Page 24 RAIN May 1978 From our experience, good compost can be made by anybody. Although no one seems to know exactly what goes on in a compost pile yet, you don't have to know exactly. Susan says that Book of the New Alchemists, Nancy Jack Todd, editor, 1977, $6.95 from: E.P. Dutton 201 Park Ave. So. New York, NY 10003 Most people into appropriate technology have by now heard of New Alchemy Institute-a group who have long been doing whole systems experiments in Woods Hole (Mass.), Prince Edward Island (Canada) and Costa Rica. This book gives you a chance to become a little more familiar with their work. It RAIN 2270 N.W. Irving Portland, OR 97210 making compost is like 'making a casserole. You just get a feel for the ingredients. The ground leaves and dried grasses are the filler or the bland part- not too active. The soppy groundis a collection of pieces from their yearly Journals, including John Todd's "A Modest Proposal," Nancy Jack Todd's "Women in Ecology," and extensive sections on aquaculture and bioshelters. Lots of pictures too. Here's a lovely quote from New Alchemist Bill McLarney which sums up what many of the people doing this kind of work are all about: "Well, I don't suppose any of us is· fool enough to think we can save the world. But if each of us were up green matter is the sauce- the protein more active. The manure is the spice- you don't need as much but it brings everything together, makes it work. -Tyrone Cashman, from Book of the New Alchemists to look at some of the directions we'd like to see the world go inand then to put our own little bit of force behind one of them-and to have a hell of a good time while we're doing it, well then, that's what we should do." If you haven't already seen it, the film on the New Alchemists by the Canadian National Film Board is also excellent. Write to: Challenge for Change, National Film Board of Canada, Box 6100, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. - LdeM Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 1890 Portland, OR Forwarding and Return Postage Guaranteed
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