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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1974-08-22, Page 19PAGE 20 ZURICH CITIZENS NEWS SOUVENIR EDITION r l l 4011 0 ,nnW (r,�r �lillllh SOME VISITORS ENJOYED PLAYING BINGO More beans in Huron There are six major counties in Ontario that specialize in growing beans -Kent, Elgin, Middlesex, Lambton, Perth and Huron. These counties represent over 4, 200 growers. Of the six counties, Huron is the largest bean producer, with over 1,400 growers. A great number of these growers are located in the areas surrounding Zurich, Hay, Stanley, Stephen, Usborne and Tuckersmith town- ships. The total acreage of beans in Ontario is about 121, 000 with 54, 000 acres grown right here in good old . Huron County The estimated amount of beans grown in Ontario is well over 1, 500, 000 cqt. About half of the total amours of beans grown in Ontario must be exported. Up until ten years ago, there were just enough beans grown in the country -for domestic use, but in the past ten years the growers have doubled their acreage making it necessary to export the bal- ance. Beans are now considered as one of the best cash crops there is for area farmers. There is an organization known as the Ontario Bean Producers' Marketing Board which has helped a great deal with the export market of beans in the country. The growing of beans is usually regarded as a 90 -day crop, since they are planted in early June and harvested in early September. Years ago the beans used to be pulled and drawn into the barns, where they would be left for some time before they were thresh - Pancake breakfast To start off activities at the ninth annual Zurich and Dist- rict Bean Festival this year will be a pancake and sausage breakfast served from eight o'clock in the morning until 11. This part of the bean fest- ival is operated by the Zurich Minor Athletic Association. Last year was the second for this new attraction and it prov- ed to be quite popular with all early visitors. Over 500 persons were served. Helping in the kitchen at the breakfast two years ago was Aunt Jemima" herself and arrangemerts are being made to have her back again this years ed. Now, however, most farm- ers combine the beans right in the field, thus eliminating a great deal of hard work. Bean straw is considered val- uable by most farmers, and they usually bale and draw it into their barns, where it is later used for bedding cattle, and feed. From the time beans are first sown in early June, until they are harvested, thereis consid- erable amount of work involved for the farmer, Shortly after they are up out of the ground they must be scuffled so the ground around them is loosened to aid in their growth, A little later they inust be hoed to clean the weeds away from the plants. Some farmers now use weed sprays to eliminate the tedious job of hoeing. When the beans ripen in the early fall the entire plant must be pulled out of the ground. This is now done with modern machinery that will pull two or four rows at one time. After they are dried out the combines are able to come along and harvest the crop. Beans require proper climatic conditions to grow successfully, and this area of Ontario is best suited for this purpose. They must have an abundant supply of rain and warm sunshine to mature properly. Once beans have been sold to either the bean company or theindependent dealer, they are then ready for use by can- ning factories in the manufact- ure of pork and beans, or bean soup. There are a number of other methods of selling the finished product as well. ' Can IDB help you? I-IUGI-I SHELD ON one of our representatives will be at VICTORIA & GREY TRUST CO. EXETER, ONTARIO 235-0530 ON AUGUST 26, 1974 FROM 1 - 4:30 P.M. If you require financing to start, modernize, or expand your business, and are unable to obtain it elsewhere on reasonable terms: and conditions perhaps 108 can help you. DEVELOPMENT 1032 ONTARIO STREET N5A 6Z3 STRATFORD, ONT. 271-5650 Welcomes visitors to the Main Street ZURICH Ed and Peggy Keenan YOUR HOST AND HOSTESS ENTERTAINMENT FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHT AUGUST 23 and 24 © VETSAV FULLY LICENCED UNDER L.C.B.O.