Month: February 2019

February 02 2019, 20:08

I’m currently shopping at Lotte Plaza, an Asian grocery store where they almost have everything under the sun. I can’t even identify half or more of the edible stuff. And I wondered – why are there simply no fresh gooseberries, red and black currants, and sea buckthorn anywhere? Could they really be more exotic than sugar cane or banana stem?

Apparently, it’s due to a ban on certain berries and fruits in their fresh form, including plants of the Ribes genus, such as gooseberries and currants.

I quote: “…The reason for the ban was that black currant served as an intermediary in the spread of the rust fungus Cronartium ribicola, capable of damaging pine trees (White Pine).

The life cycle of this fungus consists of two stages, living on Ribes plants, currants, gooseberries, etc. This rust fungus also existed in Siberia, but there, local pines developed a defense against it. In North America, the pines had no defense, and an epidemic began when the fungus was brought there. Eventually, the fungus-infected plants wither at the roots.

Fearing the spread of infection through American pine forests and a reduction in logging levels, in the early 1900s, the US authorities issued a Federal law prohibiting the cultivation of wild and domesticated black currant.

About 33 species of Ribes plants, growing wild in the forest, are susceptible to infection. Therefore, the government undertook the elimination of wild gooseberries and other Ribes plants. The fight ended in complete failure – since Ribes, among other things, reproduce by root offsprings and can withstand even forest fires.

Research showed that efforts to eliminate Ribes had little effect on the epidemic. However, scientists had warned about this earlier, but then chasing currants and gooseberries through the forest makes for a great job creation program, and if these bushes grow back next year, even better – it means the jobs are not going anywhere. At the peak of the program, as many as 11,000 people were involved.

The federal ban on black currants remained in effect until 1966, when the right to ban or legalize the cultivation of currants was transferred to the level of individual state authorities.

Only in 2003, thanks to the efforts of farmer and activist Greg Quinn, the ban on cultivating black currants was lifted in most states. However, in the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Virginia, and Massachusetts, black currants are still illegal.”

http://aiare.ru/pochemu-v-ssha-zapreshheno-vyrashhivat-smorodinu/

February 02 2019, 17:32

Watched. The second consecutive opera about fallen women who ultimately die dramatically and with feeling.

In this Met 18/19 production, Michaëla and José are played by the married couple, Aleksandra Kurzak and Roberto Alagna.

But overall, Elina Garanca (Carmen) from the previous Met production was more like the Carmen worth suffering for, compared to Clémentine Margaine in this one.

#operasrauflikes

https://www.metopera.org/season/2018-19-season/carmen/