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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1973-07-26, Page 12PAGE 12 ZURICH CITIZENS NEWS THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1973 Silo unloaders Silo unloaders can be as dan- gerous as they are useful and labor-saving, especially if they are not lubricated properly. Hal Wright, secretary -manager of the Farm Machinery Board described a recent incident where a silo unloader hoist fail- ed and dropped the mechanism almost twenty feet, narrowly missing the owner. On examination, it was disc- overed that a bearing in the electric hoist had failed and dropped the shaft enough to disengage two of the gears. This allowed the cable to free- wheel, Further investigation showed that the cable pulley at the top of the tripod was also badly worn. This develop- ed from a complete lack of lubrication, causing failure of the bushing and a badly scored shaft. The mechanism is currently being checked by the manufact- urer and since no conclusive information is available, no blame is being laid on the farm- er for lack of lubrication, nor the manufacturer for defective design or workmanship. The important factor in both pieces of equipment is that they be equipped with 'Life- time' bearings or,have easily accessible grease fittings. New equipment should be closely examined for these critical features prior to purch- ase. Existing silo unloaders should be checked at the start of each season for worn or dam- aged parts and lubricated if nec. essary. Steer This Way BY LARRY SNIDER Eighty-four percent of present- day pollution comes from older cars not equipped with the latest anti -pollution devices. Check your battery's water level frequently, especially in summer. Test tracks for cars are not new. Auto makers began put- ting cars through outdoor obstacles back in 1915. 1f you're going to travel at very high altitudes, have your car- buretor adjusted accordingly. Uneven inflation of your tires will result in steering problems and instability. If you're check- ing one, check them al!! Check out our fine cars - one and all - at Larry Snider MOTORS LIMITED EXETER 235-1640 LONDON 227-4191 Huron County's Largest Ford Dealer Drive in soon! International Scene (by Raymond Cannon) THE HIGH PRICE OF FOOD If you have been aware of a gradual but steady increase in the price of food, you can rest assured that you are not alone. Just about everybody has and if you are concerned about it, so am I, To be honest with you, if there is one thing that surprises me, it is that the price increases haven't been greater ' than they are. The math thing to keep in mind about the price of food is that they are determined mainly by the law of supply and de- mand. If, for example, con- sumer demand increases and the supply remains the same, prices will go up. They will go up, too, if the demand remains the same but the supply, due to drought, flood or some other calamity, decreases. If the demand increases at the same time as there is a declining supply, then watch out! Unfort- unately, the latter phenonomen is what has happened part of the time, Hence the high prices. Let's take a specific example. It's a long time since I have paid less than 50¢ a head for lettuce. Most of what I see at the store looks as if it were suffering from an advanced state of malnutrition and when I look at the price, I mumble a few choice swear words in French or German, so as not to offend anybody close by. At the same time I am muttering to myself, I confess that I know the real reason for the high prices. The supply hasn't been able to keep up with the demand and so up go the prices. When I said that it was surpr- ising that our food prices weren't higher, I wasn't kidding. I base this observation partly on the fact that world food prices have gone up an average of no less than 74ajo in the last year, We are fortunate that our growing season is long enough for us to produce much of the food we consume, or else we are able to buy it from our next door neighbour, the United States. If you look at the food prices of the' countries which have to import almost all they consume, you will see what I mean by high prices. Timely tips Here's good news for garden- ers who feel chained to their lawn mowers. Regular mowing is needed to keep a lawn in top shape, but you should allow your lawn to grow at least 1 1/2 inches high before mowing, says Burke McNeill, horticultural specialist, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Close mowing reduces resist- ance to drought, stimulates weed growth, and produces thin, patchy turf, During the normally hot, dry months of July and Aug- ust, it is particularly important not to crop lawns too closely. To keep lawns looking good at this time of year, it's imp- ortant to give them a thorough soaking once a week. Apply enough water to moisten the soil to a depth of several inches. Early morning or evening are the best times to water. In August, a final application of fertilizer, the same type as was used in the spring, is requir- ed. The fertilizer should be spread evenly, and thoroughly watered in as soon as it is on the lawn. This late -summer application gives your lawn that extra boost that will help to carry it over the cold winter months. Just before I sat down to write this, I noticed that sirloin steak was selling for over $12.00 a pound in Tokyo, Japan has to import this meat and while the price is rather an extreme case, it is some indication what can happen to prices. One thing to remember is that prices are always rather high in the spring and early summer until local crops manage to make their presence felt. There should, therefore, be some mod- eration as the year progresses. However, don't look for too much of a levelling off since. the food that we normally buy from other countries is still going to be in short supply. The reason for this is a general lack of bumper or near bumper crops coupled with an increased de- mand for food throughout the world. Every once in a while some- one makes a speech about hav- ing the food industry investig- ated for making excess profits. They can go ahead if they want but I don't think they will find too much in the way of excess profits. The industry is a very complex one. Given a shortage of supply together with a series of middlemen between you and the producer, and prices are bound to be high even with nor- mal makeups. We may not like it but that's the way things are at the present time. Perhaps next year we should all plant a large garden and buy a side of beef. ID ages( CHUM rgeaszySVRElN�4'y7Lwow you,p/fD/VE 1.. ml it avec, per /7BACk'/N S�i7URPOr',NQ WE WILL BUILD YOUR HOME • COTTAGE' • BARN • GARAGE Qne contract will take care of your complete project, including PLUMBING • HEATING • ELECTRICAL WORK 2 Baekhoes Available Air Prompt Service Aluminum Doors and Windows STANDARD STOCK SIZE DOORS Completely Installed General Contracting BUILDING and REMODELLING Only $38 Richard Bedard DIAL 236.79 ZURICH 20 USE TYPEWRITERS (in good working condition) SMITH -CORONA, ROYAL,AJNDERWOOD REMINGTON you must see them - to appreciate them from $39.95 to $119.95 ideal for office use - or for students!! Muori©Pti) da,e41A HoEnery 236-4672 Zurich