—-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, Dec. 21, 1974, 46 State DHIA Summary Cows enrolled in the Pennsylvania Dairy Herd Improvement Association testing program produced an average of 12,848 pounds of milk per cow, according to figures released by The Pennsylvania State University’s Department of Dairy Science. Data, which were sum marized by computers, reveal that the 192,437 cows on test had an average production of 497 pounds of butterfat. Six herds produced over 19,000 pounds of milk. “Pennsylvania’s DHIA •y Earth come to dwell in the hearts of all From All of Us To All of You At This Holiday Season SHENK'S FARM SERVICE R.D.4, LITITZ, PA. PHONE 626-4355 production average 17 years ago was 9,259 pounds of milk and 376 pounds of butterfat,” said Herbert C. Gilmore, Penn State Extension dairy specialist. -‘This year 15 herds produced more than 700 pounds of butterfat and 307 herds topped the 600- pound mark.” For the third straight year, the 14-cow Holstein herd owned by Thomas R. Williams, of Uniondale, Susquehanna County, captured high state milk production honors with an average of 24,182 pounds per cow. The same herd produced the state high butterfat average with 882 pounds per cow. Other top producing herds by breeds are: Ayrshire, Ardrossan Farms, of Villanova, Chester County, 14,420 pounds milk and 613 pounds of butterfat; Guernsey, Harold and James Miller, of New Ox ford, Adams County, 12,686 milk and 642 fat; Jersey, Wallace A. Mellott, of Harrisonville, Fulton County, 11,753 milk and 610 fat; and Brown Swiss, Delaware VaUey College of Science and' Agriculture, Doylestown, Bucks County, 15,465 milk and 722 fat. Owners of individual cows with the highest butterfat production are: Ayrshire, Ardrossan Farms, 850 fat and 18,105 milk; Guernsey, Pen Col Farms, of Millville, Columbia County, 1,001 fat and 18,659 milk; Holstein, Gladell Farm, of Millheim, Centre County, 1,998 fat and 38,452 milk; Jersey, Clyde and Robert Robison, of Coal Center, Washington County, 816 fat and 14,293 milk; Brown Swiss, Buttonwood Farms, of Birchrunville, Chester County, 883 fat and 18,577 milk; and Milking Shorthorn, Samuel G. Yoder, of Shoemakersville, Berks County, 534 fat and 14,825 milk. Crop Should a concerned en vironmentalist buy a live Christmas tree? Years ago, President Theodore Roosevelt discouraged the use of Live Christmas trees in the interest of con servation of our natural resources. Today, however, Christmas trees are planted and harvested just like any other crop, so you can have a live tree and not worry about upsetting the environment. Production this year is expected to be about 30 million trees. Buying a Christmas tree is mostly a matter of personal preference. Some people like them tall and willowy. Some like them short and bushy. Some people prefer the short-needle varieties, others prefer long-needled pines. Here are some tips from the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help you select and keep your kind of Christmas tree beautiful this season. First, determine where the tree is to be displayed in your home. This may make a difference in your selection of size and shape. It will also make a difference in deciding the number of good sides or faces the tree must have. For example, a tree that will be displayed in a comer really needs only two good sides or faces. Second, check the tree for freshness, cleanness, healthiness, and trim. Shake or bounce the tree on the ground lightly. If only a few needles drop, the tree is fresh. Run your finger down a branch - the needles should adhere to each twig. A clean tree is free of moss, lichen, vines, and other foreign material. If a tree is healthy, it will have the natural color of its species and a strong fragrance. A well-trimmed tree is free of all barren branches below the first whorl and smoothly cut at the butt. The Department of Agriculture uses many of Mom’s Gift The best new toy in years is for sale this year When the kids are through playing it puts itself away. the pnrz ■ BARN CLEANER RUGGED, DE ’ENDABLE! under all operating 1 conditions ~ See your PATZ Dealer today CALL 717-272-0871 MARVIN i. HORST Dairy Equipment and Amana Appliances R.D.No. 1 (Iona) Lebanon, Pa. Located on Route 897 between Schaefferstown and Lebanon, over 30 years in business at same place. ' for Christmas these factors in grading Christmas trees, but it is not likely that you will find a tree tagged according to grade. The grades are used mainly by shippers and wholesalers. Two important factors USDA checks in grading trees are density and taper. Density is the amount of foliage present - the number and length of branchlets on each branch. Taper is the relationship of the width of the tree to its height. After buying your tree, don’t cut off large portions of either end - that would alter the natural taper of the tree. If you buy your tree early, you should have a wider selection to choose from and you will definitely avoid the aggravations that ac company last minute buying. You can keep the tree fresh at home by storing it outside in a bucket of water. Before placing the tree in water, cut the butt end of the tree diagonally about one-inch above the original cut - this opens the pores and aids in absorption of water. When you are ready to bring the tree into the house, saw off the butt again, squaring the diagonal. This 0 nee ft gain we pause to observe, and gather new inspiration from the age-old story . . . the birth oj our Saviour . . . and His divine, eternal presence. May every joy and blessing of this Holy Season come to you and your loved ones, bringing peace and happiness . . . making spirits bright! HERSHEY EQUIPMENT CO., INC. 215 Oilier Ave. New Holland, Pa facilitates placing' the tree in the stand as well as aiding absorption. Use a stand that holds the tree in a container of water. Keep the container filled with water the entire time the tree is in the house. Be sure that the base of the tree is well supported and that the tree is placed away from fireplaces, radiators, electric heaters, television, HOG PRODUCERS! New Holland Sold in sorted lots the auction way. See them weighed and sold and pick up your check. SALE EVERY MONDAY 9:00 A.M. NEW HOLLAND SALES STABLES, DR. Phone 717-354-4341 Daily Market Report Phone 717-354-7288 Abe Diffenbach, Manager AUTHORIZED Dutchman. DISTRIBUTOR or any other source of heat. The longer the tree is in doors, the more combustible it will become. Be sure to check electric lights for fraying cords and worn spots that could cause fires. Never leave the Christmas tree light on when there is no one at home. By following this advice and using your own common sense you can select a fresh and attractive Christmas tree and enjoy it safely this holiday season.