Klarinet Archive - Posting 000461.txt from 1997/04

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: RE: What's Dutch rush look like?
Date: Thu, 17 Apr 1997 08:59:28 -0400

On Sun, 13 Apr 1997, Lord Rob wrote:

> I'll try and describe it, though describing plants is not my forte. Dutch
> [........]
> hopefully some of the Biology professors on this list can be of more help...

I am far from being a biology professor. However, I have harvested quite
a bit of Dutch rush. I got it in central Maine while I was teaching at
the New England Music Camp. It grows wild there, in great profusion. It
seems to like sandy soil, a moist environment, and lots of shade. So, the
best place to find it is in a wooded area. It probably will be growing in
or near pools of standing water.

I recall that it grows about 3 feet tall, and is about a quarter inch in
diameter when it is mature. It also turns color from dark green to a
lighter green. It is the light green that you want.

I found that curing it properly is a trick. If it dries too quickly it
will turn to dust when you try to use it. And, if it dries too slowly,
you will grow some interesting cultures of mold, mildew, etc. Someone
told me that you should keep it in brown paper bags at room temperature
for a couple of weeks.

Alternatively, you can buy silicon carbide paper at the hardware store for
less than $2.00 per 1-foot-square sheet.

Ed Lacy
*****************************************************************
Dr. Edwin Lacy University of Evansville
Professor of Music 1800 Lincoln Avenue
Evansville, IN 47722
el2@-----.edu (812)479-2754
*****************************************************************

   
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org