■l2-Lancastar Farming, Saturday, March 14,1M7
Ah, mud Sticky, gooey, clingy
mud. And, wonderful, beautiful,
terrific mud
See, last year there was virtually
no mud Moisture must be present
to concoct mud and last spring,
there was precious little water in
the soil.
So, my vow for the season is to
appreciate mud for its promise of
water.
There will be no complaining
about the telltale prints across the
kitchen floor. Nor will I lament
sweeping away the hunks of out
side environment that turn up on
the inside environment, shaped
mysteriously like the deep cleats in
the soles of certain males’ bam
boots.
None of the dairy cows seems to
mind the squishy soil either. At
least one per day appears to be
giving herself a total mud-beauty
bath, with special emphasis of the
therapeutic cosmetic treatment to
the udder area. That takes an
extra measure of pre-milking
scrubbing with warm water and
towels, until the “milking equip
ment” is properly cleaned and
dried.
The cows most ticklish about
being washed always manage to
find the gooiest mudholes, and then
dance a jig, like a toddler being
tickled on the tummy, at cleanup
time. Indeed, there are days when
it would just be handy to run the
herd through a car wash on its way
into the bam.
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Mud also thrives in our
vegetable garden, low-lying and
sometimes dotted with tiny
springs. So, it’s rare to be able to
start planting there as early as a
March, cabin-fever-mentality
urges. Smoothing and raking a
seed bed in muck that would hang
up a bulldozer poses a slight
problem.
Still, late last week, I simply
couldn’t stand it any longer. True,
the vegetable patch was still
squishy. But, the flower border had
kissed the mud stage goodbye, and
the soil was the perfect crumbly
texture.
Like an addict, I was helpless
against the magnetic lure of a
couple of metal cans stashed away
on a cool, dark windowsill in the
basement. There would be no
peace for me while the sun shone
brightly, and a breeze teased the
fluffy hairs of Goober the kitten
rolling in the freshly-raked soil.
So down on my knees I went,
paying tribute to the season in a
timeless ritual.
With a small trowel, a tiny
section of the border soil was
loosened and miniature furrows
crooked as usual traced in the
damp richness. And into them
went tiny seeds, radishes and
spring onions and chard. Across
another freshly-raked section leaf
lettuce seed was broadcast.
Never mind that the honest-to
goodness spring is not yet even in
its infancy. Or that a dusting or two
Imdl
Lancaster Society 12
Lancaster Society 12 will meet pound auction. Members should
March 17 at the home of Mrs. also bring a craft to work on or to
Emma Bleacher at 9 a.m. for a demonstrate.
Lancaster Society 20
Members of Lancaster Society 20
met March 5 at the home of Jane
of snow is inevitable. Or even that
four cats and 12 chickens kept
vigil, laying plans to invade the
loosened solid the very instant my
back was turned.
As indeed they did. By the time I
headed out to feed calves that
evening, a freshly dug mound of
soil made a tiny pyramid between
the hoped-for-rows of radish and
anion.
I covered part of the miniscule
furrowed (dot with a plastic feed
bag, weighted it with flat stones,
and turned the hose on the rest to
settle the soil and discourage such
enthusiastic invasions by little
Feet.
Perhaps the cats and the
chickens, the whims of weather or
treeds, and the inevitable heifers
escaping to stomp through the plot
mil interfere with this mini
slanting of promise.
But for now, the very first
garden seeds are in the soil.
Planting season is nearly here for
•eal. And, once again, with the
jptimism that keeps farmers
jutting seeds into the ground year
after year, hope for a bountiful
reason springs eternal.
And the mud? Just a temporary
nconvenience for a more per
nanent improvement.
Facto
Wareh(
Prio
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• Grain Bins
• Feed Bins
• Wet Tanks
Flex-Auger Systems,
PVC Tubing.
2”, 3", 4” & 5"
Diameter
Systems
Ferguson with Valaria Ferguson
as co-hostess.
In the morning, members sewed
316 bed pads, then enjoyed a
covered dish meal.
Following devotions by Valaria
Ferguson, president Mary Shirk
conducted the business meeting.
The group made plans for a food
sale at the Andrews Bridge Horse
Show and Fox Hunt March 21.
The Sunshine Committee sent
two sympathy cards, two baby
congratulations cards and a basket
of fruit for the month.
Society president Mary Shirk
presented Sara Conroy with a pin
honoring her 80tb birthday and
installed Martha Hart as a new
member.
Members and their husbands
will have a party March 14 at the
home of Vera Herr.
The meeting concluded with a
quiz on the by-laws of the Farm
Women organization.
• Grain Dryers • Utility Augers
• Transport Augers • Stirring Systems
• Bucket Elevators • Air Drying Systems
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Lancaster
Society 24
Members of Lancaster Society 24
met Feb. 24 at the home of Mrs. B.
Roy Witmer, New Holland.
President Carol Groff conducted
the business meeting.
Inez Long, guest speaker, talked
about retirement plans. Following
the speaker, refreshments were
served.
Lancaster
Society 28
Members of Lancaster Society 28
met Feb. 26 in the home of Joyce
Slaymaker. The January meeting
was cancelled because of snow.
Program for the evening was by
Moore Bears. For roll call, each
member told about her first teddy
bear.
Esther Meek led the devotional
meditation. Joyce Slaymaker and
Ruth Dean served refreshments.
The next meeting will be held
March 26 at the home of Brenda
Book.
Berks County-
Executive Board
The Berks County Farm Women
Executive Board met recently in
the 4-H room of the ag center.
State cookbooks are being
published and will be ready for
sale by the Spring Rally at
Elizabethtown College May 20.
All Lancaster County Farm
Women are invited to a lun
cheon/business meeting by Agri-
Business at the Gilbertsville Fire
Company March 19.
The group will purchase flannel
nightgowns for the Hamburg
Center and pictures for the walls at
Berks Heim.
The next Executive Board
meeting will be held May 4.
And or*»
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