Day: March 21, 2008

Luffa Production – Luffa Business

PATOLA / LUFFA

Patola is a vegetable that is normally found in the market. It is usually used with miswa or chopseuy. But its usefulness does not ends there. It can be processed to become luffa. Yes, luffa, the one that we used to get rid of that dead cells in our body.

Patola as sponge has long been known in this country, but abroad, they are just beginning to know its use, and have learned to like it. Patola is sewn on a piece of cloth that serves as a handle for rubbing. Because of this, luffa or matured patola is in demand abroad, but we cannot meet this demand. Australia ask for a million pieces, to be sold in drug stores and department stores as sponge, 30×6 cm sizes. This is flat, but expands when put in water. The U.S get supply from Korea (form where luffa is supplied by a certain “Luffa King” because of his extensive luffa plantation for the purpose), by Japan, China and some other countries. In France, they like luffa as a natural beautifier cleanser. In Germany, their import of luffa is as natural as DM 1.83 million from Egypt, Greece, Japan, Cuba, USA, Tinisia, France, Netherlands, Italy, Great Britain and Lebanon. Thus, if we can produce enough patola for export, it will mean bringing in dollars to our country, without much competition.

MANNER OF PREPARATION

1.Let the patola grow mature before harvesting or buy mature patola.

2. Remove the peel and shake of the seeds. It could be easier to clean this by boiling first, but this will diminish the coarseness for rubbing. Continue reading “Luffa Production – Luffa Business”

How to make a brick?

Clay Bricks

Bricks have been around since time in memorial. The great wall was made of bricks. The Empire state building is also made of bricks. Bricks is a sturdy cheap material to use. Now a days bricks is used in gardens, streets and walls. Here is a simple article on how to make a brick.

Materials:

clay, sand, water

Tools:

shovel, hoe, pickax

strainer, wire #14

wooden scraper

wooden molds 10″ x5″ x12½”

gas oven Continue reading “How to make a brick?”

Hollow Blocks from Coconut Husk

Hollow Blocks from Coconut Husk

Materials:

Powdered coconut husk molds (made of heavy wood sandy soil or iron)

cement

shovel

Procedure:

1. For every part of cement — 6 parts of coconut husk soil (or 50- 50 coconut husk and soil or powdered coconut husk only).

2. Refine and strain soil on 1/4″ wire mesh strainer.

3. If rice husk have long fibers, cut it to 1 inch size.

4. Measure cement and other materials. It is better if the inside diameter of the container measures 30 cm which is enough for one bag of cement. Continue reading “Hollow Blocks from Coconut Husk”