Al6—Lancaster Farming,, Saturday, Inly 9,1983 Irrigation necessary during summer months LANCASTER There were times this spring when we all probably felt as if we would never have to water our gardens again. But the deluge has stopped, and the hot months of summer will bring dry spells, making irrigation necessary. The question then is “how much and how often to water” and the true (though now very helpful) answer is “when needed.” There are many factors that determine how much added water a garden needs. Natural rainfall is of course, paramount. But factors like stage of plant development, type of plant, plant competition and exposure all affect soil moisture content. There are some guidelines to garden irrigation that can be helpful. Generally gardens require moisture equivalent to about an inch of rain per week. An inch of rain equals about 600 gallons fo water on 1000 aq. feet. (A typical thunderstorm supplies about % of an inch of water). When rain is scarce or light for a couple of weeks; you will probably have to begin watering to make up for rainfall deficits. Adequate irrigation is essential because plant roots only grow in soil that is sufficently moist - (roots do not go in search of water!) Inadequate shallow irrigation will limit plants’ root systems and make those plants more susceptible to drought. By measuring the water output per unit time of whatever watering system you use and the area you need to cover, a good estimate of the time required to apply suf ficient moisture to gardens can be calculated. For example, if a garden hose with waterwand puts out two gallons of water per minute, it will take 30 minutes to apply an inch of water (60 gallons) per 300 square feet of garden. If you use a sprinkler, set several straight sided containers under it to measure water output. Frequently, lighter watering is best when plants are young or for shallow rooted crops like lettuce an onions. They should be watered two to three times a week with % to Ms inch of water when there is no rain. Established, deeply rooted and perennial plantings need heavier, less frequent irrigation. Established vegetables and flowers, new trees and shrubs (1 and 2 year plantings) should receive one inch of water, once a week. Established lawns also require one inch of water per week. If this cannot be regularly provided during dry spells, it is better not to water grass at all. More detailed information on Jus topic is given in the booklet ‘Watering Guide for Home Gar dners," available through the Extension Service. North Jersey Livestock Hackettetown, N.J, Tuesday, July 5 Report supplied by auction 984 head. Calves 30.00-93.00; Cows 35.50- 50.00; Easy Cows 29.00-42.50; Heifers 3f1.50-55.25; Bulls 45.24- 60.75; Steers 42.0060.00; Hogs 32.00- Roasting Pigs, each 6.00- Kids 7.00-37.00; Boars 32.00; Sows 30.00-34.00; Sheep 22.00- Lambs, each 22.00- 57.00; Lambs, per lb. 37.00-78.00; Goats, each 14.0067.00. Livestock market and auction news Weekly Summary Friday, July 8,1983 Report Supplied By PDA Markets: 11 CATTLE: 5710. Compared with 6676 head’last week, and 5484 head a year ago. Compared with last week’s market: Slaugther steers unevenly steady; SI. heifers steady to 1.00 lower; SI. cows steady to 1.50 higher; SI. bullocks uneven; SI. bulls steady to 1.00 higher. SI. steers: High and Choice & Prime No. 34,64.5067.75; Choice NO. 24 62.0065.75; Good 58.0062.00; Standard 52.00-58.00. SI. heifers: Choice 58.0061.25; Good 54.00- 58.50; Standard 50.0065.00. SI. cows: Utility & Commercial 44.75- 48.50; Cutters 41.5045.50; Canner & L. Cutter 37-0043.25; Shells down to 30.50. SI. bullocks: (few) Choice 58.0062.10; Good 54.0068.00; (few) Standard 50.0065.50. SI. bulls: Yield Grade No. 1. 1000-2200 lbs. 52.7569.00; Yield Grade No. 2,900- 1450 lbs. 45.0062.75. FEEDER CATTLE; Bulls Medium Frame No. 1 300650 tbs. 46.0063.25. CALVES: 3352. Compared with 3963 head last week and 3225 head a year ago. Vealers steady to 5.09 higher, (few) Prime 83.00-90.00; Choice 70,00-90.00; Good 62.00- 75.00; 110-130 lbs. 58.00-68.00; 90-110 ibs. arowa.oo; 65-90 ibs. 44.00- 67.00; Utility 50-100 lbs. 35.0046.00. FARM CALVES: Hoi. Bulls 90- 125 lbs. 60.00-107.00, mostly 80.00- 107.00; Hoi. Heifers 85-135 lbs. 51.00-103.00, mostly 76.00-90.00. Beef Cross Bulls & Heifers 70-100 lbs. 57.00-85.00. HOGS 2185. Compared with 6965 head last week and 2628 head a year ago. Barrows and gilts steady to 1.00 higher. US No. 1-2 200-245 lbs. 46.0048.80, No. 1-3 200-250 lbs. 45.0047.00; No. 2-3 200-285 lbs. 42.0045.25; (few) No. 1-3 140-190 lbs. 42.0045.75; Sows steady to 1.00 higher; US No. 1-3 30&650 lbs. 31.75-36.00. Boars 28.0036.00. FEEDER PIGS: 958. Compared with 1532 head last week and 949 a year ago. Mostly steady, US No. 1-3 20-35 lbs. 15.00-25.00 per head; No. 1-3 35-50 lbs. 25.00-36.00; (few) No. 1-3 50-75 lbs. 36.00-42.00. 3 GRADED FEEDER PIG SALES: 2110. Compared with 1941 head last week, and 2539 head a year ago. All sales by CWT. Feeder Pigs uneven, mostly 3.00-7.00 lower. US No. 1-2 2540 lbs. 70.00- 86.00, 40-50 lbs. 67.00-82.00, 5060 lbs. 56.50-72.00, 60-95 lbs. 56.00- 62.00; US No. 2-3 2535 lbs. 68.00- 88.00. 4560 lbs. 50,00-58.00. SHEEP: 252. Compared with 1434 head last week and 267 head a year ago. Steady to 1.00 higher. Choice 50-115 lbs. 50.0061.00; Good 4060 lbs. 35.00-51.00. SI. ewes: 9.00- 25.00.
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