October’s Tried
And True Lore
The oak leafs out before the ash;'
We’ll have a spring of wet and
splash.
The ash leafs out before the oak;
We’ll know a spring of fire and
smoke.
October’s seasonal folklore
never does anything to change the
weather.
October’s warm start means
that in the real world of insect
pests, aphids and spider mites
remain active throughout the
month. They produce honeydew
that attracts bald-faced hornets,
yellow jackets and ants. Crickets,
duster flies, boxelder bugs, hack
berry psyllids and spiders are
seeking food, warmth and shelter
in homes.
Control these pests with good
garden sanitation. Remove plant
debris, old leaves, and overgrown
shrubs and clear weeds especially.
Other controls include the use of
water sprays, horticultural soaps
or oils outdoors around the found
ation of your home.
Leaf scorch is a very common
sight in the landscape. The brown
leaf edges are reminders of the dry
summer months. The old needles
(those closest to the trunk) on
many needle evergreens (pines,
spruce, arborvitae, etc.) are turn
ing yellow and dropping. Needle
drop is excessive this fall due to
the drought. The needle drop from
white pines is the most noticeable.
Premature defoliation and fall
coloring is evident in other trees
besides sycamore, dogwoods and
tulip poplar. Although aggravated
by the drought, some of these trees
have other prob
lems. Sugar maples are losing
leaves before they turn a deep red
and have some premature leaf loss
on several branches in the crown
of the tree. When you look closely
at the tree trunk, you can see flat
sides (no root flares) as well as
girdling roots. If trees of the same
species turn color prematurely or
lose leaves before others in the
New 332’ Heifer Facility Featuring 8’ Deep x 12’ Wide Manure Storage
System With Waffle Slats
• Retaining Walls • Bunker Silos • Manure Storage, Etc.
Authorized Dealer For
KEYSTONE CONCRETE PRODUCTS ’
• H-Bunks
• Trench * Hog &
Silo Wall's Cattle Slats
same area, they are good candi
dates for close inspection. Is the
soil compacted; are there wounds
on the trunk; is sawdust evident; is
there any evidence of mushrooms
growing on the roots, trunk, or
branches that would indicate root
rot or other fungal problem?
These trees need attention to pre
vent the problem from leading to
plant loss in future years. Consult
with a certified arborist or contact
your Cooperative Extension
Office.
Shrubs in the landscape that
have been drought-stressed may
be showing branch die-back from
opportunistic fungi that have
infected drought-weakened
plants. Prune out the dead
branches and make sure they go
into the winter with a good supply
of water in the soil.
Lastly, the wooly bears, wooly
worms or blackened bears are now
crossing our rural byways. But, in
my frequent bike rides across Lan
caster County, I see many fewer
than in 1994. Can someone
explain why they are always seen
going perpendicular (across) the
road?
Actually, these common Octo
ber insects are actually the hairy
caterpillar stage of the Isabella
tiger moth. This insect overwin
ters just the way you see them in
the Fall. It pupates in the Spring
and flies across fields. And what
color are the wooly bears you are
seeing this year? Are they all
orange, all black or mixed with a
wider center band which is
orange.
Since I see mostly orange cater
pillars, it must have been a good
summer with food a plenty. Or,
maybe it’s just the genetic varia
tion in the Isabella moth or
another species like the Great
Leopard moth.
Questions relating to this article
can be sent to: Tom Becker,
Extension Agent, Horticulture,
112 Pleasant Acres Road, York
PA 17402-9041.
• J-Bunks
At a cow coloring contest sponsored by Indiana County Dairy Promotion Commit
taa, Don Habanthal, back right, and Willi* Sole, back left, representing Quality Farm
and Fleet of Blalrevllie, hand out prizes. From Isft, front row, 5 years and under, are
Jordan Antlsdal, Zachary Clawson, and Kasla Mano; six to eight year olds. Lsslls Rolt,
Kelly Flke, and Nicole Houser. Back row, Sole, nine- to 12-year-olds Michael Zolocslk,
Jessica Rseger, Indiana County Dairy Princess Amy Trimble, Kristen Stitt, and
Habanthal.
Trail Ride Benefits Muscular Dystrophy
HARRISBURG (Dauphin
Co.)—The David C. Adamire
Memorial Trail Ride for Muscular
Dystrophy is planned as a fund
raiser to fight the disease.
David Christopher Adamire
was bom Nov. 5, 1977, and was
diagnosed with Duchene Muscu
lar Dystrophy when he was 5
years old. He lived until Feb. 23,
1994. In between he led a very
active life.
Adamire was a Cub Scout, 4-H
member. Special Olympist, state
Jaycees, Muscular Dystrophy
Association (MDA) Goodwill
Ambassador, the Pennsylvania
MDA Poster Child, a local MDA
Goodwill Ambassador, the Tall
Cedars of Lebanon National MDA
Poster Child, a life-time member
of the Silver Springs Fire Co. and
an honorary U.S. marshall.
While placed in these honorary
positions, he met many celebrities
and well-known people including
Elizabeth Taylor, Malcolm
Forbes, Richard Dean Anderson,
World Wrestling Federation
wrestlers “Mad Max" and “Gent
leman Jim,” along with state sena
tors and representatives, television
and radio personalities, former
Sizes And Layouts
To Your Specifications
Lancaster Farming, Saturday, Octobtr 21, INS-815
above directions. From Northum
berland County—Take 147 South
to MiUcrsburg, turn left at square
onto 209 to red light in Elizabeth
ville, turn right onto 225 South to
Mountain House Road (on the
left) then follow above directions,
or take 225 South to Elizabethvil
le. From Schuylkill County-Take
209 West to Elizabethville and
Directions: From the south— turn left at the light onto 225
Take 322 West to 147 to 225 South.
North to Mountain House Road to For more information, call
Small Valley Road (turn left). Beverly Adamire at (717)
First farm on the left From Perry 896-3977 or the day of the ride at
County—Take 322 East to 147 (717) 362-3182 or 576-2850
(Halifax exit) and follow the (mobile phone).
Pumpkinland Holds Fest
SINKING SPRINGS (Berks Stuffing and Happy Hayrides.
Co.)—The 16th annual Pumpkin- Admission to Pumpkinland is free
land Fall Festival at Green Valley with a minimal charge for some
Nursery is open through October activities. Pumpkinland is open
31. More than 30,000 people of all weekdays from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.,
ages are expected to attend this making it a great after school or
magical place. evening activity. Weekend hours
What makes our Pumpkinland are Sat. 9 a.m.-8 p.tru and Sun. 10
unique is that it is not haunted or a.m,-6 p.m.
scary, but it is geared for the
enjoyment of younger children
and families. The emphasis is on
family fun and participation espe
cially in activities like Scarecrow
Gov. Robert and Ellen Casey and
Harrisburg’s Mayor Stephen
Reed.
The ride will be held Sunday,
OcL 29 (rain date Nov. 5) at the
Swab Wagon Co. picnic grounds
and cabin and the adjoining
Margerum farm.
• Agricultural • Commercial
• Residential
LET OUR EXPERIENCE WORK FOR YOU
ESTABLISHED SINCE 1979!
Pumpkinland is located on Rt.
422 W just outside of Sinking
Spring. For more information, call
(610) 678-6711.
INC.
430 Concrete Ave., Leola, PA
717-656-2016