.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 * <