CRUSH bin #077 - August 2009
Download Complete Issue [21.7 mb]
HYDROPONICS
By Laurie Gilchrist
[Excerpt] "The practice of growing plants without soil is called hydroponics, from the Greek hydro (water) and ponos (labor). And while the word was invented relatively recently, the method itself is hundreds, perhaps even thousands of years old."
Of course, crop nutrition has been a prime interest of mankind from antiquity to present day. It is a unique facet of human nature to continuously strive to do things bigger and better, especially when it involves a profit. The roots of hydroponic gardening (pun intended) can be traced to ancient India, Mexico, China, and Egypt. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, constructed by King Nebuchadnezzar II around 600 B.C. and one of the Seven Wonders of the World, are believed to be the first large scale experiment in hydroponics. The Aztecs developed “floating gardens” on Lake Tenochtitlan during the 10th and 11th centuries by building rafts of reeds and topping them with a thin layer of soil. The explorer Marco Polo also recorded viewing similar “floating gardens” during his travels to China in the 13th century. In 1492, while Columbus was discovering the New World, Leonardo da Vinci observed that 'plants need certain minerals to grow.'"
RABBIT RUN FARM: Hydroponics For The Health Of It
By Laurie Gilchrist
[Excerpt] "Denise Muir was raised in Georgia and comes from a family of farmers, though it never crossed her mind that one day this would be her career path as well. Her mother was a registered dietician, so eating healthy foods, which included weekend trips to the local farmers markets, was a way of life from an early age."
Chimay Blue (9.0% abv)
By Sir Lucky Day
[Tasting Note] "As the luscious liquid poured from the bottle I'd swear I heard angels singing the Hallelujah Chorus. Friends, if you've not had the Chimay, drop whatever you are doing (unless you're handling plutonium or a small kitten), and get one... get one now. The Chimay pours a rich, maple syrup color with a thick, pillowy head. The nose is heavenly... soft, supple, and flowery. It glides over the tongue with a medium body (not too thick, not too thin). It really tastes like it smells with only subtle hints of malt and hops. An absolutely sensational beer. With every sip remember, you are supporting those doing God's work. Don't believe in God? You will after you drink this, or you could just look around and stop believing you, me, and the whole world was an accident."
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
- Retail Wine Selections
- The Cigar Bar's Cigar of the Month: Fonseca Cigars
- SPIRITS: Pinnacle Vodka
- SPIRITS: Cointreau Noir
- Calendar of Events