HUNTINGDON (Huntingdon Co.) Chilly winter weather is just around the comer and Penn sylvanians with fireplaces and woodbuming stoves are heading into forests and woodlots to cut firewood. If you’re among them, be sure to develop a plan before you start up your chainsaw, warns an expert in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences. “If done properly, cutting fire wood serves a dual purpose,” said Dr. James Finley, instructor in the college’s School of Forest Re sources. “Using wood for fuel also gives us the opportunity to im prove woodlots that have been mismanaged, overcut or neglect ed. “Past cutting practices left many woodlands with an over abundance of crooked, diseased Walk Shows Grand (Continued from Page C 2) Eshleman led the group in prayer for Jcrc Wingcrt, a former 4-H member, who lost part of a limb in a fanning accident Following is a list of show placings. FRANKLIN COUNTY lEEF SHOW RESULTS FITTINO NOVICE: Asm a, • a 10:1. Jordon Con- 0% • 12 Mm. S Month* 4.9% •24 Mm. OR Wahror Of Finance! ...Now Available On Moat Badger Equipment! 7.9% • 39 Mm. Badger Liquid Manure Pumps, Spreader Tanks and Box Spreaders Cutting Firewood Can Benefit The Forest and otherwise unsalable trees that hamper the growth of straight, healthy trees needed for lumber and veneer. Removing less desir able trees helps the best trees on the woodlot to grow.” Before cutting firewood in your stand, you should know the value of the trees you are thinning. “As a rule, sugar maple, ash and cherry arc more valuable than red maple, beech or aspen,” Finley said. “And oaks are more valuable than hickories." Your choice of trees to cut for firewood also affects the wildlife in your woodlot. “Dead trees, whether standing or fallen, are particularly important for wild life,” said Finley. “Some people think that leaving dead trees in the forest to rot is a waste of re sources. but dead trees offer both ntr; 2. Jodi Mayor*; 3. MM Hawbakor. INTERMEDIATE; Agao 11, II A IS: 1. Joodn Connor; 2. 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The existence of numer ous species depends on the pre sence of dead trees.” A fallen tree soon is infested with fungi and insects, which de compose the tree and return nutri ents to the soil. Insects, salaman- Ag Commissioner Visits Grange Session SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. New York farmers should remain concerned about an histor ic problem—getting a good price for their product but at the same time they should be excited about the kinds of opportunities that technological advances will soon bring, said Richard McGuire, New York state commissioner of agriculture and markets. McGuire, speaking to Grangers gathered here for the organiza tion’s 121st annual session, out lined some of those technological possibilities. “ New doors of opportunity for growing food are going to open in the Northeast thanks to plant genetics and the like,” said McGuire, who spoke of pesticide free “under glass” production that can mean moving production away from traditional locations to High throw capacity with an affordable price! Blow ’em high and blow 'em big Badger's 540 rpm Blower can take all you give it. For forage or grain, this is the best performing, best priced blower you can buy. Check out these features- ■ Cupped paddle design for high throw capability with minimum horsepower ■ High-strength Cor-Ten steel band ■ Shear bar design prevents feed carryover ■ Simple trouble-free shaker pan-fewer moving parts ders, snakes, mice and shrews seek refuge in rotting logs. Skunks, bears and woodpeckers frequent these “cafeterias” for easy pickings. Ruffed grouse, rufous-sided towhees and other species nest un der partially elevated logs. Hollow anywhere land is available. “A controlled growing environment means crops like red peppers, for instance, can be grown anywhere including the Northeast Agri cultural research is going on all around the world, and it has the potential to change the profile of agriculture in New York” McGuire said leaden continue to look at ways to provide a better pricing structure for state dairy farmers, whose production costs often exceed profit He was criti cal. too. of an environmental movement that can have a nega tive impact on agriculture. “It doesn’t do any good to preserve farmland, or to be politically cor rect if we starve at the same time,” he said. “We need to edu cate consumers and improve their attitude about agriculture. It’s vital." ® EMPLOYEE-OWNED. QUALITY DRIVEN. Hodger Belt or Single Chain Conveyors... 0% • 12 Mot. m • 24 Mot. 7.9% • 36 MOt. OR S Month* Waiver 01 Finance! ■ 54" high capacity fan ■ Hopper magnet option removes tramp metal Unenw HftiiM 9rturt«y,wovwwbw U, IHMI logs shelter a variety of forest mammals such as shrews, chip munks and bears. Foxes and coy otes also may use logs for dens. Cavities in live or dead trees are used by 35 species of birds and 20 species of mammals in Pennsylva nia. “Using dead wood for wildlife rather than firewood requires making a choice,” Finley said. “The value of the wood for fuel must be weighed against the pos sible value of the wildlife a dead log can attract For instance, a hol low oak that serves as a den for a raccoon family could be cut up for fuel. But it may take decades to ‘grow* another hollow tree for these raccoons. Is the firewood worth the cost of not seeing a rac coon family using your woodlot?” When cutting firewood, it’s vi tal to be aware of how your choic es will affect the forest. “If it’s done right firewood can be cut without disturbing the natural en vironment” Finley said. “But unplanned cuttings can de vastate your woodlot Make a plan before you start felling trees.” Ser vice and extension foresters can answer your questions and help you devise a cutting plan, Finley said. More information about cutting firewood to benefit the forest is available from your local Penn State Cooperative Extension of fice. See Tour Local Badger Dealer HONESDALE SPREADING SERVICE INC. SOS Cliff sl Honesdale, PA 18431 (717) 253-2410 CHIDESTER FARMS RD 2, Box 75 Klngaley, PA 18826 (717) 289-4260 MELVIN G. MILLER RT 2, Spring Mills, PA 16875 (814) 422-8279 PIKEVILLE EQUIPMENT INC. RT 2, Oley, PA 19547 (215) 987-6277 BHM FARM EQUIP. INC. RR 1, Annville, PA 17003 (717) 867-2211 SHOW EASE STALL CO. 573 Willow Rd. Lancaster, PA 17601 (717) 299-2536 DEERFIELD AG & TURF CENTER, INC. RD 2, Box 212 Watsontown, PA 17777 (717) 538-3567 HEFLIN SALES A SERVICE 12312 Oak Hill Rd. Woodsboro, MD 21798 (301) 898-3233 CHAMBERSBURG FARM SERVICE 975 S. Main St. Chambersburg, PA 17201 (717) 264-3533 SOMERSET BARN EQ. R.D. #5 Somerset, PA 15501 (814) 445-5555 MeMILLEN BROS. RD 1 Box 134 Loysville, PA 17047 (717) 789-3961 HESS’ EQUIPMENT Sales & Service RR 3, Mrfflinburjj. PA 17844 (717) 966-2720 966-1998 Christmas Market Set CHELTENHAM, Md. The Southern Maryland Regional Far mers Market, located on U.S. RL 301, south in Cheltenham, is planning its third annual Farmers Christmas Market. On Saturday, November 27, the inside of the state warehouse will open for a Christ mas market The market will operate every Saturday until Christ mas from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fanners and crafters are needed to sell poinsettias, wreathes, crafts, dried flowers, winter fruits and veget ables, honey, jams and jellies, baked goods, hams, nuts, etc. The goal is to fill the ware house with quality homemade products. Christmas trees ate the only item limited to one Maryland Christmas tree grower. The fee to sell at the market is $2O per day. Anyone interested in participating should contact Regina Prunty, market manager, at (800) 533-FARM (3276) or (301) 372-1066, as soon as possible. Because of the popularity of this event, space may be limited.