T EDITORIAL COMMENTS B v DIETER KRIEG - Farm hats-the new common denominator Earlier this week, I was paging through a newspaper which showed a panoramic view of the nation’s Capitol during the time that thousands of farmers were protesting there. Then it occurred to me that not a single one of them fit the image of the so-called typical American farmer which many people - especially city folks - have in their minds. Remember the farmer with the bib overalls and straw hat 7 You and 1 have known for years that he has been replaced, but just the same, I was a bit overwhelmed by the uniformity of the new image. If there is any one characteristic or IS IDLENESS A SIN? Lesson for July 16, 1978 Background Scripture: 2 Thessalomans Devotional Reading: Titus 2:11-14. A number of years ago SEPTIC TANKS farm homes and in the rural areas septic tanks as the waste disposal system; those septic tanks empty into a drain field or mto a cesspool; from this area the liquids go out mto the nearby soil. When the septic tanks get too full of solid, the system will not work right and the solids will get out mto the drain field or the cesspool. When this happens the soil loses its ability to absorb moisture and the disposal system is in jeopardy. We suggest that home owners inspect their septic RURAL ROUTE item of clothing, etc. that seems to be the common denominator as far as Jhe appearance of the American farmer is concerned, it has got to be the cap. Yes, agriculture is such today that not even the rough hands or rugged tan applies to every individual. But chances are he’ll be wearing a cap which boldly proclaims his loyalty to a particular brand of machinery, breed of cattle, seed corn, fertilizer, or farm organization. It seems like there's a cap around for just about any product that can be found on the farm. (Almost) Whether they're given away free to customers, or purchased for a couple there was a considerable attack on what was labled “Christianity’s preoc cupation with the work ethic.” Some theologians thought that with the rise of mechanization and technology that the old work ethic was obsolete. Christians, particularly Protestants, they said, had made work into an idol. They called for a sweeping change in our thinking on this subject. Imitate Us At the time I wondered about these matters. Was it possible that work was not the good that I had always assumed that it was? Is tank every two to three years and check on the amount of solid building up in the bottom; this can be done with a stick wrapped with cloth or turkish towel. When the solids get to more than one-third of the depth of the septic tank, it had better be cleaned out. The length of time needed between cleanings will depend upon the size of both the family and the septic tank. Don’t wait until the system is clogged and backing up into the home. TO GRAZE SUDAN AND SORGHUM GRASSES CAREFULLY Some livestock producers <s . there something in the work ethic that is destructive of spiritual values, as some theologians seemed to think? Since one cannot investigate such matters in a testube or under a microscope, I had to let the world about me be my laboratory. I watched young people who got into trouble because they had nothing con structive to do. Their parents had conveniently freed them of the need to do any work or even chores. I watched older people who were retired at an age when others were just finding new levels of productivity and creativity. I saw retired plant sudan grass or one of the hybrid sorghums for extra Summer pasture. These grasses have the ability to grow well during the heat of the Summer. However, they should be managed carefully in order to prevent livestock poisoning. When the sudan is grazed or green-chopped before it is 18 inches high, and if the sorghum hybrids are used before they are 24 to 30 in ches high, there is danger of prussic acid poisoning. There is greater danger with the sorghum hybrids. After the herd or flock has grazed the area, it should be that feuer SUITE CAW FLV THAT CROP DUSTER,CAN'T HE ? of dollars, farmers certainly seem to like the cap which has become a unique advertising medium for agribusiness and a new symbol of the American farmer. The cap is more than that, however It’s a practical item the farmer can wear while he’s milking his cows, making hay, or crawling up a silo chute. That cap is a sun-shade, helmet, umbrella, and on occasion an emergency fly swatter, pocket, or glove. At times, it’s even a nifty way to solve the problem of an unruly head of hair The cap goes wherever the farmer goes, with the exception of church and related activities such as «•*** people “die” m soft chairs in front of television sets. I saw people whose lives withered because they were denied the opportunity to find a way of making a contribution to society. I saw black people riot because they were being denied the oDDortumtv to do meaningful work. I saw families disintegrate under the pressure of welfare. My conclusion: work is surely one of God’s greatest gifts to his children. Earning Our Bread Paul speaks clearly on this issue in 2 Thessalomans. There were some people in the church at Thessalonica who expected the Second clipped high, and then the re growth allowed to reach the same length before using as fresh feed. Horses should not be allowed to graze or eat either of these two forage crops; it has been blamed for causing urinary bladder infection in equines. Manage sudan grass and the sorghums carefully for best results. TO STORE GASOLINE CAREFULLY Storing large amounts of gasoline for long periods of time may create some problems. In the first place, if the tank is above ground, there will be considerable evaporation m hot weather; By Tom Armstrong YUF.,.I WOMOER IF IT'S THE SAME NUT THAT SPREADS MANURE WITH A HELICOPTER? X \ weddings and funerals. A farmer going to town is likely to wear his cap. If he goes to Washington to protest, his cap goes along You'll also find the farmer and his cap at many Sunday afternoon picnics, the community baseball diamond, and of course, field days That cap gets around. It's no wonder all the agribusiness people are using the cap as an advertising medium. They sure beat ballpoint pens that hide in pockets most of the time, or calendars which were sprayed with whitewash months ago i Coming of Christ to take place immanently and had settled into a pattern of hand-to-mouth living that became a burden to those who had not given up their jobs. Someone can always find a good reason to let someone else support him! Paul was adamant, however: “Keep away from any brother who is living in idleness” (3:6>. Paul’s words sound harsh, but he knew that idleness is like a communicable disease and he was afraid the whole church would be caught up in it. Pointedly he reminds them of the example he had set for them while in their the volatile part of gasoline that enables easy starting will be lost in 50 to 60 days; also, gasoline may become gummy after it ages and cause carburetor problems. Tanks buned into the ground are suggested for best results. Any small amounts of gasoline stored in garages and homes is to be discouraged. However, this is needed in some cases for small engines; this should be stored m regular metal gasoline containers and not in plastic or glass. Be careful with all of these explosive fuels. Farm Calendar Today, July 15 Maryland State 4-H Rifle Contest, Caroline County Maryland Pork Producers Association annual picnic, Dukes Brothers Feeder Pig Bam, Eden. Caroline County (Md.) 4-H Fair, at the 4-H and Youth Park, Denton. Hunterdon County (N J ) Soil Conservation District annual Rural Ramble, P a m to4p.m *. * ■W/ city: “We were not idle when we were with you, we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day that we might not burden any of you” (3:7,8). This is what really makea idleness sinful: one cannor be idle without becoming a burden to someone else. Nothing is more destructive to the human spirit than to lose the capacity to “be fruitful” as God commanded Adam and Eve. Thus, said Paul, “if any one will not work, let him not eat” (3:10). It seems a harsh command, but it is one of the kindest things we can do for another. TO BE CAREFUL WITH SPRAYERS Weed killers are quite common these days to try to control weeds. Many of thesa sprayers are used for other purposes. Many of the week killer chemicals, such as 2,4- D, will stick in spray equipment for years, unless soaked and washed out. Suggest separata equipment for weed chemicals, or do a good job of cleaning with ammonia water or other strong detergent. Lancaster Co. 4-H Horse Roundup, 9 a.m.; at the Lancaster Co. Riding Club, Lancaster. Chester Co. Dairy Show, 10 a.m. Beekeepmg meeting, 2 p.m. at the apiary of Jim & Bonnie Mentzer, New Holland R 2. Sunday, July 16 g Elizabethtown Young- " (Turn to Page 37) m
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers