fanaiwg, Tltwrafay, Dmmbw 24,1981
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Scientists
have edged a little closer toward
cracking the yield barrier in the
grasses that support much of this
ration's livestock industry.
“At least we now know some tall
fescues grow better than others,”
Jeff Valence, University of
Missouri-Columbia agronomist,
told the American Society of
Agronomy recently.
“Half the reason some fescues’
leaves grow more rapidly is
because of larger cells; the other
half is because they produce more
cells.
“Leaves are the major part of
yield in the summer and fall,
periods when more yield would be
desirable.”
Volenec said the key area of the
plant that contributes to rapid
growth is the meristematic region,
the base of the plant just above the
ground from where the leaf is
lengthened and pushed up. (To see
one of these close to home, just
look at your lawn grass.)
Maximum growth rate of leaf
cells with the meristem is deter
mined by the genetic difference
between plants.
That growth rate is partially
V
DEC. 28, 1981-JAN. 3, 1982
Frosting of snow makes angels glow.
Begin the New Year square with every man ... John D. Rockefeller
organized Standard Oil Jan 2, 1882 ... First quarter of the moon
Jan. 2 (Sat.) . Average length of days for the week, 9 hours, 6
minutes ... VMCA first organized in Boston Dgc. 29,1851 ... Wise
men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to
say something (Plato)
Same as logus of the bogus, or backyard trot, griping of the gizzard, etc
Home Hints: Avoid using water or waterbased products whenever possible
in cleaning wood floors Water can seep down into the tight boards, causing
warping or swelling.
OLD FARMER'S WEATHER FORECAST
New England: Snow, seasonable temperatures through midweek,
colder, with flurries, for weekend
Greater New York-New Jersey; Partly cloudy and cold, then
rainy, warmer, sunny and cold midweek, weekend brings sleet,
snow in mountains
Middle Atlantic Coastal; Rain, sleet, and snow continue until mid
week; cloudy and cold at week's end, with flurries
Piedmont & Southeast Coastal: Week begins with rain, heavy
snow in mountains, cold, light snow, hard host through weekend.
(All Rights Reserved Yankee, Inc, Dublin. N H 03444)
j WANTED
Laying Hen Contracts
WustATSmmJrMia\ 11 50,000 Bird Capacity or More
End O' Rat Co. •
Lancaster Farming
Rd 1 Box 668 | p.O. Box 366 J-203
NeW Sj£?’ PA Lititz, PA 17543
717-354-2340 OIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOC
BOOKS
SHOE SERVICE
107 E STATE ST
QUARRYVILLE. PA 17566'
717-786-2795
CLOSED WEDNESDAYS
Scientists are gaining on grass yield barrier
related to sheath length The Sleper has also selected those Randall, a UMC 'biochemist, to
sheath is the whorl of previously with short leaves which have more evaluate' polyploid fescues which
formed leaves that wraps around potential for such things as turf. have 70 chromosomes instead of
themeristem. John Oumm, UMC horticulturist, normal 42. These polypoids
The discovery that the sheath is incorporating them into his / tiave both torge ceUs and high
influences fescue' growth is a research program, because these photosynthetic rate and are being
relatively new finding, “It’s only fescues are slow growing, short used by Sleper in his breeding
been reported in the scientific and darker green than other program,
literature the last few • months, fescues. Nelson and his colleagues admit
but that was with a different Nelson’s mam concern is to that the odds are slim that they will
grass,” said Jerry Nelson, UMC combine plants with higher .' break the yield barrier in tall
agronomist who directed Volenec’s* photosynthetic rate with those fescue.. But , they are slowly
research program and who has which tend to grow faster and acquiring enough basic knowledge
been making basic studies of increase yields. However, he said, that bie possibility of pulling
fescue growth for the past 15 years, plants with high photosynthetic
“Our thrust into basic research rates usually produce smaller
on leaf growth has drawn attention cells, thus having small leaves and
from many parts of the world,” therefore, lower yields.
Nelson said, “the leaf growth So he’s turned to Douglas -
concept has been a major
breakthrough in terms of
developing new varieties.
“Our ultimate aim is to unprove
the yield of tall fescue. Now tiiat
we know the mechanics, we hope to
produce plants that have both high
leaf enlongation and high
photosynthetic efficiency.”
Another UMC agronomist, David
Sleper, has selected grasses with,
long leaves, and is trying to
develop higher producing fescues
through selection and breeding
thIQLD
tXSMIR'S
Ask the Old Farmer: I found a letter
from an uncle who was mate on a ship
out of Boston in 1869. While on shore
leave he wrote to his younger brother:
"We are all pretty well, only troubled
with 'The Flying Axehandle' some."
What was that 7 FR, New Bedford,
Mass.
WEEKLY SALE
HAY STRAW
SMALL GRAIN
EAR CORN
Every Monday 12:00 Noon Sharp!
Located at
Dewart Livestock Auction
Dewart, PA
For Further information Contact:
H.H. Hylin ftr George N. Deitrick
717-568-7271 0 717-568-5454
SENSENIG'S
SPOUTING
Rd 3. New Holland, PA 17557
★ Seamless Spouting in five colors;
White, brown, ivory, almond and
green.
★ Old style half round spouting
★ Vinyl and aluminum siding, window
capping and shutters.
★ Storm windows and storm doors.
★ Sheet metal work, stove pipe and roof
ventilators.
Quality Workmanship
and reasonable rates
717.354-4481 f FREE J
Nelson S. Sensenig \ ESTIMATES (
FROM ALL OF US TO ALL OF YOU-
Clay Aument Enos K. Good
Harry I. Bear Glenn C. Hart
Henry A. Brown Leon G. Hoover
Henry R. Brown. Lloyd E Hoover
James C. Dunlap Lois L. Hoover
Walter M. Dunlap, Jr. Walter Kellenberger
Louis L Edwards RoyH. Lefever
WALTER M.
A Merry Christmas
Prosperoiis New Year
DUNLAP AND SONS
this off has never been better.
“We know now.that we can in
crease yield by increasing leaf
size. But high photosynthesis is
still a key," Nelson said.
“It took us 15 years to develop
the basic, information and to see
how all this works."
Then he smiled and added,
“Come back in a few years. By
then we should have plants with
the ability to produce energy and
have proper growth mechanics to
use it.” _
TO VALUED CUSTOMERS
AND DEAR FRIENDS -
BEST WISHES FOR A
\JajJLS MERRY CHRISTMAS
AND A
l' PROSPEROUS
AjfaSf NEW YEAR.
V FISHER’S PAINTING
(Amos E, Fisher)
667 Hartman Station Rd.
Lancaster, Penna.
Phone: 717-393-6530
and
J. Albert Nagle
Ivan H. Nolt
Paul Nolt
Donald E. Ober
Reba M. Ober
Thelma A. Plank
Titus G. Reiff
George B. Simmerman, Jr.
Kenneth L. Smoker
Samuel Somerfield, Jr
Earl M. Stoudt
Steven W. Strauss
George Warfel
Lucy Wartel