I AM always fascinated by the number of ideas that come out of my old gardening book, which I’ve mentioned in previous columns.
The ingenuity some people demonstrated in enriching their lives through their own actions was remarkable.
Those with the time and ability to implement some of the inventions described in the book found them immensely rewarding.
From early solar panels that could be built at home, to using pigs to generate power, these innovations have largely faded into obscurity with the advent of modern technology.
Yet, it was only 70-plus years ago that people mastered these skills to pursue their dream of living off the land in a quiet, dignified way.
Take the power of the pig pen: From the floor of the pig pen, an energy source could be harvested to fuel refrigerators.
Through simple natural processing, pig droppings could even be used to power a car.
During the war, some people ran cars and trucks on water and steam – driven by ingenuity and necessity.
While solving the problem of waste disposal, pigs also served as a source of fuel.
A concrete-floored pen allowed for easy cleaning, with the excreta flushed into a digester – a concrete tank with a floating metal drum cover.
Inside the airtight digester, suspended solids settled to the bottom while organic matter in the liquid decomposed, accelerated by the sun’s heat.
According to the book, the gas produced was two-thirds methane and one-third carbon dioxide.
Evidently, a small-scale operation– three sows, one boar, and 25 piglets – plus the addition of 2kg of dry grass, could generate enough continuous energy for a family of six.
This would be sufficient for lighting, cooking, and refrigeration, using a 1360kg digester.
While this method is effective, I doubt many people today would be willing to put in the effort required to generate power for their homes.
When electricity is readily available at the flick of a switch or the turn of a tap, few would choose such labour-intensive ways.
Still, some companies continue to invest in modern adaptations of these methods, experimenting with innovative ways to bring us cheaper power while drawing on the knowledge of yesteryear.
Till next time.
