10—Lancaster Fanning, Saturday, August 6, 1977 g ay 6a^<ste^ftr»Wlna EDITORIAL COMMENTS Some fair information With local fairs in Lancaster Far ming’s prime coverage area now underway, and many more getting ready to put up their tents, we find it necessary to comment on the im portance of cooperation between the news media and fair chairmen and publicity directors We want to take this opportunity to advise fair chairmen to maintain records of their show results which can be readily available to Lancaster Farming’s staff. A copy of the show catalog is most desirable. Points for parents With cane in hand and her eyes fixed to the gravel path beneath her feet, the elderly lady hobbled towards the show ring. Except for a couple of officials and a reporter standing around a table to check on final results, the open-air wooden structure was empty. All the con testants and their animals had either reutrned home or to their quarters elsewhere on the fairgrounds. The grandmotherly figure placed the cane in front of her, steadied herself upon it with both hands and in the next instant inspired this editorial. “Tell me,” she asked of the men, “how much credit do the parents get for their involvement and work with these shows?” No one could give a direct answer, although everyone acknowledged that parents truly deserve- much of the credit for the accomplishments of their children. It’s the kids who get all the recognition, trophies, ribbons, and points after they compete in a 4- H or FFA show. But without the guidance, encouragement, help, love, and understanding of their parents, teachers, and leaders, they'd have a tough time of making it to the top. Better ideas from abroad Are Americans really the leaders in efficiency as so many of us are in clined to think? The verdict from U S. citizens who have traveled in Europe, and from Europeans who have observed methods in this country, is that Europe is a few steps ahead of the United States. Such comparisons include agriculture Americans who return from European tours, for example, come back to Yankeedom totally impressed and surprised with what they saw and experienced They leave here thinking that foreign lands have little if anything to offer which is more advanced than what we have here Se'v ng The Centrof or>d S*o>heoJ*ern Pennsylv«nio A'COi BY DIETER KRIEG, EDITOR If pictures are to be taken, make sure show winners and their animals are ready. That is another prime ingredient for good publicity. When good coverage is obtainable, both in pictures and words, then chances are good for an attractive layout in the paper. You can help us do a better job, and help yourselves in getting the kind of coverage you'd like and deserve. Thank you. Adults - whether they be teachers, leaders, parents, or all three - deserve a lot of points. Parents deserve the mpst credit, for without their love and understanding, varied opportunities for learning and development might be missed. Parents who get involved with their children and their children’s in terests are invariably the ones who have the sons and daughters who make headlines all can be proud of. According to the thought-provoking woman at a recent 4-H dairy round up, a father once asked his son the same question she asked of us last week. The boy reportedly beamed with happiness over a fresh triumph and exclaimed: “Dad, you can be proud of being my father." That, I'm sure, is all the father wanted in the first place - to be proud of his son or daughter. That, in fact, is a greater satisfaction than all the trophies and ribbons in the world. But fathers and mothers deserve a lot of points nonetheless for being loving parents. Too often parents go unrecognized for their efforts and contributions in time, labor, and money We shouldn’t forget their oart. They come back convinced we have a lot to learn. A similar surprise is in store for Europeans who visit here. America has a reputation for high productivity which is known around the world. Europeans therefore expect to be impressed with methods and technology they see here, but of tentimes that’s not the case. Productivity in America stems largely from volume and spread over large areas, rather than intensive farming practices over small areas, as is true in western Europe To find out that other parts of the world have something we could learn [Continued on Page 391 ONCE IS NOT ENOUGH Lesson lor August 7,1977 Background Scripture: Deuteronomy 26; Joshua 24. Devotional Reading: Deuteronomy 26:1-10. In the Church of Our Saviour in Washington, D.C. it is not enough to join the church just once. In fact, members join for just one year at a time and every twelve months must renew that decision if they want to remain members of that congregation. The reason for this rather unorthodox ap proach to church mem bership is the conviction by this congregation that chuch membership is very im portant and is likely to grow cold and vapid without periodical renewal and decision. No one belongs to the Church of Our Saviour simply because they filled out an application for church membership ten, twenty, or thirty years ago. The Covenant The Washington D.C. church’s unique approach to church membership is founded upon a concept drawn from the Bible: commitments and covenants need to be renewed by conscious choice. This was the situation that faced the twelve tribes of Israel in the latter days of Joshua’s leadership. Decades ago while wan dering in the Wilderness under Moses, the people had made their covenant with God: He would be their God and lead them to; the Promised Land and they would be his people, wor shipping him alone. Now, having occupied the land of Canaan under the generalship of Joshua, each tribe was settled down into its own parcel of the land and the great eras of Exodus aqd Conquest had ended. In the loose confederacy they had established, each tribe was pretty much going its own way. “Choose this day...” Joshua sensed that, preoccupied with the tasks of establishing their separate tribal domains, the people of Israel might begin to forget the covenant they had made during the days of the Exodus. Thus, he summoned them to Schechem and reminded them of their heritage, of how God had brought them out of Egypt, sustained them in the wilderness, and led them into the land of Canaan. He reminded them of their agreement with God and called upon them to renew that covenant by consciously choosing once again whether they would faithfully serve God or the pagan gods of Farm Calendar Today, Aug. 6 York County 4-H Horse Club Round-up, 8:40 a.m., York Fairgrounds. Monday, Aug.B York County 4-H Olympics, York College. i Continued on Page 38| TO EVALUATE MARKET CATTLE VALUES The recent cattle feeder meeting at the Lancaster Stockyards reflected con siderable interest in learning more about the marketing of cattle. The objective of this meeting was to discuss and demonstrate the various Yield Grades of market cattle. Many producers may think that Yield Grade is determined by the amount of finish on an animal; however, authorities pointed out that the Grade is actually the amount of red meat in the animals based upon their weight. Heavy-muscled animals with good con formation can carry more fat and still get a Yield Grade of 2 to 4; however, a light-muscled animal with less fat will get a Grade of 4 or 5 because too much of his carcass is waste fat. Further study and observations by producers of Yield Grade marketing is suggested. TO ADD INSULATION The investment in extra insulation has always been a good one; and now in these times of needed energy conservation, it is still very important. Adequate in sulation keeps the heat outside in the summer and the heat inside the house or building during the cold winter months. With heated buildings we urge that owners take a look at their insulation ratings in the next their neighbors. He was not willing to allow them to drift into paganism. If they were going to turn their backs on their covenant, then it must be a conscious choice: “...choose this day whom you will serve.” We all make covenants. Perhaps, instead of assuming that, once made that is all there is to it, we ought to from time to time reconsider those promises and commitments of bap tism, marriage, and Christian discipleship. Usually, once is not enough. RURAL ROUTE few weeks before cold weather arrives. Fuel may be more scarce in the years ahead and no doubt will be more expensive. Farm buildings housing livestock and poultry also need to be insulated in order to prevent condensation, prolong the life of the building, and present more healthy con ditions. Don’t skimp on in sulation materials. TO BECOME PESTICIDE CERTIFIED The deadline for pesticide certification is October Ist; this is the time when all users of restricted pesticides should be either certified or licensed - the license being needed for those doing commercial or custom pesticide applications. Application blanks for the Penn State Correspondence Course are still available at any Extension Office. This regulation is not an ex pensive one for most far mers; it is good training for many in order to know more about the various chemicals being used. In addition, when more farmers and com mercial applicators become certified and licensed, consumers will be more content in realizing the quality of food products. TO ATTEND AG. PROGRESS DAYS One of the greatest agricultural events to be held in Pennsylvania this year will be the 1977 Ag. Progress Days. This event is scheduled for August 23-25 at the Rock Springs Research Farm near State College. Many exhibits and demonstrations are being planned for farmers, farm women, and farm youth; also, many of the educational events will in terest both rural and urban folks. Leaflets giving ad ditional information are available at any Extension Office in the state. We recommend Ag. Progress Days is a very worthwhile event for everyone. By Tom Armstrong
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