—Lancaster Fanning, Saturday, July 21,1979 10 TO SAVE CROPS BY IRRIGATION Many areas are now getting very dry and crops are showing signs from the lack of moisture. Our Ex tension Engineers urge that farmers with a water supply use irrigation to help make the crop, rather than try to save it after it is hurt. In many cases the irrigation practice is started too late. THOSE WITH US Lesson for July 22,1979 Background Scripture: 2 Kings 6:8-23. Devotional Reading: Romans 12:14-21. Wheat scab in Lancaster County is most severe HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry has detected head scab of wheat, or Fusanum Head Blight in the wheatfields of central and southeastern Pennsylvania, according to State Agriculture Secretary Penrose Hallowell. Hallowell said that the seventy of this disease is directly related to weather conditions. “Wet weather during and after flowering tend to promote increased disease seventy,” he said. “Our most recent reports showed that disease severity for head scab m the 1979 crop ranges from one per cent in Lycoming County to 75 per cent in Lancaster County.” He noted that the continual cool, wet weather this Spring and early Summer has directly contnbuted to the increase of head scab in this year’s crop. According to Lyle Forer, chief of the Division of Plant Pathology for the Agriculture Department, head scab is caused by the fungus Fnsarium gramineamm, a fungus which survives on crop residues of com as well as RURAL ROUTE HEY DAD ' HOW ABOUT LETTIU' US DRIVE, AND VOU LOAD THE . jwasoN ? f UJJBf) We urge that water be used to make the crop and not delay to the point of trying to salvage drouthy crops. I realize that too few farmers have -a source of water to irrigate. However, those that do have the water should use it when crops first show signs of injury due to the lack of moisture. TO CONTROL ALFALFA INSECTS Since the first cutting of alfalfa was severely damaged by poor weather conditions, we hope that every alfalfa grower will try Elizabeth Kubler-Ross 'ell known throughout r orld today because of pioneering work m dtology, the psychology lying. Her work has done ;reat deal to help us better 'irstand what people •lence as they face death and how we may more adequately respond to their needs. Dr. Kubler-Ross has also become a controversial figure because of some of Although these convictions ner conclusions about what have earned her a great deal happens after death occurs, of derision and rejection, Interviewing large numbers many of her observations of patients as they are about' sound very similar to to die and even some who various passages in the Bible have been pronounced i that testify to the reality of small grains. Forer said that the disease can usually be readily identified m the field because affected kernels or heads die prematurely, giving a bleached ap pearance. At harvest time, black dots and a pink to orange color appear on affected heads. “Normally, the disease reduces kernel weight and size, or it may leave the head completely sterile,” Forer said. As the fungus grows in the wheat kernels, compounds known as myotoxms can be produced. The myotonn F-2 or Zearalenone is most frequently associated with head scab. “F-2 can cause vomittmg and other affects when consumed by hogs, dogs and human beings,” Forer said, adding that sheep, cattle and mature poultry are not af fected by this myotoxm. Hallowell noted that pathogens are carried over on crop residues, and suggested that wheat far mers plow under straw and stalks and leave them below the soil surface to control the disease. Because the kernels af fected by head scab tend to /£V V •*» x N |* I \ to get a real good crop for the remaining cuttings. The second cutting looks very good on most farms. The third cutting will need some insect control to prevent serious damage from leaf hoppers and leaf miners. We urge the new growth to be sprayed when 2 to 4 mches high. If this is not done, then the insects will cause stunting and yellowing of the plants. Alfalfa is one of the very best forage crops. It has the ability to produce even with dry weather in many fields. Don’t let the insects rum the crop. clinically dead and been resuscitated by medical means, the Swiss doctor has become convinced that there is a life after death. Another of her firm convictions drawn from her work is that the living are constantly surrounded by unseen, loving “guides” (often deceased loved ones and friends) who are sent to help us in our early lives. Unseen Presences be very low in test weight, they may be eliminated during harvest by turning up the aspirator m the combine. But Hallowell stressed that without plowdown after harvest, the disease will have a good chance to reinfect the field. Samples taken by the Bureau of Plant Industry to monitor the disease have' detected many fields with scab in the southcentral and southeastern regions. Hallowell said the Depart ment has begun chemically testing the scab samples for the presence of myotoxins. More information on the head scab can be obtained by contacting the Bureau of Plant Industry, Penn sylvania Department of Agriculture, 2301 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120 or by calling 717-787-4843. In other news from the Department, the warmer weather of last week spurred crop growth and allowed accelerated farm field ac tivities in the Com monwealth. Though periodic showers were received, operators in all areas rated six days as ctiif-jhip fipldwork. Ac- 01C BUT REMEMBER,THeV DRIVER IS UP IN THE MOW WHEN WE UNLOAD AT THE/ SARN v r r~n HERBICIDE CONTROL Weed control continues to be a major problem on many farms. For years farmers have been battling weeds in order to get maximum crop yields. The mechanical cultivator has been placed on a “slow burner” and herbicides are being ex pected to keep weeds under control. This does happen in some fields and on some farms. However, on others the control is not too good. In order to improve the situation we suggest that farmers inspect then- fields during the growing season to Hptprrpine if the proper weed unseen and loving spiritual presences the surround us in our daily lives. Her words call to mind the affirmation in Hebrews 12:1 that “we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses...” and many of us repeat Sunday after Sunday our creedal belief m “the communion of the saints.” The story of Elijha and the unnamed kings of Israel and Syria in 2 Kings 6 gives us a similar testimony about a whole realm of spiritual realty that is unseen except by a very few. Disturbed to find that the Hebrew prophet Elisha has been picking up his inmost thoughts and tivities included spraying, cultivating, making hay, combining small grains and baling straw. Tart cherries, early apples, peaches, tomatoes, sweet corn, potatoes and other vegetables were also har vested. Diesel and LP gas supplies were reported at 38 per cent and 20 per cent tight, respectively. Gasoline supplies were reported at 47 per cent tight and seven per cent deficit, the Crop Reporting Service reports. All areas now rate soil moisture at one-third short and the rest adequate. Many of the reporters voice the need for additional moisture, as evidenced by slow growth of soybeans and tobacco, plus leaf curl on com. Harvest is active on tart cherries, peaches and early apples, especially Lodi and Yellow Transparent. Tomatoes are turning with a few picked in the south. Early sweet com is being picked as are snap beans, cabbage and green peas. Apples are sizing well with some drop still in progress. Grapes are sizing well also. Com growth last week was a bit slower than a year ago, Tom Armstrong By what kind of RULE IS THAT? I NEVER HEARD OF THAT BEFORE ft 'l' '-*• k TO EVALUATE IT MEANS YOU lose no matter which yoo PICK %) iia*tmsssa killer is doing the job. Within the next month or two one can observe the amount of weed competition; weeds compete for moisture and for plant food. If the weeds are not being controlled, then another herbicide should be considered. TO PLAN FOR WINTER GRAINS The winter gram crops are about harvested and growers should be making plans for their fall seedmgs. Seed grams should be or dered m order to get the variety and quality of seed desired. We continue to plans and warning his Israeli rival, the king of Syria surrounds the prophet’s house and community with his great army “Alas, my master!” savs Elisha’s servant, “What shall we do?” (6:15). Chariots of Fire “Fear not,” answered the prophet, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (6:16). This must have seemed a strange response to the servant for he could plainly see that he and his master were vastly outnumbered. But Elijah prayed that his servant would be enabled to see what he saw; “O Lord, I with the crop 31 inches high compared to 32 mches in 1978. The north reports 25 inches and central areas are at 31 with the south at 37 inches. Growth has slowed and some bird damage was reported. Some tasselmg has been reported m the south. At 65 per cent harvested and 30 per cent ripe, barley 1 is a week ahead of 45 per cent harvested a year ago. Harvest is 34 per cent complete in the south. Wheat harvest, at ten per cent complete, is the same as last year. The north has ten per cent combmed and central counties report seven per cent, with the Farm Calendar Today, July 21 Harford County Farm Bureau picmc and Farm Queen Contest, Rocks 4-H Camp Grounds, af ternoon. European farm tour slide program, open to all interested persons. Free admission, Fulton Bank, Mam Street, Akron, 7 p.m. Delaware State Fair, Harrington, through July 28. Sunday, July 22,1979 Shippensburg Community Fair, Shippensburg, through July 28. Dairy goat forum at Lebanon County r - ’i He ’ Vc * taoic-j and small fruits for „ me Adams oooaiy Extension Service for details: 717-334-6271. promote certified seed and one of the best investments for maximum gram yields. If home-gram seeds are to be used, we are concerned about germination, weed content, and diseases present. All of these can cut down yields. Growers who had trouble with scab in their current wheat crop should do a good cleaning job and a good seed treatment job. This condition can get worse next Summer. Wmter grains have a place in many crop rotations and deserve some good planning. Both the gram and the straw have a good market value and are m demand. pray thee, open his eyes that he may see” (6:17). Elijah’s prayer was an swered and suddenly his servant could see what his master saw: a vast unseen host of beings whom God sent to protect and aid this prophet. Regardless of how things had seemed before Elijah’s prayer, the servant now realized that they were surrounded with love and faith hidden from normal eyesight. Elijah’s counsel to his servant is still timely for us: “Fear not, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them. ” south at 15 per cent. Another 50 per cent is ripe compared to 32 per cent last year. Yields are reported as lowered m some areas due to rust or blasting. Oats are 25 per cent tur ning, compared to 22 per cent last year. Northern countie's show ten per cent turning, the central area is at 30 per cent with the south at 35 per cent. Five per cent is ripe with a slight bit harvested, mostly m the south. Potatoes are in bloom m most areas with condition and growth good. Early harvest has just begun in some southern localities. Thursday, July 26 Lancaster County 4-H Dairy Show, Solanco Fairgrounds. University of Maryland forage research and farm family day, near Clarksville, Howard County. York County Holstein Field Day, Sinking Springs Farm, north of York, 10:30 a.m., lunch at noon. Dairy Fitting and showmanship workshop for 4-H’ers in, Adams County. At the John Hess Farm, White Oak Tree Road, east of Gettysburg. 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, July 27 Ephrata Area Young Far m<”- r>h,i] lO Raseha' 1 U '-T.svl. dm? Natural tjliO^UCitaiUiU Selinsgrove, today tomorrow, all day.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers