ClB-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, January 25, 1992 UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre Co.) Now is the time to protect young trees and shrubs from deer and rabbits, said Dr. J. Robert Nuss, professor of ornamental horticulture in Penn State’s Col lege of Agricultural Sciences. “While other animals may cause damage during the winter, these are the main culprits in Pennsylvania,” said Nuss. “They can damage and idll plants that are expensive to replace.” Deer are browsers, preferring to nibble on the buds, twig-ends and leaves of woody plants. Browsing destroys new growth and deforms shrubs and trees. Extremely young plants may be eaten completely. Unless you have a large number of young trees and shrubs to pro tect, the most economical and practical method is fencing indivi dual plants. “Many homeowners enjoy seeing deer on their land and don’t want to fence them out of the entire area,” said Nuss. “Indi vidual fencing allows deer in the garden but keeps them from caus ing mischief.” To fence a plant, drive three or four tall wooden stakes into the ground around it, about 48 inches from the trunk, or far enough away to prevent feeding in the lower branches. Attach woven wire or plastic mesh to these stakes to form a circular fence. “Fencing must be high enough to protect all parts of the plant within deer’s reach,” said Nuss. “If the tree or shrub is under 3 feet tall, you will need to make the fence several feet taller than the plant.” Young trees and shrubs should be fenced every fall until their primary branches are about 5 feet high. “Inspect your fencing at least once a week,” said Nuss. “After heavy snowfall, you may need to make it taller. Deer can walk across hardened snow and nibble on the tops of plants.” If you have many plants to pro tect, you can surround the entire area with woven-wire fence at least 8 feet tall or at least 11 feet tali if the land slopes and deer can jump from above. ‘This method is expensive but will keep out other destructive animals as well,” said Nuss. Chemical deer repellents are another alternative and can be bought from garden centers. A SAVE $lOO - $4OO ON EVERY VERMONT CASTINGS & CONSOLIDATED DUTCHWEST WOODSTOVE OR FIREPLACE IN STOCK! Now Through Feb. Vermont Castings Keeping warm never looked i o good’ Bowman’s Stove Shop (717) 733-4973 906 E. Main Street, Ephrata • Rt. 322 (1 Ml. E. Of Rt. 222) M,T,W, 10-6; Th. & Fri. 10-8; Sat. 10-4 Keep Ornamentals Safe From Deer, Rabbits homemade repellent can be made from 6 spoiled eggs, 3 gallons of water, and 3 tablespoons of 75 percent Thriam, a mild fungicide. “Plants sprayed with repellents taste and smell unpleasant to deer,” said Nuss. “But they wash off in rain and snow, and won’t deter extremely hungry deer.” If deer are a severe problem, consider planting trees and shrubs that naturally resist browsing. “No plant is completely deer-proof, but trees such as box elders, black locusts, pines and spruces resist deer damage,” said Nuss. “Barber ries, hollies, tree peonies, rho dodendrons and lilacs are deer resistant shrubs.” Rabbits can cause as much damage as deer, chewing the bark DES MOINES. lowa The draft trade proposal on the Gener al Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) could be a building block or a stumbling block, according to the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). The proposal, developed by GATT Director General Arthur Dunkel, obviously does not go as far as we would like, but it is a useful basis for negotiations, said NPPC President John Hardin. “GATY officials can either use it to build a successful final agree ment or cripple GATT negotia tions by insisting on retaining its flaws,” Hardin said. Hardin appeared before the House Agriculture Committee during its hearing on the GATT on Jan. 9. He was available for ques tioning from the committee along side American Meat Industry President J. Patrick Boyle, who presented the testimony for the Meal Industry Trade Policy Coun cil (MITPC) on behalf of meat industry groups, including NPPC. Other MITCP members are the American Farm Bureau, the National Cattlemen’s Association, the U.S. Meat Export Federation, and the American Meat Institute. NPPC shares the concerns, such as the need for further reduction in subsidies, pointed out by the MITPC in its testimony. The NPPC leader said that the Dunkel text makes only modest reduc tions. Therefore, the United States Enjoy beautifully efficient heat, for less. Every Vermont Cast ings fireplace, woodstove and pellet stove, and every Con solidated Dutchwest wood and coal stove is on sale NOW at your participating dealer. GATT Proposal May Have Problems Hurry in today! off young trees and shrubs. Rab bits can kill plants by girdling them - gnawing off a ring of bark all the way around the trunks. “Fortunately, they’re easier to control than deer because they can reach only to about 24 inches high,” said Nuss. A variety of rabbit-proof wrap pings, available at garden centers, can be quickly and easily wo’ind around plants’ trunks. These wrappings are weatherproof but should be checked regularly to make sure they’re still securely wound. Individual fencing also is prac tical and inexpensive. “It can be constructed the same as deer fenc ing, except that the bottom of the must have a firm commitment to continue elimination of trade dis torting practices at the end of the proposed six-year agreement “Without a good strong conti nuation clause the GATT is not good enough,” said Hardin. The Dunkel text does provide a NFU To Converge In Des Moines HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) Interesting speakers, lively entertainment, and heartland hos pitality will highlight the National Farmers Union (NFU) 90th Anniversary Convention. Fanners union members from across the United States will con verge in the Marriott Hotel in downtown Des Moines, lowa for four days of challenging and insightful discussions on a pletho ra of issues )hat impact the quality of life for rural Americans. Among the presenters at the HOG CONFINEMENT EQUIPMENT GESTATION STALLS All Stabling & Penning Is Available In: VERTICAL & HORIZONTAL PENNING • Pre-Nursery • Nursery Post, Brackets, and Accessories Wode*H/Sg_ QyMems-j STAINLESS STEEL FEEDERS • 100% Welded Construction • Comes • Unique Top Ad- Justing Feed Locks fence must be buried 2 to 3 inches into the ground so rabbits can’t tunnel underneath,” said Nuss. “Rabbit fencing should have holes no larger than 1 inch,” said Nuss. “Stakes holding the fencing must be firmly planted and the mesh must be securely attached. Otherwise, rabbits can press against the mesh and nibble at the plant right through the holes.” Larger areas can be fenced the same way, with the bottom of the fence curled outward and buried 6 inches. “Whether you’re using plastic wrapping, individual fenc ing or large-area fencing, make sure it’s at least 24 inches tall,” said Nuss. “If snow accumulates, the fencing must be 24 inches positive framework to resoive sanitary and phytosanitary claims that are core issues for the U.S. pork industry. The GATT must provide assurances that the Euro pean Community must drop unfair trade barriers by using tools, such as its Third Country Meat Directive. convention will be R.W. Apple Jr., the internationally recognized cor respondent for the “New York Times.” He will direct a lively panel discussion among the lead ers of several commodity organi zations regarding policy differ ences and philosophical directives. Gerard Doombos, president of the Netherlands Christian Farmers and Growers Organization, will share a European perspective on international agricultural trade. Convention delegates include Discounted Factory Direct Prices • Hot-Dipped Galvanized • Painted • Black Iron • 8 ga. Steel Tubing • 1” Solid Steel • Finishing • Gestation Full Line Of Parts In Stock For Your Poultry & Hog Needs Ws Ship UPS 24 Hour Sorvlco PARMER BOY AG, 410 E. LINCOLN AVE. RT. 422 MYERSTOWN. PA 1706? 717-866-7565 Hours: M-F 7:00-5:00; Sat. 7:30-11:30 higher than the snow. Check lar ger fenced-in areas frequently. If a rabbit does get caught inside, it may not be able to escape.” Chemical repellents also will keep rabbits away from ornamen tal plants, but they must be reap plied frequently, especially after it has rained. Hungry rabbits com peting for food will nibble plants even if they are treated with a repellent “With a little time and care, you can protect young ornamentals from deer and rabbits,” said Nuss. “Of course, no method is 100 per cent effective, and you may have a little damage each winter. As young trees and shrubs grow, the problem naturally will diminish.” Hardin said, “The U.S. pork industry is the low-cost producer of pork in the world. Any genuine reduction in subsidies and opening of market access will benefit U.S. producers. But the Dunkel test is a ’ long way from meeting the origi-, nal goals of the GATT.” * Senator James Exon of Nebraska and Representative David Nagle cl lowa. All of the presidential candy dates have been invited to voice] their political views to those] present 1 Delegates and members will able to choose from a variety interesting workshops coveri issues such as farm safety, farmi with two generations, and agricultural conditions. For more details, call the NR state office at (717) 234-431}. FARROWING CRATES Designed To Prevent Spillage OPTIONS PVC, Galvanized And Stainless Steel Feeders Available FEATURES • Fresh Feed • No Sharp Edges • Plenty Of Space For Sows To Eat In Comfort Swlno A Poulfry Syiltmi Spocialsl* Check Our Warehouse Price*
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers