—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, June 19,1971 20 Alternatives Local farmers have a long tradition of not wanting to put all their eggs in one bas ket The corn blight scare tended to con firm this feeling, even though most local farmers were not hurt by the blight last year and don’t expect to be hurt this year. For several years, corn acreage has been on the upswing in this area because most farmers have found corn can yield higher returns on locally scarce acreage than most alternative crops. Despite this, corn blight has caused some farmers to think of alternatives. Two crops which are among those being considered are alfalfa and soybeans. Both are an important source of protein in feeding programs. Alfalfa is increasingly being recommend ed by Extension personnel. In the past, al falfa didn’t yield enough per acre to attract many farmers. But new research is leading to better varieties and better management know-how Progress has been made on disease and insect pests The combination is giving alfalfa a new look. While most farmers still indicate that alfalfa can’t compete with corn on yield per acre, many still like to produce a few acres because it fits well into their feeding pro grams. Soybeans Not Ideal Here Soybeans have been most popular in areas with large farms and where land costs are relatively low. In an area of small farms and high land costs, such as is gen erally the situation in Southeastern Penn sylvania, soybeans can be expected to have a hard time gaining wide acceptance. Soybeans require different procedures and practices, as well as modifications in equipment and machinery. This will slow any changeover to soybeans. A recent report in Agway Cooperator il lustrates some of the differences between corn and soybeans. While farmers have been advised to plant corn early, even as early as late April, farmers have to wait till much later to plant soybeans. This is true because corn can get off to a good start with the moist cool conditions which prevail in May, but soybeans like the dryer, hotter conditions that are typical of June. Soybeans, the Cooperator notes, don’t germinate fast in cold soil and when the seed lies in the ground for an extended period, severe plant losses can result from a combination of insect and plant damage. A crust develops on the ground following a rain and this crust can cause extensive plant damage. This illustrates how soy- Treat Outdoors As Home Editor, Lancaster Farming: We have been married almost 15 years. During these years I have collected recipes like most other homemakers. Another hob by of mine is collecting little thoughts and poems from magazines. With school almost over and young folks being outdoors I think a poem I found in a 1956 Sunshine magazine just fits the time of year. When I find something that my family would enjoy I cut it out and paste it on my refrigerator door I since have gotten some of those little magnets that are different kinds of fruit. This works much nicer. LANCASTER FARMING Lancaster County’s Own Farm Weekly P 0. Box 266 - Lititz, Pa. 17543 Office- 22 E Main St, Lititz, Pa 17543 Phone: Lancaster 394-3047 or Lititz 626 2191 Robert G Campbell, Advertising Director Zane Wilson, Managing Editor Subscription price $2 per yeai in Lancaster County. S 3 elsewhere Established November 4 1955 Published everv Satin das bv Lancaster Farming, Lititz. Pa Second Class Postage n , i at Lititz, Pa 17543 Member of Newspaper "s “ 1 ’o*-s Assn Pa. Newspaper Publisher Association and National Newsnaper Association to King Corn beans can require entirely different techni ques than corn. Despite the drawbacks, however, we ex pect more and more local farmers will ex periment with at least a few acres of soy beans. Depending on the results, soybeans may or many not become a major crop. One possibility for soybeans is use in a To observe Corn Fields double cropping system. Because soybeans It seems that our mam grain have a relatively short growing season and because they can be planted later than ’ , ~ some other crops, their use as a second threatened with several prob crop, following a winter crop such as wheat, terns this summer; in the first offers some possibilities. A few farmers in we ?, tker conditions made Lancaster County already are doing some wanted te^ntof WOK witn double cropping, some even using | ecoml)y the ,j angel of s „ uth corn as a second crop. ern i ea f blight hangs over the But like many other relatively new corn crop this year. Third, farm techniques, second cropping should be many growers have found that viewed with some caution unless the farmer an early invasion of armyworms is certain he knows exactly what he’s doing. are eatin S their corn This lat- Double cropping, for instance, places severe J er problem needs prompt at strain on land and its resources. This draw- tentionwitha spray in order to bark must bp overcome keep them from destr °y in g a U acK must oe ove come. the plants m the field Fields Because there is a large and still grow- that have been planted with the mg market for soybeans and because soy- no-till method appear to have beans do offer a major source of protein in the most trouble with the livestock feed, the crop will continue to re- woims Groweis are urged to m ceive attention even if it’s not ideally spect their fields frequently suited for farm conditions in this area. To Be Careful With Other Possibilities New Alfalfa Alfalfa and soybeans are only two of many possible alternatives. Farmers who change to other crops, however, should keep an eye on costs and returns; while an all corn program may be risky, the net return of corn in relation to many other crops makes the risk appealing. Some farmers, we note, are turning to vegetable and fruit crops as a means of diversifying, or of making expensive land yield higher returns. Celery and cucumbers are two of the better known crops that have been tried successfully by some farmers. Wine grapes are beginning to receive some attention. But vegetables and fruits require an entirely different type of management pro gram than field crops. Farmers who want to change should do so only after careful study and with a full awareness of all the factors involved. The vegetable and fruit grower, for instance, must be concerned about marketing his product, whereas most field crop farmers market their product through their animals. Corn is so popular because it has proven itself over the years, but the farmer who’s concerned about too heavy a reliance on corn does have alternatives. So if you think it’s appropriate, put it in Lancaster Farming. Home and Outdoors Suppose one day we took an axe and cut the parlor wall, Then tore up Mother’s potted plants and wrecked them, roots and all; Then threw a lot of paper trash and food scraps on the floors Why we would simply treat our homes as some folks treat outdoors! Suppose we took a knife and carved initials on the chairs, Then broke a window-pane or two and said, Nobody cares!” Or tossed around banana peels, tin cans, and apple cores, Why we would simply treat our homes as some folks treat outdoors! But outdoors is a lovely place, so pretty and so bright, With grass and flowers and brooks and trees; Folks ought to treat them right. So when a call to camping trip, or jolly picnic comes, Suppose we try to treat outdoors as we treat our homes! Mrs Kenneth Slottlemyer Ronks RDI Straight spring seedings of alfalfa are making rapid growth; growers are reminded that the first crop from any new stand of alfalfa should be dah. Corruption, and idolatry were spreading through the little kingdom like >« cancer. Judah needed some prophet) who, like Amos and Hosea, would bring that nation God's word and call them to repentance, Two men did come forth for the Lord, Micah and Isaiah, ‘Micah is the least-known of the , two. The book bearing his name MIIJAT onn in A ai*m * s uite brief compared to the Vwnrtl uUU WAN lO massive volume called Isaiah. Lesson for June 20, 1971 * sasah gained mo f e P^nence because, as an aristocrat, his min istry was largely to the promi nent and powerful men in the highest circles of Jerusalem. By Two great prophets had la- cont , a f t ’ M i" h a bored diligently to call the peo- small v town > Mareshah, that is'rc ple of Israel from their rebellious r n T iembe . red onl y because of him. ways. Yet. for all their prophetic ministry was directed to a power, Amos and Hosea were ® l “ eren t kind °f audience, largely unsuccessful in bringing A n “evil time" coming ance 6 To° Insure" Micah P roclaimed that there some people r e- ™ uld 5° me an “ evil time ” *>r sponded to their J he natlon of Judah when no message but as a * onger would the people “walk >r