Alo—Lancaster Fanning, Saturday, October 11,1980
Lancaster Farming says...
As In any political or policy-making
arena, alliances come and alliances
go. But there is a new pairing which
will be of interest in farm circles.
In recent months the Grange and
the Farmers’ Union have been
standing shoulder to shoulder in a
number of battles of interest to
agriculture.
Their mutual support can be noted
both in the parent national
organizations and on a state level.
They make an odd couple at first
glance. There’s the Grange,
generally viewed as old, established
and staid, tying itself in some in
stances to the Farmers’ Union, seen
by many farmers as the young,
aggressive upstart of farmer
organizations.
Even its most ardent supporters
will admit the Grange has been
ON BEING A
“WHOLLY FOLLOWER”
October 12,1980
Background Scripture:
1 Kings 11:1-13,26-34;
l4.
Devotional Reading:
Isaiah 55:6-11.
TO UTILIZE
CORNSTALKS
Corn producers who do not
make silage from their crop
could have a very good
livestock bedding material
after the com is picked or
shelled. The com stalks,
when shredded, dried, and
baled, can be brought to the
bam and used for bedding
purposes. Shredded com
fodder has very good water
absorption abilities and can
still be returned to the soil
GuHB mm
It’s an interesting alliance
slipping some in prestige in recent
years. Still, it boasts over 100 years
of service to the rural community. Its
name still pack? punch even if it no
longer is manditory for political
candidates to make speeches at the
local grange hall.
No doubt the Farmers' Union,
perhaps unfairly tagged with a
reputation as radical, can benefit
from association with the Grange’s
moderate image. The Grangers’
causes gain in numbers, impact, and
exposure to the public, and should
gain pep from Farmers’ Union.
Because they don’t have the
restrictions about joining coalitions,
Farmers' Union and Grange can gain
background information and
strength from diverse segments of
agriculture and groups which may
not seem, at first glance, to have any
tips to farn-Mnp at all
What could you expect
from a man who had 700
wives and 300 concubines?
The 11th chapter of 1 Kings
starts off ominously: “Now
King Solomon loved many
foreign women from the
nations concerning which
the Lord had said to the
people of Israel, ‘You shall
not enter into marriage with
them...” (11:1,2). Ap
parently, Solomon had
assumed that God’s
restrictions did not apply to
so important a person as he
was. Why did he audaciously
do what the rest of his people
were forbidden to do?
Solomon’s disobedience
for organic matter purposes.
Since straw is more scarce
than years ago, com fodder
is a good replacement and
even has good market
values when properly
prepared. Com growers are
urged to give this bedding
material some attention
before bad weather arrives.
TO STORE CORN
CROP CAREFULLY
This is a not a new
suggestion because com is
an important crop at any
time; however, as it looks at
this tune, com is going to
become a very valuable crop
in the years ahead. With
demands locally for feeding
purposes, for export and now
was not a matter of sheer
lust. Actually, Solomon
married many foreign
women in order to form
alliances with other nations.
The foreign wives were all of
them noblewomen,
representing the ruling
families of the known
world’s great powers.
Solomon assumed that he
could violate God’s com
mand because it appeared to
be a political necessity for
the nation.
A TURNED-AWAY HEART
Does that have a familiar
nng? A leader believes
himself to be above the
normative ethics that binds
others because he believes it
for the making of alcohol for
fuel, there is a good
possibility that com prices
are on their way upwards.
Therefore, good corn
storage is very important; it
should be protected from the
weather, given proper
ventilation or drying, and
then protected from rodents.
This latter menace is one
that needs more attention on
many farms. Mice and rats
like to make their homes in
com cribs and storage
places when given the
chance. The effort should be
to eliminate all nesting
places and practice good
sanitation to keep the
population down. They are
Where, then, does this leave Farm
Bureau and its local affiliates like
Pennsylvania Farmers’ Association
who, by organization bylaws, are
forbidden from joining a coalition?
The frequent association of Grange
and Farmers' Union is, in some
cases, a backhanded compliment to
PFA almost an admission that it is
taking two to match the strength of
one.
On the other hand it certainly
serves warning that any sign of a
slow-down m activities by PFA in
pushing farm policies will quickly be
turned to the advantage of the other
groups.
It should be made clear that the
teamwork by Grange and Farmers’
Union is not an across the board
agreement on policy. In some areas
the two differ dramatically on
philosophy.
justified by the national
interest. Isn’t that what
Watergate was all about?
But why did God forbid
these marriages? It seems
only reasonable that
Solomon should do what he
did, doesn’t it? Wouldn’t we
give him “A” for diplomacy
today?
The writer of 1 Kings tells
us why Solomon was wrong:
“For when Solomon was old
his wives turned away his
heart after other gods; and
his heart was not wholly true
to the Lord his G0d...”
(11:4). It is often debated
whether, m the light of some
of the unwise things he did,
Solomon justly deserves the
destructive and will cost
farmers money in the long
run.
TO BEWARE OF
JOHNSONGRASS
If you had johnsongrass
plants in your com field this
fall, you can be sure you will
have more of tnem next
summer. This would be a
tune to take note of the
location of these plants and
make plans for eradication
for next spring. This fast
growing grass that
resembles sorghum will take
over a field in a few years, if
left uncontrolled. It appears
that we will soon have state
legislation that will require
the control and eradication
BY CURT HARLER, EDITOR
aura ot wisdom he is
usually given. If he was so
wise, how could he have done
something so foolish? But I
don’t doubt that Solomon
was wise, only that he was
wise long enough. It seems
he was wise for a tune, but
his wisdom ran out.
NOT WHOLLY TRUE
Of course, Solomon’s
defenders would hurry to
object that this judgement is
unfair. They might argue,
“O.K. in one little thing,
Solomon slipped-up, but look
how faithful he was to God,
how wise m other things.” It
is true that even while he
“went after Ashteroth, the
of this weed. It should not be
allowed to spread over the
farm. Details are too long to
list in this column but those
with the problem should
contact their herbicide
dealer, sprayer, or their
Extension Agent. Crop
yields will be failure, if
johnsongrass is allowed to
develop. Be sure to make
plans next spring and
summer for these treat
ments.
TO BECOME
PESTICIDE CERTIFIED
According to current
regulations most pesticide
certification cards expired
on September 30 in Penn
sylvania. Without this card
you will be unable to buy
many of the needed spray
Farm Calendar
Today, October 11 Fairground, Arendtsville.
National Trotting Pony Sale. Berks County Sheep and
at the Farm Show Wool Growers tour, starts
Complex, Harrisburg. at 8 turn.
Unionville Community Fair, Old time steam tractor
Unionville; Continues display; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.;
through October 11. Rough and Tumble,
PA Veterinary Medical Kmzer.
Assn. 98th annual Monday, October 13
meeting Seven Springs Lebanon County Holstt Jj)
Mountain Resort, Club banquet; Zoar’s
Champion. Continues Educational Center; 7
through October 14. p.m.
National Apple Queen Poultry Servicemen’s
Contest; South Mountain (Turn to PageA29)
Still, it has proven' fruitful
several occasions.
The teaming of a conservative
group and a more activist group
gives farmers a broad spectrum of
support in Harrisburg, Washington,
and before committees and policy
setting bodies. >
It’s healthy for agriculture such
alliances will mean more ideas
processed at farm discussions, and
more vigorous activity on' behalf of
farmers by all of the organizations
representing the farm community.
If all of these groups are kept on
their toes, there will be less danger of
one becoming fat, lazy, or
complacent.
There will be a better chance of
farmers being powerful when push
comes to shove.
goddess of the Sidonians...,”
he still worshipped the Lord.
Even though he built a “high
place for Chemosh, the
abomination of Moab,” he
also had built the beautiful
temple of God that'bore his
name.
The point, however, is that
Solomon should have known
that God would not condong
a divided loyalty. “SvJ
Solomon did what was evil in
the sight of the Lord and did
not wholly follow the Lord”
(11:6).
God is uncompromising
with his covenant: unless we
follow him wholly, we do not
follow him at all.
materials. Folks who dii
get re-certified are urg*
attend one of the
meetings that will no
be held in your area''
Meetings conducted bv
pesticide dealers,
departments, and our Ex
tension Service, were
pesticide recommendations
are discussed, should qualify
a person for re-certification.
A special form needs to be
filled out at the meeting and
forwarded to the State
Department of Agriculture.
Details are available from
any Extension Office. The
important thing is to become
re-certified this fall, or
winter, so that pesticide
purchases can be made next
spring.
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