Silverfish spill the Golden word!

By  Dr R Sudarshan S ome 20 feet high above the ground on the Soursop plant on the farm, a football-sized nest has come up overnight. And thousands of weaver ants are still busy bending the leaves and enlarging their tree house. Weaver ants are almost mythical. Hundreds of them stand in a line and bend the leaves together, just like the slaves in Cecil B Demille's epic films moved massive stones to build the pyramid. Then they bring in their own larvae, shake them back and forth and squeeze out their silk saliva to glue the leaves into globule nests. They feed on aphids and other harmful insects. Such friendly creatures help natural farming. But they can also bite if we intrude and disturb their peaceful life in their farmhouse. Farmer's House, Silverfish Books, Kutz Bowl and the Farmer's Market, # 1A, 13th Cross, Kalidasa Road, VV Mohalla, Mysore.

By Dr R Sudarshan I t is said that history has always been the handmaiden of the victor. Because, we only seem to love the large canvas of heroes, their dynasties, their drawn-out campaigns and harem stories. In the middle of this stampede of history, there are individual BRAVEHEARTS who may or may not build a dynasty, but stand firm to protect their people under adverse situations and contribute immensely to the life of a nation. Vikram chronicles fifteen of them. They are largely unsung and long forgotten. But their valour has been a subterranean song of Indian dignity. An unputdownable book that everyone is talking about. On our shelf. Now. For any relevant query, message 81051 12990. * * * * * Silverfish Books, Farmer's House, # 1A - 13th Cross, Kalidasa Road, VV Mohalla, Mysore.

  By Dr R Sudarshan 111th Organic Farmers' Market, Sunday, 20 November 2022, 9 AM to 12 Noon T he role of home gardens in the Farmers' Market is almost invisible because people tend to think that it is only the farms that produce in big quantities. But at least two home gardens, including our terrace garden, support this market. Like where there is will there can be a way , where there is a terrace, there can be a garden that produces generously. Tomorrow is the 111th market. At 9 AM. For any relevant query, message 81051 12990. * * * Farmer's House, Silverfish Books, Kutz Bowl and the Farmer's Market, # 1A, 13th Cross, Kalidasa Road, VV Mohalla, Mysore.

 By Dr. R Sudarshan B rinjal is controversy's favorite child. Cautiinists say that Solanin causes arthritis. Nutritionists say it enhances cognitive function. Some mind influencers have asked for avoidance. Some chefs have crowned it as the king of vegetables. Brinjal got caught in the muddle of a genetic modification argument. It even got stuck in the middle of adages and aphorisms. But our Brinjal Boulevard on the farm is grand and gorgeous as we believe that nature's production is to be honored by human consumption. Yes, tomorrow at 8 AM, we will have some. And we assemble as always for the mid-week green celebration. Organic Farmers' MIDWEEK MINI MARKET - 29, Wednesday, 28 September 2022, 8 AM to 10 AM * * * Farmer's House, Silverfish Books, Kutz Bowl and the Farmer's Market, #  1A, 13th Cross,  Kalidasa Road,  VV Mohalla, Mysore.

 By  Dr R Sudarshan A few Pill Millipedes have begun to appear on the farm floor in the past week. You touch and they roll into a ball. Birds pick them but can't get past their exoskeleton and drop them everywhere, saving them a crawl. They exude an almond smell, adding to the charm of our fruit orchard.  The receding monsoon has left behind a whole load of rotting leaves and fruits for them to feast on. They help the biomass turn around into usable substances. They are often found in the woodlands, meaning that the farm matures into a wild food forest, to receive their patronage. All that aside, Pill Millipedes are unbelievably beautiful and add to the gorgeousness quotient of the landscape. Farmer's House, Silverfish Books, Kutz Bowl and the Farmer's Market, # 1A, 13th Cross, Kalidasa Road, VV Mohalla, Mysore.

By Dr. R Sudarshan O nce again, Dasara. This land's grand festival. At the end of the 14th Century, on one summer day, the ruler of Mahishuru, Chieftain Chamaraja Bhupati died. The evil Dalvoy Maaranayaka cast his eyes on the chieftain's family and terrorized them. Around then, two young men left their homeland Dwaraka, collected an army to fight the Dalvoy, and took the lordship of the place. Their elder, Yaduraya, started a dynasty, which to date has been in the center stage of Mahishuru that became Mysore and then Mysuru. Through a tumultuous Wodeyar dynastic history of 600 years, our city became a cultural capital of music, art, literature, and traditions, laying a strong foundation for a modern State. Vikram Sampath's narration is a story delight that every Mysorean should indulge in.  This Dasara, read the story of your own modern origins. For any relevant query, message 81051 12990. * * * * * Silverfish Books, Farmer's House, # 1A - 13th Cross, Kalidasa Road, VV ...