social currency piece, I really enjoyed it. I also like it when you jump in on the comments. As for the PR people, I think that if you think it is worth sharing, share away. We come to read you because what you think is interesting we find interesting also.
Polls are a neat idea. I say go with it.
With PR pitches, I'd say that if someone brings something interesting that would benefit your readers, then do it, but don't feel that you have to. You don't seem like a very mean person, but you could even make fun of some of the schlock they pitch. A lot of it is terrible (I know, I get them myself for my blog and my job at a national magazine). They're just doing their jobs.
Or you could just be like the editor of Wired who blocked PR emails hahaha
I just discovered your site this evening, and am thrilled at all the good information! I'm 38, finally have my own income, and am just now starting to plan my retirement. I also have huge student loans from graduating nursing school last year, and I would really like to buy a house.
I have decided to make retirement my main priority, opening up a Roth IRA and maxing it out before the end of the year. I think my second priority should be paying off the student loans ASAP, and saving some for a house.
Looking forward to learning more great stuff about living more simply, spending more responsibly, and getting rich so I can do what I really want with my life.
As far as PR things, as long as you disclose to the readers that you were solicited by PR people but you still found it cool, I think that would lend credibility to you.
I'm beginning to believe it doesn't matter how I hear about cool money stuff — I should share it with you, anyhow. What do you think?
*I think experiences count munch more. If you have experienced a product or service and its useful you should talk about it.
If its from just a PR person and you have not really used it but think it as useful, it may count but it counts a lot less. (so disclosing it to readers helps).
I'm a newbie too, so "old" material wouldn't be old to me. OK, you may want to mark it as a second edition or something for those who've been around a while.
As far as PR stuff goes, again I think, the key would be to clearly identify it as coming from a PR person. Perhaps you could place an icon of a salt shaker beside it. ;->
I've enjoyed the range of topics I've seen so far. I've even participated in a couple of very interesting threads. Since time is limited, a mixture of short and long stories is nice (I know one site that seems to swing between extremes at times, and it can be hard to keep up when that happens). Otherwise, I've learned a lot and would like to say, "Keep up the good work!"
I think it would help the whole rehashing old posts thing to do something better with your archives. It would be easier if there was topic/catgory based page, or the best / most informative posts were laid out nicely.
I know what you mean about PR things, but if they're actually good it's probably fine.
Instead of recent comments, you might want to check out the discussions plug-in which can be used to show which posts have had comments on recently.
I'd love to see a comment feature where we can vote +1 or -1 and have the best comments float to the topic in a particular topic.
I've mentioned this before, but It would be great to see a break-down of different types of loans (how they are calculated) and early payoff (when they try to shaft you by applying the rule of 78s)…
As always, I appreciate what you do and keep up the great work. With your guidance, I've knocked out close to 20k in credit card debt this year alone.
GRS is the only blog that I try to read EVERY day, so obviously I don't want you to change too much. I know you don't have kids, but I would enjoy some articles on saving for college.
I enjoy most of your guest-posters, with the exception of the "non-conformist" guy. I thought there was some kind of law stating you can't refer to yourself as a non-conformist after age 17.
Someone mentioned a "year ago today" feature. I would enjoy that as well.
JD – I've really enjoyed the site so far; I'm a fairly new reader. It's good to know that there are many others in similar situations; it makes me feel less of a failure, financially. I guess it's not really "good to know" but you know what I mean.
I am a mother of 3 – the oldest being the age where he asks for "things" often. I think we ok with them, we can shop and "look" at toys without meltdowns but I imagine that there are a lot of parents out there as well trying to balance our consumerist society with our pocketbooks. I would love to see something about how to really talk to your kids about finances. I want to instill good financial habits and a sense of frugality into our kids without sounding like a scrooge.
Otherwise, I've enjoyed the breadth of info you've covered, from investing to gardening Keep it up!
Do some posts on LIFE INSURANCE. Who needs it? Who doesn't? How much? What kind?
Like the suggestion above about pets and personal finance. My parents have a "free" kitten who racked up over $1000 in medical bills in the first year of his fuzzy little life.
Is pet insurance a rip-off? What are ways to cut costs (sites where you can get Advantage or other things for less)? What are the true expenses that come with pet ownership?
Wouldn't mind info on life insurance, either. My husband and I keep getting advice to take out policies, but if something happened to one of us, the other can handle our bills, and we have small policies at work that would cover funeral expenses. We have no dependents, yet, so I don't see the need for additional policies, right now. Am I wrong? That's be a topic I'd be interested in reading.
Just wanted to add a thank you, too. I've been reading for awhile, and this is by far my favorite PF blog. By the end of this month, my husband and I will have only $400 left on our credit cards, down from nearly $13,000 in April. We'll pay it off next month, then we'll tackle our car loan before the end of December, leaving only our land payment. We even have an emergency fund now. Your blog provided a great deal of inspiration and advice, and it continues to keep me on track.
Maybe I'm just not seeing it on your website, but maybe a place where you feature some of the better financial books? Or maybe you can just have a book tile on your website? You can click on it and discuss the latest and best financial books? Have guest authors on your website discuss their ideas about finance?
Just a thought.
Briefly, I agree with others, as long as you've evaluated a tool, I don't much care how you ran across it when you tell us about it.
As far as repeat material, I don't mind if you even rerun articles wholesale, just flag them somehow. (from the vault) (classic posting), etc, so those who want to skip the rerun can do so easily.


text:
Cactus CenterpieceItem: 014-57726
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Spice up your party decor with this Cactus Centerpiece. Your guests will enjoy this fun desert decoration at your upcoming bash!
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A memorable fiesta is in the details! Stock up on Cinco De Mayo and fiesta supplies for a hot party no one will want to miss!


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12 - Pk. Carbon Express® Soma #2 Pin Nock, Large
Item # WX2-216178
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You must be 18 years of age to purchase this item.
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text:
McGill Reporter - National Geo: Calling all Young Explorers
From the McGill Reporter:
A free public presentation on field research and exploration featuring National Geographic Emerging Explorer and ecological anthropologist Kenny Broad and renowned alpinist and The North Face athlete Conrad Anker will be held at McGill on Saturday, Sept. 29. The event will take place at 7:30 p.m. in Leacock Room 132 on the downtown campus.
Dr. Suzanne Fortier: "Exploring the Borderless World of Science and Innovation"
The Faculty of Science is honoured to welcome distinguished alumna Dr. Suzanne Fortier (B.Sc. '72, Ph.D. '76; President of NSERC, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council) to deliver the keynote address at the eighth annual Science Undergraduate Research Conference:
"Exploring the Borderless World of Science and Innovation"
Dr. Fortier's talk is open to the public, although seats are limited.
Undergraduate Research Conference, Faculty of Science
Science students present their research projects. Come check out the posters and talk with the scientists of tomorrow.
Keynote speaker: Dr. Suzanne Fortier, B.Sc. '72, Ph.D. '76, President of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC).
Everyone is welcome, though seats for Dr Fortier's talk are limited. Please refer to the Undergraduate Research Conference website for the schedule and more details.
Public Astro Night: "Cosmic Fireworks: Supernova Explosions and Their Aftermaths"
The next Public Astro Night will be a public lecture by Stephen Ng: "Cosmic Fireworks: Supernova Explosions and Their Aftermaths". The lecture will be followed by night-sky observations (weather permitting) and a lab tour.
For more details: www.astro.physics.mcgill.ca/astronight.php
TV broadcasts: Science outreach on Canal Savoir
Got an itch for knowledge? From April 15 to July 14, 2013, the Canal Savoir network will be broadcasting features from the Cutting Edge Lectures in Science series, the Mini-Science series, and more. Refer to the schedule to find out when to tune in, and to find out more about each episode.
Canal Savoir is a non-profit, Quebec-based television network that strives to make higher learning accessible to everyone.
Miranda Wang: Improving the world one project at a time
Talented McGill student wins international acclaim and attention for trail-blazing research.
Talented McGill student rolls up sleeves to help save the environment.
Talented McGill student uses downtime to help people in need.
All three of these storylines have been seen on these pages more than once, but this time, they all have to do with the same person; U0 Science undergrad, Miranda Wang.
Researchers concerned about lower levels of oxygen in the waters of the St. Lawrence River
The level of oxygen in the St. Lawrence estuary has fallen significantly in recent decades. The causes and long-term effects of this phenomenon are poorly understood and worry researchers. ... The affected underwater region is located near Tadoussac and off Rimouski. The oxygen that marine life depends upon has fallen by roughly half since the 1930s, according to Alfonso Mucci, a professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at McGill University. ...
Why we age but our cells don't: The discovery of stem cells at McGill
Over 60 years ago, McGill Professors Yves Clermont and Charles Leblond published a paper that revolutionized our understanding of cell biology. Their stem cell renewal theory marks the first use of the term "stem cells" in this biological context.
Read more about these pioneering scientists and their contributions on the website of the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology.
New Royal Society of Canada inductees from the Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science offers congratulations to Professors Laurie Hendren (Computer Science), Bruce Lennox (Chemistry), Chao-Jun Li (Chemistry), and Timothy Moore (Geography), on being named Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada!
Kudos also to the following Professors who are RSC Medal recipients: The Flavelle Medal, Siegfried Hekimi (Biology); the Rutherford Memorial Medal in Physics, Guy Moore (Physics); and the Miroslaw Romanowski Medal, Catherine Potvin (Biology).


text:
BRONX, N.Y. — (November 17, 2012) – A six-place finish (26:21.4) from junior Chris Banafato (Bridgewater, N.J.) and an 11th-place run (26:30.9) from sophomore Chris Defabio (Millington, N.J.) powered the Rutgers men's cross country team to a third place finish Saturday afternoon in the 104th IC4A University Division Championships.
The meet marked the final competition of the season for the Scarlet Knights, who improved from an eighth-place finish in last year's event with 108 points in the five-mile meet. Fairfield University edged out Fordham University, 59-58, to win the championship.
Sophomore Anthony Horton (Moorestown, N.J.) rounded out the top three for RU by finishing 23rd with a time of 26:54. Freshman Jaimin Vekaria (Clinton, N.J.) and junior Curtis Richburg (West Orange, N.J.) finished 31st (27:04.1) and 37th (27:09.8), respectively.
The Scarlet Knights begin the 2012-13 indoor track season on Saturday, Dec. 10 at the New Year's Invitational, hosted by Princeton.
Individual Results
6 Chris Banafato (26:21.4)
11 Chris Defabio (26:30.9)
23 Anthony Horton (26:54)
31 Jaimin Vekaria (27:04.1)
37 Curtis Richburg (27:09.8)
69 Daniel Lee (27:53.4)
73 Steve Burkholder (27:59.3)
117 Thomas Bragen (29:29.4)


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Al-Jazeera did pretty good considering they were teargassed and their equipment was seized.
Al-Jazeera did pretty good considering they were teargassed and their equipment was seized.
Someone is going to have a hyperbolic meltdown by you calling Alice in Chains nu metal, no matter how indirectly. Just a heads up.
The most fucked up thing about this is everybody who is surprised that a man is not shallow in a relationship.
But I thought the British love squalor. It's traditional.
Thanks, tumblr, for once again turning the discussion away from equality and back towards "is so and so a feminist or not?" It's not about checking off boxes on an "are you a feminist" list.
My barbacoa died today. Or maybe it was yesterday. I don't remember.
#35 *The Dapper Dans on a bike.
He'd lose more weight if he'd just stop eating people.
I really doubt that Isaac Newton's relationship with his boyfriend would have lasted as long as it did if they never had sex.
Remember when everybody loved Betty? My, that was ever so long ago.
Olde Burnside is a mecca for local homebrewers, since you can bring in your own jugs and fill up on their water, which has a perfect pH and mineral content for beer.
When I want to celebrate beer, I'm not going to drink Heineken.
"My favorite show is The Wire": I am a white person.
As a New Englander, choose your next words wisely, they may be a considered a declaration of war.
14. A battery is only good for so many charge/drain/charge cycles and having a sealed phone with a non-removable battery means you're up shit creek.
This is cute, thinking you'll give even half a crap about high school once it's over.
It's a large cucumber wrapped in foil
Because this is a totally normal, average, everyday beer and not some crazy stunt to get their brewery noticed.
They all look like high-level gear from an over-stylized MMO like TERA or Aion, but in a good way.
Or, you can just drink like a fucking adult and not play "games".
The best use for that tape would be on a Crunchwrap Supreme. They start to lose tacogonal integrity about halfway through.
This is not liking love.
Look at all these people, thinking awards mean anything.
You're wrong. License to kill, slappers only is the best way to play.
"Large penis is always welcome" -Atia of the Julii
Another "millenials are useless article"? Did TIME Magazine buy out Buzzfeed?
Elope with me Miss Private and we'll sail around the world
I will be your Ferdinand and you my wayward girl
How many nights of talking in hotel rooms can you take?
How many nights of limping round on pagan holidays?
Oh elope with me in private and we'll set something ablaze
A trail for the devil to erase San Francisco's calling us, the Giants and Mets will play
Piazza, New York catcher, are you straight or are you gay?
We hung about the stadium, we've got no place to stay
We hung about the tenderloin and tenderly you tell
About the saddest book you ever read
It always makes you cry
The statue's crying too and well he may I love you I've a drowning grip on your adoring face
I love you my responsibility has found a place
Beside you and strong warnings in the guise of gentle words
Come wave upon me from the wider family net absurd
"You'll take care of her, I know it, you will do a better job"
Maybe, but not what she deserves Elope with me Miss Private and we'll drink ourselves awake
We'll taste the coffee houses and award certificates
A privy seal to keep the feel of 1960 style
We'll comment on the decor and we'll help the passer by
And at dusk when work is over we'll continue the debate
In a borrowed bedroom virginal and spare The catcher hits for .318 and catches every day
The pitcher puts religion first and rests on holidays
He goes into cathedrals and lies prostrate on the floor
He knows the drink affects his speed he's praying for
a doorway
Back into the life he wants and the confession of the bench
Life outside the diamond is a wrench I wish that you were here with me to pass the dull weekend
I know it wouldn't come to love, my heroine pretend
A lady stepping from the songs we love until this day
You'd settle for an epitaph like "Walk Away, Renee"
The sun upon the roof in winter will draw you out like
a flower
Meet you at the statue in an hour
Meet you at the statue in an hour


text:
Ramsar Advisory Missions: Report No. 35, Nariva Swamp (1995) - Annex
Special attention is given to assisting member States in the management and conservation of listed sites whose ecological character is threatened. This is carried out through the Ramsar Advisory Mission, a technical assistance mechanism formally adopted by Recommendation 4.7 of the 1990 Conference of the Parties. (The Ramsar Advisory Mission mechanism was formerly known as the Monitoring Procedure and the Management Guidance Procedure.) The main objective of this mechanism is to provide assistance to developed and developing countries alike in solving the problems or threats that make inclusion in the Montreux Record necessary.
Ramsar Advisory Mission No. 35: Trinidad & Tobago (1995)
Ramsar Convention Monitoring Procedure, Final Report
[Report No. 35, May 1995]
Nariva Swamp, Trinidad and Tobago
Final Report, February 1996
Appendix I
Methods for rice farming with low environmental impact and wise use of Nariva Swamp Ramsar Site
taken from Mike McCoy's report
to be read with Map 3
Methods for rice farming with low environmental impact and wise use of Nariva Swamp Ramsar Site
The production of irrigated rice in close proximity to natural marshes can be a very compatible human activity with the natural environment. Irrigated rice culture is probably the one crop that provides more seasonal habitat to wildlife than any other commercial crop. Waterfowl, large wading waterbirds, fish, crustaceans and molluscs can benefit tremendously from this activity if it is done in an environmental friendly way, and following many of the practices described in this document. No doubt the 100 to 165 hundredweights/ha produced by local farmers in Sector A can be improved by almost 40% with better cultivation techniques.
It is possible to grow irrigated rice with no need for pesticide usage. However, in order to do this, fields need to be level, and a permanent water sheet employed which will eliminate, or severely reduce, the need for herbicide usage. The use of the permanent water sheet can also decrease nitrogen application by 40%, a tremendous savings to farmers, and reduce nutrient contamination of the Nariva Swamp. Disease and insect resistance is best solved by a readily available source of new rice varieties. This can only be accomplished by a dedicated government or privately-funded rice research effort, that needs to be developed in-country. Also the presence of an intelligently managed rice project adjacent to a major natural marsh system can ultimately enhance the biodiversity of the area since some waterfowl and waterbirds can benefit from the presence of some disturbed areas that produce exposed soil, open, shallow water and the first stages of plant succession. At the same time a sustainable livelihood can be obtained for the communities nearby.
The main problem of the Nariva Swamp -and of the rice farmers- is the excess of water during the rainy season and the lack of it during the dry season. This problem is strongly accentuated because of the very wrong use of water that has been taking place in the area.
The presence of this large marsh adjacent to the rice project (Sector A specially) and an adequate water management put into place could also guarantee a second rice crop during the dry season through irrigation of the fields.
PLEASE NOTE : While most of the methods and recommendations made herewith are referred to the Plum Mitan Rice Scheme, they can also be applied in Kernahan and elsewhere. It must be made very clear that they do not refer to Sector B since the Monitoring Procedure team feels very strongly about the need not only of an environmental impact assessment of this area, but also a management plan for the entire area of the Nariva Swamp (to be carried out as soon as possible) including a careful analysis of the potential (or not) for farming in Sector B. It is only possible to say -at this moment in time, and with the experience gained during the team's visit- that the environmental impact assessment and the management plan must take into consideration the fact that Sector B should only be planted if excess water exists from Sector A or if a reservoir upstream can be made that can supply water. The other alternative, during wet season, is the use of permanent water sheets from rainfall only for rice cultivation in Sector B.
Water issues, drainage and irrigation in Sector A
Rainy season. If farmers adopt the water-seeded method of rice planting, almost 100% of water needs during the wet season could be met just by rainfall. Farmers would not be draining all the water off and therefore, the water sheets can be maintained by rainfall if gates are closed at the lower end of each rice check.
Excess water from additional rainfall can be allowed to overflow the upper surface of each gate to maintain the same level of water permanently during the crop cycle. However, any water that is drained should be recycled back up the Mainline Channel, if possible during low rainfall periods.
This system of using a permanent water sheet, drastically reduces water demands on the irrigation system. Farmers probably would not need to do much pumping from irrigation canals into their fields if rainfall is normal, which could mean significant savings.
If Sector B is farmed in the future its drainage water must not run directly into the Nariva Swamp or down the Jagroma Cut into the marsh. Drainage water should be collected into the north-south drain along the eastern perimeter and then go under the Jagroma Cut by siphon and connect to the Periphery Canal. Any water coming down the Jagroma Cut and/or into the Nariva Swamp must be clean water from the upstream rivers and reservoirs.
Dry season. The solution found by the MALMR (Mr R Salandy, pers comm) for dry season cropping at Plum Mitan is the right one, however we would like to add an observation. With four propeller pumps available, it might be possible to get water even up to Block I and enough not only for the water table, but enough to grow irrigated rice with water sheets.
This would involve putting one pump at the low point where now planned, but with provisions for being able to also pump water both into and from the Nariva Swamp just east of the Periphery Canal. We believe this scheme is highly feasible since the difference in elevation between high and low points of Sector A is only about 2.5 meters (according to Ministry topo maps).
During the wet season if the marsh is low on water, water should be pumped from this low point of the Mainline Channel out into the marsh. Water should be preferably from the Mainline Channel with little drainage water from rice fields in order to minimize contamination of the marsh with pesticides and nutrients. The marsh should be kept as full as possible to assure a surplus amount of water during dry season for irrigation, and to counteract salt infiltration from the sea.
It is advisable to widen and build higher embankments on each side (specially the south side, and not allowed to have breaks in it) of the Petit-Pool Cut, and to build a gate at its outlet. During the onset of the dry season the Petit-Pool Cut should be closed with the objective of holding the cut full of water. This will ensure the highest level of water in the marsh by the onset of the dry season. It is possible that the marsh is lacking in water now because of escape through this south bank of the Petit-Pool Cut during wet season.
Another gate must be constructed at the end of the Mainline Channel near the low point pump. Then water from the Petit-Pool Cut can be back-pumped back up the Mainline Channel. The other three pumps should be spaced along the Mainline Channel with the objective of backing up water to the high point of Block I where the Jagroma Cut starts. It will be necessary to construct a series of gates or have the existent ones repaired, in order to allow back-pumping and holding of water. Thus all of Sector A should have access to gravity-fed irrigation water.
The Nariva Marsh should be holding an excess of water at the onset of dry season, from the pumping of water into it during the wet season at the low point pump. So in the dry season a certain amount of marsh water could also be back-pumped up the Mainline Channel to help meet irrigation needs.
When, during the dry season, the water level of the marsh reaches a certain minimum critical point, then the pumping of marsh water should cease. However, at least 80% of the marsh area should be allowed to dry out by the onset of the rainy season as a measure to set back plant succession and increase the marsh productivity. From interviews with older residents, this is about how much of the marsh normally dries out during the dry season.
In order to help cover the pumping costs, all farmers could be charged a fee.
Weed control
The most important step, as indicated above is to establish an adequate water management scheme that will allow farmers to maintain control and use a permanent water sheet of 8-10 cm over the soil. Followed by a 0° slope laser levelling of all plots in order to get rid of all low and high areas in the fields. With the completion of these two phases farmers will need to use virtually no herbicides -if they use the water-seeding method, planting into the water sheet and not draining it, and allowing rice to emerge through the water sheet.
Precautions with the water-seeded method. Some precautions must be made for when using this method. Algae may start to develop on the soil surface under the water sheet right after planting, and if not treated, it will grow, start to break apart during the mid-day sun, float to the top of the water, and dislodge seeds and seedlings from the soil surface, diminishing the density of rooted seedlings. To avoid this, an application is needed of 11 to 15 kg/ha of CuSO4 (medium-sized crystals) into the water sheet, no later than one week after planting. Also one must be careful not to leave too much time between application of the water sheet and planting. If it takes a long time to get the water sheet established (more than two days), due to lack of water for instance, then one should apply the copper sulphate before planting, when the algae are just visible in its formation on the soil surface under the water.
The other major caution would be during dry season water-seeding if trade winds are strong and create a lot of wave action on the water sheet. If waves are excessive, then seeds can be moved underwater and piled up against dikes. Also, young seedlings can be thrashed about and ultimately uprooted. In California, this problem has been solved by use of a roller wrapped with angle iron sections at six-inch spacing and pulled by a tractor. This creates parallel furrows in the soil which are deliberately run perpendicular to the wind direction. When seed is dropped into the permanent water sheet, it accumulates into the bottom of each furrow where the seed cannot be pushed by waves. When seedlings are present any wave action will push a little soil around the base of the seedlings and prevent them from being uprooted.
In March, 1995 in Costa Rica we tested water seeding in a 10 ha plot where wind is usually very strong, but we were not able to first furrow the soil with a roller. Since the soil was a heavy clay, similar to that at Plum Mitan Sector A, the cloddiness of the surface did not allow seeds to be moved by waves. However, a 72-hour windstorm of up to 100 k/hr gusts hit when seedlings were 2-5 cm high. We left the water at its original depth of 8-10 cm and stuck it out. Some seedlings were uprooted but the damage was not bad. We believe that had we lowered the water level during the high wind, the waves would have done more damage. It would seem that to counteract the loss incurred we should plant a bit more seed, up to 4.5 to five 100 lb sacks/ha rather than the usual four sacks. Harvest yield was not affected by the slightly lowered density of plants in this plot, however. Thus, it is possible to water-seed highly clay soils with wind problems, without use of a roller.
Dry season planting. During the dry season planting, farmers should burn the last crop's rice straw and then disk or rototill the soil. Before the last pass of soil disking, 100% of the total urea needs should be applied by hand or spreader, as well as 100% of the phosphorus and potassium. Then this fertilizer should be incorporated into the upper 10 cm of dry soil with a disk or rototiller on the final pass. Then the 8-10 cm water sheet should be put onto the fields and then pre-germinated rice sown into the water sheet. The water sheet should never be drained off the field. If it is, then five detrimental things will happen:
1. upon exposure of the soil, weed seeds will germinate, including red rice, Echinocloa, and other weeds. A 10% infection of red rice weeds in a field will reduce yield by 25%;
2. the nitrogen fertilizer, urea, will be lost as it is oxidized to NO3- and then ultimately denitrified to N2 gas by anaerobic bacteria when the field is reflooded;
3. if shallow puddles are left on the field after draining, then the solar radiation will heat these puddles to extreme temperatures that along with the heat, also drives off oxygen from the water and kills rice seeds and seedlings;
4. upon drainage of the water sheet, much soil and nutrients are lost and are potential contaminants in this case of the Nariva marsh, as well as the fact that much water is lost unduly;
5. when fields are drained and shallow puddles left, conditions are perfect for seed depredation by waterfowl.
Account should also be taken of the fact that only 60-70% of the usual nitrogen level used needs to be applied with the water sheet method. Thus, if 100 k/ha of nitrogen is normally used with the top dressing method, then only 60-70 k/ha need to be used with the water sheet method.
Red rice. Of all weed species, red rice is the most damaging to commercial rice farming. It is by far the most competitive weed with commercial rice. Since rice seed quality is not yet well controlled in Trinidad and Tobago, most seed will be contaminated with red rice or other wild rice types.
Farmers in Costa Rica control these weeds in dry season by wetting fallow fields at intervals, provoking these weeds to germinate, dry the fields and then disking the young seedlings. After four or five diskings at 10 cm of soil column depth, little viable seed remains. This same method is used in wet season with wet cultivation (cage wheels or rototillers), but has the disadvantage of having to take the field out of production for a season.
In both wet and dry seasons, a better procedure to eliminate red rice is to use the water-seeding method. Any viable red rice seeds (or other wild rice types) that are below the soil surface cannot germinate and cannot emerge through both a soil layer and water sheet. Also, if they are on the soil surface and a water layer is placed over them before they germinate, they cannot emerge through a water sheet (unlike commercial rice).
Red rice was eliminated from California by two methods:
- strict control of certified rice seed producers, and
- use of the water-seeded method (Flint et al, 1993; Hill et al, 1992).
Aquatic weeds. If the water-seeded method is finally adopted by Nariva farmers, with several years application, a shift will occur towards the occurrence of aquatic weeds in rice fields. This problem can be attacked by two methods. One could go back to the old method of seeding and draining for a few cycles to make conditions worse for aquatic weeds. Or one could use commercial herbicides for these types of weeds, such as Londax. These types of herbicides can be applied directly to the water sheet, they break down readily and are much less harmful to the environment than are the dry weed herbicides. they are also very inexpensive compared to terrestrial weed herbicides.
Wet cultivation. This type of cultivation should be used in the interim before fields are laser-levelled enough to be able to use the water-seeding method, and also during the wet season planting.
To reduce the amount of germinating weed seeds, this method crushes the soil under 5-10 cm of water with wide, angle-iron cage wheels used on the rear of regular farm tractors. These wheels are presently used for rototilling in Plum Mitan. One can also rototill the soil in a layer of water, but it should be noted that one can do a good wet cultivation with only the cage wheels, which would -probably-reduce the costs. Only cage wheels are used in Costa Rica for wet cultivation (McCoy et al, 1995).
After cultivation, one should let the sediment settle for at least three or four days before draining and planting. With this method the fine sediment layer that forms on the soil surface inhibits the germination of weed seeds underneath and thus are less of a problem with the crop.
However, if fields are within a certain levelness, of no more than 10 cm difference between low and high spots in a field, or check, then the water-seeded method should be tried. For fields with more elevational differences than this, the wet cultivation method should be employed to reduce herbicide usage and production costs.
Many of the farmers in Plum Mitan cultivate their dry fields in the dry season with a rototiller before the rains hit. If they then plant rice on the moist soil surface and do not inundate the field immediately, a high density of weed seeds will germinate and compete with commercial rice plants.
Pests, insects, other invertebrates, birds, mammals
Insects. When young plants are exposed on drained fields, they are more susceptible to insect attack, than when covered with a water sheet. The use of the water-seeded method should help control the damage. Infection of white-leaf virus usually occurs during the first four weeks after planting. The virus is transmitted by the bite of a leaf-hopper insect (Segatoides spp) to the young plant stem. Therefore, water should be covering most of the young developing rice seedlings, making it physically more difficult for the leaf hopper insect to actually bite the young stem. Other caterpillars that cut young leaves during the first four weeks would also be inhibited by the presence of the water sheet.
There will be times when commercial insecticides will be needed. Insects (stinkbugs, Nesara spp, order Hemiptera) that attack the developing rice grains during the milk stage at about 14 weeks will have to be treated this way, until biological control methods can be developed. The use of pyrethrin-based insecticides (Karate, Cymbush, etc.) should be encouraged. These are less dangerous to the human applier and to vertebrates that may occur in rice fields during application. They also break down rapidly and cause little contamination. If stronger insecticides are used such as organophosphates (Tamaron, Malathion, etc.) then precautions should be taken by human appliers. Also if aerial application by aircraft is undertaken, use by helicopters is preferred over fixed-wing aircraft. Helicopters push the product downward onto the crop with less drift over non-target areas. One important practice should be the flying over of "to-be sprayed fields" first without spraying, to scare off any birds that may be in the field, prior to actual application of the insecticide. Most fields in the Plum Mitan scheme are so small that farmers will probably opt for manual application of insecticides with either manual pump applicators or motor-driven ones.
Ducks and waterfowl. Damaged fields are a problem because they must be reseeded which throws off the timing of maturation of the grain come harvest time. Some farmers will also lower water levels for the replant, allowing for weed seed germination and the need to use more herbicide later.
Ducks do not usually frequent fields at night with 8-10 cm of standing water, so if farmers in Nariva could be convinced to use the water-seeded method of rice planting, duck damage would be reduced. The most important management factor, however, no matter what method is used, is not to allow the ducks to find the seed during the first one or two nights. If ducks are kept off such fields during this time, then 80% of the battle is won. However, if the ducks are allowed to find the seed during the first nights, then they will come back to that field every night and it will be difficult to keep them off the field.
Waterfowl seed depredation in Costa Rica is currently being controlled with a combination of propane detonators and weekly spot-lighting with halogen spotlights (400,000 watts). Detonators are expensive to purchase initially ($350 to $1,000 depending on the model; recommended contacts for assistance : Mike McCoy and Montserrat Carbonell) but they pay for themselves over two or three crop cycles, if otherwise guards have to be hired to patrol the fields at night. Manual guarding of rice fields can be done with regular flashlights, but the more powerful halogen beams connected to automobile batteries work better. In a situation like Sector A where most fields have roads nearby, the farmers could unite and hire one person to drive around all night and from his/her vehicle spotlight the fields and keep the ducks off newly planted seed in the whole Sector.
Other birds. The other bird pest in rice is the dickcissel (Spiza americana) which migrates from North America in fall and can cause major damage to ripening rice throughout the Neotropical Region, from September to December. Some farmers in Costa Rica are controlling damage with propane detonators, but it has also been noted that fields in close proximity to forested areas receive less dickcissel damage. It may be that there is a higher density of predatory birds in these areas which may repel dickcissels. Research to test chemical repellent (methyl anthrilate) use on affected rice fields will be started in Costa Rica in the near future, to determine the feasibility of repellents for dickcissel control. Such repellents should be considered for testing in Nariva also.
Mammals. Small rodents increase their populations at intervals and cause damage to maturing rice by eating the stems, which then causes the drying out of the developing inflorescence. This occurs in Costa Rica about every five years. Information gathered in Nariva from local farmers seems to indicate that they also have periodic damage by small rodents. A completely satisfactory method of control has not been found. In Costa Rica most farmers use rodenticides (strong insecticides like lannate mixed with some form of bait made from corn kernels, or a mixture of animal fat and ground bone). This practice done at regular intervals may keep rodent populations from peaking, but can be detrimental when baits are thrown out freely along dikes. Dead, poisoned rodents can be later eaten by non-target predators and subsequently also killed, and the poison entering the food chain. Thus, if baits are used they should be placed inside what is called a "bait station", which is usually a section of PVC tubing with a diameter just large enough to let in the target rodent but too small for a predator to enter to consume the poisoned rodent. When each station is periodically re-baited, any dead rodents found inside should be buried.
We have found in Costa Rica that rodent populations are kept lower if dikes are maintained with short vegetation (by cutting) and it seems that when fields are more level (with laser-levelling) rodents are less prone to use these fields for nesting and other activities of their life cycles. They will normally use the higher areas of unleveled fields where water sheets are absent or very shallow. This same observation has been made in California (Flint et al, 1993). Dikes that separate rice checks should also be constructed as low and narrow as possible. Unnecessarily high and wide dikes provide more habitat for rodents, especially when the soil cracks in dry season, since these provide a suitable habitat for them.
We have also been testing the acceptance of raptors to artificial perches placed along dikes and have found that these birds readily accept them in Costa Rica. Rice fields normally don't provide many natural perches for diurnal and nocturnal raptors who use perches to hunt rodents from. The use of such perches seems promising and may help keep rodent populations in check.
Use of fertilizers
The best alternative so far seems to be that currently used in California, which we are trying in Costa Rica. This method implies that in the dry season, 100% of all nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium needs are incorporated into the upper 10 cm of soil before seeding. Only Zn fertilizer is applied and left on the soil surface (for use by rice seedlings). The water sheet is then applied and never drained off. By using the permanent water sheet, an anaerobic reduction zone develops in the soil below 1 cm soil depth. The urea is converted to NH4+ cation which bonds tightly to negatively charged soil particles. Thus the NH4+ cannot be lost by leaching as long as the water sheet stays on, the NH4+ stays in the upper 10 cm of soil and is available to the rice plant during the whole crop cycle. However, if the water sheet is drained, then the reduction zone becomes oxidized, and the NH4+ is oxidized to NO3-. When the field is reflooded and anaerobic conditions resume in the reduction zone, the denitrifying bacteria will convert much of the NO3- to N2 gas, which is then lost to the atmosphere, thus, the importance in not draining the water sheet. Phosphorus and potassium should also be incorporated into the soil to reduce the growth of algae on the soil surface.
If top-dressing of nitrogen is the only alternative, then, at least for the first application, the urea should be applied to the dry soil immediately before the water is to be put on. Once the water is being put on, the urea will dissolve in the water and be drawn down into the soil as it absorbs the water.
We have found in two separate tests in Costa Rica, that less nitrogen should be used when incorporated into the soil before planting. Both farmers used 100 to 120 kg/ha of urea, which was the normal rate with top-dressing. However, since losses with the soil incorporation rate are up to 40% lower, this rate was too high for the rice, it grew too much and lodged (fell over) just before harvest. In one of these tests, however, (on 17 ha), they still were able to dry out the ground enough to be able to harvest and obtained 160 hundredweights/ha, the best harvest ever on that farm. With the soil incorporation method, rice plants seemed to be less stressed, and grew more evenly throughout the crop cycle. Better yet a tremendous savings of up to 40% in nitrogen fertilizer can be obtained by farmers using such a method. Soil incorporation of fertilizer also reduces the amount of nutrients available to aquatic, floating weeds, compared to top-dressing applications.
The same method should also be used during the wet season planting. However, it is more difficult to incorporate fertilizer under wet soil cultivation. Fertilizer incorporation can be accomplished with the tractor rear cage wheels, if they are not penetrating more than 10-15 cm. If the wheels are going deeper than this in the soil, then alternative methods must be developed. A potential system could be the dropping of the fertilizer behind the tractor but in front of a rototiller that is only tilling the upper 10 cm of wet soil, on the last cultivation pass. The rototiller must be as wide as the rear tractor wheels, however. The prior wet cultivation should be done with as little a water sheet as possible, so that the urea is not mixed in water, but in the soil on the last pass. The water sheet should be placed onto the fertilized fields and planting should be done as soon as possible after the cultivation so as not to allow weeds to germinate or algae mats to develop on the soil surface.
Thus in summary, to minimize the run-off of fertilizer to the Nariva Swamp, which could destroy the marsh due to the stimulation of excessive plant growth, it is imperative to incorporate fertilizer into the soil before planting, and the practice of top-dressing must be discontinued. However, to be able to use the soil incorporation method, farmers must first be trained in the method of water seeding. Many will be sceptical of this method, as they were in Costa Rica. Most farmers believe that pre-germinated rice seed cannot root and emerge through a water sheet. Progressive farmers must be identified, convinced of the method and then try it on their plots with the objective of convincing the other farmers. Most fields will probably need to be laser-levelled also in order to use the water-seeding method.
New rice varieties
A better method to reduce insecticide and fungicide usage is the continual development of new rice varieties resistant to insects and disease. This also brings an added benefit of crop improvement such as increased yields, better seedling vigor, resistance to lodging, and improvements to grain quality.
The CIAT in Colombia, has started a new policy, under which, any country that pays a yearly fee of US$ 40,000 to its new irrigated rice branch, will receive the visit of rice breeders to develop new varieties within that country. Such a program could be funded by a tax levied per sack of rice harvested by each farmer (such as in California, USA).
Government involvement
Several factors exist that should stimulate the Trinidad and Tobago Government to reconsider its support to national rice production:
a) world market rice prices are rising, thus making importation of rice more difficult;
b) it is estimated that world rice production must be increased by 60% over the next 35 years (Jim Hill, pers comm) just to keep up with world demand (Trinidad should contribute to this increase in production);
c) Guyana cannot continue to meet the import rice demand for Trinidad (Mr Victor, National Flour Mills, pers comm) and already experiences shortages of rice for local consumption;
d) small farmers need to be stimulated into legal farming activities; and
e) a serious unemployment situation exists in rural areas that needs to be addressed -rice farming could help alleviate this problem and reduce the pressure to deforest hilly areas with resultant erosion, and other associated environmental problems.
With the production of new varieties, over time, rice will be freer of insect and disease problems, yields can be increased, and farmers will need to use less pesticides.
Other uses of rice fields
The cultural importance that residents of Trinidad place on the fish, cascadoo and the large conch snail opens up the possibility of even greater economic returns to irrigated rice farmers. As done by at least one farmer, a long ditch can be built in the field to hold permanent water, which in the dry season will hold young cascadoo fish. When the rice field floods, the rice is planted and the fish swim out of the ditch living in the rice field during the crop cycle. There they also mate and reproduce. When the field is drained for harvest the fish move back to the ditch on their own since this is the only water left in the field. The farmer can then seine the fish in the ditch, keep the larger ones for sale and put back the younger fish for the next cycle. Such a scheme could be repeated by many farmers, which now do not take advantage of this possibility. Such a system also dictates the use of the less harmful pesticides in the rice field while the fish are there.
The situation in Kernahan
The number one problem in Kernahan is a serious excess of water during wet season and a total lack of such water during dry season. A reservoir is sorely needed to help alleviate this problem. We identified a potential site for a reservoir nearby (see Map 3).
If high water levels continue to plague rice farmers here, then use of floating rice varieties should be investigated. These do well in deep water and although less productive than medium dwarf varieties used now, would give more economic gain if total crop failure of dwarf varieties continues to be a problem due to high water levels. Again, this will not happen unless help is given to the community by extensionists or social workers.
Most of the recommendations made for rice farming in Plum Mitan can also be applied here, where we found a stronger tradition of water buffalo raising and a large extension of Phragmites sp vegetation, to the north of their cropland area which should readily receive heavy grazing. A great potential exists to expand water buffalo activity and especially cheese production in this community.
On water buffalo, restoration of the marsh and cheese production
If the high biomass production common in such marshes is not extracted by grazing, the marsh habitat preferred by waterfowl and waterbirds is overtaken. Birds shun ungrazed, overgrown areas and are highly attracted to grazed areas. Grazing opens up the vegetation, and creates conditions for the formation of open water when rain restores the water levels. Floating vegetation develops in the open water. As the dry season commences, the floating vegetation dies back, and as water levels drop, exposed soil forms around the open water areas. This type of habitat is attractive to waterfowl and wading waterbirds. We have much experience with this in Costa Rica (McCoy 1994; McCoy and Rodríguez 1994) and cannot stress enough the importance of grazing toward providing the necessary habitat for waterbirds. Possibly, the least damaging to the marsh, restoration method, the cheapest, and most productive -in terms of economic help for the local communities, is the grazing of aquatic vegetation by water buffalo.
Additionally it is important to remember that some of the finest cheeses are produced from water buffalo milk (mozzarella and riccota). We believe that an even greater economic return can be made from this operation if ranchers with water buffalo produced cheese. Cheese is not produced much in Trinidad and Tobago, where it is mostly imported from New Zealand at a very high price.
In the case of the Black River Water buffalo operation, it is a good three hour walk from the closest town (Biche) also points to the feasibility, since cheese is much easier to transport out than the equivalent amount of milk used to produce such cheese. The people running this operation knew nothing on how to produce cheese. But in reality it is a very inexpensive and easy process. Recent work by Roshni Maharaj at the Food Technology Unit, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of the West Indies, St Augustine, has shown the feasibility to produce cheese from buffalo milk (Kassie 1995). This technology should be extended to future buffalo ranchers and projects in the Nariva Marsh.


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Should you pre-order an iPad?
Apple's device is available for orders Friday. How to weigh early adoption.
This Deal of the Day comes from Kelli B. Grant at partner site SmartMoney.
Owning a cutting-edge gadget has a certain cool factor, but early adopters rarely get a great deal. Some observers say Apple's new iPad, available to pre-order Friday for an April 3 release, isn't likely to be an exception -- though there will probably be no shortage of shoppers wanting to go first.
"Most people are better off waiting for the technology to mature," says Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group, a San Jose, Calif.-based technology research firm. First versions of emerging technology are at premium prices and riddled with glitches. "Even the first iPhone owners were pretty unhappy."
Apple, which did not respond to requests for comment, charges $499 for a 16GB version of the touchscreen tablet with Wi-Fi; 32GB and 64GB go for $599 and $699, respectively. (Later this spring, the company plans to offer iPad models with both Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity for $629, $729 and $829.)
- Bing: Kindle vs. iPad
If the prices don't spook you, and you're still determined to own, you might consider pre-ordering, since demand for popular new gadgets tends to eclipse availability. When Barnes & Noble moved to introduce its Nook reader in late 2009, for example, so many consumers tried to buy, the company had to push back shipments by up to two months and ended up offering a $100 store gift card to consumers who were promised delivery by Christmas Eve. Shoppers who order close to the April 3 launch may have to wait.
Not completely sold on the need for instant iPad gratification? Hold off. Some of the difficulties with early adoption are likely to disappear within a few months. Consider these five reasons to wait:
Price drops. Putting off your purchase a few months could cut your bill substantially. When Apple introduced the iPhone in 2007, it slashed the 8GB version's $599 price tag to $399 just 10 weeks later. (Outraged early adopters received a $100 credit.) That swift of a drop on the iPad is unlikely, but the price could come down in as few as six months, says Michael Carnell, the founder of Charleston, S.C., information technology firm Palmettobug Digital. "The run-of-the-mill consumer can wait that long," he says.
In particular, consumers could see prices drop on the Wi-Fi/3G version. "The extra charge for 3G in the device doesn't make much sense," Enderle says. Apple stands to profit from the $15 to $30 monthly 3G subscriptions.
Bugs. "This is version one -- there's a lot that has to be worked out," says Aaron Ray-Crichton, an independent technology consultant and founder of ARC Systems Consulting in Brooklyn, N.Y. Apple originally anticipated an iPad release in late March, and analyst reports have pointed to possible production problems.
App availability. Currently, the iPad has very few apps of its own. Most are iPhone apps, Carnell says. Displayed on a 9.7-inch screen instead of a 3.5-inch one, they may appear too jagged and low resolution to be useful, he says. If you're looking at the iPad for the apps, hold off a month or two until developers can catch up.
Connectivity. A Wi-Fi-only device is fine if you plan to use it at home or other areas with Wi-Fi hotspots. But 3G connectivity -- available in iPad models set to launch later this spring -- is basic for consumers who want their iPad to work while traveling in the car or in other locations where Wi-Fi is scarce. "Otherwise, you're going to have limited access to that rich Internet content," Ray-Crichton says. The cost of a 3G subscription will set you back an extra $180 to $360 a year. Given that cost, an iPhone may be a more cost-effective choice for some users, he says.
Competition. It's still unclear exactly what the iPad will do best, Enderle says. Competing devices slated for release may be better choices, depending on what you would use the iPad for. Shoppers looking for an e-reader may want to wait for Amazon's expected Kindle 3, while Dell's Streak tablet offers more computing power, he says. Another soon-to-be-released contender, Notion Ink's Adam, "is probably closer to what the second-generation iPad will be than what the iPad currently is," he says.
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