—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, May 26,1979 30 6 Little black box 9 warns of potato late blight UNIVERSITY PARK - Agricultural scientists at the Pennsylvania State University have come to the aid of farmers by developing a “little black box” com- , puter to forecast the spread of late blight disease of WHAT'S NEW ROUND BALER A new, large round baler that was successfully field tested during the 1977 and 1978 hay seasons is now available from Massey- Ferguson. Replacing the MFS6O round baler, the new MF1560 baler incorporates design improvements to enhance performance and overall safety. At the front, the baler is equipped with a tee hitch for tighter tractor turns, without tire interference, than with the conventional “A”-frame design. The hitch asembly is adjustable for varying tractor drawbar heights. The MFls6o’s power take off is fully shielded for operator protection and trash exclusion. The main gearbox is reversible to allow use of the baler with either 540 or 1000 rpm PTO tractors. The pickup is a full “stripper-type,” with tur ned-up lips on the stripper for leaf retention. Pickup rpm has been reduced by over 50 per cent for quieter operation and easier hay handling. The pickup “swept” width is increased That s why they re called BIG BQNUS beans Stop by and let us help you select the AGRIPRO variety or blend that s just right for you A THINK AGMPRO P. L ROHRER & BRO., INC. SMOKETOWN, PA potatoes. The bhtecaster computer collects and analyzes weather data needed to recommend spray schedules. Used in fields during July and August, the small from 55 in. to 59 1/ 2 m. to improve windrow infeed. Automatic disengagement of the pickup is standard. This prevents overfilling the bale chamber. Press rolls have been eliminated with a new “open throat” design to improve handling of dry cornstalks and reduce fire hazard. Twine wrapping is hydraulically controlled from the tractor seat. This standard equipment is especially convenient for operators inside cabs. The MF1560 can produce full 6-ft.-diameter bales, an increase of 12 per cent in volume over the MFS6O. Variable hydraulic tension has been added to the usual spring-controlled density. The two systems work in conjunction. The hydraulic portion is gauge-monitored and controlled from the tractor seat. This allows “soft” or “dense” bales as desired. For simplicity and con venience, the chamber is locked during baling with double tailgate locks. Also, each tailgate cylinder circuit is hydraulically lockable for safety and convemence. PH: 717-299-2571 computer takes samples every 10 minutes of tem perature, relative humidity, and rainfall. Blending the results with conditions known to create late blight epidemics, the bhtecaster makes a “spray or no spray” recommendation. “Potato growers have come to recognize and fear the potential destruction of late blight on potatoes,” declared Dr. David R. MacKenzie, scientist m plant pathology who directed the research. Until recently, he said, weekly sprays of fungicides were applied in July and August to produce quality potatoes. Sometimes the sprays were applied needlessly. On the other hand, if a spray was skipped - and conditions were right - an epidemic of late blight could occur. Such epidemics cause severe damage to foliage, reduce potato yields, and create infection often causing potatoes to rot in storage. MacKenzie predicted that demands for this and other uses of small computers in agriculture will increase tremendously in the next few years. He described the FIRST IN THE AREA Your No. 1 Dealer - Lane. Ford Tractor * Brings You The All New FORD TW LINE ? WE HAVE IN STOCK FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY TW 10's BORA SPECIAL PRICES ON THESE MODELS! I „.i THE NEWTW 30 IS POWERED BY A NEW TURBOCHARGED, INTERCOOLED FORD DIESEL ENGINE DEVELOPING 163 PTO HORSEPOWER! SEE IT FIRST HERE AT J LANCASTER FORD TRACTOR, I (THE FRIENDLY STORE THAT GIVES YOU MORE) r "" J 1655 Rohrerstown Road Lancaster, PA I Flory Mill Exit off Route 283 Phone; 717-569-7063 jgMiiui 'll bhtecaster as a self contained, battery operated “electronic marvel” that can be asked questions at any time simply by pressing a button. All "daily weather facts are accumulated, digested, analyzed, and automatically interpreted - giving a spray recom mendation shown on lights. The origmal model of the bhtecaster was developed under MacKenzie’s direction by undergraduate students in electrical engineering and computer science. The students produced a immature device that ac cepted more information than was considered possible. They attached a $5O cassette tape recorder to use as the “tapedrive” for storing program in structions. “The technology even baffled experts in the companies that were sup plying component parts.” MacKenzie commented. “One engineer said the plan was impossible to develop. Ten days later the students had completed their task at a cost of $72 for parts.” For more information on the bhtecaster, contact Dr. JMacKenzie, plant pathologist, The Penn sylvania State University^ TW 20 s College ot Agriculture, University Park, Pa. 16801 TW 30 INC.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers