I ran out of time when writing last week’s Milkweed goes to war item, but it turns out this humble plant was a bit like the proverbial pig. Wartime researchers found potential uses for every part — or in hog-packing parlance, “used everything but the squeal.” In addition to providing a kapok substitute for use in lifejackets for soldiers, sailors and aircrews, the leaves and stalk of the common Asclepias plant also contained a milky-white sap with a relatively high amount of natural rubber.
While admittedly unglamourous, rubber was an unsung titan in the war effort. It was used in everything from footwear, tires and tarpaulins to hoses, waterproofing and wire insulation. During World War II, chemists on both sides of the battle line experimented with using milkweed sap to produce rubber domestically. However, the development of synthetic rubber in the United States in the early 1940s provided a more reliable supply and the milkweed plant returned to its pastoral role of Monarch butterfly refuelling.
Interestingly, in researching the above I also stumbled across Dandelion rubber. In 1931, Russian scientists discovered that one strain of dandelion there contained significant quantities of latex in the plant’s long taproot. Botanists were able to increase the yield through selection and breeding, and over two million acres were cultivated in the Soviet Union. Being allies at the time, seeds were sent to the United States in 1942 and planted experimentally. The conclusion was that it might be profitable to grow them as a minor source of rubber. And that’s where it was left. Comforting to know though that, if the world falls apart, we might be able to count on our weed-infested front lawns for next year’s set of winter tires.
Clapshot & Cranchan
I’m grateful to reader Yvonne Callaway from Alexandria. For, unless one is a clueless politician or a tone-deaf mucky-muck, I suspect that international travel will be off the table for a good long while. Which could prove disappointing for those of you who wanted to stop by the Globe Inn in Dumfries, Scotland and sample what some say is the world’s best haggis. I’m told it comes “served as a firm slice, like meatloaf.”
Yvonne finally tracked me down last week (more on this later) to inform me that there’s no need to be Leaving on a Jet Plane to satisfy one’s haggustian cravings. In her opinion, Muirs’ Bakery in Maxville offers haggis every bit the equal of the Globe’s. And she told me it’s available “foil-wrapped for the squeamish or in-skin” for the purists out there.
Every time Robbie Burns’ Day comes around she tucks into a slice or two from Muirs’ with a side of her homemade Clapshot or ‘neeps and tatties’ (a turnip and potato dish)… followed by Cranchan for dessert (toasted oats folded into lightly sweetened whipped cream and topped off with berries and a splash of whisky). “Pity Burns Day comes but once a year,” Yvonne commented in her email. I will include her Clapshot and Cranchan recipes when I upload this column to my Dunvegan-Times.ca blog.
A bridge repaired
And speaking of the blog, I’d also like to thank Yvonne for tracking me down to report that my james@dunvegan-times.ca email link was broken. Sheepishly, I must admit that, since retiring, I have been inexcusably sloppy in making sure that I am reachable, at least by phone and email. As I pen this, repairs are underway to resolve the domain’s misconfigured or altogether missing MX record… whatever that is. Working on the “fix it and they will come” premise, I look to a flood of emails from far and wide once the bridge has been repaired.
Online kirk continues
Regardless of which congregation you hail from… Dunvegan’s Kenyon Presbyterian Church and Kirk Hill’s St. Columba Church… please be advised that, in light of the continuing high numbers of Covid-19 infections in our area, virtual worship services will continue through the month of February. This decision will allow members to plan their schedules for the month. Join Interim Moderator Rev. James Ferrier on YouTube each week. So far, the web-based services have been about thirty minutes in length. You’ll find the link on Facebook @kenyondunvegan or the Home page of kenyondunvegan.ca. Rev. Ferrier tells me that the Sessions will assess the possibility of returning to in-house worship later in February, depending on the region’s Covid caseload. When I hear more news, I’ll let you know.
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Cranachan Clapshot Cake Recipe
Cranachan Recipe