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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1971-01-07, Page 9Clin ton Onta r i o Seem, el Seel loll 106 Year - No. 1 itearsaay, Jan aa ry 7, .1971 •!: 4:qr:4:'‘.1..” 11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111I11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111M1111111111111111111111011111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111iiiiiiiiiiiim Bromeliads are good houseplants Representatives discuss future development of valley Winter beauty in your own back yard BY A. R. BUCKLEY In the greenhouses of the Plant Research Institute a section is set aside for growing a collection of tropical and subtropical plants for research. Undoubtedly one of the most fascinating groups in this collection is the bromeliads, so called because of the characteristics that place the genera together in the family Bromeliaceae. A great number of these ants come from the rain forests of the American tropics d grow under the same conditions as many of the familiar florist-type epiphytic orchids. They are found on the trunks and branches of tall palms and other trees on which sufficient debris has collected to form a suitable substratum. Other bromeliads are terrestial. The rosettes of leaves of some of these plants are ingeniously arranged so that they form vases or cup-like receptables that collect water. In nature this water gradually seeps to the roots and forms an excellent reservoir. In the home, if this receptacle is kept filled with water, it serves as an effective humidifier as well as supplying some water to the plant itself. To copy nature as much as possible, you can set these plants into blocks of peat moss or osmunda fiber fastened by small-mesh wire netting to pieces of bark. If the peat or fiber iskept moist and the leaves filled with water, the plants will flourish, especially if nutrient requirements are taken care of by an occasional weak application of a liquid fertilizer. When grown in pots a mixture of equal parts of soil, peat and perlite is preferred. Among the most popular bromeliads are the vase plants (Aechmea), so called because of the very pronounced vase-like appearance and leaves that hold water. There are three beautiful cultivars of the fascinating vase plant (Aechmea fasciata): 'Silver King', with large white bands on its leaves; `Purpurea', with purple to maroon bands and silver markings, and 'Foster's Favorite' a very colorful form with glossy wine-red leaves. All three have pendant spikes of dark blue flowers, that last as long as five months although they later change to deep rose or purple. Other species, such as Aechmea fulgens, with green leaves and scarlet flowers, bloom later and will extend the flowering season. The billbergias are itazilian plants with stiff pineapple-like leaves and very showy bracts beneath each flower that give the spikes of bloom a most attractive coloring. Billbergia amoena has rose bracts and blue flowers edged with green, B. nutans, the nodding billbergia, has pink, green and blue flower spikes and is about the easiest of all bromeliads to grow. The iris-flowered billbergla (Billbergia x iridifolia) has pale pink bracts and yellow flowers, and the Zebra billbergia (B. zebrina) the familiar species seen on flower markets has markings of white`and deep green, rather like those of a zebra. The common pineapple (Ananas comosus) is a bromeliad and, of course, is well known. Many home owners will slice off the rosette of leaves from the top of a pineapple and root it in a mixture of peat and sand. If rooted successfully and given the same treatment as recommended for other bromeliads, it will grow into a fine foliage plant, but don't look for fruit in a hurry. Widely dispersed throughout South America are the showy, frilly, variegated-leaved earth stars (Cryptanthus). These are entirely epiphytic and may be seen growning on all kinds of tropical trees. To get these to produce their red, white or white and red leaves you need to give them exceptionally good drainage and a compost of osmunda fiber, leaf mold and fibrous loam. With such a compost they may be grown in pots, The most common cultivars are Cryptanthus zonatus tZebrina' with bronzy purple leaves and cross markings of brown, and C. bromelioides, `Tricolor' with bright-green leaves, rose at the base and margins striped white. Nidularias or nest plants are also tree-perching types of bromeliads and may be grown successfully on bark or in pots. They have attractive foliage and ornamental bracts. As the name suggests, the plants have the appearance of birds' nests, particularly when in flower. The tiny flowers protrude from nests of fiber-like leaves and look for all the, world like infant birds stretching their necks for food. The nidularias are especially adapted for cultivation in terrariums where they can grow under very humid conditions. The popular kinds are Nidularium fulgens, with white and violet flowers arising from a nest of green leaves conspicuously spotted with dark green, and N. striatum, that has white flowers and leaves with narrow white longitudinal lines on a green background. Perhaps the most striking and most dazzling of the whole group are the vriesias. These not only have very highly colored flowers and bracts, but are noted for the picturesque patterns on their leaves. The flowers in some species are often called flaming swords. Vriesia carinata is a dwarf plant with pale-green leaves and bracts of crimson and yellow with yellow flowers. V. hieroglyphica, so called because of its irregularly banded leaves, is another fascinating species. V. splendens has bright green foliage, banded crosswise with dark brown. Arising from this foliage are flower spikes bearing brilliant red bracts and yellow flowers. To complete this brief account of the bromeliad family I must mention the tillandsias. Some are similar to the vriesias. The Spanish moss (Tillandsia usenoides), which grows on trees in most sebtropical humid regions, is the best known. It is a common sight in the southeastern United States, where it hangs from the swamp cypress in very humid areas. If you can spray this plant almost every day it is possible to get it to live in the house. Simply fasten it to sphagnum moss on a block of wood. It doesn't need any soil. There is such infinite variety in the bromeliad family that growing these plants can be an interesting hobby. Watch for them at your florists or house plant supply stores, for this article can only serve to introduce you to these charming plants and start you off on the road to something different. On Thursday, January 14 representatives of municipalities drained by the Bayfield River watershed will meet in Goderich to discuss the future development of the Bayfield valley. Three alternatives seem to be open. The municipalities could vote to have the area included in the Aux Sable Conservation Area; they could vote to join the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (a proposal already turned down once) or they could decide to go ahead and form a separate authority for the Bayfield. Each proposal has its own advantages and disadvantages. In an effort to provide some background knowledge about conservation areas, the News-Record presents this series of questions and answers, Although the story was prepared by the Maitland Valley Authority, it provides a great deal of general information about all conservation authorities which may bring greater understanding of the formation of a governing body to cover the 13ayfielci River and its watershed. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 1. Question: What is the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority? Answer: The Maitland Valley Conservation Authority is an organization, established under the Conservation Authorities Act, 1968, responsible for the planning and implementation of a program to ensure the proper use and maintenance of our renewable natural resources within the watershed of the Maitland River. 2. Question: What is a watershed? Answer: A watershed is the area drained by a river and all its tributaries. 3. Question: What is the first step in establishing a Conservation Authority? Answer: A municipality within the watershed may request the Minister of the Department of Energy and Resources Management to call a meeting to consider the formation of a Conservation Authority. The Minister will get the date and request each municipality in the watershed to send a representative. • 4. Question: flow many representatives must be present at the meeting before a vote can be taken. Answer: Two-thirds of the municipalities must be represented. 5. Question: How many must vote in favour of the resolution before a Conservation Authority can be formed? Answer: Two-thirds of the representatives present must vote in favour of the resolution. 6. Question: Who are the members of the Authority? Answer: Each municipality either wholly or partially within the Authority must appoint a representative to sit on the Authority. 7. Question: When was the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority formed? Answer; The Maitland Valley Conservation Authority was first organized as the Middle Maitland Conservation Authority in 1951. This Authority looked after the Middle Maitland River and its tributaries. In 1962 the Authority was enlarged to cover the entire watershed of the Maitland River and renamed the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority. 8. Question: How large is the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority? Answer: The Maitland Valley Conservation Authority covers 984 square miles. 9. Question: How many members does the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority have? Answer: There are 29 member municipalities and, in addition, three members appointed by the Provincial Government, for a total of 32 members. 10. Question: What is a Resources Manager? Answer: A Resources Manager is a person appointed to the Conservation Authority by the Provincial Government to assist and advise the Authority. The Resources Manager is employed and paid by the Province and not the Conservation Authority. 11, Question: What are some of the types of work carried out by the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority? Answer: Water: The control ,of flooding is a major concern. The Authority has acquired and rehabilitated several small 'dams, and extensive channel improvements have been carried out in the Town of Listowel. Further flood control studies are in the planning stages. Pollution: The Conservation Authority has no direct power in pollution control but does co-operate with the Ontario Water Resources Commission by carrying out a water quality testing program. Reforestation: This Authority has some 1,500 acres of reforestation land which is managed by the Department of Lands and Forests. The Authority will also assist private landowners to plant trees on their land. Wildlife: The Conservation Authority undertakes programs such as stream habitat improvement, fish stocking, and the planting of cover and food crops for wildlife. A short stretch of Sharp's Creek in West Wawanosh Township is being developed as a wildlife management area. Land Use: Proper land use practices are promoted by demonstrations on Conservation Authority land and by assistance programs to encourage the construction of grassed waterways, hillside trickles and conservation ponds. Public Relations: The Maitland Valley Conservation Authority recognizes the need to keep the public informed about its activities. The printing of brochures, the supervision of field trips and tours, public speaking and film showings, exhibits and other educational programs are designed for this purpose. Recreation: The Authority operates a number of Conservation Areas where people may visit, bathe, picnic or relax in the splendid surroundings of nature. 12. Question: Where are the headquarters of the Authority located? Answer: The Authority office is located on the outskirts of the Town of Wroxeter. 13. Question: What is meant by a "project" of the Conservation Authority? Answer: A project is any type of major work undertaken by a Conservation Authority for the conservation or development of natural resources, the control of flooding or for any such purpose. 14. Question: Does the Government 'of Ontario have any control over the 'projects of the Authority? Answer: Yes. Before beginning a project an Authority must have approval of the plans and costs from the Minister of Energy and Resources Management. 15. Question: Who decides what projects or other activities will be undertaken? Answer: The Authority decides. 16. Question: How is an Authority financed? Answer: There are three types of financing: (I) Administration Costs (II) Capital Costs (for projects) (III) Maintenance Costs. 17. Question: What are administration costs? Answer: Administration costs include salaries, expenses, rent, office equipment and supplies, public relations material, studies and investigations and all other expenditures not considered capital or maintenance costs. 18. Question: Does the Government of Ontario make a grant towards administration costs? Answer: Yes. Grants normally amount to 50 percent but some Authorities might qualify for a supplementary grant depending on the size of their program. In no ease will the grant exceed 75 percent. 19. Question: How does the Authority raise money from its members? Answer: Each municipality pays a share of the Authority's administrative cost based on the assessment of that municipality. 20. Question: What are capital costs? Answer: Capital costs include land for reforestation, land for recreation, land for dams and reservoirs, buildings, construction equipment and facilities. 21. Question: Does the Government of Ontario pay a grant towards capital costs? Answer: Yes. Grants vary from 50 percent to 75 percent depending on the type of project. 22. Question: How -does the Authority raise its share of the funds? Answer: Generally the municipalities that receive the !greatest benefit pay the largest share of the cost. 23, Question: Who decides on the benefit? Answer: The 'Conservation Authority. 24. Question: Can a municipality appeal the amount that it is charged for a capital project? Answer: Yes. An appeal can be made to the Ontario Municipal Board. 25. Question: Will the Government of Canada contribute to any Conservation Authority projects? Answer: Certain flood control projects that cost more than $1,000,000.00 may qualify for assistance from the Government of Canada. 26. Question: What are maintenance costs? Answer: Maintenance costs include the upkeep and repair of Authority projects, buildings or other facilities owned by the Conservation Authority. 27. Question: Does the Government of Ontario pay maintenance costs? Answer: The Government makes a 75 percent grant on maintenance of water control structures but does not pay grant for other maintenance. 28. Question: Has the Authority power to pass regulations? Answer: yes. The Authority has power to: (a) prohibit or regulate the construction of any building or structure in any area below the high water mark of a lake, river, creek or stream. (b) prohibit or regulate the dumping of fill of any kind in any defined part of the Authority in which, in the opinion of the Authority, the control of flooding or pollution or the conservation of land may be affected by the placing or dumping of fill. (c) prohibit or regulate any attempt to change, straighten, divert or interfere in any way with the existing channel of a river, creek, stream or watercourse. 29. Question; Does an Authority pay taxes on the land that it owns? Answer: Yes. An Authority pays taxes on all land including reforestation land, land covered by reservoirs and recreation areas. SO. Question: Where can 1 obtain more information about the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority? Answet: Information tan be obtained by writing the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority at Box 760, Listowel or by telephoning 335.3557. • The dazzling flaming-sword flowers stand out from the stiff—leaves of Vriesia splendens,