The Rural Voice, 1983-07, Page 28American nightshade
on the increase
American nightshade is on the in-
crease in southwestern Ontario, threat-
ening thousands of soybean acres,
according to Clarence Swanton, weed
specialist at Ontario's Ridgetown Agri-
cultural College.
"The weed has spread quickly through-
out the province and now infests a large
number of soybean acres in Ontario," he
says.
Left to germinate uncontrolled, night-
shade, an annual broadleaf. can be dis-
asterous, Swanton adds. "I know of
cases where 10 bushels per acre of
soybeans were being lost because of
nightshade."
In addition, nightshade berries make
the weed particularly troublesome,
Swanton says. "They have a sticky juice
which can stain and stick to soybeans,
and this means dockage at the elevator.
At harvest time, they are so full of sap,
they also can cause combines to plug,
resulting in valuable lost time spent
cleaning out sieves."
FARM ADVICE
The berries which are first green and
then turn purplish to blue -black when
mature, contain numerous seeds, which
tillage and harvesting equipment can
spread easily. Birds too. may help scatter
seeds widely into neighboring and even
distant fields.
Swanton says some frequently used
herbicides to fight the weed are able to
control most weeds but have allowed
nightshade seedlings to escape.
"Nightshade is something every soy-
bean farmer must be alert to, if he is to
avoid losses.- Swanton concludes.
Insulation pays
for itself
With rising energy costs on every
farmer's mind, insulation is one invest-
ment that very quickly pays for itself.
Although insulation is mainly used to
reduce the rate of heat loss from
buildings. Ontario Hydro Agricultural
Specialists note that properly installed
insulation also reduces condensation,
reduces noise levels and may add fire
resistance to walls and ceilings.
Proper insulation also eliminates fluc-
THIS MONTH'S MAILBOX
A mailbox from Bruce county in the Mildmay area.
PG. 26 THE RURAL VOICE, JULY 1983
tuating temperatures and drafts, thereby
reducing heating costs, improving feed
conversion and improving herd and flock
health.
One major livestock building problem
that can be overcome with proper
insulation is condensation. With high
humidity levels water condenses on the
cool walls and ceilings. If these surfaces
are kept warm through insulation then no
wetting occurs, and health problems are
avoided.
The cost of adequate insulation levels
properly installed in livestock buildings
can, in most cases, pay for itself in a very
short time.
Trees or dust bowl?
Trees are a very important asset to
our environment. They help retain soil
moisture, our water table and also
provide a natural habitat for wildlife.
Our forefathers cleared land in the
1800's and early 1900's in order to farm.
Parts of Huron County are very
vulnerable to prevailing westerly winds
off Lake Huron. Our soils have become
more and more barren being stripped of
tree growth over the years.
A tree cutting by-law has been in
effect in Huron County since 1968. It
was repealed in 1974 and updated in
1979. The by-law is in place and fines
have been assessed for its abuse. Trees
of a certain size are allowed to be cut
for the purposes of logging or for one's
own use. such as firewood.
Further information regarding the tree
cutting by-law is available from the
County Clerk -Treasurer's office in
Goderich at 524-8394, or by phoning
your tree commissioner Joe Gibson at
482-3229.
In spite of the by-law. Huron has lost
more trees and is more vulnerable to
wind erosion.
Kent County has an active windbreak
program. It is needly badly. At times,
parts of Kent are now like a desert dust
bowl. We should take heed in Huron
and avoid this situation.
You may see some tree planting
taking place this spring. Seedling trees
such as white spruce, cedar, poplar and
pine are available through the Ministry
of Natural Resources for a nominal fee.
Now is the time to assess your own
farm situation and the possible need for
a windbreak. Trees must be ordered in
the spring and early summer for next
year's planting.
Order forms and a publication on
windbreak planting are available from
your local office of the Ministry of
Natural Resources.
Stan Paquette, Associate
Agricultural Representative
for Huron County