.i I.J! U c -t, .Vii'i’J'M Wkjm*J 1 Farming’ Saturday. February 3, 1973 The Pennsylvania Crop Reporting Service last week released its annual crop summary for 1972. There were no real surprises contained in the report, but it did point out exactly how bad things were across the state. Yields of all crops were down significantly for 1972 and to make matters worse the quality of most crops were below par The combined 1972 production of the major gram crops estimated in Penn sylvania are down 16 percent from the previous year This represents a decrease of 6 bushels per acre in combined average yields Growing and harvesting conditions were unfavorable throughout the season and were responsible for the decreased yields June was the wettest month on record, and by the time it was evident the rams were subsiding, many sections were caught up in a mid-summer drought, also record setting in some sections Spring frost occured as late as June 12 in northern and western counties and the growing season was cut short by statewide frost in mid-October. Pa. Corn Crop Down 17 Percent: Total production of corn for gram is estimated at 64.800.000 bushels, 17 percent below last year Yield at 72 bushels per acre, com pares with the “blight reduced" 75 bushel yield last year and the record harvest was prolonged by high moisture content of gram and unfavorable harvesting con ditions Additional acreage was required to fill silos, cutting into the intended grain acreage on many farms Silage production is estimated at 5,716,000 tons, practically unchanged from last year. However, average yield is estimated at 11.5 tons per acre, down from the 140 ton average for last year. Pa. Wheat Production Down 8 Percent: Wheat production for 1972 is estimated at 8.608.000 bushels, 8 percent below the 1971 crop. The average yield of 32 bushels is down considerably from last year’s 36 bushel yield. Pa. Oat Production Down 20 Percent: Total production of oats is estimated at 16,652,000 bushels, down 20 percent from one year ago Yields averaged 46 bushels per acre, down from the 54 bushels yield recorded last year, and the record setting 57 bushels set in 1970 Barley Yields Drop 7 Bushels: The average yield of barley is estimated at 47 bushels per acre, down from last year’s 54 bushel yield, and well below the record high 60 bushel yield recorded in 1967. Production is estimated at 7,426,000 bushels, down 18 percent from last year. LAVONIA, GA, FRANKLIN COUNTY CITIZEN “One of these days this nation will find it has too many persons on social security benefits, too many on unem ployment compensation, too many on retirement plans, too many on welfare rolls, too many on medicare and medicaid benefits, and America will find itself in the midst of the greatest turmoil it has ever encountered That day of turmoil is almost here. I don't know the answers to the nation’s ills, but I do know that the achiever, the person who digs the straightest ditch, the person who honorably and honestly applies himself, will find that his place in society is assured as a sound and healthy one The inspiration to do one’s best is the snmplest way to a better way of life in America ’’ AKRON, OHIO, SUMMIT COUNTY LABOR NEWS “In Washington, DC, a lady bricklayer, a structural steelworker, ’72 Crop Report - Down, Down, Down Grassroots Opinions xxx bni/l jrl' , 1,1 Hay Production Down Sharply From Last Year: Production of all hays is estimated at 3,752,000 tons, down sharply from last year’s 4,351,000 tons. Quality of hay baled was below average because of unfavorable harvesting conditions. Pa. Tobacco Production Lowest Since 1934: The downward trend in tobacco acreage continues. The estimated 16,000 acres harvested in 1972 is a record low in this century. The 22,400,000 pounds produced is-18 percent below the 1971 crop Yield estimated at 1,400 pounds is the lowest since 1945. Much of this year’s crop was hindered by unfavorable weather conditions throughout the season. Pa. Potato Production Down 39 Percent: Potato production is estimated at 4,800,000 cwt, 39 percent below last year. Yield at 160 cwt per acre is down 60 cwt. from last year’s yield of 220 cwt. The 160 cwt. per acre yield represents the lowest yield since the 156 cwt. yield of 1957. Fruit Crops - Hurt By Unfavorable Weather Conditions: Pollinating weather for fruit crops was generally damp and cool with high winds m some sections. Scat- tered frost and subfreezing temperatures also hit fruit crops in bud and bloom stages, further adding to existing problems. Winter injury occurred to lower branches in some orchards with poorer air drainage. Scab was more of a problem this season because of the excessive ram and heavy foliage growth. Dry weather during critical sizing periods reduced fruit crops even more. Hail storms were severe this season. Fall temperatures were too cool for the optimum sizing of apples; however, quality of the crop appeared to be good. Heavy rams caused above average cracking and splitting on peaches. Drops were also above average because of the wet season. Pa. Apple Crop Down 21 Percent: Apple production having value in Pennsylvania is estimated at 400 million pounds (9,524,000 - 42 pound equivalents). This is 21 percent below last year’s harvested production of 505 million pounds (12,024,000 - 42 pound equivalents) and 22 percent below the 1970 crop of 510 million pounds (12,143,000 - 42 pound equivalents). This year’s crop is the smallest since 1968 when 390 million pounds were harvested. Pa. Grape Production Down 34 Percent: The Commonwealth’s grape production is estimated at 37,600 tons, 34 percent below last year’s record crop of 57,000 tons and 16 percent below the 1970 crop of 45,000 tons and now even a lady sandhog working deep in Washington’s new subway tunnels-these and other female pioneers have been breaking the ancient all-male tradition of the. . construction trades. One of the chief reasons that women haven't applied for these craft jobs in the past . . . has been their ‘fear of needling and baiting by their male-co-workers . . . But (labor unions have) found the solution to that problem, or as much of a solution as ever will be found . (They) instruct all . . union members to call the new girls or ladies "sister”. You just can't needle a lady at the same time you’re calling her “sister”.”’ GORDON, NEBR., JOURNAL “The number of people who are leaving fingerprints among records of criminal acts greatly exceeds the number of those who are living so as to leave footprints on the sands of time ” i ♦ f * <<i V xxx v f VW M » ' ' NOW IS THE TIME . . . Max Smith County Agr. Agent Telephone 394-6851 TO BEWARE-HOG PRODUCERS Another outbreak of hog cholera has been found near Kutztown in Berks County. We do not have the details at this time but it was in a small herd of breeding hogs. The source of the infection is not known at the present but may not be from New Jersey as in the former out breaks. If it is a local source within the state of Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth will lose its hog cholera free status. All swine producers are urged to be on the alert, use the most strict sanitation practices, and be certain the infection is not bought or brought to your farm. All garbage should be cooked for at least 30 minutes at 212 degrees. Meat scraps from pork are very dangerous unless thoroughly cooked. TO REDUCE FEED WASTE Needless to say the currently high prices of all feedstuffs makes it most important that all livestock and poultry producer keep feed loses to a minimum. Self feeders should be kept in good shape and adjusted to eliminate losses. Feed troughs should be tight so that feed does not drop through and be wasted. Rodents should be eliminated because they waste feed and spread serious diseases. Special care to reduce feed wasteage is very much in order. REBIRTH Lesson for February 4,1913 Background Scripture: Ezekiel 11:14-21; 36. Devotienal Reading* Psalms 15 On the night of November 14, 1940 Hitler’s incendiary bombs devastated the ancient British city of Coventry. Among the de bris of destruction were the char red remains of the ancient cathe dral of St. Michael. Henceforth, said Hitler, there would be a new word to denote total destruction: coventrate, a grim reminder of what his bombers had wrought at Cov entry. “Father forgive" In 1954 work Rev. Althouse was begun on a new cathedral for Coventry. Eight years later it was completed and was immediately acclaimed and denounced for its bold new archi tecture Rising next to the pre served ruins of the old cathedral, the new St Michael’s is one of the most striking church edifices in the world Yet, exciting as is the new Coventrj cathedral, in my several visits there I have found that most inspiring and significant is, not the new St Michael’s, but a simple charred cross and altar in the preserved rums of the old. On the altar is a simple, yet pro found inscription, “Father, for give ” It is the defiant answer of the people of Coventry to Hitler’s challenge of hatred and ven- TO PRUNE TREES AND SHRUBS The dormant time of the year is the best time to prune many shade and fruit trees. Damaged limbs and branches to shape the tree or to keep down the size of the tree or shrub should be removed; shade trees can be pruned and shaped better without the leaves and there will be less “bleeding” of the sap. Cuts over one inch in diameter should be painted with a tree paint to prevent rotting. Apple trees may be pruned during February and March while peach and other stone fruits can be pruned during March and early April. A good pruning job will improve fruit yields and color, and keep the landscape more enjoyable. TO PLAN FOR THE CROPPING SEASON It’s not too early to be making plans for all major farm and garden crops. The seeds should be ordered, the fertilizer may also be ordered, and the tractor and farm machinery should be put into good condition. Don’t wait until plowing or planting time to do these important practices. The aim should be to get maximum production for every unit; every animal and every acre has to produce ef ficiently in order to show maximum returns. We urge good farm planning ahead of the planting season and then use good farm management at all times. Get the work done on time as far as weather and labor will permit. geance. Contrary, then, to Hitler’s ex pectations, the word coventrate has come to denote, not fearful and wrathful destruction, but the Redeeming, renewing love of Jesus Christ. The charred cross serves as symbolic reminder to all men that love, not hate, conquers and prevails by the grace of God. Out of the ruins of the ancient cathe dral there has sprung up the phenomenon of rebirth. “Not for your sake... O Israel” To the people of Judah in exile God sent the prophet Ezekiel to proclaim that, although they de served to be abandoned by the Lord, nevertheless he would bring a rebirth from the ashes of tragedy. This would happen, not because they were worthy, but because he is gracious. God would restore his people and eventually they would return to their homeland. But the great est restoration of all would be within; A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you, and I will fake out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh And I mill put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes . . Ezekiel (36:26, 27; The prophet is speaking of something that people often miss: it is not enough to be forgiven or even released from the conse quences of our sins. What we need most of all is a new spirit within or else we are likely to continue on the same destructive course, repeating over and over again the same tragedies. For giveness is just the beginning, salvation is composed of both forgiveness and rebirth (Based on outlines copyrighted by the Division of Christian Education, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S A. Released by Community Press Service.)
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers