—Lancaster Fanning, Saturday. August 20. 1977 10 FOOD. ENER&Y. AND YOUR FUTURE penna. AGRICULTURAL *** PROGRESS DAYS -AUSUST 23* - 24* - 25» The Agricultural Research P*NN >TATE UNIVEPS.TY j PENNA AGRICULTURAL ■.OOP'SUT Vr EXTENSION SERVICE t BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS Ag Progress one-stop shopping for By DIETER KRIEG A drive to picturesque Centre County takes about 2Vz to three hours from most parts of southeastern Pennsylvania, which is a considerable chunk of time out of a farmer’s busy schedule, but this coming week such a trip is very much worth it. Penn State’s College of Agriculture is putting on another one of its spectacular shows -- Ag Progress Days -- and for the farmer who wants to take advantage of it, there’ll be a lot of good ideas and equipment displayed which he’ll want to con sider in his operation. In short, it can be a one-stop shopping trip for profits in the future. Aside from Penn State research projects being opened and explained to the public, nearly 200 agribusinesses will have exhibits on hand at the 1525 acre research farm, located along Route 45, west of Pine Grove mills. The Penn State people, who organize the big event, are making Solar heat collector used with a small greenhouse will be demonstrated August 23 to 25 during Ag Progress Days at the Rock Springs Agricultural Research Center of Penn State. Examining a collector plate is Dr. Robert A. Aldrich, agricultural engineer involved in the research, who said such heat collectors can be built by greenhouse operators from materials available locally. Hot air goes through air tunnel on far side of collectors into rock storage in the greenhouse and is returned through air tunnel seen on this side of the collectors. free busses and farm wagons available for tours to research farms and plots. Walking tours are also a part of it. Activities begin daily at 9 a.m. and continue through 5 p.m. Located in one of Centre County’s beautiful valleys, the research farms along Route 45 are a sight to see all in themselves. A mountain ridge, covered from top to bottom with majestic trees, borders the level and neatly cultivated farmland. Penn State uses the mountain ridge to collect rainwater, which is then im pounded in several ponds which the University constructed near the foot of the mountain. This water is then used for irrigation and doesn't cosf a penny to pump it, because it’s all gravity-flow at about 55 pounds of pressure. There’s a lot a visitor can learn here, and there's a lot of beauty to be appreciated as well. If you can take a day or two off to get to the research farms, Penn State and the scores of agribusiness people will have the welcome mat out for you. 1577 Center profit WASTED 'GIFT Lesson for August 21,1977 Background Scripture: Judges 13 through 16. Devotional Reading: Psalms 27 If you have ever watched the story on Samson in a motion picture, you will remember that the climax of the film comes when the blinded Samson pulls down the pillars at the feast of Dagon, killing his Philistine enemies and dying in the rubble himself. It is the kind of scene that brings applause from children in the theatre; the “bad guys” finally get their just deserts! Making sport of Samson Yet, the closing momenta of the last episode in the story of Samson are really not moments of victory. Samson's story is not s “success story” and Samson is hardly the “hero” some have attempted to picture him. At best he is a tragic figure. He started off well enough; bom into a pious family, dedicated to a holy calling, and blessed by God with prodigious strength, Samson seemed bound for leadership glory among his people. Yet, despite his good beginning, Samson’s life took a tragic turn because be began to abuse the power that was given him. His became an undisciplined life that was dominated much more by his passions and lusts than his sacred vows. Perhaps it was for this reason that the stories of Samson are included in the Book of Judges: as a war ning to all of Israel, par ' Ucularly those to whom God had given special gifts. The story of Samson is the story of a precious gift wasted! In a sense, perhaps the Biblica] writer is using the tragic Samson as an object lesson; this is what happens when God’s people drift away from their faith. The Philistine connection All of Samson’s struggles were with the Phllstines, a sea-faring people who inhabited a number of coastal cities. The religious leaders of Israel warned their people who lived in close proximity with the Philistines to avoid adopting any of the ways of their pagan neighbors. It is ironic that what brought Samson’s downfall was the degree to which he took on ways of his enemies. Although his physical might was much superior, they defeated him as he took on their ways and values. In a sense, there always a “Philistine connection” in our lives. Nothing is more defeating than when we unconsciously adopt the values and ways of our enemies, when we adopt his methods in order to preserve our principles. Harry Emerson Fosdick once suggested that the greatest danger in warfare is not military defeat, but the unwitting adoption of the very methods and principles we oppose. It is then that the priceless gift of God is wasted. TO IDENTIFY JOHNSON GRASS AREAS A weed that warrants more attention in this part of the state is Johnson Grass; this rank-growing weed resembles sorghum and will crowd out most any other crop. Unfortunately, we have- too many farms with infestation; a concentrated control program will be needed to eradicate this weed. At this time of the season in com we suggest that the fanner mark the areas infestated with this grass so it can be heated next spring. Johnson grass that has been growing since small grain harvest should be sprayed with Roundup in the boot stage; it will not give good control after the grass has beaded out and matured. We urge all land owners with this type of weed infestation to put special effort to get rid of it yet this fall or next spring. TO PRACTICE ENERGY SAVING TIPS The saving of energy is going to get a lot of attention in the next few years; we are told file energy situation is a serious matter and will touch most of us in the next several years. There are dozens of suggestions on how to save energy in the home, in the factory, and on the farm; space does not permit the listing of any of these pointers. However, we do suggest that each and every person take the time to consider the suggestions and accept the ones that apply to certain families and oc cupations. The saving of energy means, not wily preserving some of our natural resources, but means the reduction of operating and living ex penses. Why not support the TO EVALUATE WEED CONTROL PRACTICES For centuries man has been fighting weeds on file farm and in the garden; practices and materials have changed but weeds keep growing just the same. This would be a good time of the season to look over the fields, or other areas where weed materials RURAL ROUTE were used, and evaluate the degree of control obtained. To wait until fall after die crops have been harvested might be too late. If good control is not present, then changes should be made nest jeer. Weeds decrease crop yields and every effort should be made to keep them to a minimum. Don’t con tone the same practice next summer, if weeds are about to taka over toe area and hurt crop yields. TOSUPPOKTFABM LANDPIEBXVAT9ON The Socd preoa it full of land nw changes and the naad to iwnm our good farm land. Some of our local officials have taken a stand to by and keep good land in agriculture; no doubt there has been some criticism of this action from non-farm folks and concerns. Td like to urge some support from farmers and others for this action to preserve farm land. Many times only the opposition becomes vocal and not the supporters. No doubt we need to give more attention to keeping our good land in production; public support to our local officials might help to get the job done. Farm Calendar Today, August 20 Chlanina Field Day, Lauzmont Farms, Wrigbtsville. Lancaster County Beekeepers annual picnic, Elmer Lapp term, near Intercourse, 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21 Adams County 4-H Dairy dub picnic, Roundtop Campground, 1 p.m. Monday, Ang. 22 Regular board meeting of Red Rose DHIA, 8 p.m. at the Farm and Home Center. Tuesday, Ang. 23 Ag Progress Days begin at Penn State’s research farms at Rock Springs. Please see pages 128 and 129 for map and complete schedule. Informative (Continued on Page 13] I STILL HA/e A FEELIW ' WE FORCOT SOMETHIN!?,
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