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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Clinton News Record, 1938-03-31, Page 6WAGE6 THE CLINTON NEWS -RECORD THURS.'', MARCH " 31 193&. Timely Information for the Bush Farmer (Furnished by the Department of Agriculture The Dairy Industry A Monthly Dairy Report is now is sued regularly by the Department. Anyone wishing to receive this re- port may do so, free of charge, by making a request to the Statistics -Branch, Ontario Department 'of Ag- riculture. The initial report shows that com- mercial sales ommercial-sales of fluid milk and cream in Ontario for the month of January amounted. to $2,624,000. It is appar- ent that the annual volume :of com- mercial fluid milk business in On- tario is in the neighborhood of 330,- 000,000. 30;000,000. For January the total sales of milk -by dairies and producer -41s tributors amounted, to 20,249,300 quarts, having a sales value of $2,- 297,300, and fluid cream 731,300 quarts at $326,900. Egg, Poultry Cooperation -There are now 26 farmers' coop- erative egg and poultry associations in, Eastern Ontario. Since the first one was established on December 1, 1934, at 'Kemptville, these have paid up to the end of December 1937, a total of 473,600.46 to the producers for their eggs and poultry. In Sep- tember, 1935, the second association began business at Finch. In 1936 new associations were formed, and during the year marketed 20,437 cases of eggs, 9,662 lbs. of live poultry and 93,920 lbs. of dressed poultry. Last year the 26 associations sold 42,563 cases of eggs, 45,355 lbs. of live poul- try and 178,823 lbs. of dressed poul- try. Prior to the formation .of the as- sociations practically all the farmers in the Ottawa Valley sold their eggs either to stores or itinerant buyers often not on grade and without troubling about the current price on the Montreal market. At each centre of the association now, the eggs are delivered by the farmers who are paid on the 'basis of the grade and the average of the week's quotation on the Montreal market, less the deduction for ex -1 press. Each farmer receives a grad- ing report for the eggs he delivers. He knows that he will get the current price for it is posted every morning at each station,' Bat. the actual market price, less!. the overhead charges, is not the only, advantage to the farmer. The grad- ing report gives hien an indication of the advantages of breeding, feeding and sanitation in keeping poultry These co-operative associations sup-, plied more than half of the carload of fresh eggs recently exported to England. only fair and late in maturing. For best results, potatoes should not be grown on the same ground more than once in three or four years. Best to plant on land in clover or al- falfa- sod l-falfa-sod for one or two years pre- viously. The bulletin discusses fertilizers in detail; preparation of soil; methods of disinfecting seed; corrosive sub- limate treatment; time, rate and depth of planting; cultivation; direct- ions for spraying to., prevent .]ate blight and insect pests; harvesting, grading and storing. Every farmer and grower should write at once for this valuable and up-to-date bulletin on potatoes,a good "cash" crop. Botanical Notes For April (Experimental Farms Note) 'For le, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land'. Surely anything more beautiful can scarcely be imagined than this sublime idyll . of Solomon in exemp- lification of the season of seasons— Spring. These words are symbolical of health, wealth and happiness for all. For winter is past with its at- tendant hardship; growth and fert- ility come with the flowers; joy and gladness with the voice of the sing- ing birds and the turtle. Plant -lovers realize what a wealth of health and happiness there is in store for them when as the Song of Song avers—'flowers appear on the earth'. 'New love is brightest, and long love is greatest; but revived love is the tenderest thing on earth'. As the same plants are sought each spring with never -failing zest by all botan- ists irrespective of experience; the wonder-working panacea of vernal woodland rambles, together with this tender revived lave, quickly banishes winter lethargy. .Most people know quite well what an opulence of sane and gratui- tous pleasure there is in the study of wild flowers, therefore they long to make friends with them, but hesi- tate to do so because they may not see their way clearly how to begin. This need not deter them. There was a time when even the most learned botanist knew nothing whatever a- bout plants. He, like everyone else, had to make a start, so why not you? And mow is the time. A letter (which may be'mailed free of charge) addressed to the Domin- ion Botanist, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, will bring a sympath- etic, ympathetic, comprehensive and speedy reply to anyone who may need information. If necessary a list of books dealing with Canadian wild flowers, then. prices and publishers will be sent. It is an unfortunate fact that the botanical herald of spring should he of rather a despicable character, but nevertheless interesting. Down in the bogs, swamps and oth- er wet places may be noticed, here and there,. small groups of, what ap- pear to be, 'tiny gnomish dwarfs; such as figure in fairy stories or in the Silly Symphonies of the screen. Their cowls or monk's; hoods are purplish - brown or greenish -yellow and mostly motiiled. Peeping from these cowls are round, sinister little faces. They seem to be creatures of another world but are, in reality, plants.. The cowls are the spathes and the faces the spadices composed of, tiny flowers. As many flowers • possess- an odour, pleasing or otherwise; the first in- stinct is to smell these. But what a shock! It may be skunk, garlic or— horror of horrors!—;putrid meat. This evil -smelling herald of spring is the but has pink eyes. It is a week ear- forerunner of what will later become lier than Gobbler in maturing. Itisa' malodorous cabbage; for these are Issue New Bulletin on Potato Production Every potato grower and farmer in Ontario will be interested in a new bulletin issued by the Department on "Successful Potato Production in OP. tario." The Bulletin, No. 390, may be obtained by writing the Ont Dept. of Agriculture, Parliament Buildings, Toronto. It will be mailed imme- diately, free of charge. This pamphlet of eleven pages is profusely illustrated. It was prepay. ed by the staff of the O.A.C., Guelph and points out most suitable varieties and best production practices. The authorities state eertified seed is most important, insisting that no grower er farmer can be assured of a good crop of high quality unless good seed is used. If the official tag is not on every bag of certified seed, the potatoes should not be accepted. The bulletin contains the names of good varieties in order of earliness, outlining good and bad points. These varieties include Warba, recentlyin- troduced to Ontario. Thispotato re- sembles the Irish Cobbler in shape Know The Seed You Grow on germination but sowed the seed as received. A month, following seeding he brought a sample to the station, with the complaint that nothing had grown in his field. A test revealed (Experimental Farms Note) , germination to be eight per cent Each year the farmer must choose the seed to be sown and whether it be home-grown ar purchased, it must have > one essential; characteristic, that of being able to grow. This -can only be known after a test of^german- ating ability has been made. Seed when purchased' at a distance, should only be bought on the guarantee of an official analysis which indicates its purity as well as the percentage of germination. With home-grown seed it rests with the farmer to acquaint himself with the value of his seed, and this is also often the case with seed purchas- ed locally. , This information can be obtained by sending a sample to the nearest office of the Seed Branch for official analysis, or by making a ger- mination test at home. The equipment necessary . is very , simple. At the Dominion Experimentall. Station at Kapuskasing, a shallow box of sand or fine earth, 12 by 20 inches, has been found entirely satisfactory. A definite number of seeds, usually 50 or' 100 are planted in the sand, these ng spaced to leave room between each seed. The box is placed. in a waren place and watered often enough to keep it damp. Five to seven days later the seedlings are counted and the germination percentage is deter- mined. Blotting paper or flannel on a deep plate can also beused, but has not been found as satisfactory as the sand box. The results of such a test make it possible to decide with certainty the value of the seed. An unfortunate experience which occured in Northern Ontario serves to show the value of such tests. Last spring a local farm- er purchased seed oats from a con- siderable distance. He did not check wile it is true that later he was refunded the purchase price of this seed, he,nevertheless lost his crop in a season when abundant crops were reaped all around him, a loss which he could have avoided. Of the various factors which spell success or failure with a crop, many axe out of the control of the farmer. The factor of seed viability, however, is directly under control and should never be overlooked. Sound seed is, one of the first essentials to a good crop. Fertilizers And Their Proper Use Fertilizers are carriers of plant food and unless placed in a conven- ient position for the plants to use are ineffective. It is not enough to scat- ter the fertilizer around the plant on the surface of the soil with the ex- pectation that bounteous rains or watering will take all the plant food down to the feeding roots. Some is bound to be lost unless cultivated in- to the soil or better still it should be placed in narrow bands at the depth of the plant roots and from two to four inches away. This permits the roots to reach the fertilizer quickly and easily without chemical injury to the plant. , The so-called "band way" of applying fertilizer to garden crops has proven the most effective and economical. Modern planters and drills are designed to apply the fert- lizer in the band way. The punishment suffered by the wise who refuse to take part in the government, is to live under the gov- ernment of bad men. —Plato. Pruning The Apple Tree Use the Head More Than Shears Is Advised. (Experimental Farms Note) less the tree is cut so heavily (which would not be advisable) as to stimu- late new growth on it. This wood is further characterized by its down- wardrgrowing habit and its weak slender growth, occurring usually on the lower side o4j more vigoreua branches and particularly in the in- ner part ofthe tree. This is the Wood that should be eliminated by pruning. It will mean a more de- tailed pruning practice, resulting in a greater number of cuts, and will require more time: If practised cor- rectly no large cuts will be made that would remove both productive and unproductive wood by the elfin - of large branches carrying both productive and unproductive laterals. Every effort should be made in the pruning of mature trees to maintain .vigorous thvitingl-Flood throughout the entire tree, from top to bottom, inside and out, that will replace the fruit buds that are sacrificed in the harvesting of the apple crops It is simple to develop trees that produce apples on the top and outer branches three feet. The first year the tree but to develop trees that maintain should have produced a leader and twoscaffold branches that spring from the trunk at a wide angle, the Lowest being from 2 to 2% feet from the " ground varying somewhat in different Drovinces according t o depth of snow -fall. These should be tipped to maintain balance and stimu- late branching, but should be left 1%been schooled and which we have been feet long. Severe tipping usually practising. stimulates tea many side branches Do not over -prune. Mistaken prim - close to the trunk which eventually ing cacut orchard profits more ra- must be removed. This method is pin dly than any other defective prac- followed for the second and third tire, with the possible exception of years with only enough pruning and poor spraying. heading -back to preserve balance and maintain a slight dominance of the leader. By the fourth year the tree The experienced fruitgrower is fa -1 miliar with the fact that young trees i are likely to produce larger fruit than old ones. Henceany orchard practice that has a tendency to keep trees young is likely to be rewarded with higher yields of quality fruit. Pruning has a rejuvenating effect on older trees and is one practice that, provided it is 'judiciously performed so as to maintain the maximum vig- our without reducing the size below that which will give the largest, well exposed bearing surface to the acre, should express itself in fruit of larg- er size, better colour and a resultant larger return. A systematic prun- ing of young trees is necessary at planting time and during the first five seasons in the orchard but should only be such as is. absolutely neces- sary for the development of a strong framework for future production. The "modified leader" type is recommend- ed. It' is important that all young trees be kept in a vigorous state of growth by maintaining soil fertility. If strong -grown yearling trees are planted they should be headed at fruiting-wood throughoutrequires much careful and detailed removal of unproductive wood, combined with judicious cultural practices. Trees pruned in this way are usually not so tall, probably a little wider and are more productive than much larg- er trees pruned in the way we have the highest yielder of early maturing varieties and has gained popularity in the past three years. Table and keeping qualities are good. The Irish Cobbler is second on the list of early maturing potatoes and is the most extensively grown of all. The Chippewa is white, oblong and the flowers of the notorious skunk cabbage. Do not be deceived by connecting this nasty -smelling bunch of leaves with the cabbage of culinary fame. Happily there is no relationship. But strange to say (and strictly in confi- dence!) the skunk cabbage is a cou- shallow -eyed. It is a new variety in- sin of the famous. African arum or traduced by the U.S, Dept. of Agri- calla lily;sheaves of which will be culture and is popular across the proudly carried by the June brides. border. It is being grown in an ex-. is realized, however, that ah perimental way in Ontario. Tubers Canadian cousins of the arum lily resemble the Katandin. It ripens a have not the offensive habits of the week earlier than Katandin and three skunk cabbage when the pretty lit- week earlier than Dooley. Because tle water arum smiles, and the Jack• of this, it is meeting with consider- in -the -pulpit preaches in May. able approval :from growers. I Towards the end of the month may The Katandin has been grown at be found one or two very adventur., O.A.C. since 1929 and has proven of ,ons wild flowers blooming in the, ope outstanding merit. It ripens a week en; possibly a precocious daisy -like ahead of Green Mountain and twelve day earlier than Dooley and is 'super- ior in table quality to Dooley. It also has a high degree of resistance to Mild Mosiac. Green; Mountain is susceptible to disease and is losing favor, although table quality is good. Gives best re- sults e-sults'in cool, northern sections. Dooley does best on warm, sandy soils' and is highly resistant to Mild Mosiac,'but susceptible. to. Fusarium Robin's plantain, with its violet flow- er heads; or an occasional crane's bill, and perhaps an early adder's tongue, here and there. • But in the protecting woodland sev- eral• early and old friendsare calling calling you; smiling in the caressing sun and at the whisper of weirdly, sorest Aeolian harmonies, swelling and sinking with an almost supernal ural cadence—those ;nystic pastorale harped by the gentle wind on the bar Wilt; a good keeper, but table quality twigs of the naked trees. s e Many orchards • in the Annapolis Valley have been partially ruined and their productiveness irreparably should have five scaffold branchesfdamaged by the promiscuous-slaugh- developed, evenly distributed six toll, ter of the tops of the trees expressed eight inches apart vertically aroundlfn the parlance of the day as "de - the mainleader, between two and horning".- This type of pruning is six feet from the ground. After not generally recommended but may this the leader is encouraged and a111have a place in some older orchards the pruning is simply a matter of that have been set too closely and thinking out. Opinions differ as to just how ss' The Spring Show By Pearl Toil Laughlin A bright April morning. Over in. the maples some crows are calling. There's sap to gather and wood to cut but how about she Spring Shaw this, afternoon. We are not showing any- thing this year, so just for once we will ail feel free to ramble about and see. things. An early dinner then we are off. Our own Concession road is in it's us - 'zee spring upheaval but we manage to get through. Everyone agrees that at times cement pavements have their good points. Several trucks loaded with fine horseflesh pass us while we pause a moment at the servicesta- tion. A few miles farther and we look through a rain -spattered' wind- shield. Someone predicts a wet af- ternoon. Shall we go back? Certain- ly not; what's a little rain at a. Spring fair? It has settled dawn to a business- like drizzle by the time we arrive. Some classes are already in the ring which in this case is. the Main Street Square. This has been roped off for two or three blocks. We feel a sym- pathy for those men out there hold- ing their prized` colts, gaily decked out with colored rosebuds in mane and tail. There have been hours of patient labour back ofit all. Hours of brush- ing, grooming and exercising to bring each animal to this high state of per- fection. From years in the show business we think of the harness we have dleaned, the brass we have pol- ished and the dozens of roses and col- oured yarn that have gone proudly forth to play their part. And it takes about fifteen minutes on a day like this to reduce men and horses to a state of bedraggled limpness. But the show must go on, rain or shine. One by one the classes are called, judged and on to the next. If the judge speeds up the tempo some- what, who can blame him? The streets are so crowded that nothing can be seen, so we look for a doorway somewhere. Standing room is not to be found in many of these. But we intend to see the team clas- ses, even if we get wet through. Here they come; six Agricultural pairs swinging into line. There's Bill M. with his bays and that third team looks like the ones who carriedoff so many firsts at the fall fairs. Long before the judge has decided their fate, we have the six all placed in our onvn, mind. • Just then the town band' marches down playing a stirring march, in spite of rain -soaked instruments and uniforms. The horses grow restless, tossing their flower -decked heads. "These shows are not such a treat af- ter all", they feel. There, he's giving first to that plain -looking pair at the other end! What do you make of that? "They're the winners all right", says a voice behind. us. And we thought we knew horses! Our champions of last fall get third place. The owner drives out refusing to take his ribbon. A group of elderly men are stand- ing in the doorway of the grocery - store. "And how have you been keep- ing all winter?" "Not so bad for a man of seventy-four. But did you hear about old Jim C.? He's never been out of the house all winter." Terrible day for fair ain't it? Good crowd though. Bob got second on his roan colt" "How times have changed since the days we used to drive our horses to the shows in the democrat, and bring a feed of hay and oats with us. Everything is trucks now. Do you remember the time"—They pas- sed on out of hearing. Three young lads with coat collars turned up come to a full stop on the sidewalk. They push through the crowd to get a look at the horses. "That judge don't know much. He only give our colt third", remarked the smallest one. It's a grand chance to do some spring shopping. The women are coming and going from store to store. That reminds us. We had several things on our mind too—hats for in- stance. Everyone says they are a joke this season. There's a good store down in the next block. Why didn't we bring an umbrella? This next block is where the road horses are doing their best. It's hard for the drivers to show them off to advantage in, this, narrow space. What a fine line-up! Where are all 'these fine steppers the rest of the year? Even this stream -lined age still pays homage to the horse. He has never gone out of style. There goes a wo- man with one of those new freaks on her. head. Too bad we can't wait and see the judging of this light horse class but there's quite a long 'shop- ping list in our handbag. A. tall commanding figure' is stand- ing on a weigh scale outside the store door—not to find hex net weight but merely to get a better view of things. Her high falsetto'voice calls out to a passer-by. "How are you? And how's your another? Yes I heard them announce her fifty-second anniversary over the radio." Some one pushes us on through the door.- We are headed for the hats. But here's the wallpaper department, and this would be a good chance to pick up, enouglh border for that bedroom. One lone man clerk is trying to get that have been allowed to grow uninterruptedly upward for a num.. ber of .yearswithout proper head- much pruning should be done to ing. Even in such orchards, howev- trees that have reached the bearing er, the dehorning should not be too age or are at full production, but severe at any one time, but should be essentially' it should be confined to' done gradually over a period of two the removal of branches that will cor- i e r three year s. 1 f a sys- rectly modify the form of the tree tematic pruning is given t h e to the grower's desire and result in orchard during its development, and the development of trees that are subsequent prunings are directed to. struettu'ely strong an d that have l wards maintaining the proper height a maximum bearing area that is not and spread of branches, the practice only well exposed to sunlight {but adapted to the operations of spray ing, thinning and harvesting. Considerable study has been given to the type of wood an which quan-, titles of quality fruit are borne, and pletely) is advised, and interplant - it has been, determined that the ing these vacandies with young trees of dehorning will pot be necessary. In older closely -planted orchards where the trees are crowded, rather than a severe dehorning, a systematic tree thinning (removal of trees corn - branch diameter of fruiting wood bears a direct relationship to the quantity and quality of the fruit of desirable varieties. The remain- ing old trees should be renovated by careful, detailed ` pruning to enable borne. In a close examination of a them to produce. as abundantly as fruiting tree numerous lateral bran- ches will be observed that have made no terminal growth, that appear weak and stunted and show only leaf - bud development. A closer study will reveal that this wood was pro- ductive once but is now fruited out, and will never again be fruitful un - possible until they in 'turn are sac- rificed to make room for the young- er trees. The objectof pruning should be the maintenance- of a bal- ance between fruitfulness a n d growth. A good maxim is: Use the head more than the, shears in all pruning' practices. s s d v th s t omewhere amongall these women who are asking advice and wanting 1 nstant service. Here's a littleflow- red pattern. Just the thing. "Sold" miles our harassed clerk. • 1 We move on. The millinery win - ow is full—not of hats bub of wo- men and children getting 'a.splendid. iew of the show ring below: "Moth - r" asks a little girl, "is. it the horse that's 'dressed up- the best who gets e prize?" An old friend greets us in here, and for awhile we forget all about hats and horses. We haven't met for years. Sorrow and changes havecome but old tiesstill hold. A group of young girls are having a merry time trying on these new creations. Just now there isn't a clerk fillsightso let's see how this One will look. We stare at the trange creature in the glass. Can his be any relation to us Try this one. Worse yet. We reach thank- fully for our old felt, and escape. Downstairs a traveller tries to get a word with the proprietor. "Not now," he states, tapping briskly on the cash register. "Searing Show is our busy day." ° In a little alcove in the china de- partment a mother is trying to round up a family group. "You must stay here till your father comes. I won- der what's keeping him. It's near chore time and we should be getting home." Can it really be that late? Through the window we see the last class being led back to their stables. The direc- tor puts his megaphone under his arm and walks off with the judges. Their felt hats look limp. The crowd have thinned out around the ring. A team drives past, homeward bound—a red ribbon on the bridle. The driver wears a smile. Spring Shows are the life! There goes another truck and here's another. How quickly they get a- way! The Show is over. We step out into the wet street. The car is parked away up near the garage. "Well it's been a great show in spite of the rain," says a voice be- hind. "Yes. Some good stuff here to- day." At the garage a string of horses and men pass. "Good-bye Harry. See you next year." "Oh yeah," he answers. "Maybe." We are out on the highway again. The sun breaks through. The rain is over. Yes it was a good show. Though we didn't get any prizes, and we did. n't get a hat, we will very likely get a cold. But let's go back next year. E:attle.: Qfs The:;Brakes A battle unique, in Canadian' auto- motive history uto.motive-history is being Waged in On- tario:, at the, present•. time—the battle , of the two -wheel brake motor car. Based on the death of a pedestrian under the wheels of an old style mot - OT car in Toronto early in the New Year the controversy is becoming in- creasingly bitter, even to the extent that someauthorities have actually advocated the abolition of two -wheel brake cars fromthe highways of`On- tante: Brake experts have been enlisted on bath sides of the debate, to testify to the comparative, efficiency of four- wheel brakes, and a survey has re- vealed that thousands of these old„ style cars are still operating in the rural areas and small towns of the, province while a few are also still to be seen in the cities. Changes in the fVIotor• Vehicles Act Section dealing - with brake tests are being freely pre. dieted, This would consist of a rigid tightening up of the present brake+ test regulations, and in effect would outlaw any two -wheel` brake motor- car in which the brakes were not at:. the absolute peak of efficiency. Violent opposition to the proposed changes has come from drivers in the less settled areas, who -point out that: the financial loss to the owners of cars more than twelve years • old would' be disastrous if their cars were rul- ed off the road unless some method, Of reimbursement by the Government: was adopted. GRANTON COUPLE 70 YEARS MARRIED- Seventy years of happy married.. life is the proud boast of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hodgins, Sr., of Gran- ton, who observed the important an-. niversary Thursday. The wedding, took place i n Cronyn Memorial Church, London Dean Innes perform- ing r�form a -, ing the ceremony, The happy couple . were both boar in the Granton dis- trict and knew each other always. Following the wedding in London Mr. and Mrs. Hodgins recalled they drove • back to Granton in a wagon for a celebration attended by neighbors from far and near, The esteemed. couple have lived on several farms, ,. the first being what is now the Clark farm. Then they moved to the , "Swamp" line, from there to the "13th", thence to Stephen Township. Twenty-six years were spent there after which they went back to a farm - near Granton. Twenty-three years ago they retired into Granton. All their fancily but one are living. The circle includes, James E,, Ste- phen Township; Harry, Biddulph . Township; Mrs. J. W. Mark, Winni- peg; Richard of Blanshard; Mrs. E. Harlton, Buddulph; Hubert of Blans- hard; E. P. Hodgins, Drincipal of Woodstock Collegiate. There are al- • so 23 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. =SNAPSHOT CUIL UNUSUAL LIGHTINGS DIAGRAM 1 -Fireside picture, as above. SS, subjects; B, photo bulb in fireplace; C, camera. Room lights on for shadow detail. YOV can make interesting indoor 1 sna shote br usingregular photo p Y lights to imitate firelight, candle- light or lamp -light. It' is necessary merely to conceal the actual nature or source of the light. You must give long exposures if only candlelight or ordinary lamp light is available but :if you use endugh flood bulbs, you can take snapshots with a box camera. For a "fireside picture," tuck away a photo bulb in the corner of the fireplace, using an extension cord (see Diagram 1). Don't let the cord show. In your picture, all the light seems to come from a fire. Use three large flood bulbs, in. cardboard re- flectors, for a box camera snapshot. With one small bulb in reitector,. put the camera one, table and given a one -second time exposure; Loadl,) with supersensitive film,' 04 course. You get candle -light and lamp-: light effects' with the arrangement. • in Diagram 2. Light from the floods bulb and lamp comes from the same direction, so that shadows:la1P naturally. Note that you polnt the,.: camera so that the photo bulbs don't; show in the picture. And—don't let,t direct light from a photo bulb shine . on your lens. Try snaps of this type. They are,.: interesting, and well worth your •• while. 82 John van Guilder DIAGRAM 22�•-•Lamplight picture. subject; L, Tamp or candle, lighted B, photo buib; C, camera.