814-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, July 19, 2003 V ask * on This column is for read* ers who have questions but don’t know who to ask for answers. “You Ask—You Answer” is for non-cooking ques tions. When a reader sends in a question, it will be printed in the paper. Read ers who know the answer are asked to respond by mailing the answer, which will then be printed in the paper. Questions and Answers to this column should be addressed to You Ask—You Answer, Lancaster Farm ing, P.O. Box 609, Ephrata, PA 17522. Attention: Lou Ann Good. Or, you may e-mail ques tions and answers to LGOOD.EPHOLNPNEW- S.COM Please clarify what ques tion you are answering when responding. Do not send a self-ad dressed, stamped envelope for a reply. If we receive the answer, we will publish it as soon as possible. Please include your phone number because we some times need to contact the person to clarify details. We will not publish your phone number unless you request it. However, if your question requires someone to mail items to you, you must include your address or phone number for pub lishing. QUESTION - C. Faus, Hegins, wants to know how to store raw vegetables such as carrots, squash, kohlrabi, and more to store for winter use. QUESTION - Wayne Urf fer, 254 W. Main St., Moo restown, N.J. 08057, is in terested in photos, stories, manuals, and other inform ation that show how to convert tractors (homebuilt from cars, trucks, or a combination of various parts and pieces. This practice was common dur ing the Great Depression, because conversion trac tors were often built out of necessity by poor farmers who couldn’t afford a com mercial tractor. Urffer writes that he is prepared to pay a fair price for good, original materials. QUESTION - Nicolette Wagman, Seven Valleys, is doing research for a book about musical instruments and makers in York County. She wants information and photographs of instruments and their makers from any era. Call her at (717) 428-1856. QUESTION - A reader wants to know what causes swimmers in a farm pond to become itchy the morn ing after swimming in the pond. It looks like mosquito bites over their bodies and they are very itchy. Can something be done to the pond to eliminate the prob lem? QUESTION - Shirley Schwoemer, Wysox, writes that some time ago she had clipped an answer in this column from Joyce Rau benstine who told how to make creams from aloe vera. The instructions were unclear, and she asks if someone can tell her the exact amount of aloe vera to use. The directions she has are as follows: To pre pare a herb ointment or salve, crush the leaves of the aloe vera and mix with four parts melted fat (lard or shortening) and one part dry white wine. Heat gently for 20 minutes. Cool slight ly and strain. Shirley writes that her husband’s chronic back problem was aggravated during haymaking. She rubbed aloe vera leaves on his back, and it helped in stantly. He was amazed. It was a sloppy procedure, so they’d like to make the salve if possible. Shirley adds a bit off humor by writing that she can’t boil water without a 3x5 card, “so you can see my problem with the aloe vera (instructions).” QUESTION - Kenneth Wirtz, White Hall, Md., is having trouble finding re placement parts for his electric three-point hitch that is on a 10HP Sears garden tractor purchased in 1977. The parts are no longer available through Sears. The item is Model number 917.253130 electric 3-point hitch. Wirtz would appreciate hearing from someone who no long er uses the part. He doesn’t need the complete hitch, just the power assist lift. He is willing to pay a fair price for the item. Call him at (410) 329-2175. QUESTION - Sharon Heller writes that they have 75 acres in Perry County. About half of the acreage is mowed by a neighbor who sells the % ton mixed hay rolls for his own profit. She wants to know how to find an average rental for the acreage. What is the best way to advertise the avail able acreage? QUESTION - Marion Capp wants to know the name and address of the artist who paints scenery on the sides of barns. QUESTION - Lynn Rossi, Lititz Borough, has a young groundhog living be neath a large rock in her front yard. She worries about the safety of her four-pound Yorkie. How can she get the groundhog to leave her property in her residential area? QUESTION - A reader wants to know of a person interested in butchering large amounts of ducks weekly. Easy to learn how to do it and good income provided, reader promises. Call (845) 658-3243. QUESTION - Cindy Esh leman, R. 3, Box 7857, Jonestown, PA 17038, wants to know what day of the week the Selingsgrove Horse Sale is conducted. Also, she asks, if a sequel was written to “Gone With the Wind” and “Scarlett”? If so, what is the title of the book? Eshleman also wants the May 2003 issue of “Paper Horse.” She is will ing to pay postage. QUESTION - A. M. Hurst, 135 Hurst Rd., Eph rata, PA 17522, is search ing for a Wenger Family History book dated 1727-1959, and with a black cover. QUESTION - Sandra Smith, Spring Mills, would like a copy of instructions for making a daisy afghan. The pattern she had and lost was at least 20 years old. She needs to know how to stitch the daises to gether. QUESTION - Mike White, Bemville, writes that the last few years, he has a problem with black birds (grackels) after he plants field com. When the com first comes up until it is two to three weeks old, the birds either pull out the small plants or tear them off. This year, he had to re plant a three-acre field be cause of the destruction the birds caused. No one else in the area seems to have a problem, but White has witnessed the birds digging and pulling out the corn. It seems the area is hardest hit on the hills where the morning sun first shines. He has tried scare crows, which only works in a 20-feet area around the scarecrow. Any help or suggestions will be appre ciated. QUESTION - The Seil ers of 2290 Quarry Rd., Jersey Shore, PA 17740, need to know where to find a cover for a two-quart stainless steel saucepan made by Thermo-Sentinel. The lid may be used. The Seilers also need a cover for a one quart 9-inch fry pan made by Flavor Seal. QUESTION - Harriet Newlin, 1287 Ridge Rd., Grantville, PA 17028, wants names and addresses of Amish families who serve meals in their homes. QUESTION - Brendan Barnes, Cochranville, wants to buy used boxes to pack peppers, tomatoes, and com for auction. Call him at (610) 593-6337. QUESTION - Ed Owens by, 17495 Meadow Drive, Bridgeviile, DE 19933, wants to know where to purchase a drive belt for a Shopcraft/Tradesman 14-inch bandsaw, model number T 7060, part num ber BMTJL 14030. It is % inch thick by BVa Inches. QUESTION - Donald Casner, 155 Casner Lane, Lewistown, PA 17044, would like to know where to find a a type of sweet corn cutter that is turned like a crank. He saw it pub licized on R7D-TV. QUESTION - Arlene De imler is looking for small, stuffed goats or a pattern for making them. Write to her at 29 Edison Rd. t Palm yra, PA 17078, or call (717) 838-9094. QUESTION - A reader with a growing family is in terested in buying good, used 2-quart Jars, regular or wldemouth. Please call (717) 445-4149. QUESTION - LaKee Christman, Greencastle, wants to know if there are any places that buy and slaughter tame rabbits in the Franklin County area. QUESTION - Marie Hix son, Crystal Spring, wants to know how to grow wild rice. They live on a farm with some wet areas that she believes I would be suit able for growing rice. Any one know where she can find informationT QUESTION - Warren Glidewell, Bloomsburg, wants to know where to find Flemish giant rabbits in a fawn color. QUESTION - To the reader who wants to buy a used, size 6 cast iron skil let in good condition. You must include an address or phone number so the per son who has it can contact you. QUESTION - Eugene Maute, 327 Asbury Ave., El kins Park, PA 19027 wants to know who sells thick. Day Of Vines And Roses At Hershey Gardens HERSHEY (Dauphin Co.) Hershey Gardens’ “A Day of Vines and Roses”— a rose festival will be conducted on Saturday, July 26, from 10 a,m. to 2 p.m., and will include family activities, tours, rose demonstrations, and music. Don Myers of the Penn Jersey District of the American Rose So ciety will be the guest speaker at two presentations: “Care Free Roses for the Busy Gardener” at 11:30 and “Rose Propagation and Care” at 1 p.m. Tours of Hershey Gardens will be conducted at 10:30 and 12:30 and some partici pating organizations will be sell ing artisan items. Kids can let their imaginations soar at the River-Banker’s Picnic area of The Children’s Garden with storytelling by Miss Eliza beth Lady Beetle. They can also clear, flexible plastic sheet ing like that used to make seat covers. Maute wants to buy several yards. QUESTION - C. Gut shall, Carlisle, is looking for proper cleaning instruc tions for printed cotton seed sacks made in the 19405. She also would like a Web site address that of fers information on older cotton and burlap feed sacks. ANSWER - A reader wanted to know what to use to counteract blight on red beets. The leaves look like little trails. When the skin of the leaf is lifted, little maggots are in be tween. The leaves get brown and die. Thanks to Harriett Tinker for writing that the problem appears to be a leafminer. The adult Insect is usually some kind of little fly that lays eggs on the underside of the leaf. The maggots hatch out and burrow into the leaf caus ing tunnels and subse quently destroying the leaf. Leafmlners are difficult to control because once they are in the leaf, insecticide will not kill them. One can try to grow beets under a row cover to eliminate the fly’s being able to lay eggs on the leaves, or you could try spraying with Malathlon before the insects get into the leaves. Of course, that requires close monitoring of the plants to determine when to spray. ANSWER - Al Lenkie wicz, Hamburg, is looking lor information on a device that attaches to the vehicle exhaust and to a garden hose used to kill ground hogs in their burrows. Thanks to Wayne Urffer, Moorestown, N.J., for tak ing the time to write that the Pennsylvania Game Commission expressly for bids the use of automobile exhaust to hunt ground hogs. He does remember his grandfather using black plastic pipe to kill ground hogs. Since this method is no longer an option, per haps someone can send in a tip for discouraging groundhog habitation on property. make their very own rose-scented soap on the Shaded Classroom Terrace, participate in an inter active scavenger hunt, and enjoy a special coloring project all de signed to teach children about roses in a fun and creative way. Music and entertainment by the Hershey Area Playhouse at 10:30 a.m., children’s program performer Jim Rule at 11:15 a.m., the Sweet Adelaides Ex press Quartet at noon, and a flute ensemble at 1 p.m., will round out the day. Whitcraft said all activities are included in general Hershey Gar dens admission: $7 adults, $6.50 seniors 62+, and $4 ages 3-15. Members and children under 3 are admitted free. For additional information, call (717) 534-3492.