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The idea, of course, is still in an experimental stage and its value can't be assessed accurately until several growing seasons have passed. Meanwhile, Bill is writing a book about solar -greenhouse construction and operation (in collaboration with Rick C. Fisher, coauthor and artist) . . . and I for one, await its appearance with great interest.

Note: Since I announced in MOTHER NO. 30 that 1 was writing a book about the ecosystem concept, I've received over 300 letters from folks who want more information. Well, our original plans for that work were, to say the least, premature.

We've learned so much in the last year that the publication project just keeps growing. Findings on carbon dioxide implementation, photoperiod, and organic hydroponic solutions have all modified my original idea, and-since we want the study to be as complete as possible-we're going on with the research. The book is now slated to come out by the end of the year, and we think it'll be worth waiting for.

bill yanda on alternative energy

I'm excited by the populist, grassroots potential that alternate energy promises. However, if the government and large corporations dominate the research and production of the necessary equipment, you can bet that promise will be unfulfilled.

The people who could use low-cost alternate energy systems the most aren't even aware that they exist.

If an independent energy system like the photovoltaic cell could be produced and sold at a low cost, it would never be allowed to hit the market. It's too threatening to the power monopolies. I was in on the beginning of the revolution in electronic calculators, and they dropped in cost by a factor of 100 in eight years. The technology is here to make that happen in the photovoltaic cell industry, but don't hold your breath.

Many of the systems 1 see are high on the Rube Goldberg factor. I think the key to making an alternate energy setup work for you is to keep it as simple as possible. There are a lot of complicated things you can do to make a greenhouse work better, but they all demand your time, energy, and money. It's best to have a good design for your area and work within its limitations.

Greenhouse operation is a great way to study the earth in microcosm. It's fascinating to have the life functions that support the planet going on right there in that shelter outside your kitchen window.

Seven reasons why you should have an add-on solar greenhouse

[11 Every vegetable that comes out of the greenhouse and onto the table is one less that has to be fertilized, processed, and shipped around the country . . . and when you grow food yourself, you know what it contains!

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