THE ART OF HOME CAN- ning lives on The tradition of food preserva tion has not waned with the onset of convenience foods that cater to today's fast-paced way of life. According to a 1989 survey, over 25 percent of all American homes still engage in some type of annual home canning activity, and one half of American homes had done some kind of home canning during the previous two years. Why, in light of the microwave able, flash-frozen foods so widely available, has home canning remained popular? Many people connect home canning with a trea sured part of their past. Home can ning is the natural end to a chain of events that begins with planting, watering, and harvesting. It con- By Doris Thomas Lancaster Extension Home Economist! jures up the images of those who found a way to enjoy the bounty of the earth without the benefit of supermarkets, refrigeration and artificial preservatives. Of course, feeling good is not exclusively what home canning is about. It is also about good nutri tion, value, and health. For many home canners, there is a strong connection between grow ing food and preserving food. Over 18 million of all home canners grow some amount of food for pre servation. Though innundated by food products labeled "all natural," "no preservatives," and "light," people still value fresh, home-grown food as more natural, more nutritious and more deli cious. Home-grown foods are also far less expensive than processed foods, These benefits appeal to the home canners of the '9os. Not only do they prefer the value, good nutrition, and freshness of home preserved food, they also prefer to know how it is preserved. They want to control the amount of salt and sugar and make sure only the finest ingredients go into home canning jars, and onto their tables. A 1990 survey conducted by Organic Gardening Magazine Wildflowers Add Color, Variety To Landscapes UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre Co.) Want to add interesting textures and colors to the expanse of green lawn in front of your house? For ideas on how to do this, pay attention to the roadside this summer. A variety of wildflowers can be seen in displays along Pennsylva nia’s highways, part of a state transportation department prog ram in cooperation with Penn State’s College of Agriculture. Art Cover, project associate in Penn State’s agronomy depart ment, is continuing an evaluation No matter what shape your field is in, signing up the Penetrator® from Unverferth will make you a winner in the tillage game. After all, when you use the Penetrator, it will be the BIGGEST PLAY OF THE GAME. The Penetra tor shatters the soil quickly and smoothly because its spring-loaded, edge-bent shanks deliver excep tional stiffness and reduced deflec tion. Adjustable shank setting allows the load to be set at 1250 or 850 pounds for excellent penetration and shattering in any field. And because of this, it’s always the LAST OUT of the field, too. Up front, separate spring-loaded gangs of three- and four-blade coulters HIT safely through residue and SCORE in uneven terrain. These gangs feature 20 inch rippled blades, to maintain their keen edge. Adjustable depth stops allow you to STRIKE as deep as 12 inches to rip up compacted soil, while mixing soil and stirring in residue. Shanks spaced on 15 inch centers provide outstanding coverage for the entire HOME FIELD. j Honors for the MOST ERRORS will have to go elsewhere because, unlike other chisel plows, when you drop the Penetrator, it will not bounce or jump, even across compacted end rows. Penetrator models are available in widths from 9'2" to 17'6", with optional S-tine leveler. To DRAFT your own Penetrator or for a demonstration of the physical prowess of this tillage star, call: 1-800-322-6301 * Ybu don’t even have to SACRIFICE Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc. PO. Box 357, Kalida, OH 45853 1-800-322-6301 in the U.S. 419-532-3121 • Fax 419-532-2468 gives some indication of the strength of canning among those who grow their own food. More than 73 percent said they had pre served food in the last 12 months. Over one-half said they had pre served anywhere between one and 39 quarts of food, and an incredi ble 13 percent said they had pre served 96 quarts or more. An amazing 93 percent said they grow food for preservation. What does this sustained popu- of six annuals and 10 perennials for the roadway displays. Annuals in die mix are bache lor’s button, clarkia, tall plains coreopsis, cosmos, Indian blanket and com poppy. Perennials are white yarrow, Siberian wallflower, ox-eye daisy, lance-leaved coreop sis, purple coneflower, dames’ rocket, blue flax, evening prim rose, black-eyed Susan, and prairie coneflower. “The mix is designed to be hard y, competitive with weeds, and showy enough to be seen from a distance,” said Cover. “Most of your own quarter. Lancaster Farming, Saturday, August 10, 1991-813 larity for home canning mean? It means that, no matter how "on-the go" many Americans are, they still find time for important things like health, nutrition and saving money. It also means that whether a dozen half-pint jars of strawberry preserves are kept for gift-giving or pantry shelves are filled with dozens of quarts of garden-fresh fruits and vegetables the art of home canning lives on. these species occur naturally in Pennsylvania. The mix should make an impressive display throughout the season. “The flowers have done well along the highway and should do well in your yard probably bet ter since most yards provide a less competitive growing environment than the roadside.” Seeds of the 16 species can be ordered from seed house catalogs or bought at local nurseries. The wildflowers will grow in well-drained areas that get frill sun or partial shade. For best results, they should not be planted where there are persistent, invasive weeds such as Canada thistle or crown vetch. If you are planning to cover a large area with wildflowers, remove weeds and sod by applying a herbicide containing glyphosate several weeks before planting. For small areas, strip off the sod with a shovel or spading fork or cover the area for several weeks with black plastic. Avoid tilling, since this will stimulate dormant weed seeds. The wildflowers can be planted any time after fall’s killing frosts to early June and will produce blooms the first season. Seed should be planted no more than a quarter of an inch deep or simply left on the soil surface. After frost kills the blooms at the end of each growing season, mow the wildflowers to a height of six inches. Leave the dead stalks on the soil to disperse the seeds. “During the first season, the annuals and a few perennials will bloom. The second season will provide blooms from the reseeding annuals and all the perennials,” said Cover.
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