Lancaster Farming, Saturday, September 10,1977 10 EDITORIAL COMMENTS Are you thinking of your neighbor? Erosion isn’t just a simple matter of water washing land away It goes down the dram in other ways as well, muddying not only the water it en teis,-but also the financial picture of a given area More often than not, even the lives of those directly affected are changed. In some circles this form of erosion is referred to as development. In others it’s known as progress, and m still others it’s called land im provement. The results are always the same. Less land to produce food and fibre, higher prices for what farmland is left, and a tighter economic squeeze all around. That’s the price we pay for this type of erosion. We see it in highways, housing projects, shopping centers, golf courses, recreational parks, and much more. Each year more land goes down the dram. It’s an ugly sight when good farmland is involved. The problem is how to stop it. None of the practices which control natural erosion will offer a defense against a developer’s ambitions or a farmer’s yearning for a top dollar. It’s an acknowledged dilemma. Like the type of erosion brought on by flowing water or a raging wind, this other type of land erosion perpetuates itself too. Once started, it keeps right on going. Sure, it may hold up for a while, but when the next burst of pressure comes along, a lot more soil or land is lost. And the next time even more, and so on It’s like the story of one bad apple spoiling the lot m the barrel. Once a developer gets a foothold m an area, it automatically puts additional pressure on his neighbors. Even if the farmers surrounding a development don't want to sell, or Flood victims say thanks Editor, Lancaster Farming: I wish to express the sincere gratitude from the nameless 7000 flood victims in the City of Johnstown and surrounding communities for the large quanity of disinfectants and cleaning solutions that were brought to the Lutheran Disaster Center in Richland Township by the dairymen of Delta- Cardiff-Whiteford areas of York County and Maryland. Se'v nrj Ihe Centro* or*d Areos BY DIETER KRIEG, EDITOR Erosion Each and every package can be put to good use as our workers have scrubbed walls and floors many tunes and still can be done again. Cellars will not dry out due to the high humidity and no heat in the homes, thus more disinfectant is used. Our volunteer program has ended at our church, and it is now up to the individuals to proceed with the final cleanings. Donations are wouldn’t even think of it, time soon takes its toll No, it’s not just the prices he might be offered Rather, it’s apt to be the direct changes m the old environment Increased traffic, for example, or kids who hold motorcycle rallies in an alfalfa field, neighbors who complain about manure and noisy tractors, etc How long can a farmer take that sort of thing 7 It's a serious question Nobody wants to come right out and tell any one farmer he can’t sell his land to a developer. Every farmer supposedly has such a right, and it’s supposedly just his business and no one else’s. But when you consider the pressures that might arise as a result of one guy selling out, it just could be that it isn’t just one guy’s business, but a few other people’s as well. Each time one farm is sold off for houses or what have you, it puts the next guy down the road just that much closer to his end. I’m sorry to have to admit that there are a number of farms around which I wouldn’t want to buy if such an opportunity arose. They've been encroached upon too mtich by urban sprawl or whatever you want to call it. But my hat is certainly off to those who are managing to hang on. Staring out at clusters of houses and factories, etc., instead of open farmland, must take away a lot of the pleasures of living on a farm, if you ask me, not to mentiorf having to listen to neighbors’ complaints and bickering What's the^olution 7 I wish I knew. Perhaps the place to start is to give some thought to our neighbor when we're thinking about letting erosion start at home. still being received at many Lutheran churches throughout the district. Thanks also to the men who delivered the products. RURAL ROUTE [&&T' Lutheran Disaster Relief Center Jayne H. Dunbar Coordinator ' STEADY HOW. . as soon as he eeeis THAT finish on You We HAV£ THIS SHOW vi w aapafd -jF O TZ> o o° HOW CAN YOU TELL? Lesson for September 11,1977 Background Scripture: Titus 3 Romans 12: 1 Peter 2:13-17 Devotional Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21. A little boy was listening intently while the guest preacher was describing what he considered to be “true Christian disciples.” As a preacher went on to indicate and illustrate qualities of love, un derstanding, kindness, and sacrifical service, the little boy turned to his mother and asked, “Mom, do we know any of those people? ” Apparently the Christians the preacher was describing didn’t sound at all like the ones the little boy knew! We can appreciate the little boy’s confusion, for we would have to admit that often it is rather difficult to tell the Christian from the non-Christian on a basis of what we can observe. To be sure, some people wear ornamental crosses round their necks or in their lapels, some sport religious bumper stickers or badges, but for the most part it is often difficult to tell one from the other. Stupid controversies Actually, the Epistle of Titus gives os both a positive and negative model. It is ironic that many who con sider themselves as “model Christians” Titus indicates as the wrong model. For example, as his negative model, he cites the following: But avoid stupid con troversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are unprofitable and futile. As for a man who is factious, after admonishing him once or twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is perverted and sinful...(3:B-10). The “wrong model” is the self-righteous person who apparently thinks that the essence of Christian discipleship is argumen tation, who is constantly rushing to God’s defense whenever the Almighty seems challenged or threatened by beliefs which God’s defender deems “incorrect” or even “dangerous.” Recently I watched a television “talk show” in which the guest was a well known self-proclaimed atheist. Although I found myself disagreeing with much that she said, I was appaled at the hateful way in which many of the studio audience Christians _J \5 it S'? Jit TO MAKE CORN SILAGE The making of a crop of corn into silage is one of the very best ways to harvest the most feed nutrients per acre. This has been a growing practice in this part of the country in the past decade, as evidenced by the number of towering silos in the horizon. The chopping of the entire stalk of com when the ear is in the full dent stage makes excellent forage for many types of livestock. Dairymen and beef cattle base their ration of silage in order to get the most efficient milk and beef production. Owners who do not have permanent silos can store the silage in horizontal or trench silos as a temporary measure. Many large bunker silos are made permanent in the west and mid-west as the cheapest means of storing silage. TO GRUB-PROOF LAWNS Many lawn owners report damage from various kinds of worms and insects; also, at this time of the year the Japanese beetle grubs are developing and could be worse next Summer. The treating of the lawn or turf areas with Diazingn, Dylox, or Dursban between the middle of August and the middle of September is suggested. The materials should be watered in after application, unless heavy rains follow the treatment. Most of the trouble from ground moles can be eliminated when the grubs in the soil are eradicated. Treatment should be done at once in order to get the best results. responded to her. The vehemence with which they attacked her was a denial of the Lord of Love they professed to believe in and serve. The greatest heresy was not the atheist’s agruments, but the Christians’ behaviour! The evidence of good deeds What a contrast with the positive model Titus presents for us: “...to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward men” (3:2). Those who truly believe in god, says Titus, shall “apply themselves to good deeds,” not bitter arguments, “malice and envy...and hating one another” (3:8; 3:3). It was true then and it is still true now: that’s the only way to really tell the true follower of Christ. ©Tom TO SEED COVER CROPS On fields where the crops have already been har vested, and where fall grains are not to be sowed, I suggest a cover crop for the winter months. It is a poor soil practice to permit the land to stay open and idle from now until next Spring. The seeding of any small grain crop, ryegrass, or field brome grass will give good vegetative growth yet this fall, and protect the soil from both water and wind erosion. Good soil conservation in cludes ground cover on the fields during the winter months. These cover crops may be seeded during September and early Oc tober here in the southeastern part of Penn sylvania . TO ADD EXTRA INSULATION The conserving of fuel and energy is not only a state and national effort, but should be for everyone to reduce heating and cooling costs. In many cases extra insulation in the side-walls and in the ceiling areas will prevent the loss of heat in cold weather and reduce the amount of cooling needed during hot weather. Fiberglas batts, rolls or loose, pour-on pieces can be used to add to current insulation materials. Due to the demand for added in sulation, owners are urged to order their needs soon in order to get the work done before real cold weather arrives. The investment in insulation is a good one, and will result in a saving in both heating and cooling costs. Farm Calendar Today, Sept 10 Colonial Day in East Berlin, Adams County, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pond construction field day, near Ickesburg, Perry County. NEBA Open House, Tunkhannock, 10:30 a.m. Horse plowing contest on Alexander Schaeffer farm, Schaefferstown, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Also cooking contest and demonstration of baking in 200 year old oven. Sunday, Sept 11 Pennsylvania Polled Hereford Association holds show at York Fairgrounds, 2 p.m. Pennsylvania Junior Angus (Continued on Page 13) By Tom Armstrong
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