Letter Re: Highly Productive Home Gardens

JWR: My name is Tom Johns. I just read a letter in your blog that mentioned my company; Territorial Seed Company (TSC). With regards to your reader’s comment about “with the change in management” concerning Territorial Seed Company, he implied that there has been a recent change. The facts are that my wife Julie and I purchased Territorial from Steve in 1985. Steve founded Territorial in 1979, and operated TSC for five years, and Julie and I have had the company for 25 years now. Also, the reader mentioned that we are decreasing the amount of Open Pollinated or Heirloom …


Letter Re: Free GPS Topographical Map Software and Adjuncts

JWR, I read the letter from Grant regarding free topographic maps and I have an even easier method [if you don’t need to download data into a GPS receiver.] You can go to the USGS web site and use the GoogleMap API to find the area that you want a map of. Once you find the area, just click the “MARK POINTS” Radio button and click on the map. The marker that shows up will have the option of ordering paper copies of the map for $6 or free download. You can download your standard 7.5 minute topographic map in …


Economics and Investing:

From G.G.: Brace For Hyper-Inflation Spotted in the Drudge Report news links: Magazine Ad Pages Decline Almost 26% in First Quarter G.G. also sent a link to yesterday’s Dilbert cartoon strip. G.G.’s comment: Dilbert is channeling [economist Gerald] Celente. Items from The Economatrix: How Consumers Can Take Smart Advantage of Falling Prices Fed Finds Faint Signs Economy Starting to Level Off Ron Paul: Audit the Fed Art Market Crashes 401(k) Losses Devastate Retirees Glamour Dims as Hecklers Hit Auto Shows Gasoline Expected to Remain Cheap this Summer Food Auctions Thrive During Recession General Growth, 2nd Largest Mall Owner, Fails Historic …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Cheryl sent this: It’s Possible: Imagine No Phone, Food, Fuel    o o o Larry W. notes: Montana’s Governor has now signed HB 246 the “Made in Montana” exemption law. It is pretty cool how this law classifies “sound suppressors” as mere “accessories.” Presumably, after October 1, 2009, this mean there will be no Federal $200 transfer tax applicable on a Montana-made sound suppressor “accessory” unless or until it is transferred out of Montana!    o o o Florida Guy sent this from The Wall Street Journal: Gun and Ammo Sales are Shooting Up


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

"The wavelike movement affecting the economic system, the recurrence of periods of boom which are followed by periods of depression, is the unavoidable outcome of the attempts, repeated again and again, to lower the gross market rate of interest by means of credit expansion. There is no means of avoiding the final collapse of a boom brought about by credit expansion. The alternative is only whether the crisis should come sooner as the result of a voluntary abandonment of further credit expansion, or later as a final and total catastrophe of the currency system involved." – Ludwig von Mises, Human …


Notes from JWR:

This article about my book is causing a bit of a stir: “The Most Dangerous Novel In America”. Dangerous? Obviously, my politics and religious background didn’t match those of the journalist. OBTW, some of the follow-up comments at Michelle Malkin’s Hot Air blog were quite entertaining. I loved the one about casting gold bullets. — My #1 Son (Jonathan) was quoted briefly in a recent USAToday newspaper article on the growth of mainstream survivalism: Economic survivalists take root. Speaking of #1 Son, the SurvivalRealty spin-off site is growing rapidly, and becoming known as the best place to buy and sell …


Letter Re: Free GPS Topographical Map Software and Adjuncts

Jim, Maps are something I have a lot of fun with. I wrote up a blog post on free online mapping centered around topographical maps that if you haven’t already encountered these tools you might find it interesting. In a post at Gear Addicts, I cover how to acquire free topographical maps, as well as using the topo maps in conjuncture with programs like Google Earth, and NASA World Wind. Making a free and in some ways superior replacemnt for expensive software by National Geographic and Garmin. Regards, – Grant


Economics and Investing:

Laura H. sent this: In uncertain times, all that glisters is a gold standard Chauncey sent this Five Bailout Absurdities Items from The Economatrix: “Green Shoots” a Mirage in Economic Desert US Taxpayers’ Costs Likely to Rise After AIG-FP Staff Quit Wall Street Holds its Breath as 1st Quarter Results Come In GM Told to Prep for “Surgical Bankruptcy” HSBC Faces Crisis Over US Credit Cards Consumer Prices Drop Unexpectedly in March Swiss Bank UBS Cutting 7,500 More Jobs Singapore Devalues Its Fading Dollar Obama’s Economic Optimism Falls on Deaf Ears US to Reveal Results of Stress Tests on 19 …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Cheryl sent us two items on the continuing big sales runs on guns, ammunition, reloading components,and magazines: The New US Arms Race: Americans stick to their guns as firearms sales soar and Guns And Ammo Availability Overview. JWR Adds: OBTW, I was pleasantly surprised to see that Mr. Herman included a mention of my novel “Patriots” in his article.    o o o Reader Rob A. sent some more insanity from Nanny State Britannia: Family of father stabbed to death by three thugs is denied compensation… because he tried to fight back    o o o “Snow Hater” sent this: …



Note from JWR:

This is the last day to bid in the SurvivalBlog Benefit Auction.The high bid is now at $2,510. This auction ends at midnight (eastern time) tonight, April 15th. It is for a large mixed lot, which includes:: 1.) A Warrior Aid and Litter Kit, donated by Ready Made Resources. This is an advanced medic kit package that includes a Talon II 90C folding-handle collapsible litter, which normally retails for $560, just by itself. This truly a “full up” tactical trauma kit! This sophisticated medic kit normally retails for $1,500. 2.) A “be ready to barter” box of 26 full-capacity firearms …


Letter Re: The Importance of Spare Parts and Maintenance for Preparedness

James Wesley: One subject that I think is under rated in preparedness discussions is spare parts. We all are focused on our armaments and basic survival materials to the detriment of being able to continue to use our tools and equipment when they inevitably break. Even in the best-case scenario of a sever depression spare parts will be often unavailable through normal channels. A good example of this is to be found in cars. When I was young in the ‘50s and early ‘60s there was an abundance of cars made in the late ‘20s and ‘30s in remarkably good …


Letter Re: Recommendation for Kinder Goats

Hi First, I just wanted to say I loved “Patriots” and have given it away to many of my friends and adult children. Concerning “Livestock for Survival, by Bobbi A.” Most people are not aware of a small meat/dairy goat called the Kinder [, spoken “Kin-dur”.] It was developed over 30 years ago and has gained great success in competing against it’s larger cousins. This little goat will produce a gallon of milk a day, is much more feed efficient than other breeds, is small so easy to handle (especially the bucks) and is stocky so makes for better meat …


Economics and Investing:

Reader HPD: suggested this piece by Mish Shedlock: Nationwide Tax Revolt is Coming Dave (at Captain Dave’s) mentioned an interesting article on Why our current credit crisis mirrors Weimar, over at the Seeking Alpha site. G.G. sent us this: Bernanke sees signs of economic stability “I can assure you that monetary policy-makers are fully committed to acting as needed to withdraw on a timely basis the extraordinary support now being provided to the economy, and we are confidence in our ability to do so,” Bernanke said in remarks prepared for delivery at Morehouse College in Atlanta.” G.G.’s comment: “Of course, …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Jasper sent this from the Sydney Morning Herald: Warning that Pakistan is in danger of collapse within months. The prospect of a country armed with nuclear bombs falling to Islamic extremists is troubling, to say the least!    o o o Cheryl flagged this: Why You Should Carry a Gun    o o o HPD sent and item from the Bangor [Maine] Daily News: Woodworker crafts furniture to die for. HPD’s comment: “Do-it-yourself funerals at home will be a necessity in a TEOTWAWKI situation.”    o o o Texas Governor Perry Backs Resolution Affirming Texas’ Sovereignty Under 10th Amendment. (A …