—The Daily Collegian Friday, Oct. 20, 1978 Living here a Greenhouse By LINDA HOWLEY Daily Collegian Staff Writer Few college students get the chance to really “live” in their majors, but Jim Dostal (2nd-horticulture) and “Big” Jim Comes (7th-horticulture) are doing just that. They are living in room 715 of Headhouse No. 1, a building attached to the University greenhouses. Dostal said he began living in the greenhouse Summer Term. "I got to live here because I knew Dr. John White,” Dostal said. Dostal said his father met White, a professor of floriculture, when he was attending classes at the University. Comes said he moved into the greenhouse this fall. His parents heard about the opening in the greenhouse and were told to contact White when they attended the Pennsylvania Flower Growers Convention this year. Dostal’s interest in plant care developed from his father’s involvement in the field. “I’ve been working with plants since I can remember,” he said. Like his roommate, Comes’ interest in plants grew from his family his parents own a plant shop. Both enjoy living in the room, which resembles a dorm room with kitchen facilities. “Most people get tired of a small room. I lived in a room smaller than this when I lived at home, so it doesn’t bother me,” Dostal said. “I like it here because it’s quiet here and atoay from a lot of people,” Comes said. In return for living in the room free, they perform nightly duties, including 4 SKIERS SAVE MONEY ON GLOVES JACKETS GOGGLES The Motorcycle Place 1356 E. College ' 234-0395 umwiismi thcatrc growing experience for all involved v-v c-'r;. home to k t . 1 . 0 • checking the University's §ix greenhouses and two Quonset huts.at 1 ? p.m. and 11:30 p.rji. Botfi'maHe the.fir.st check, whichinvolves ’.closing, the greenhouse' vents arid checking greenhouse temperatures. Only one,is required to, make the.second inspection, which is to insure everything is fn order. - , Dostal and Comes are responsible, for handling emergencies, such as .lighting’ and heating problems. If the Heating units /fajl and ..tem peratures drop too lqw, an .alarm wired to their room is activated. Dostal said he remembers one sumniier night wHen the alarm system went off at‘3 a.fn. ‘ ' ■ ’ 1 **v ‘ , homecoming When problems arise, one of the pair calls" the , gre'enhbUse v mavrager," MaVk' Shedlosky (graduate-horticulture). Shedlosky is in charge of the overall supervision of the greenhouses and is directly responsible to White. Each greenhouse requires different checks.. For;'e'Jchmple, because., of the location .' of; streetlights- outside one greenhouse/. 'the l c ( ':poi,ntsettas and chrysanthe/riumslmust tjfe covered with a black - ;clothe {,o,vprevent them from getting toO|Trmchlrght. j; Two speclpf robms thpy are respon sible forar&the growth rpom and growth chambers. Seeds are germinated in a controlled ,temperature jjn- the growth room/ while ;’tlfe'«growthj|chambers are r [• • .'V Fri. 7:15, 9:30,11:30 PM NATIONAL LAMPOON'S AMIMAL lIWW .SatfSun'. - $1.25 at 2:4!j Fri, Sat, Sun 7:30, 9:'<Js used for research projects, ai)<i require more refined control. Dostal'ind Comes check for lighting and constant tem peratures >vhere required... .. They also check.the greenhouse.for rare and tropical plants, which supplies the HUB with plants, Dostal s^id. The easiest rooom in the greenhouses to check is the rose room, because the plants .. water., themselves., and are protected from cold withi.g,, thermal blanket, a. curtain which preyents heat from escaping at night, ~ ~ ~.. .. , , , “Another job we havoeto do is fumigation-whenever insects get bad,” Dostal said. A container of insecticide is placed on top of a chimney which sits in a dish of ethyl alcohol. When the alcohol is lit, the insecticide vaporizes. “It’s like incense,” Comes said. . : Dostal i and • Comes do vail ichecks ..without, supervision.,!‘,‘ltos „criticaLihat someone lives there,” Shedlosky said. “It would be inconvenient if I had to drive over to the greenhouses twice a night to check them,” he said. During term breaks when Dostal and Comes go home, the-.fulWime .greenhouse workers will temporarily assume the students’ duties Both in the ■ greenhouse is'a Valuable, experience. “1; hope to-Jearn tfonci wor(<iritj here arid • believe that tHe'position willjhelp me in my • future job., pursujts. So far I’ve learned I 'a ,lpt about 'how greenhouses w6rk ( ahd about' different Varieties! of '■ plants,” Comes s'aijj.^j ' A, /♦ w , - l plants, insects and humans 7M * &%> * I'St: v^; < w^r_
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