AA1

jamescollister, on 2012-04-29 10:41:50, said:

Hi Jim,

Delighted that all goes well for  you so far in OZ and hope that after you've had the other cataract op on the 9th. you will then be able to come back to LOS and see what your rubber trees look like again!   We will be thinking of you.

Thrilled that you are offering to have the next Meeting at yours as we would love to see both your trees and the rubber mat factory (with the fishless ponds behind!).  We do however have a problem with June as we are having to make our annual pilgrimage round the UK & US visitting my children and grandchildren - including latest additions from latter May until virtually the end of June!   Any chance of making it in July instead of June? If this is not so good for you or other farmers, No Problem, go ahead with June and we can pop down to see you and the rubber someother date later.

See what fits with others first.

All the best,
Anthony (AA1).

WormFarmer.

How can I express Ting and my thanks enough!

You and Kaew entertained us so well and I am sure that I speak for everyone there when I say that going round your  commercial worm farm was most interesting and educational and then seeing the splendid 3 story and mobile quail quarters, which you designed and built yourselves so the area for quail can be expanded steadily as markets grow, were fascinating. I can't wait to sample very soon the quality of the eggs we brought home!
As can be seen from your super photos we were all thoroughly relaxed and enjoyed our visit. It was a pity that quite a number from the previous meeting were either abroad or were unable to get because of work but a good excuse to come back to yours again at some future date!!!

Perfect hosts, good company, fascinating walk round, excellent food and a supply of drink that didn't run out!! What more could anyone ask for?

Thanks so much.

AA1 & Ting.

I was most interested to read and distressed to read about the the fires some of you have experienced from OUTSIDE as I have worried about accidental fires. We have rubber trees being grown on 3 sides of ours and a dirt road on the 4th. so no sugar (or rice) burning worries.
We are going to tap one half of our trees this year (the rest are 2 years younger). I was delighted that my wife, against locals (& family) advise, has held off tapping till later this year when the vast majority of the trees will be 50 cms or over. Around here many farmers cut too small but need the cash.
Some of the new leaves were beginning to get whitish spots (what she calls 'bacteria') so, about 2 days after some rain, power sprayed all the young leaves with powder solution got from our local rubber shop.
Having a good canopy, we had a large leaf fall well covering the ground (which was basically weed free). The wife then said she was going to burn them!! Needless to say I nearly had a fit but she's the boss (if one wants peace!). She got a team in who brushed all the leaves into a 2 metre strip between each of the rows of trees. With fire breaks both ends of the strips, she proceeded  to light them. Still being very slightly damp from the rain a few days earlier they slowly burnt along with the flame not more than 1 foot high and away from the trees.
NO damage caused to the trees.
NO risk of accidental fires now.
She says that it will help kill the 'bacteria' as well as giving the red ants a coughing time!

Driving round I have never come across this controlled burning before in a rubber farm.
Has anyone else?
and
any thoughts on the pros & cons?

Thanks.

Hi WF,
Sorry to have been slow in contacting you but life has been rather hectic!
Ting and I will, of course, be with you - all being well! - on Sunday, 8th. April and would be grateful if you could, in due course, book us in for an ensuite room wherever you dump us all.
Much look forward to seeing your set up as well as having an enjoyable chat with all our friends who come.
Many thanks for hosting it as should be very interesting.
AA1.

Bergen.
What can I say that hasn't already been said!!
You entertained us all royally.
As has been said "Thank you" so much for being such a wonderful host. How you cooked that superb lunch when you had Grimley Bob making those delicious pork pies beside you was an amazing achievement as I would have been totally distracted. Maybe the 2 of you should start a Cooks Meeting as I would be very happy to come as a taster!!
Fascinated to see round your lovely resort surounded by the mixed farm and in such a beautiful area. Much looked forward to coming and having another break with you there.
Finally
What an amazing group of 'farmers' collected together with you. Great discussions, great company who ALL got on so well as did the wives/partners too, great bbq in the evening and next morning most of us discovered on waking how well the drink also flowed!!!  
Thanks so much for everything. 11 out of 10!!!!