—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<W »■* tto purpose of
was unresponsive SIS5 IS mes ® a^e was not to proclaint
or if there was a destruction, but to focus upon
response it was Mati ° nal rin f so jthat the people
not sufficient to c °uWrcpfnt and the destruction
avert national dis- W wl C i^° t ocaur
aster< What are these dangerous evils?
Assyria becai Thci e is the evil of the idle
Rev. Althouse
a major power, sweeping down nch who &eek onl y to accumulate
from the north and leveling more wealth—and always at the
everything in its path. First Sy- ®*P enso of someonP else (2:1» 2).
ria, Israel’s northern neighbor There is the evil of the militant
fell. Then, ten years later, in 722 war-mongers in the cities who
8.C., Israel also was destroyed force P ea . ceful farmers into mili
its people carried off into cap- serv ' cc (2:8). There is the
tivity, dispersed and never to re- ? VJ I of a societ y which destroys
turn, the family (2.9) and exploits
Judah, the smaller and south those who cann °t defend them
ern of the two Jewish nations, se * ves (3:2,3).
was spared for the tune being, Because of these evils, the.re
not through any benevolence on between God and - Ju*
the part of the Assyrians or any dah is Being destroyed and the
military might of its own, but be- final resul t will be disaster for
cause it lay off the beaten path this natlon: “Then they will cry
and major trade routes. It was to the Ijord » But he will not *n
hardly a piece of real estate for swer them” (3:4).
the Assyrians to covet. What does God really want
from his people? Says Micah, "Is
The small-town prophet it not for you to know' justice?”
Still, this tiny nation’s position
was not very secure. It lay (Based on outlines copyrighted by 1h« •'
squeezed between two mighty of Chnst.an Education, National I
powers, Egypt to the south and CoZum.y f V sero« I s Al *
Assyria to the north. Further
more, the conditions that had
provided the decay and downfall ATTEND THE
of Israel were also present in Ju-
CHURCH OF YOUR
CHOICE SUNDAY
St. Nicholas
Background Scripture- Micali 2; 3.
Devotional Reading. Micah 3 5-12.
NOW IS
THE TIME...
By Max Smith
Lancaster County Agent
showing at least 10 to 20 per
cent of the buds in bloom be
fore the crop is cut; to harvest
the first crop while the plants
are in the bud stage will sure
ly weaken the plants for tha
future. With normal growing
conditions to continue, these
seedings should make at least
two crops this summer. Wait
for the blossoms.
To Be Careful With
Farm Ponds
Farm ponds may be a very
popular swimming place for
many rural youngsters diming
the hot, summer months. How
ever, they can be a source of
danger from drownings without
proper supervision and safety
equipment We urge all pond
owners to have rescue equip
ment on the pond bank that can
be used immediately. Inflated
inner-tubes, boards, rafts, wood
en ladders, ropes are among the
items that can be used to rescue
a swimmer in trouble. Also,
swimmers should not be allow
ed to swim alone. Pond safety
is part of good management.