On being a farm wife , -And others Khl I t Joyce Bupp Construction in progress rarely presents an appealing picture. Especially on lush, rolling ground of high fertility. Soil, denuded of protective grass, looks barren and vulnerable. Shattered skeletons of once thriving trees and shrubs lie stacked in ragged piles of drying branches and exposed, lifeless roots. For two seasons, our meadow, just below the farmstead buildings, has endured the ravages of “improvement.” Always an interesting part of the farm, this acre or so section of sometimes swampy, creek-split bottomland was a haven for small wildlife and intriguing wetland plant growth. Our dependable spring bubbled down through the swampy stretch, from its origin beneath the springhouse, having provided unknown numbers of inhabitants before us with cold, delicious water. When they were younger, the kids built small dams here, sailed countless rafts of wooden origin, and cooled their heels and toes on blistery hot days. Periodically, WS§!,i> BEDDING PLANTS T *ci s AIR BALLS 4^ <#• ‘The items that are not sale priced are already a low price and an excellent bargain. they’d catch and bring for inspec tion a favorite, fat frog named Fro gricka, who lived in a four-inch pipe which drained the backyard underground springs into the creek near its springhouse source. Then, during meadow remodel ing for recommended livestock waste management facilities, the business end of a backhoc bit into our spring supply while digging a tile drainage line. Nearly over night, in the midst of the worst drought in two decades, our total farm water source dried to a trickle. When the herd drank, there was almost no water for house use. The counter attack plan decided upon was the addition of another, smaller, pond to the meadow, one which would back up into the springhouse and restore our water source. Two days work with a bulldozer reshaped the former site of mini dams, summertime toe dabbling, and Frogricka’s pipe-shaped con do complete with fresh running water. As planned, with the timely aid of fall rains, the Little Pond filled, then backed up into the underground spring source, and THIS IS THE SALE YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR n °»es$ SANO JOYS TENTS NOW THRU MAY 7 These Are Some Of The Items • Which Will Be Under The Big Top **001)3 KITCHEN TOWELS ,*S water has again become a com modity we don’t worry over every moment. It took yet another summer for the meadow construction area to dry enough for final leveling, smoothing and grass restoration. This restoration of the plant and aquatic life has been fascinating to watch. Though the farmer gathered cattail seeds from Grand pa’s pond, and scattered them over the waters. Mother Nature as usual bested him at her own game. Before the fluffy seeds heads scattered by his hands could think about settling into the pond edge, slender shoots marked where a cat tail was already making healthy growth. Other water-loving plants also quickly established them selves along the edge, and on the soil bottom. Now, the cals often prowl along the trimmed bank of the Little Pond, apparently searching for dinners of the fat, succulent legs of Frogricka’s relatives. Plump, silvery shadows dash from the shallow edge into deeper water, skittish tadpoles fleeing to the pro tection of deeper waters as man and beast stroll the grassy banks. On the first warm evenings of late March, the meadow sang at dusk with the high-pitched voices of the peeper frogs. Even a maple tree, which has grown half-heartedly by the side of the springhouse for 25 years, seems to have a new outlook on life. One side of the tree had appeared to be dying during the past few summers. Having water backed up to its feet would no doubt finish it, we figured. Instead, the maple is more sym metrical, thicker with leaf buds and blooms, and healthier looking LAWN CHAIRS SLEEPING BAGS GLASSWARE AT THE COUNTRY MART RT 23 '' MILE EAST OF BLUE BALL PHONE- 717-354-4026 HOURS 9 AM-9 PM; TUES A SAT. 9 AM - 5 PM CLOSED SUNDAY than it has been for a long time. It almost seems to be smiling as it stands guard pondside, templing us on warmer afternoons to lean against its rough trunk and linger there in the sunshine. Or maybe have a picnic lunch by the spar kling water. And, on occasion, a pair of wild mallards, dainty hen in muted browns and blacks, and drake gaudy with feathers of iridescent Cumberland Search CARLISLE (Cumberland) All single young women who have completed their junior year of High School and will not reach their 24th birthday by December 31, 1988, and from a dairy farm background are eligible to com pete for the title of 1988 Cumber land County Dairy Princess, announces Roy Coover, chairper son of the Cumberland County Dairy Princess Committee. The contest covers Cumberland County. The winner of the Dairy Prin cess Pageant, to be held June 17, at 8 p.m., at the Embers Convention Center, 1700 Harrisburg Pike, Car lisle, will be eligible to vie, at the stale level, for the title of Pennsyl vania Dairy Princess. Thirty state princesses and hun dreds of county princesses have served as spokepersons for the dairy industry in Pennsylvania over the last thirty-one years. They appear in shopping malls, fairs, supermarkets and on radio and television to educate consumers about the dairy farmer’s products. Any single woman who has completed her junior year in high school, is not over 24 years of age. never married and whose parents PLASTIC WARE BED PILLOWS BATTERIES LfIWN MOWERS Lancaster Farming, Saturday, April 30, 1988-B3 green, quietly paddle the Little Pond and rest beside the growing cluster of cattail shoots. Man can dig and destroy, dike, drain and dam, restructure, reshape and redo his environment. But sooner or later, Mother Nature will still have her way. In the case of the Little Pond, we couldn’t be happier about her hav ing a hand in the end result. or guardians are engaged in dairy'- farming is eligible to compete 9oi( the title. A young lady is also cligfc' ble if she, herself, is a fulltime employee on an operating dairy' farm or is the owner of at least two dairy animals in a bona flde4-H or F.F.A. project prior to May 1, 1988. The winner of the Pennsylvania Dairy Princess Pageant receives a $l2OO cash award. The first and second runner-up will receive a $5OO and $4OO cash award respcc- Uvely. The winner and the two alternates will have the honor of reigning as Pennsylvania Dairy Royalty for the period of one year. The state title is honorary and there would be no interruption of school or regular employment plans. Young women interested in entering the Cumberland County Dairy Princess Pageant should contact: Roy Coover, 51 Appalachian Drive, Carlisle, Pa. 17013 Robert Berkheimcr, 1319 W. Lisburn Road, Mcchanicsburg, Pa. 17055 Margaret Smith, R.l, Box 193, Shippensburg, Pa. 17257, by May 16th, 1988. IGLOO COOLERS AND JUGS t/f S VASES The Trucks Are Rolling In With Merchandise Daily. 0TH ° L ‘>£Hs
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers