May 2012
Volume 13, Issue 5 TEXAS MASTER NATURALIST, ELM FORK CHAPTER Texas AgriLIFE Extension Newsletter AgriLIFE Extension Service May Now is the time for all good members to come to the aid of the great outdoors. Pull out those shovels, chainsaws, hammers, canoes, wading/hiking boots, binoculars Breaking news TM and the CAMERAS—all tools of the trade—and join the forces. Nature, work, and fun awaits! Elm Fork Chapter Inside this issue: —Sharon Barr shares photos from her new camera— Announcements 2 Rob’s ramblings 3
Enticing butterflies 4
Texas safari 6 Bird blind at LLELA with 7 great Photography for MN 7 herons perched on Bird banding and quail 9 top. Sharon’s new declines camera, a 42x zoom, Field notes in focus and 10- lets her capture Field notes in focus 11 great bird shots Chapter meeting May 17 12 without disturbing the birds. AT LBJ grasslands 13
Joys of working on projects 15
History of spinning wheels 17
Who we are 18
Horse apple tree Special points of with fuzzy seed pod interest: turning into horse Pack a grip; we’re moving apple—taken at the Captured and shot on Texas “dog park” in Den- safari ton. Sharon says she had never before Births and future births noticed them. Who If you’ve ever wished to meet needs an eye doctor an author—MN has a new one when you’ve got a new camera! One MN’s enrichment through projects
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MESSAGE BOARD
If you want to be a Mentor for students in the 2012 If you have an idea for, or information about a Training Class now is the time to apply. If you have questions, please contact either Ruth Ann Morrison at speaker, please send your suggestions, with all 972-317-9954 or [email protected] or Carol contact information, to Peg La Point, programs Feagan at 940-464-7190 or [email protected]. chairperson. [email protected] 891-4984 The application may be brought to the May Chapter meeting or sent to Ruth Ann Morrison at 2440 Glen Ridge Drive, Highland Village TX 75077.
TPWD Texas Amphibian Watch Workshop
Tuesday, June 5, 2012, 6:30 – 9:30 PM Contact Information Changes Beverly S. Sheffield Education Center (aka, the Splash! If you have any changes in your contact information Exhibit) next to Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Park, Aus- tin http://www.austintexas.gov/blog/beverly-s-sheffield- (name, address, telephone number or numbers, and/or email education-center) address) you want the chapter and members to know about please send the changes to: Learn how to identify frog and toad species in Texas and participate in scientific research. This TPWD workshop is Monica Chaffin [email protected]; Donna Wolfe [email protected]; & Susan Pohlen sponsored by the Capital Area Master Naturalists (http:// [email protected] camn.org/). Bring a headlamp or flashlight if you have one, but some flashlights will also be on hand. Bring shoes/boots that can get wet if you want to chase frogs, Some alien creature invaded this but this is not required. You may want to bring some wa- ter, as well. This workshop is approved advanced training section last month (after my proof- for Texas Master Naturalist, and SBEC and TEEAC cred- reader helper had plied her trade) it is available for educators. and created other-world typos — hope it did not cause any confusion! The workshop fee is $10/person for materials and more w. odum information on this TPWD Texas Nature Trackers pro- gram can be found at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/texas_nature_tracker s/amphibian_watch/ Stay informed on important issues: http://www.audubon.org/newsroom/press To register for the workshop, or for more questions, con- -releases/2012/federal-guidelines-step- tact Kathy McCormack at 512-698-9880 or forward-bird-friendly-wind-development [email protected]
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MESSAGE BOARD—cont’d
Rob’s Ramblings – May 2012 Photo-Laurie Hemming
Changes are coming. As announced during May schedule for Pollinator Pocket Prairie the April general meeting “our” building is for workdays—starting at 9:30 a.m: sale and the Texas AgriLife Extension offices Mondays (led by Rose) May 14, 21 will relocate later this year, probably in the Oct- Nov time period. The plan is for us to move with Fridays (led by Michi): May 4, 11, 18, 25 them. Meanwhile we are being proactive by Tuesdays and Wednesdays (Michi) by arrangement locating a new place for our monthly chapter Saturdays: May 19 (Rose) - May 26 (Michi) meetings and a place to hold our 2012 class Nursery Work training. By arrangement with Bill Freiheit [email protected] Beginning in June (6/21/12) we will hold our If you would like to be contacted directly and immedi- general meetings in the Copeland Center, a ately in the event of a cancellation, please rsvp to Denton County facility in Cross Roads on FM Michi or Rose at the addresses/numbers below. 424 just north of US 380. The plan for the 2012 training class is to meet in a facility in Corinth. Michi Harper: [email protected]
The resources will remain at the extension 940-597-5141 (text doesn’t always work out) building for the time being. Both the 940-591-8369 (landline) Copeland and Corinth facilities pro- vide much more meeting/seating Rose Carrizales [email protected] space and will easily fill our needs. 940-395-7581 An ad hoc committee has been formed to Bill Freiheit: [email protected] plan the immediate relocation of the general meetings to the Copeland Center. One of the key tasks is the logistics of hospitality (coffee/ tea, etc.), media (PC, projector, etc.), and other functions required to hold meetings and the transport of items needed for the functions. The Email communication: (Monica committee will also address the training class Chaffin) [email protected] needs.
Richard Johnson will chair the relocation com- Website: website–webmaster (Sharon Barr) mittee. Van Elliott, Jan Hodson, and Donna [email protected] Wolfe comprise the rest of the committee. If you have suggestions or questions, please contact Rich- Newsletter: newsletter (Wanda Odum) ard Johnson at [email protected] or cell# 469-877- [email protected] 0695.
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he spotlight is on Susan Pohlen! Two of her articles appeared in the Spring Home & Garden Guide insert for the Pilot Post-Signal paper on Friday, April T 27th, and in case you missed them in the original publication, the following is one of them along with her spectacular butterfly photos.
Enticing Butterflies
Are you dreaming of a butterfly garden? Ideally your butterfly garden should include both nectar and host plants, with an emphasis on native plants. Nectar plants will attract a wide variety of butterflies looking for a rich food source. Host plants provide a place for butterflies to lay eggs, and most butterfly species require very specific plants. Keep in mind that in a good butterfly year like this one the host plant will prob- Tiger Swallowtail on Butterfly Bush ably be eaten to the ground by caterpillars, but the plant should by Susan Pohlen bounce back quickly under normal conditions.
A selection of native plants should increase your chances of success in your butterfly garden. Insects are born with the ability to seek out specific types of plants for nectar and egg laying. Most butterflies do not migrate, the Monarch being the best known exception. These insects are born and live in ecoregions that support specific plants, so butterflies will look for plants that belong in their natural range.
Once you make up your mind whether or not to include host plants you can start choosing your plants. The type of soil and amount of sun near your garden will drive the choices you make. Typically the best plants for popular butterflies require full sun. However, you can purchase shade friendly wildflower seeds if you need shade tolerant plants. A reliable source for native seeds that I have used is Native American Seed: www.seedsource.com.
Try to have plants that bloom during different seasons. Butterflies that winter over will emerge early in the year, so spring bloomers will attract the butterflies to your yard. Different butterfly species will be present during each season, so try to have flowers and host plants spring through fall.
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Some plants that I use to attract butterflies include Verbena, Butterfly Bush, Butterfly Weed, Mistflower and Lantana, but there are many plants to consider. One website that has detailed information about Texas butterflies is www.thebutterflysite.com. (Type “Texas” in the search box in the upper right hand corner for a list of Texas butterflies and plants.)
If you don’t have space for many plants you can attract but- terflies by offering small patches of natural sand or set out ripe fruit. The sand is used by butterflies as a mineral sup- plement. The fruit is a food source for certain butterfly and moth species. Old banana and melon work especially well. Fruit is best suited to places where small native mammals won’t become a nuisance.
Queens on Mistflower by Susan Pohlen
Red-spotted (purple) Admiral on old banana by Susan Pohlen
One final note – you probably shouldn’t put in a butterfly garden if you use pesticides in that area. You wouldn’t invite a guest to dinner and then poison their food, so don’t set out a butterfly buffet and sprin- kle it with chemicals. I hope you feel inspired to create your own butterfly garden. Good Luck! Susan Pohlen Master Naturalist, Elm Fork Chapter www.efcmn.org
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All photos from A TEXAS SAFARI-PHOTOGRAPHERS TAKE AIM AT HAGERMAN Alex Lieban NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE By Alex Lieban
Since I have been a Texas Master Naturalist I have heard about the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge west of Sherman.
I have finally seen it. I signed up for their spring photo safari, one of two held each year to coincide with the bird migrations.
The refuge consists of over 11,000 acres on the south- ern end of Lake Texoma and serves as breeding grounds for migratory birds and other animals. The new visitor center is staffed by volunteers and the literature is abundant and very user friendly. Great maps are available so finding your way around the refuge is easy and the many hiking trails are easily accessible and well maintained.
If you are interested in the photo safaris, let me tell you that you will not find one that caters to the photographer more than these do. You are assigned to an experienced volunteer photographer who shoots the same camera as you do (or is at least thoroughly familiar with your model). Each leader takes only 2 to 4 people so individual attention is guaranteed. He or she knows the refuge very well and is very knowledgeable about the birds and where they can be found. I had a fabulous time shooting, learning, and adding new birds to my photo library.
Information about the refuge is at: http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=21580
For the photo safaris or becoming a Friend of Hagerman go to: http://www.friendsofhagerman.com/photoClub
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From Lynne Richards PHOTOGRAPHY FOR MASTER NATURALISTS April 28, 2012
everal Master Naturalists gathered at the Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center eager to learn more about photography and understand what all those numbers on the camera mean. They discovered how Sshutter speed, f-stops and ISO work together to control light and achieve the desired results. Some may even have left confident enough to take their cameras off "auto" and dive into the world of manual settings, enjoying the control and flexibility that brings. Taking a break from the technical, the group discussed methods for documenting projects, capturing photographs for identification purposes, and creating compelling artful images of the natural world for the enjoyment and education of others. With a little instruction and some practice, Master Naturalists can call themselves photographers too.
Lynne “doing her thing” Photo—Rob Roy
Front table: Laurie Hemming (with daughter), Linda Maxwell, Jean Chaka, Linda Cox, Dorothy Thetford; 2nd table: Sharon Barr, Larry Brennan, Susan Pohlen, Peg La Point, Cheryl Kesterson, Sherrill Campbell, Wanda Odum.—Rob Roy was the “shutter man”.
Taking note and notes
Photo—w. odum
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Photo—Rob Roy
Our thanks to Lynne Richards, Master of Photography and Master Naturalist, for presenting a wonderful program on basic photography.
Some time back, Lynne decided that she wanted to teach people not to be afraid of their camera. She did just that, taking her class through the fundamentals of cameras, composition and story telling. Lynne made it seem like child's play and everyone was inspired.
Peg “thanks” Lynne Lynne's enthusiasm and extensive knowledge will be an enormous asset to the Elm Fork Chapter.
Peg La Point, advanced training and
program chair
A FACE ONLY MOTHER COULD LOVE
Enjoy hiking treks into the mountains, but also concerned about the impact on nature? How about taking a hike with a llama? Stuart Wilde in northern New Mexico is owner and operator of Wild Earth Llama Adventures. He started out with two llamas bought on a payment plan and opened his llama trek business in 1992. When he started getting calls from people asking him to take in their unwanted llamas, he couldn’t say “no”. He and his wife presently have 32 llamas, “all rescued from across the Southwest.” Mr. Wilde states that llamas are “eco-friendly”. Even consider- ing their size and the load they pack, they leave little impact since the animals have leather-padded, two-toed feet. Like deer, they browse and forage instead of grazing. Public domain photo “llamas help me to promote an ethic of taking care of Mother Earth, and I think that’s a beautiful thing.” —Stuart Wilde American Profile, April 2012
Texas Master Naturalist, Elm Fork Chapter—Newsletter May 2012
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Strike up the Bands L ast month, Master Naturalist volunteers provided extra hands for bird banding at LLELA along with Dr. Ken and some of his UNT graduate students.
More photos and information about this banding event will be a part of the June newsletter. Some- thing for which to look forward. w. Photos courtesy odum Owen Richards
Reason for quail population decline not yet clear
Texas AgriLIFE Research and Extension Center at San Angelo, found that the number of quail hunters declined 79 percent be- tween 1981 and 2010; yet concern is ongoing about the decreas- Scaled quail ing quail population. Although many people assume that the decline is quail in the desert related to the loss of habitat caused by development, tests conducted in Texas and Oklahoma by Texas A&A researchers have found that birds from areas with declining quail popula- tions have severe infestations of parasites. Research con- tinues, and results are pending. Dallas Morning News and TAMU.org, March 2012
All photos—public domain Quail— Northern bobwhi te odontophoridae
Texas Master Naturalist, Elm Fork Chapter—Newsletter May 2012
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“FIELD NOTES IN FOCUS”
Dorothy Thetford delivers: newly-hatched bluebirds at Thetford farmette
Featuring Master Naturalist photographers—flora and fauna as you see them
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ALSO... “FIELD NOTES IN FOCUS”
Alex Lieban took this photo on a small island off the Johnson Branch of Ray Roberts State Park. A Canada goose laid these seven eggs and was sitting on them when he accidentally in- terrupted her. The unhappy couple swam just offshore until the “human intruders” left the island.
Just too good not to showcase both—w. odum
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From Peg La Point Chapter meeting May 17—Applying Paleozoology
At our May 17 Chapter meeting, we will hear from two University of North Texas students of Anthropology and Environmental Science. Jonathan Dombrosky and Amy Hoffman will show us how animal remains found in archaeological sites can inform us about ancient people and the environments in which they lived.
Paleozoology is the study of animal remains from paleontological or archaeological sites. Zooarchaeology is the study of animal remains from archaeological sites with the intent of understanding human subsistence patterns and past environments. This gives us a glimpse of ancient environmental conditions, animal biogeography and the links to human activities.
The quality of paleozoological data is a heavily debated subject. Amy and Jonathan will discuss some of the issues and give us examples from studies using the near extinct California Condor and freshwater mussels in the Upper Trinity River. They will also inform us about the application of ancient DNA in the effort to under- stand evolution and the interaction of humans and their environment.
Jonathan Dombrosky is an honors undergraduate at the University of North Texas who is majoring in anthropology. He is currently finishing his honors thesis on the subsistence patterns of two sites (Tsama Pueblo and Ponsipa’akeri) lo- cated the Northern Rio Grande Region of New Mexico (A.D. 1300 to 1600). He has recently received the Society of Ethnobiology’s Undergraduate Ethnobiologist Award and a UNT Undergraduate Research Fellowship. He plans to enter into the PhD program in Environmental Science at Universi- ty of North Texas next spring.
Amy Hoffman is currently a PhD student in the Environmental Science program at the University of North Texas. For her Master’s Thesis she investigated how an Ancestral Puebloan village in southwestern Colorado exploited food resources during the depopulation of the region (approx. A.D. 1300). For her PhD she plans to integrate conservation biology and zooarchaeology through the use of ancient DNA with bird remains found at a northwest Greenland archaeological site.
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Advanced Training Field Trip to the LBJ Grasslands
Guided by Master Naturalist Jim Varnum From Peg La Point
REGISTRATION REQUIRED. If you are unable to sign up His current interests include chalk prairies, Hexalec- at the May 17 chapter meeting, contact Peg La Point at tris and Spiranthes orchids and Trout lilies. His rep- [email protected], before May 17. ertoire is chock full of interesting nature trivia and a few bad nature jokes. When Jim is asked about his Tuesday, June 5, 2012 10:00 - 2:00 philosophy and interest on the natural world, he quotes author Ellen Parr: "The cure for boredom is Saturday, June 9, 2012 10:00 - 2:00 curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity."
Master Naturalist Jim Varnum will be taking you around a On May 2, Jim saw about 90 plants, about 40 in bloom small portion of the LBJ National Grasslands to experience Some of the interesting ones were Gaillardia the wonders of the local flora and fauna. He will show how (firewheel), Prairie bishop, Old plainsman, Calylophus grasslands are maintained and restored. Expect to see but- (sundrops), Bottlebrush, Texas paintbrush, Prairie mi- terflies/caterpillars, birds and many wildflowers. Jim and mosa (sensitive brier), White Barbara's buttons, and others will help you identify the flora and fauna. White milkwort.
Bring water, lunch and snacks, sun protections and insect Jim Varnum [email protected] protection, cameras, binoculars, stuff for note taking, but- Home: 972-243-4098 terfly, bird and wildflower books, more water, etc. Wear a Cell: 214-543-2055 smartphone, can send/receive hat, long pants, and hiking footwear. This will be serious phone calls, texts and email walking and some of the terrain may be moderately rough. There will be plenty of chiggers and ticks. Background on the Grassland: Members are encouraged to car pool by meeting at the The Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland (of the Cad- northwest corner of the Albertsons grocery parking lot do-Lyndon B. Johnson National Grasslands) is located north of Decatur and covers 17,784 acres. It is the most on West University (Hwy 380) in Denton at 9:00 am. southerly of the national grasslands and has a rich histo- ry. The LBJNG is located in a transition zone where the Meeting location: US Forest Service Office on US81/US eastern forest becomes tallgrass prairie. The diversity 287 just north of US 380 in Decatur, Wise. Co. (this is the of the land means 1,100 different plant species are last restroom stop). Be ready to depart at 10:00 AM. found within the LBJNG boundaries and hundreds of We will caravan from the office to 2 units, probably unit 31 animals and birds make it their homes. Winter is prob- (the mesa) and unit 39 where we will also have lunch. ably the best time for spotting the greatest variety of birds but LBJNG is on the flight path for Fall migration as well. There is a map at http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/ FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5302850.pdf It shows the meeting point just north of Decatur. Unit 39 is the zigzag The land we now call LBJNG was the home of great shape just north of the center. Unit 31 is just to the east, near herds of bison, antelope, deer, and elk and a favored Tadra Point. hunting ground of the Native people. The Caddo Indi- ans, the largest Indian culture in Northeast Texas, were the first cultivators of this land. They were forced out Jim Varnum is a self-taught student of nature where his inter- around the mid-1700s by the more aggressive Apache ests range from birds to plants to prairies to land preserva- and Comanche people. The European settlers, primari- tion. He spends much time searching for native plants in the ly stockmen, moved into the area in the 1800s with the DFW Metroplex and beyond. Jim has been a Texas Master farmers following in the early 1900s. The land has seen Naturalist since 1999. He also teaches, gives programs and great cattle drives, with an estimated ten million head of leads trail walks on birds, trees, wildflowers, prairies and cattle driven northward. Cattle, barbed wire, and farm- land preservation. There is no cure for curiosity." ing brought major changes to the land.
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The areas now designated as "grasslands" were settled in the 1800s under a variety of "Homestead Acts" that opened the land to people, generally farmers, and helped to settle the west. A prolonged drought in the 1920s and 1930s caused some homesteads on sub-marginal farmland (a location receiving 15 or less inches of annual moisture) to literally dry up and blow away. During this time, Congress established the Land Utilization Program (LUP) which bought homesteads from bankrupt private owners and returned it to public land status. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) helped to stabilize the eroding soil by re- seeding it and applying other conservation techniques. In the 1950s, the LUP holdings were assigned to the USDA Forest Service which was tasked with management of these sub-marginal lands. Over the years the Forest Service has established some twenty National Grasslands. "The designation of the area as National Grassland is not a description of the area as much as a state- ment of policy and effort to restore the area to a multiple of uses and bene- fits." Jim leading winter tree walk at Connemara Meadow
Early explorers expected to find wind-swept prairies but instead found a barrier of timber with dense, heavy under- growth. This belt of timber ran north to south across - rather than along - the major waterways. Known as the "Cross Timbers," it was a major landmark of the western prairies. Once called Cross Timbers National Grassland because of this unique landmark, the LBJ was renamed in 1974 after the former President. Since that time, the Forest Service has encouraged the return of the "Cross Timber" environment while following its mandate "aimed at promoting better utili- zation of the land, provide work in the depressed area, and to develop water oriented recreation facilities."
Oil and gas exploration and development is an ongoing effort. Wildfire control, prescribed burning, and wildlife man- agement is used for the healthy recovery of the land.
FURTHER PROOF OF THE BEAUTY AND WONDER OF NATURE
From the gallery of Laurie Hemming
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The Joys of Working on Projects — Randy Kimball—
Randy in Uniform— with fox kit
If you can’t find a favorite project as a Texas Master Naturalist, you may need to take the blinders off. When I was provided the honor to get into the class of 2010, I had no idea the wonderful places that addition to my life would lead me. It is no mystery this same statement has been made by numerous TMN volunteers. With your permission, please allow me to share how this is being manifested in my life.
Most of those who know me think of me as the squirrely guy in the hat that does animal rescues as a re- tirement pass time passion. Yes, you are absolutely right, for example last week I was honored to work with a co-worker and release a swan entangled in mono fishing line. If you have never had a swan in your arms I am telling you that it is an amazing treat. It is no wonder they are consider royal birds, they absolutely define elegance. Such moments are the fuel to my involvement in that sector.
But the point of this story is to discuss how being a TMN can provide unexpected avenues of expression. As one example, even in my wildest dreams I could not imagine I would be allowed the honor of giving the lecture on mammalogy to last year’s intern class, and I darn sure did not expect to be ask to do it again this year. Thank you for that honor. Then as another example, little did I know I would be able to enjoy the special satisfaction I get from my passion to restore antique wooden machines, furnishing, and devices. It never occurred to me, not even when we visited the log house at LLELA as a class of interns. Not even did I get it in the face of the fact I was hooked on that old house the moment my eyes spotted it, at least not consciously. As an intern student at that time I could not imagine I would REALLY be allowed to place the log house on my project list.
After a few visits to the log house and flipping the switch to be- come a team member the light bulb finally came on. The next feeling was one of complete stupidity. … Dauh… There are several examples of antique wood machines and oth- er objects in the house that could use some love, I finally realized why I had been so attracted to that old building. So, I ask and was given permission to rework the great spinning wheel. I could sense a little reluctance in her face when Lisa Cole gave me permission to take it home. After all, she hardly knew me. A few days later, after some research, making a few missing parts, and some loving care, the log house got back a working spinning wheel which is now used to actually spin yarn during spe- cial events. As all those who volunteer efforts to the TMN know what came next was the feeling of joy and pride one Restored great wheel being used to spin yarn receives by being able to use their hard earned skill sets by Emily, our captured spinning expert during for a good cause. an open house demonstration
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We continued on to the shaving horse, and then the latest project, to date, was skein winder. Each had missing or broken parts and needed tender loving care and a few hours of PLAYING at my woodworking passion. With the skein winder I was able to venture just a little into yet another passion (metal fabrication) as I fashioned the missing brass pointer and direction arrow from brass. Working on each project I recall catching myself repeating various versions of “how cool is this”, or “am I having fun yet? .. yep”.
Although it is true that old spinning wheel spins thread, the old shaving horse functions, and the skein winder weasel pops on cue, this is only a small piece of the big picture. You have to add in the additional countless magical ways several other Texas Master Naturalist have given of their favorite passions to begin to understand how our old log house is starting to come back alive. As visitors view and listen the hosts are able to ex- press facts and stories about numerous artifacts around the place because Texas Master Natural- ists and LLELA staff have given infinite time, Restored shaving horse—they are used to hold wood items sweat, passion, and craftsmanship to make it hap- while being worked with draw knives and such. The purple pen. block with a hole in it in the center of the picture is a piece of purple heart being held in the jaws.. I’m hooked! -randy kimball-
Spinning wheel's accelerator head after restoration of the spinning wheel Restored skein winder after receiving the rebuilt wooden Accelerator head before main shaft, fabricated brass parts, and reworked internal restoration, a typical workings "before" condition
Texas Master Naturalist, Elm Fork Chapter—Newsletter May 2012
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A SHORT HISTORY OF THE SPINNING WHEEL
—from Dianna Smith, Springfield, IL, guest contributor, a fiber arts aficionado, spinning wheel collector, and junior master naturalist by virtue of mom, Wanda Odum—
pinning plant and animal fibers to make clothing and other useful items began in the earliest history of mankind. S Spindle whorls have been found in archaeological digs from up to 35,000 years ago. In the late 13th century, however, the spinning wheel “begins to revolutionize textile production.”1 These early wheels, later to be called “Great Wheels,” “High Wheels” or “Walking Wheels,” were constructed based on supported spindles that had been used for thousands of years and continued to be used as the primary means of thread production for the next 700 years. The construction of this wheel has remained almost identical to its 13th century progenitor.
he wheel was integral to the American Revolution where it was used to spin wool for cloth, socks and hats. In re- T sponse to the repressive Stamp Act of 1765, colonial women resisted in the only way they were allowed by society. The Stamp Act required all colonies to purchase goods only from Britain. “…women ardently supported the boycott of British goods by alleging that ‘naught but homespun’ would cloak their bodies and that spinning wheels and knitting nee- dles would doom ‘foreign manufactures.’”2
lmost every household in Colonial times and during the Westward Expansion of the mid-19th century contained a A Great Wheel and the smaller flax wheel so every type of item needed would be made available when finished goods were scarce. The flax wheel, built either in the “Saxony” style, as shown here, or in the “castle” style came into use in the early 16th century and incorporated a flyer that automatically wound the yarn onto the bobbin, thus saving the spinner the 2-step process of spinning and then stopping to wind the length of yarn onto the spindle.3
ecause wool needs much less twist to hold together, the Great Wheel was typically used to spin wool while the B flax wheel, with its much faster spin ratios and its distaff to manage the extremely long flax fibers, would be used to spin flax into linen and cotton into thread.
he reel or skein winder, also known as the spinner’s weasel T or clock reel, often employed a mechanical yarn measuring device that clicked once a certain amount of yarn had been wound on. This allowed the spinner to measure her skeins audi- bly, knowing that a certain number of clicks equaled a certain length of yarn. It is believed that this device is the source of the nursery rhyme, “Pop Goes the Weasel.”
1 The Women’s Chronology, James Trager, Henry Holt Saxony style vintage and Company, 1994, page 77. spinning wheel 2 No Idle Hands, The Social History of American Knit- ting, Anne L. Macdonald, Ballantine, 1988, page 27. 3 The Whole Craft of Spinning, Carol Kroll, Dover Publi- cations, page 7.
Texas Master Naturalist, Elm Fork Chapter—Newsletter May 2012
OUR MISSION . . .
“to develop a corps of well-informed volun- TEXAS MASTER NATURALIST ELM FORK CHAPTER teers who provide education, outreach, and Texas AgriLife Extension service dedicated to the beneficial manage- 306 North Loop 288, Suite 222 ment of natural resources and natural areas Denton, TX 76209-4887 within our community” 940-349-2883
Field of Blue- Education, Conservation, Preservation, Restoration bonnets outside Ennis, TX-sent via email - We’re on the web photographer www.txmn.org/elmfork unknown
Monthly Chapter Meetings 9:30 a.m. preceded by a social time at 9:00 a.m. on the third Thursday of each month. Chapter meetings are open to the public.
Members of the Board Next meeting: May 17, 2012 — Jonathan Dombrowsky and Amy Hoffman, UNT Graduate Students, will discuss PRESIDENT—Rob Roy “Conservation Biology” IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT—George Kragle Location: AgriLife Extension Office VICE-PRESIDENT—Susan Pohlen SECRETARY—Diane Kohlhase June 21 General Meeting: Suzanne Barnard TREASURER—Kay Crowe will give us an update on LISDOLA. CLASS REPRESENTATIVE—Dale Meyer Location: Steven E. Copeland Gov- MEMBER-at-LARGE—Doug Chadwick ernment Center, 1400 FM 424, Cross COMMITTEES: Roads, TX 76227
Communications: http://dentoncounty.com/Locations/GetLocation Newsletter—Wanda Odum (chair rotation with Sharon Map.asp?BCode=51 Barr & Monica Chaffin) Projects: Marian Kester Board Meetings
Publicity: Jan Deatherage The Board meets each second Thursday of the month at 9:30 a.m., Denton County AgriLIFE Exten- Training: Van Elliott sion Office. The Board last met May 10, 2012. Next ADVISORS: meeting is June 14, 2012 Janet Laminack, Extension Agent Board meetings are open to members. Patrick Schutz, TP&W
W. Odum, editor
Texas Master Naturalist, Elm Fork Chapter—Newsletter May 2012