Page 10 RAIN Nov 1975 Biological Sewage Treatment Natural systems are almost always cheaper and more effective than our mechanical ones. NASA has discovered the value of common plants and has reached the unsurprising conclusion that common plants can process sewage much more economically than our mechanized sewage treatment facilities. The town of Bay St. Louis, with a population of 8,000, is using water hyacinth plants for its sewage filtration system. After the sewage flows through 4 acres of hyacinth, the water meets all EPA and state standards. The city is able to harvest the plants and use them for fertilizer and cattle feed. Eventually the 4 acres of plants may be able to supply the town with all the natural gas it needs. (C.B.S. Morning News, 8/29175) Waste Water Renovation and Conservation, Richard Parazek, Pennsylvania State University, 1967. Contains a summary of the pioneering work at Penn State on using cropland and forests for sewage treatment, aquifer recharge, and nutrient recycling for plant growth. Ask for list of reprints covering stripmine spoils revegetation, soils as nutrient filters, and use of sewage sludge and liquids for fertilizer. The Energetics of Beauty Something as unquantifiable as beauty can provide both energy conservation and monetary savings. We spend large amounts of money travelling to get away from our ugly places to better ones, while, if we spent the same money making where we live good so we wouldn't want to leave it, we would substitute permanent improvement for momentary consumption of depleting energy supplies. Don't travel-MAKE WHERE YOU ARE A PARADISE! Plants, People and Environmental Quality, G. 0. Robinette, 1972, from: Superintendent of Documents U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, DC 20402 $4.35. An excellent guide to use of plants for climatic control, engineering, privacy and beauty. How to control sun, ventilation, temperature and wind. Important information to know before building or planting. Moonlight Gardens The Moghul rulers of India were famed for their moonlight gardens-gardens designed for special beauty at night. Waterfalls with flickering lamps behind, candles floating on mirror-smooth lakes, plants selected for their evening fragrances, patterns of foliage silhouetted against marble pavillions glowing softly in the light of the moon. "Why Not Plant for Moonlight?," Louise Riette, Organic Gardening & Farming, May, 1973. Contains numerous suggestions for nightblooming plants. Floral Clocks The famous European botanist, Linneaus, had a floral clock known all over Europe, with flowers that opened at different hours of day and night arranged in the form of a clock. Some FREE night bloomers are: Midnight to 2: 30 a.m.-night-blooming cereus; 3 a.m.- Amazon water lily is open; 4: 30 a.m.- Virginia spiderwort is unfolding; 5 a.m. -Purple morning glory opens, so does wild rose, Iceland poppy and blue chicory; 5 :20 a.m.-Common blue flax is "fully unscrewed." Getting Trees Bare root forest trees can be gotten for as little as 3</./tree from forest tree nurseries in all but 5 states. Forest Tree Nurseries in the United States, from Chief, U.S. Forest Service Washington, DC 20250 Lists local nurseries. If you want to get serious about it, request: Public Assistan_ce Programs in Cooperation with State Forestry Agencies (Nov. '72) and Public Assistance for Forest Landowners, PA-893 from: Forest Service U.S. Department of Agriculture Washington, DC 20250 Contain information on local forestry aid programs and government aid for planting trees, improving young stands, controlling erosion, fire and flood. Plant A Tree, Michael Weiner, MacMillan Publishing Co., 1975, $6.95. An excellent manual for planting and maintenance of trees. Describes many city street planting programs, urban tree maintenance, planting for rural conditions, and a photographic survey of American, European and Oriental trees. Giving Trees Give trees for Christmas- something that grows in value and benefit rather than wearing out. Give someone six treestwo to make where they live a better place, one to make a public place a better place, one to make a friend's place better, one to give to a stranger, and one to plant where no one else will know. Grow them yourself. Or start a neighborhood plant exchange ... trade cuttings, rootings and starts of your favorite plants. Biological Pest Control Over the last several years the use of chemical insecticides has been virtually eliminated in several California cities, and more than $20,000 saved each year
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