114 —Uncaster Farming, Saturday, December 16,1971 WASHINGTON, D.C. - To most people, mistletoe means an excuse to steal a kiss at Christmas time. But that’s just one of many tradi tions that have been associated with this curious, parasitic plant, according to the current issue of National Wildlife magazine. “For centimes, people all over the world have con sidered mistletoe to be a charm against diesease, witchcraft, and infertility,” says the bi-monthly publica tion of the National Wildlife Federation. Mistletoe superstitions probably came about because of the unusual and rather eerie way in which the plant grows. Mistletoe flourishes in dumps on the trunks and Home garden fruit course offered UNIVERSITY PARK - Many young nut and fruit trees planted each year do not live because they were not planted properly, says Dr. C. Marshall Ritter, Extension pomologist at the Pennsylvania State University. While there are no guarantee they will live, there are some planting practices that will increase the chances of successful tree growth. Here are some guidelines to follow at planting time, offered by Ritter. Inspect new trees for in sect and disease damage as well as heat injury and mechanical damage. Return damaged trees to the nur sery. Plant trees during early Spring - mid-March to first of May. Plant trees soon after arrival from the nursery, so their roots will not dry out. When weather does not permit immediate planting, cover the tree s roots with soil and water thoroughly. The planting holes should be large and ceep enough to set trees without crowding, bending or breaking then roots. Set the tree at about the same height as it stood m the nursery row That point may be determined by finding the “soil line” on the trunk. After placing plants in holes, begin r■'-ruling with good top soil :>"xt to the roots. Pack the ‘mil with your feet as it is being careful not to leave air pockets arour l -oots. When the hole is .jcut three fourths filled tilth soil, pour in 2 to 3 gal l ';' of water After this wr.er soaks a, DANSELS ENGINE CONTROL Diesel Engine Repair & Rebuilding Specializing in GM & Detroit l, “seis ENGINES FOR SALE 320 Waukes* a gas fan to fly wheei 383 cu in Chrysler, power ',n * w'clutch 471 Detroit Pjwer unit w/clutch RD3 Ephratd, PA 17522 Ph 717-733 3890 Mistletoe isn’t just for Christmas kissing Branches of various hard wood trees, where it robs its host tree of water and nutrients. Often, the host tree is so weakened that it dies. But since mistletoe can produce its own food when necessary, the parasite re mains green and moist. Because they were unable to explain how mistletoe grew, ancient civilizations believed the plant had super natural powers, says Na tional Wildlife. Peasants in both England and Japan believed that barren women would be able to conceive after eating mistletoe. The Walos of Africa attached mistletoe leaves to their bodies, confident that they would "then be protected from injury. The Swedes finish filling with soil. Leave a slight depression around each tree to catch rainfall. Cut off one-fourth of the tree top and branches right after setting. Do not muf dry fertilizer materials with th, soil in refilling the hole. This may cause new feeder roots to be burnt as they develop. Wait until just before growth starts in the Spring, then apply one-half pound of 10- 10-10 fertilizer evenly around each tree at least 12 inches away from the trunk, ex plains Ritter. For a complete guide to Horae Garden Fruits, send $4, plus 25 cents postage, to Garden Fruits, Box 5000, University Park, Pa. 16802. This complete correspon dence course, authored by Dr. Ritter will be sentto you. Make checks payable to Penn State. have a nice weekend.. Don’t let winter put a freeze on your milk production. This year don’t let your dairy cows get into that usual cold weather production slump. Add Mol-Mix Liquid Feed Supplements to your feeding program Mol-Mix is the quality Liquid Feed Supplement that stays in suspension and won't freeze or become too thick even in the coldest temperatures. It is the r upplement that helps you keep production up while holding costs in line Plus you get savings in time and effort. This winter convert to our liquid concept. You’ll be glad you did. j.L p JOHN I MARTIN McCRACKEH S FEED MILL, INC. ~ II IC New Holland RDI Manheim PA 17545 jjgjjjJ Phone 717 354 5848 Phone 717 665 2186 liquid supplements leader carved sword handles from mistletoe branches to ward off witches, while other Europeans wore mistletoe corsages to guarantee a suc cessful hunt. Mistletoe is not a very tas ty plant. In fact, although there are more than a thou sand varieties throughout the world, only one animal - the tiny Australian mistletoe bird - relies solely on mistletoe for food. But medical history reveals that despite its taste, mistletoe was often fed to ailing pa tients by physicians who thought it had curative powers. Right time for two timely offers! Wintertime is the right time to buy a Morton Building and take advantage of two timely offers 1 '•First, this beautiful Morton Buildings man's automatic day/ date wrist watch free with every new Morton Building purchased between November 15, 1978 and December 23, 1978 (erected at our convenience) Second, each purchaser can take advantage of SAVE ON WINTER DISCOUNTS! rO:tl,A * “*•* * 111 ill I j I j □ Have your salesman phone me for an appointment vA 1 □ Garages Shops □ Hog Confinement I □ Machine Sheds □ Cattle Confinement I □ Horse Barns □ Free Stall Barns & Silo Feed Rooms I □ Gram Storage □ Livestock Barns /NO. 1 CHOICE OF FARMERS RD 4, Box 34A, Gettysburg, PA 17325 Ph; 717-334-2168 RD 10, Box 76, Meadville, PA. 16335 Ph: 814-336-5083 Box 937, State College, PA. 16801 Ph: 814-383-4355 Box 126, Philipsburg, NJ. 08865 Ph: 201-454-7900 MAIN OFFICE 27 N Church St Quarryville Phone 766-7361 French physicians used mistletoe as an antidote for poisons. And one 17th cen tury British physician observed that the plant is “good for the grief of itch, sores, toothache, and the biting of mad dogs and venemous beasts.” Even as late as the mid 1700’s, National Wildlife reports, many European medical authorities thought mistletoe would cure epilep sy. Since mistletoe attaches itself so firmly to a tree that it cannot be blown down, they reasoned, an epileptic could not fall down if he con sumed the plant regularly. RED ROSE FLED ( FARM SUPPLY Oiv ol Carnation Buck PA Phone 284-4464 As it was thought that mistletoe possessed magical powers, it’s not surprising that the plant was long for bidden in Christian chur ches. It was thought to be tainted with heathenism. But the Druids - the woodsy priests of the ancient Celts - considered mistletoe to be a warm refuge for the woodland spirits during the cold weather. They gathered and hung the plant throughout their dwellings. This primeval practice may be the origin of the western tradition of decorating homes with greenery at Christmas time. >/ *** * «*■ '»»*** * I Name I Address I Telephone No. Centuries ago, on the sixth day of a new moon, a white robed priest armed with a golden sickle could be seen harvesting mistletoe. The Druids believed the plant was too sacred to be col lected by just anyone. Tradi tions change, of course, and today anyone willing to ven ture out into the woods can gather mistletoe with a pair of pruning shears. But some traditions change very little. A kiss under the mistletoe dates all the way back to Norse mythology, which dedicated mistletoe to the Goddess of Love. big winter discounts and save on higher building costs of buying in the spring This valuable free watch is available in a limited quantity so be one of the first to orderyour new Morton Building and take advantage of these two timely of fers' For complete de tails on the free watch offer and winter discount program, contact the Morton sales office nearest you listed below