 |
What's New at Fedco Trees |
|
Why 350? Recently the number 350 seems to be popping up here and there. People in New England and around the world are starting to take notice. There was a wonderful photo in one of the local papers a few months ago of 350 people (or so) all lined up in a giant 350. I first heard of 350 when friends began making plans to scythe a huge 350 into one of their hayfields. Something for gas-guzzling air travelers to muse upon as they soar over Waldo County. We should all be thinking about 350. Why 350? Most climate scientists believe that a 350 parts per million (ppm) concentration of carbon dioxide is the maximum our atmosphere can contain without causing irreversible runaway climate change. It could be the most important number of the 21st (or any) century. Before the Industrial Revolution and the advent of many carbon-burning technologies, atmospheric carbon dioxide hovered around 275 ppm. At 275, life on earth ebbed and flowed and did its thing for a very long time. It might well have gone on forever. But in the last 250 years that number began to rise. And it has risen fast. Currently the number stands at about 387 ppm. This is too high. Although things look grim, even the most sober scientists believe that it is not too late. Reducing and then stabilizing carbon dioxide at 350 ppm will limit global warming to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit above pre-industrial levels. We can still get back to 350 ppm. It will mean transforming the world. What better use of the next few years? One thing that struck me over and over again the last time I read Dickens was how—even in London—everyone seemed to be walking everywhere. I love photos of the city streets of China teeming with bicycles. Though the bike “traffic jams” were many, the riders weren’t wearing breathing masks as they do today. And that wasn’t all that long ago. It was also not that long ago that small mills dotted the streams of even the smallest towns in Maine, making good use of the spring run-off yet adding no carbon dioxide to the air. When my parents were kids you could take trains from Boston to Provincetown or from Palermo, Maine, to San Francisco. And when my grandparents were newlyweds, nearly everyone had a garden—most of New England’s food was being produced around the corner and if you didn’t have an orchard in your backyard, your neighbor probably did. The time for world transformation is now. The possibilities are many. 350 is not too far away yet. A quick internet search will open up a myriad of 350-related opportunities. But it’s also easy to invent your own ways to help. For example, plant a tree! We do special orders. If you wish to buy large quantities of any item, larger or smaller plants than we are listing, rooted cuttings, or unusual items we’re not listing, please write with particulars. Please share your experiences growing plants with us. Many of our selections originated from your suggestions. If you know of something growing near you we should be offering, or if you are interested in growing for us, please write to us. We welcome your comments, suggestions, and ideas. Thank you for your support. John Bunker & Susan Kiralis |
Welcome to Fedco Trees’ 26th annual order. Our goal is to
provide the hardiest and healthiest plants available for cold climates,
while supporting small-scale, local agriculture and a fair, cooperative
and responsible workplace. Our no-frills operation and volume discounts
help keep plants affordable. Consider ordering in a group with co-workers,
friends or neighbors to further minimize your costs.
All of our trees are unconditionally guaranteed. If
your tree or shrub does not grow to your satisfaction during the
first growing season, please let us know! We’ll send a refund
or you can order a replacement the following year. We don’t
have a huge staff or a fancy set of offices. If we don’t respond
quickly, don’t hesitate to remind us; we are in business to
serve you. Enjoy the catalog!
Fedco Seeds, PO Box 520, Waterville, ME 04903
|
Copyright
Fedco Seeds Inc.
September 22, 2009
|