tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27946614.post240860836722413264..comments2024-03-07T14:43:21.888-08:00Comments on Whatever I want to write about: Asti अस्तिSriram Khéhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06907731254833435446noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27946614.post-48950185449494687302015-07-01T08:25:43.544-07:002015-07-01T08:25:43.544-07:00Hmmm ... Anne, looks like we will continue to disa...Hmmm ... Anne, looks like we will continue to disagree on this. I am sure there will be posts in the future on this topic, which means this debate will get more exciting ;)Sriram Khéhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06724218458246880137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27946614.post-36278397847521980692015-06-30T21:12:11.482-07:002015-06-30T21:12:11.482-07:00What is the difference between spraying chemicals ...What is the difference between spraying chemicals on plants to make them stronger, produce more, rot less, and be less eaten by bugs, and poisoning a body to fight cancer? We use filters to keep pollutants out of our cars and our homes. The tractor cab serves the same purpose. Yes, I really believe there is nothing wrong with my statement.Anne in Salemnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27946614.post-84206943376066094592015-06-28T18:10:07.114-07:002015-06-28T18:10:07.114-07:00Aha, so you think that those who are into humaniti...Aha, so you think that those who are into humanities are somehow less interested in "professions" and more interested in life? And what's wrong with that? ;) (is that a good enough bait for you?)<br /><br />Anne, you really believe there is nothing wrong with this statement that you have written: "If the chemical were really nasty, the sprayers would be enclosed in a tractor cab or wear a respirator" ... as routine as anything else in life? seriously?Sriram Khéhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06724218458246880137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27946614.post-74623373931802356452015-06-28T11:03:52.871-07:002015-06-28T11:03:52.871-07:00May I defend the farmers? Almost all chemicals, e...May I defend the farmers? Almost all chemicals, even Roundup, require gloves. Some sprayers wear the white suits to protect their clothing, not out of necessity or label requirement. The dust masks could be for pollen or dust, though some chemicals require them. If the chemical were really nasty, the sprayers would be enclosed in a tractor cab or wear a respirator. Very few chemicals require the full outfit; I think we may use two in everything we do at the farm. Everyone is trying to reduce use of dangerous chemicals. If these men were spraying something truly terrible, do you think they'd be walking through it?<br /><br />Second, most chemicals are sprayed on the plant or on the ground (for weeds), not on the fruit. It is rare to spray the actual fruit. All chemicals have a PHI - pre-harvest interval - that all responsible farmers observe. PHI is the waiting period after spraying before the fruit can be picked. Even if weeds on the ground are sprayed and nothing gets on the fruit, the farmer must wait to pick the fruit until the PHI expires. There are tests for chemical residue for which farmers submit fruit samples several times a season. If a farmer does not observe the PHI, the fruit is recalled, even if the danger to consumers has passed.<br /><br />There are other safety rules, such as wind speed, mixing, etc., but I think this suffices for today's lesson.<br /><br />As to language, I keep a pad of small post-it notes with me when I read so I can flag a particularly well-written line to share with my friend. There is such pleasure to be found in the written word. Some writers are truly gifted.Anne in Salemnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27946614.post-50293275397010933532015-06-28T06:32:52.646-07:002015-06-28T06:32:52.646-07:00Oh please... "if only the teachers and the sy...Oh please... "if only the teachers and the system back then had provided us with a wonderful exposure to the humanities" -- you would have still been running behind Mallika. There is an age and time for everything and boys just discovering what it meant to be a boy is not the target audience for that :)<br /><br />And "Abhishtu Abhishtu" for suggesting that the venerable Pattabiraman Siromani should have taught you that !!!Rameshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11782192840421019943noreply@blogger.com