Klarinet Archive - Posting 000044.txt from 1996/12

From: Floyd Williams <F.Williams@-----.au>
Subj: Re: Dutch Rush
Date: Mon, 2 Dec 1996 15:08:25 -0500

Edwin V. Lacy wrote:
>
> I once found quite a bit of Dutch rush growing wild in Maine. I was
> advised that it is not ready for cutting until the color changes from
> dark green to light green. I picked some, but could never figure out how
> to dry it properly. It seemed to either mold or dry out until it crumbled
> when touched.
>
> Does anyone know what the proper drying or curing process would be?
>
> Ed Lacy
> *****************************************************************
> Dr. Edwin Lacy University of Evansville
> Professor of Music 1800 Lincoln Avenue
> Evansville, IN 47722
> el2@-----.edu (812)479-2754
> *****************************************************************

Ed, I used to collect it from a streambed in the mountains near
Albuquerque, and it only required that each stalk be thick enough so
that when it dried out, it wouldn't crumble to the touch. It occurs as
an exotic weed here in Australia, but what I've seen seems to never have
walls thick enough to be useful. Lately, I've discovered a rainforest
tree, Aphananthe Phillipensis,(native elder), Which has leaves which are
similar to Reed rush. The abrasiveness is about like #400 sandpaper, and
the leaves don't crumble when used on a reed.

Floyd Williams
Brisbane, Australia