[gardeners] A matter of taste
asidv@fbg.net (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Thu, 25 Jun 1998 09:38:53 +0000
Reading the recent quotation from Texas A&M on taste, it would appear
that certain factions within TAMU favor plant varieties solely on the
basis of their plant/pound ratio, copping out on the matter of
flavor. Perhaps this is because
a) Texas Aggies have no taste (a widely held opinion by those who
attended THE University of Texas, or
b) Yankee bean counters have infiltrated the sacred institutions of
the Great State of Texas, or
c) That branch of TAMU that trains (note I did not say "educates")
County Agenets has lost its appreciation of the fine distinction
between Gardeners and Growers.
Perhaps I can present my personal position by the use of a simple
analogy generously suggested by our mutual friend Guido.
In Guido's environs, attractive women of a certain type are
sometimes known as "Tomatoes." At this point in time (to re-coin a
phrase), Guido is much taken with the charms of Bubbles -- so much so
that he is actually considering going into a semi-legitimate business
with her purveying BS (to be politically correct, it will include the
cows' production as well).
Now Bubbles, we understand, is a woman of spirit -- in fact, this is
what attracted Guido to Bubbles in the first place even though he
immediately recognized she would be quite a handful. But does it
follow that Guido would want to cope with EIGHT Bubbles? Or even two?
Certainly, one Bubbles at a time is a sufficiency. Such a superb
example of "tomato-ness" is quite enough. Guido is, after all is said
and done, a perfectionist; he is disinterested in quantity if the
quality is high.
Or as Cousin Sadie used to say, "My dears, everything -- but
everything -- is only a matter of taste."
Pat (where no sign is seen of active squash roots).