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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1969-07-10, Page 124A (0.)DER•ICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, JULY 10, 196 Garden mulches 'k BY A. R. BUCKLEY Serious gardeners are sure to have discovered the usefulness of garden mulches. Thick layers of mulch conserve moisture and lessen the need for weeding:" and` cultivating. Organic matter •gradually builds tip the humus content of the soil and increases its )eater-holdlhg- capacity. During hot summers, mulches effectively lower the soil temperature and so'aid in better -plant growth. The• usual garden mulch is any kind of fibrous material that, is cheap and easy to obtain and one tliaj can be spread around . plants two to four inches. deep. Cocoa -bean shells,'straw, hay, grass clippings, shredded paper, decayed leaves, buckwheat hulls, shredded bark, wood shavings, wood chips, sawdust, peat moss, ,. and sphangnum moss are some that are easy to get. Shavings and sawdust are easy to obtain from '.workshops and local - sawmills and make excellent mulches. But it is well to add a dressing of high nitrogen fertilizer- before applying these mulches. Otherwise, ' to decompose this material, the bacteria that do the job would need to use nitrogen om the 'soil. 'This loss of itrogen would result in smaller and fewer flowers.. If you • use shavings or straw be sure to soak the mulch occasionally to help decomposition; by sp doing you will also help to' prevent the mulch from catching fire. Shredded bark from a paper mill is excellent. Cocoa -bean shells seem, to be the material most easily available in stores in • eastern Canada. Other materials sold as cotnmercial preparations are corn cobs, buckwheat hulls, peat .moss, and a bark fiber. Peat moss requires the added nitrogen, but buckwheat hulls, cocoa -bean shells-, and corn cobs do not. Applying a mulch of sawdust to lilies. —CDA Photo Wood chips are becoming increasingly important as a mulch and soil amendment. They are made by a special -machine used mainly by 'farmers, foresters,' and • tree specialists. Nitrogen should be applied with the chips. A compost heap.'swith lots of leaves is one of the most economical sources of mulch material and all gardeners sho.uld build such. a pile. A 4 -or 6 -mill polyethylene~sheet over the°heap will keep it moist and the, pile will decompose quite rapidly without a noticeable. odor. Black polyethylene plastic is being sold as a mulch and it should be used if other materials are unavailable or too expensive. This plastic will reduce the need for cultivating and weeding, and conserve moisture, but it will not, of course, improve soil structure or add nutrient -.or organic substances. Slits may be made in the plastic sheet -to allow the plants to poke through and then soil placed on -the plastic to hold it down if necessary. Mulches should 'be applied any time during the summer, particularly now before the hot dry weather of July arrives. But do apply a mulch whenever material is at hand. Use . a shovelful of decomposed leaves -from under a tree or some -good organic material from ' around the summer cottage, or grass clippings from the lawn. . Most soils needhumus and humus can be added to the soil only in. the ,form of organic matter such as that provided by these fibrous mulches. ' If careful attention is not paid to the latitude and altitude ander' which trees grow naturally, attempts ' to plant them in different regions may prove unsuccessful. - • Kn�wpolson airy to avold-conirercit Each summer many of us suffer the ill effects of contact with poison ivy. Botanists "with the Ontario . Department of Agriculture and Food say that knowing a few facts about °this noxious weed may prevent this contact. It is important to be able to recognize poison ivy. The leaf has three dark green leaflets which may be shiny or oily in appearance. The underside of the leaf has small,:incopspicious hairs. - The plant can be found . in many types of locations—in deep woods or in the, open, ' near swards or in . dry areas, and frequently along the borders of woods;, fencerows or roadsides. Poison ivy contains a toxic oil. The bruising of any part of the plant causes the release of the oil. This oil may stick to clothing, tools, etc., from where it may .be transferred to the skin. The first sign of poisoning is a light itching followed by a rash. In some cases watery blisters may .develop. These burst and become very irritating. Rubbinh and scratching should ' - be avoided If contact . is • suspected, careful .washing. should follow as soon as possible. Repeated thorough lathering with soap, accompanied by generous rinsing with water, is necessary. If 'possible, a physician should be sought immediately. Poison ivy is most easily killed by- chemical ' means. "Brushkill" or Amitrol are two suitable chemcials: Both. are most effective if applied when the leaves are young and in active growth. Follow the manufacturer's' instructions on applieation. ,When the plants are dead they should be gathered and burned. Care must. be taken with this as well because poisoning can occur through contact with the' dead plant or the smoke from burning plants. FOR YOUR FIRE INSURANCE 44 See pr Phone MAICOLM- MATHERS GENERAL INSURANCE AGENT 46 WEST ST. 5249.442 ~-Rememb-the•'Sunday---e8veningslog.vow)".the _Centennial 'Home? We're going to have another one at Bemmniller on the lawn beside the church. SING,A4ONG • Sunday,July, . 1$- ot8pm. • 'under directiop of the Benmiller "Jolly Millers" singing group, sponsored by Benmiller UCW: (press is casual. All welcome. Bring a lawn chair and your 'visitors.' Silver, collection. In case of inclement weather it will• be held' in • the church. 28 ¢ .Business Directory Ronald L. McDOnald CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT 39 St David St.. 5244253 Gadarich, Ontario A•I1 145 E§SEX ST.. GODERICH. ONTARIO Available -'For PUBLIC OR - • PRIVATE PARTIES • BINGOS • CONCERTS • DANCES • • CONVENTIONS • Catering to Luncheons • COCKTAIL PA 'TIES • BANQUETS, ETC. Spacial attention to wadding* ' PHONE 524.9371 or 524.9264 Alexander ono Chapman GENERAL INSURANCE, REAL EM'TATR. PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Canadl.n Imp.rlal hank of Common* Ruliding • Godorlch DI.I 52416E2 THIS SPACE RESERVED FOR YOUR AD R. W. BELL 'OPTOMETRIST TIM Square 5247M1 A. M. HARPER..' CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT 40 THE SQUARE TELEPHONE• RODERICK ONTARIO 5247Si •-SERVICES INSURANCE PLAN 4 CARTER'S SHOWS the square July --16-11-18-19 'd a' • Midway, r and Games Of Chance y • Fun • For Everyone BAND CONCERTS 7:30 P.M. JULY 16 - Goderich Town'Band any 17 -.. Zurich Centennial Band (EXCHANGE CONCERTS) SPONSORED BY GODERICH KINSMEN CLUB PROCEEDS FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE WORK a' Relax.You're covered. On October 1st, Ontario introduces the new Ontario Health Services In- surance Plan—OHSIP. OHSIP is a basic plan of health in- surance benefits available to every person in Ontario—regardless of age, physical health oriinancial Means— through the Government or a desig- nated agent. OHSIP will replace 0M-SIP—the existing Ontario plan. If you're pres- ently enrolled in OMSIP, your cover- age over- age w i l l c o nti n u ewit houtinterruption . If you're nowenrolled in a plan from. one of the 200 other Ensurers in Ontario—such as Physicians'Services Incorporated, Windsor Medical serv- ices, Associated Medical Services, an insurance company, or other agency, you're also covered until further notice. • If you now have no health insurance, you'll have ample opportunity to -en- roll before October lst. You'll be advised of the enrollment period by • press, radio and television. So don't wonder, don't worry, about your health insurance. Just relax and enjoy .a healthy summer while you await the new OHS! P Pian, the health care you ian count on, from the Ontario Department of Health. r. ONTARIO HEALTH SERVICES INSURANCE PLAN ONTARIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Hon. Matthew B. Dymond, M.D., C.M., Minister.