Re: [MMM] Re: african harps

Jacky,

> Very good points. Have you ever tried to make a harp?

Yes.

> I'd like to try my hand at it actually. A little known fact
> about your Brother here, is that I've got some pretty good
> carpentry skills, and access to the whole range of
> woodworking tools it would take to make it happen.

I used to have a fine shop too but gave it all away
before I went overseas to teach.

> I want to try to grow some gourds this year too for this
> purpose.

Yes if you want large round gourds, I like the 'bushel'
gourd variety. Mine have never gotten to the volume of
an actual bushel I don't think, but they are still
probably abong the best to use if you want a round
shape.

If you have trouble finding seeds for them where you
are, I can keep an eye out for them at the feed store
when the seeds start coming in and send you a packet.
The brand I've gotten before is actually grown down
near where you live in NC.

With any gourds or melons, you get better yield if you
do the following:

* use lots of poop
* plant in hills, 3 plants per hill
* cover with black plastic once a bit established.
Weigh down the plastic with stones or bricks for wind
obviously
* If you want to get the started early, get some peat
pellets to start indoors. Any sort of melon or gourd
started inside needs to be put in a peat pellet or such
totally transplantable container since they will not
tolerate having their roots disturbed as would be if
replanting directly from soil

Next project I believe will be a xalam, or african
banjar.

Perhaps we should both try and then compare our
results!

- Jeff