and convinced them that his power was far superior to the electricity generated by their own generators. And they bought it. The next time I see my father I'll have to ask him about what kind of rates he offered these businesses as compared to what the private sector was paying and where nuclear power came into the picture. Peace, Jay Armour Centerport, NY FOOD ·- -------- The Soy of Cooking: A Tofu and Tempeh Recipe Book, compiled by Reggi Norton and Martha Wagner, 1980, $2.25 postpaid from: White Crane P.O. Box3081 Eugene, OR 97403 Having recently rediscovered tempeh (the first time, someone told me it would taste like chicken!), The Soy of Cooking was, for Dear Cloud, Sounds like it was a gdod trip to China. Everybody seems to be heading East and I'm jealous. Ken Butti, co-author of The Golden. Thread, is leading a trip to China to extend his researches. I'm finding haiku in subway stations and trying to get the local TV to show four 10second public service announcements I made on solar-south-facing windows, south-facing porch as greenhouse, air collectors and breadbox hot water. Also tried to run down solar financing plans. San Francisco's Continental Savings & Loan seems to be it except for Ne"':' Jersey Mortgage Finance Corp. and ACCESS me, a welcome addition to the RAIN library., This 24-page booklet packs in recipes for such delectables as Tofu Mousaka, Tempeh Shish-kebabs and Tempeh "Sloppy Joes." I'm still hesitant about the "Nearly Chicken" Tempeh Salad. • In contrast to many tofu/tempeh cookbooks that read like an alchemist's brew, the ingredients used fc,r these recipes are familiar and easily come by. Reasonably priced,.The Soy of Cooking is a painless and imaginative way to add variety and nutritive content to your diet without forsaking your palate! -LS ---- -- ---- --- -- - - - - ----- - --- - - AGRICULTURE The Fruited Plain: The Story of American Agriculture, by W~lter Ebeling, 1980, 446 pp., $22.50 from: University of California Press 2233 Fulton St. Berkeley, CA 94720 Understanding how and why things got to be the way they are is an important part of developing a realistic alternative. The increasing trend towards a homogenized and centralized agriculture is a national problem, but the incredible diversity of country and people that make up.America's rural landsc.ape requires solutions that draw.on the strengths of local agriculture. The Fruited Plain offers a stunning view of the sweep of agriculture across the continent, region by region, from the early Native American farmers to the rise of the corporate May 1981 RAIN Page 3 their idea of splitting financing between the portion covered by the tax rebate and the remainder (short term for 40%, longer for the other 60%, for instance). Bankers here have been quoted as saying very few people are asking for loans for any kind of solar. Yours, George Mokray Cambridge, Mass. P.S. Wouldn't it be nice to have solar and conservation spots sponsored by AS/ISES [American Section, Int~rnational Solar Energy Society], or Solar Lobby, or (God help us) the Advertising Council on national TV? agribusiness complex. Ebeling begins with a vivid description of the land and native vegetation, then follows groups of settlers into the wilderness as they seek their new home. In many other areas,. immigrant groups settled in the country that most resembled their homeland. In other places, whole new cultures were created by groups trying to get as far away from civilization as possible. In both cases, the traditions and practices of the early settlers left an imprint on regional agriculture that continues to this day. Sometimes the traditions go back even further: Indian women soaked the corn seed for a few days before planting four seeds to a hill. As in every other detail of corn planting, the English colonists followed this Indian custom: One for the squirrel, one for the crow one for the cutworm and one to grow. for the Indians the custom derived from the ancient Maya, who attached religious significanc~to the four colors of their cornwhite, red, yellow, and blue-and to the four points of the compp.ss and the four gods who held up the corners of the earth and so influenced the wind and the rain. Ebeling describes the formation of our· . modern agricultural base, then describes the, predominant crops and techniques that are used in each region. Although he is clearly aware that there are some problems, he sometimes fails to closely examine the social and environmental implications of modern agricultural practices such as monocropping, pivot irrigation, mechanical harvesting, and pesticide use. Even so, these sections are a good, concise description of the components of agriculture in each part of the country. The book is heavily cross-referenced, and provides a good base for further research. -KB
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