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The Rural Voice, 1999-09, Page 14INDUSTRIAL & FARM SUPPLIES • Nuts & Bolts (all grades) • Hydraulic hose & fittings • Belts • Bearings • Grade 70 Transport Chain • Roller Chain • Tools Brian Gibson Springmount Industrial Park 519-376-0283 FAX 519-376-7202 FORESTRY SERVICES Tree Planting Order trees for fall and spring planting now Woodlot Marking Timber evaluation and advice on woodlot management Lakeshore Erosion Planting material available for erosion control and technical advice on pruning, thinning and planting Herbicide Spraying Grass weed and brush control around trees, fields and drains Insect & Disease Identification of tree pests and suggestions for control Management Plans Assistance in preparing forest management plans for Provincial Forest Tax Incentive Program Contact the ABCA for more details. 519-235-2610 • fax 519-235-1963 abca@execulink.com 10 THE RURAL VOICE Mabel's Grill "So I see they're doing another one of those studies on how much farming contributes to the economy," said Dave Winston. "I don't know why they bother." "We need to let people know they won't be as well off if we're not around," said Cliff Murray. "Yeh, but we don't need university professors for that," said Dave. "I mean we all pay out more than we take in, right? Why don't they just add up all the The world's problems are solved daily 'round the table at Mabel's money we take in, multiply by two and you can figure it out." "But that wouldn't create jobs for the university professors," said George McKenzie. "I wonder if they include the university profs in the list of the people whose jobs are owed to agriculture," Cliff said. "Or all those guys at Guelph who owe their jobs to telling us how to mind our business," said George. "Or all the stress councillors in the pork business," said Dave. "Or all the bankruptcy trustees. We farmers have kept lots of them going over the years," said Cliff. "Oh give it up," said Molly Whiteside as she served George his bacon and eggs. "You guys always sound like mourners at a funeral." "Or the undertakers," said George. "Is a farmer ever happy?" wond- ered Molly. - "I would be if I was getting as - much money for my pigs as you charge for that bacon," Dave said, pointing to George's plate. "Does anybody ever come around and ask you guys how much you get from farmers?" George wondered. "I'd have to tell them not very darned much," said Molly. "The last time I got a tip from one of you guys I was still a teenager." "That long ago, eh?" said George. "That's because you don't wear that tiny little uniform you used to wear then," said Dave. "That's when you weren't too arthritic to reach into your pocket and pull out a loonies" Molly said. "That's when I still knew what one looked like," Dave moaned. "Oh come on, everybody cries poor these days," said Molly. "Yeh, even Conrad Black is griping because he can't get a second job," said Cliff. "Poor guy, he wants to be a lord and a mere prime minister stands in his way." "And suing the government for $25,000," said George. "That ought to pay the jet fuel for about one or two flights across the ocean." "It's only fair that Conrad should go over and sit in the British Parliament," said Wayne Bruce. "He's been telling us how to run this country for a long time." "And wouldn't he lord it over us if he got a title," said Dave. "Does that mean Barbara Amiel would be a lady, or a dame?" wondered Cliff. "That dame is no lady," said Dave. "I wonder if anybody ever asked Conrad how much of his money came from farmers," Dave said. "About $1.98. I don't have enough money to be bothered read- ing the National Post," said Cliff. "It seems like it's written for millionaires who think everybody should starve so they can have more millions." "He must have got something when he sold off Massey -Ferguson," said George. "I forgot about that. He was around' when Massey went belly -up wasn't he," said Cliff. "I think he'd bailed out by the end but he was there when the trouble started," said George. "And Dominion stores too, wasn't he?" asked Dave. "Yup, it was all part of the Argus Corporation when he took over." "The Americans bought Dominion Stores too, didn't they?" Cliff wondered. "Seems like if Conrad doesn't get into the House of Lords somebody should offer him something in the U.S. Senate," said Wayne. "After all he's helped them buy up half the country."0