Horsekeeping
Awareness of the outside world. “Move to just assume the words ‘sorry about the late reply’ are appended to every communication for the remainder of this decade, subject to renewal.” Tweet by Elizabeth Bear, @matociquala, 22 Jun 22 (having trouble imbedding). [Previous Bear, Stopping By A Horse Show]
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SSF is using these their pasture troughs. Thought I’d give it a try.
TSC: Stock Tank Secret. Why not? I don’t see it being the next great thing, but a sack of barley straw fulfills the imperative of First Do No Harm.
What the Internet has to say, “Barley straw does not kill existing algae, but it inhibits the new growth of algae. The exact mechanism is poorly understood, but it seems that barley straw, when exposed to sunlight and in the presence of oxygen, produces a chemical that inhibits algae growth.” Penn State Extension: Barley Straw for Algae Control, 2013.
Know your terms. “Barley straw prevents the growth of algae. It does not kill existing algae. Because of this action, it is sometimes called an algistat as opposed to an algicide.” Rutgers Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet FS1171: Pond and Lake Management Part VI: Using Barley Straw to Control Algae, Salvatore S. Mangiafico, County Agent II, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Cumberland and Salem Counties, Michael Haberland, Environmental and Resource Management Agent, Burlington and Camden Counties
Onwards!
Katherine
Virtual Brush Box 
You did your homework on this one!
A new word: Algistat.
Thank you.
Interesting concept: a thing that keeps the status quo.
Just might come in handy.
I think we forget the value of the old treatments in our rush to the new.