The Huron Expositor, 1957-09-13, Page 2flp
Since 1800 Sereins the Community First
TIlbrished at SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, every Thursday morning
McLean Bros., Publishers
ANDREW Y. McLEAN, Editor
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by
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Newspaper
Association
SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, SEPTEMBER 13, 1957
Are Abscences From
Ottawa Too Frequent?
There appears to be an increasing
concern among the public generally,
and the daily press in particular, as
a result of the relatively large amount
of his time Prime Minister Diefen-
baker spends in travel and away
from his Ottawa responsibilities.
Unlike the years during which he
was a private member, and when his
non -parliamentary duties required
him to be absent from the Commons
for .frequent and often lengthy in-
tervals, the Prime Minister now is
responsible for leading the govern-
ment.
Among those commenting is the
well-known Conservative daily, The
Ottawa Journal. In a recent editor-
ial the Journal notes the extent of
the travels which the Prime Minister
is undertaking, and after discussing
his liking for informality, has this to
s
a "Some people will wonder, howev-
er, how the Prime Minister of Canada
can find time for travel on so exten-
sive a scale. They will have it in
mind that Mr. Diefenbaker admini-
sters the vital department of Extern-
al Affairs and that there are trou-
bles in the Middle East and impor-
tant decisions to be made about
Canada's position and policies at the
coming United Nations' meetings.
"There is coming up i i a few weeks
the first session of the new Parlia-
ment, and the pledges of the new
Government to be implemented.
There is the Queen's visit. There
are such problems confronting the
Government as the wheat surplus and
monetary policy, and' any number of
offices to be filled (including senator -
ships and judgeships and in the Cab-
inet itself).
"Mr. Diefenbaker no doubt is a
man of remarkable capacity, of
quick decisions, possessed of an abil-
ity to get speedily to the essentials
of a brief or a problem, but it could
be that in his efforts to see and know
Canada at first hand he may in com-
ing days cut too thin the time avail-
able for concentration on Govern-
ment business."
"Canada's Biggest Family Party" Is Under Way
This week the Canadian Weekly
Newspapers Association is holding
its 38th annual convention in Banff,
Alberta. -
Representatives of member news-
papers from Newfoundland to Van-
couver Island are meeting to discuss
the salient problems facing the in-
dustry, and to greet old friends, and
make new ones, in this unique fra-
ternity of weekly newspaper pub-
lishers and editors. As has always
been the case, many of the wives and
children are also ' present. for they
are a part of "Canada's Biggest Fam-
ily Party", as the CWNA convention
has come to be known, just as in so
many instances they are active work-
ers in the family newspaper.
There are serious problems facing
the weekly newspaper industry to -
Tragic Events
(The Windsor Star)
Apart from deaths in the family,
there can be no greater tragedy on a
farm than the burning of a barn.
Especially as, all too often, it is ac-
companied by loss of livestock, feed
and equipment. Even though it be
well insured, it still is a serious blow.
When one remembers it costs $14,-
000 or so to build a small house, one
can estimate what it costs to build a
big barn perhaps 80 feet long by 50
feet wide and 40 or more feet high.
And then to equip it with stabling
and other accessories.
That is why so many old Ontario
barns, once burned, never are replac-
ed or are replaced by much smaller,
less adequate buildings.
Most of the substantial old barns
in Ontario were built relatively
cheaply. Often the timbers for the
huge beams and the lumber for the
sides and roof were cut from the for-
ests, with which farms then were en-
dowed. Even the stones for the stone-
work usmikly were picked off the
land. Andvvhere there was limestone
the lime often was burnt in a lime
kiln on the farm. Much of the actual
labor was done by the farmer and his
sons.,
were important men
in the community. They would do
the detailed work. Then, when the
time came to put the barn up, there
would be the "raising." All the neigh-
bors would give a hand. Teams would
be picked, to vie with one another as
to -which could, raise its section first.
A bhrn„-raisilit wasa social event, as
i ll- as a araC icai t%ie.
mooseOld Ontario barns were
ink. ilial have lasted a
fn;zlii;', Of
is,
day. High wage IeveIs, constantly
rising cost of materials and equip-
ment, and a shortage of experienced
workers are placing a very heavy de-
mand on the productive and manage-
ment skills of publishers, who seek
to hold down costs as the alternative
to increasing advertising and sub-
scription rates. Their problem be-
comes even more acute when, because
of rapid growth of the communities
they serve, they must enlarge their
plant and equipment, placing a great
strain on limited reserves.
Such are the problems with which
the CWNA Conventions and the
meetings of the provincial divisions
of the association must deal. In for-
ums and general meetings, delegates
are attempting to find solutions and
reach decisions which it is hoped will
work for the good of the entire in-
dustry, CWNA members and non-
members alike.
Certainly there are the pleasures
of the social side of conventions, and
the CWNA convention is rated high
in this respect. But there is much
serious discussion, too, because the
member newspapers of the associa-
tion are constantly seeking to im-
prove themselves, not only on the in-
side, but in the public interest as well.
It is never forgotten that the faithful
subscriber is, in the final analysis,
the keystone of a newspaper's being.
Touchy Teachers
(Kincardine News)
Recent weeks, prior to the start of
the school season, have been marked
by meetings of teachers, and, if their
deliberations have been fairly report-
ed (which we do not doubt), some of
those charged with instruction of the
young are definitely out of touch with
the times.
The suggestion was made, and the
teachers did not find it averse, that,
when asked questions by the press,
they reply in united voice, "No com-
ment."
Another association member spoke
out heatedly against a proposal that
teachers be paid on a merit system.
This, she claimed, is a professional
morale breaker.
Teacher associations constitute too
important a group and certainly
should be sufficiently intelligent not
to cut themselves off from the rest
of their fellow citizens by being so
touchy and attempting to become a
law unto themselves.
Perhaps they do not like it men-
tioned, but when it boils down to es-
sentials, they are . employees of the
public --the people who pay the tax-
es—the same as the policeman who
hands out the parking tickets.
SEEN IN THE 'COUNTY PAPERS
District Farmers Exhibit At Fitt'
Exhibiting at the Western F, `ir
this week will be William J. Dae,
Clinton, with his Guernsey cattle;
Harold W. Bodley, Walton, with
his Holsteins; Huroa County Hol-
stein Club, Clinton; Ephriam Srse11,
Clinton, with his Leicester sheep.
P. E. Dearing & Son, Exeter, acre
showing Dorset Horned sheep, and
heavy horses are going from the
farm of Aubrey Toll, Blyth: From
Hensall is an entry in, the light
horse class by Ed. Schoeder and
in the Aberdeen Angus cattle class-
es by William Etherington, Jr.,
Hensall. There are a total of 2,018
livestock entries at the London
Fair.—Clinton News -Record.
Seaforth Ladies Win Doubles
A ladies' doubles tournament was
held last Wednesday afternoon at
the Wingham bowling green with
19 rinks in play. They were pres-
ent from Clinton, Goderieh, Sea -
forth, Palmerston, Hanover and
Wingham. Winners were: Mrs. E.
H. Close and Mrs. B. F. Christie,
of Seaforth, with three wins plus
20, aggregate 46; Mrs. F. Sturdy
and Mrs. William Haney, of Wing -
ham, with three wins plus 16 ag-
gregate 38; Mrs. A. R. DuVal and
Mrs. J. A. Wilson, of Wingham,
with three wins plus 4, • aggregate
33; Mrs. Boyce and Mrs. Draper,
of Clinton, with two wins plus 12,
aggregate 38, and the fifth prize
went to Miss Y. MacPherson and
Mrs. J. Maclntyre, of Wingham,
with two wins plus 11, aggregate
30.—Wingham Advance -Times.
Meet Bear in Berry Patch
One evening last week when Mr.
Avila Ducharme, his wife and oth-
er members of the family, had gone
to their bush land to pick thimble
berries, on their arrival they were
greeted with a big beat bear who
had taken possession of the paatch.
When the bear noticed them he
slowly walked into the thick bush,
growling and groaning in his ani-
mal language. Mr. Ducharme had
the farm dog near him, trying to
send the dog after the bear, but
the dog refuse to go, seeking safe-
ty near his master. Some time lat-
er Mrs. Ducharme was asked of,
her experience in the berry p.tch
and was asked if she would return.
She did not hesitate—her answer
was a plain "No". She advises
others to be on their guard when
berry picking or strolling in the
nearby woods, and especially chil-
dren. The Ducharmes reside a
mile south of St. Joseph.—Zurich
Herald.
Return To School Changes Temp?
The return of • the children to
school changes the living habits of
many people who have perhaps
taken a breather during the long
summer vacation, which somehow
or other did not seem so long this
year, perhaps because the weather
cool, particularly the nights for.
sleeping, and no one suffered un-
d'ul'y from the heat. To really ap-
preciate what the return to school
days means, one must see the
closing day activity in a summer
resort centre. The writer was in
Bayfield on Monday and sat for a
bried spell watching the .summer
visitors pulling up for gas with
cars loaded, headed for home
base. One station had two attend-
ants on the pumps and they were
being kept reasonably busy. The
population • of Bayfield dwindles
from around 2,000 in the summer
months to a few hundred in the
winter, and most of the change
takes place over the Labor Day
weekend.—Blyth Standard. ,
YEARS AGONE
From The Huron Expositor
September 16, 1907
The Seaforth Collegiate Institute
cadet corps stood second for the
London Free Press trophy, award-
ed to corps with an enrolment of
under 100, according to the results
of competitions among the cadet
corps in M.D. No. 1, which have
been announced from London. The
awards are made following the an-
nual inspection, which took place
at the close of 1931-32 terms.
At the regular monthly meeting
of the Home and School Associa-
tion held in the public school Mon-
day afternoon, Mrs. Chas. Holmes
was elected president for the com-
ing year.
The annual flower show of the
Brucefield Horticultural Society
was held in the school room of
the United Church, Brucefield, on
Tuesday, Sept. • 6. Mr. Wiliam
Hartry, of Seaforth, acted as judge.
The community sale, as sponsor-
ed by the Business Men's Associa-
tion on Friday and Saturday last,
was a splendid success. Held in.
conjunction with the opening of
the Regent Theatre, the event at-
tracted people from many miles.
Mayor J. F. Daly, Seaforth, was
the guest at luncheon on Tuesday
of the President and Directors of
the Western Fair, London. The
luncheon, the first of its kind at
Western Fair, was given in honor
of the mayors and reeves of West-
ern Ontario municipalities.
Mr. Elmer Beattie, son of Mr.
and Mrs. Thomas Beattie, of town,
who has been assistant operator
at the Capitol Theatre in Goderich,
was operator at the Regent Theatre
here on Wednesday night. As yet
no permanent manager or opera-
tor has been apointed at the Reg-
ent.
$ $
From The Huron lExpositor
September 13, 1907
Mr. Robert Willis has purchased
the store on Main St, owned and
occupied by Mr. W. Talbot. The
price paid was $52,500. Mr. F. L.
Willis, who is at present located in
the Cardno block, will occupy this
store.
On Friday, August 30, Mr. Leon-
ard Houghton, of Hibbert, had the
misfortune to have his house de-
stroyed by fire, saving only a lit-
tle furniture and with no insurance
on the contents. It appears be had.
put some linseed oil in a vessel on
the stove and going out to the barn
with his wife, the oil boiled over
on the stove and ran onto the floor,
setting fire to the house.
Mr. Rollie Kennedy and his as-
sistants, moved the large ware-
house in the rear, of Mr. R. Willis'
shoe tore, to the shoe factory this
week.
Mr. John Kale has disposed of
his residence on Huron Street to
Mr. Ernest Sparlin,g, who owns
the blacksmith shop adjoining. Mr.
Kale talks of going to Detroit to
live.
R. H. Peck & Co., Seaforth, have
sold to Miss M. Wilds, of the Sauble
Line, Stanley, a beautiful Mason
& Risch piano. The case is in ma-
hogany style Louis XV.
Mr. Peter Dill, who recently dis-
posed of his business in Seaforth,
has purchased the business, store
and residence of the late James
Canning, of Dublin, and takes pos-
session in about a week.
Mr. Harry Edge is having the
house on Goderich Street, which
he purchased from the estate of
the late Mrs. John Weir, enlarged
and remodelled and intends occupy-
ing it himself.
Broadfoot, Box & Co. have had
the interior of their furniture ware -
rooms nicely papered and redecor-
ated.
From The Huron Expositor
September 15, 1882
Last week while. threshing -at
Malcolm McEwen s, Stanley, . th.
stlwaW C'attght and beghit; tl Wib
around a pltile , fir, :Jai, es; Me
Interesting,iterns gleaneld from
The Huron Expositor of 25, 50
and 75 years ago.
Farlane was caught by the revolv-
ing straw and thrown vilently to
the floor. He was stunned and
remained insensible for some time,
but has not sustained much injury
otherwise.
Mr. George Whiteley has erect-
ed a magnificent new stable and
driving house. It contains nine
large box stalls and is one of the
best and most conveniently arrang-
ed private stables in town. '
Mr. H. Plumsteel, lately of the
Mill Road, Tuckersmith, is going
into business in Clinton. He has
rented a store from Mr. R. Irwin
and will shortly launch out with
a stock of dry goods.
Mr. Alexander Davidson has just
delivered on the market here, 186
bushels of fall wheat, being the
product of six bushels sown, and
the yield of four acres of land.
This was grown on the Currey farm
adjoining the town, and is -a good
yield. •
Last Sunday evening as Mr. and
Mrs. John Henderson, accompan-
ied by a gentleman friend, were
returning from church, Mr. Hen-
derson met with what might have
been a serious accident. They were
walking. along the sidewalk on the
west side of North Main Street,
when one of them happened to step
upon a loose plank in the walk,
when it suddenly flew up in front
of Mr. Henderson, causing him to
trip over it and fall heavily to the
ground. The shock was such as to
cause him considerable pain, and
for some days he was quite indis-
posed.
While in Winnipeg a couple of
weeks ago, Mr. John H. Broadfoot,
of this town, procured a contract
to manufacture 500 storm windows
for a firm in that city.
The tongue runs fastes when the
brain is in neutral.
Men and pins are useless when
they lose their heads.
Pairking place—Something you
see when you have not got your
-car.
A fire of undetermined origin de-
stroyed Canada's parliament build-
ings in 1916.
Lake -of -the -Woods, located in
Northern Ontario, is world famous
for its fighting fish, and fine re-
sorts.
The 100 -mile three-day Interna-
tional dog sled derby at the Que-
bec winter carnival attracts many
visitors to the province.
The valley of the St. Maurice
River, north of Trois-Rivieres, is
one of the good fishing and hunt-
ing areas of the Province of Que-
bec.
Quebec's citizens are mostly bil-
ingual so there is on language dif-
ficulty for the English-speaking
traveller. ,
The largest province, Quebec, bas
a land area of 523,860 square miles;
Prince Edward Island, the small-
est, has an area of 2,184 square
miles.
Soaring peaks, cattle country,
scenic forests and northern lakes
all augment Alberta's travel
charm.
The unrivalled scenic splendor
of the Rocky Mountains in Al-
berta is a perpetual magnet for
artists and color camera enthus-
iasts.
The total area to be flooded on
the Canadian side of the St. Lawr-
ence River as a result of the St.
Lawrence Seaway has been esti-
mated at 20,000 acres.
In the fascinating city of Que-
bec, the tourists cart stroll along
Step, narrow streets; and haVour
the chariti of the 18th Centuit'y,
F rehch pro.moral town.
Convention
Honors Members
Three veteran members " f' the
weekly newspaper industry were
this week named honorary life
members. of the Canadian Weekly
Newspapers Association. The', hon-
orary memberships were present-
ed at the CWNA's 38th annual con-
vention at the Banff Springs Ho-
tel.
Recipients of the CWNA's high-
est honor were Edward Westwood
Johnston of the Fort Erie (Ont.)
Times,Review, John A. Vopni, of
the Davidson (Sask.) Leader, and
Robert A, Giles of the Lachute
(Que.) Watchman.
Born in Winnipeg in 1898, edu-
cated in public and high schools
there, John Vopnieapprenticed him-
self to the printing trade with
"Logberg", an Icelandic weekly,
and was the means of starting his
four brothers in the trade.
From 1921 to 1931 he operated a
commercial printing business in
Winnipeg.
In the spring of 1931 he pur-
chased the Davidson Leader,
which, under his management,
showed speedy progress through
Saskatchewan's depression years.
His community work has been
notable through the intervening
years. Included are: several
terms of office as town councillor;
mayor for 16 years; chairman of
the Hospital Board, then secretary -
manager of the hospital; secretary
and then president of the Board of
'trade; a director of the Saskat-
chewan Golden Jubilee Provincial
Committee, and the Davidson Jubi-
lee committee and various execu-
tive positions in. other organiza-
tions. He is a past master of
the Masonic Lodge.
John Vopni's efforts have always
been directed to the activities of
the weekly newspaper association,
both national and provincial. He
is a past president of the. Canadian
Weekly Newspapers Association
and the Saskatchewan Weekly
Newspapers Association, and is at
present secretary -manager of the
Saskatchewan association, as well
as being manager of Prairie Pub-
lishers Co-operative Limited.'
His hobby is photography, and
he is engaged in other business in-
terests in Davidson.
R. A. "Bob" Giles was born in
Montreal in 1893 and went to La -
chute at the age of one, where his
father, J. S. Giles, worked for the
Watchman.
Later the elder Giles purchased
the paper and at 88 is still quite
active and anxious to do his share.
Bob started early and had his fin-
gers in printing ink as a youngster
in stove -pipe pants in the then
small Giles plant — working mes-
senger boy, firing the old steam
boiler and making himself gen-
erally useful during out-of-school
hours. He officially became a
member of the firm in 1911 after
graduating from Lachute Acad-
emy. Two sons, John and Bob,
Jr., are now in the business with
him.
Having spent more than 50 years
in the trade,with the exception of
three years' service overseas dur-
ing World War I, Bob and the La -
chute Watchman have been strong
members of the Canadian Weekly
Newspapers Association since it
was formed. He was a director of
the association for many years and.
was president in 1947-48. He is a
past -president of the former On-
tario -Quebec division of C.W.N.A.
and was secretary of the division
for 17 years.
In 1955 he was awarded an hon-
orary life membership in the On-
tario Division of CWNA and is cur-
rently first vice-president of the
Quebec Division, having served as
secretary of that branch.
Bob has always been active in
community activities, some of
which have been: President of the
Lachute Chamber of Commerce;
member of Boycout Association
committees, masterr of the local
Masonic Lodge, 'Grand Officer of
the Oddfellows, president and sec-
retary of the Lake Louisa Fish and
Game Club, president and secre-
tary of the Lachute Curling Club,
president of Branch No. 70 of the
'Canadian Legion which honored
him recently when he was pres-
ented with the Legion's Meritorious
Service Medal.
The Giles (Bob married Peggy
Gorman, of Brghton, England, in
1923) have three children, Lorna
32, John 28 and Bob Jr. 22.
Hobbies are curling in winter
and in summer enjoying the island
camps at Lake Louisa, 12 miles
north of Lachute.
The Giles family now compris-
es four generations, John Jr.'s son,
Richard, being 14 months old.
Business in the Giles Publishing
House Limited continues to flour-
ish, with a French and English
edition weekly and plenty of com-
mercial printing to keep its 15 em-
ployees quite busy in the new and
up-to-date plant erected a few
years ago:
Born in Toronto in 1882, "Eddie"
Johnston's first acquaintance with
the art of printing began with his
apprenticeship with the long since
defunct Hillsburg . Beaver. From
this point he moved to Fergus and
continued his education in printing
with the Fergus Canadian. When
that paper was sold and absorbed
into another local paper, Eddie
moved with his family to Bridge -
burg, now known as Fort Erie,
where his father took over the
Times -Review.
In 1902 Eddie took over the
Times -Review from his father and
in the years following built a
new'spaper publishing and com-
mercial printing business which for
quality is rated one of the best in
Canada. His entries in 'the CWNA
efompetition for commercial print-
ing were consistent ptize winners,
and he won the Legge Trophy so
often that the original trophy was
eventually given to him for perm-
anent possession.
Mr. Johnston was recently hon-
ored by the Ontario Weekly News-
papers Association as "Mr. Week-
ly NewspaPetman of 1957". It
was a i4appointment to everyone
in attett Mien at the 0.W,N.A. con-
tteh elf that he etas" unable to at-
tend due
;11
TRAIL OF THE CEDAR RAILS
i
(By J. S. ELLIS, in Sylvia)
Modern farm machinery and ad-
vanced agriculture methods a r e
speedily changing the appearance
of rural Ontario. Wire fences
have replaced many of the rail
fences except for the electric single
strand stock fence, which can be
removed or changed in a matter
of minutes to allow for pasturage
changes.
The old split . rail fences have
been so taken for granted by the
residents that most persons do not
realize that a very rapid trans-
formation from the last century
pioneer days to a new era is be-
ing enacted before their eyes.
Never again will we see such, ma-
ture trees and timber which must
have grown in profusion at that
time. , The split rail which has
weathered around 120 years of ser-
vice is 'still sound and dry. Many
of the rails will still go on in
history by being sawn into 12 -inch
lengths and used to build the cedar
block and mortar homes of to-
day.
As the early settlers acquired
their land grants and began push-
ing north from Lake Ontario and
the St. • Lawrence, their first act
was to hew a clearing in this new
land and build the first home from
the best logs. As the land was
slowly cleared of trees, fences
were then necessary to enclose
their fields and contain their live-
stock. The axe and crude saw
were their tools, plus the ox team
and the settlers' unconquerable
spirit to succeed. Long hours of
back -breaking Iabor and hardship
finally won them a carm cut from
the virgin forest. Many of the
farms today are being successful-
ly operated by the third and fourth
generation of these hardy pio-
neers. We can only visualize to-
day on this enormous task when
we examine some of these rails.
The felling of these mature ced-
ars for fences alone, was a gigan-
tic task. However, after this op-
eration, it still remained to draw
the log in 12 -foot lengths,, by ox-
en, to be•piled to dry. After this,
the splitting by means of a mallet
and wedge was done. Each log
produced from four to 12 rails,
which were then built into a fence.
This was called the snake fence.
Later, some variation of style`was
used. As they could only go so
high with the snake fence, the
crossed stakes and rider were
added for height. Later, to in-
crease the usable acreage, the
straight stake and rider fence was
popular. When we realize that all
settlers took enough cedar on their
own land to build the fences, it
will give us an idea of the abun-
dance of the white cedar. Neigh-
borly rail -splitting bees were the
order of the day and contracts
could be made with crews to do
the work for $1.00 a day per 'man
and less. However, this history of
the fence does not commence with
the cedar.
The logs of hardwood were first
used for fences from the early
1800's to around the 30's. These
logs of 20 feet in length and, diam-
eters to 30 inches were rolled into
place, a 10 -inch cedar block was
placed between the logs and thence
built three logs high for the fence.
The maples and beeches, etc., rot-
ted and disappeared during this
period to be replaced by the dur-
able red car rail. Many 'of the
early cabins and barns were built
from the sturdy oak and are still
seen in some locations today.
The forest product, was also a 1
source of income in many ways.
A standard cord of body hard-
y✓ood brought $4.00 to, the farmer
when delivered to the buyer. Many
old-time axe men finished their
days on a 10 -hour day schedule -
splitting the blocks into fine pieces
for kitchen use of 12, inches, while
18 -inch wood was fire -place and
stove size, Crosscut sawing by.,
hand was the order of the day un-
til the circular saw became more -
common.' 4; ready sale of pine,.
birch, maple, and cedar was made
on delivery of logs to the mills•
which gave employment to many_
Lumber and cedar shingles were
in demand at a low price,. Ash..
was in favor, as now, for axe-
handles;
xehandles; wagon spokes and fine
furniture. Soft elm was consider-
ed as poor fuel or lumber, but rock
elm had many uses. Much of the
best rock elm was hewed by band'
adze by expert, axe ,men and ship-
ped in its entire length to :race
the British Navy ships as masts::
The masts of ships in World War
I were mainly supplied from On-
tario rock elm.
Maple syrup and .maple sugar
was a salable article and a sugar
camp could be observed in every
maple bush. A large supply was
for home consumption and the sur-
plus was in cash demand. Even
the old iron kdttle has disappear-
ed today, but we still have visions
of the' care -free picnics when the
sugaring -off was done.
This timber was the backbone -
of Ontario economy throughout
these years. Many almost forgot-
ten trades of today depended on,
these products of the forest. The
cooper was never idle in filling or-
ders for barrels. These were apple
barrels, hogshead barrels and kegs,
Many were made of lighter lumber
for apples, sugar, oatmeal, etc.,
but waterproof oak barrels were
needed for oil, vinegar, pickled'
meats, molasses, liquors and
wines. The wagon maker requir-
ed the best hardwoods, such- as
ash and oaks for wagon making,
wagon spokes, and all horse-drawn
vehicles. The cabinet makers and-
furniture
ndfurniture trimmers were appren-
ticed and highly skilled. Hay rakes,
cultivators, scythes, cradles and
harrows were all made by local
expert craftsmen from selected
woods.
With the clearing of this wonder-
ful virgin forest to make room for
farms, many changes were com-
mencing in the economy of the
countryside starting around 1870.
Throughout Ontario, many bust-
ling villages were slowing down
for lack of raw material, expert
workmen and availability to mar-
kets. With the coming of the rail-
ways, it was natural that the popu-
lation settled along these trade
routes. An example of one of hun-
dreds of such villages could be
such as a place, now forgotten,
called Arlington in Adjala Town-
ship of Simcoe County, where there
was a thriving community of 57
people in 1869: They were de-
pendent on the lumber. There
was a medical doctor, two general
stores, two hotels, a sawmill, car-
riage factory, post office, carpen-
ter shops and the residents were
listed as either farmers or trades-
men. A coach ran daily through
the village. Today, there is no
sign of any past buildings or ac-
tivity.
The pioneer era is over. The
mature trees are gone, but they
served a worthy purpose in the pro-
gress of our Southern Ontario.
FARM TOPICS
SUBJECTS OF INTEREST ,
TO FARMERS
Half As Many Ontario Potatoes
And Higher Prices This Year
A decrease of more than 50 per
cent in this year's crop of Ontario
potatoes is predicted, due to ex-
tremely dry weather in recent
weeks throughout the potato pro-
ducing areas. This conclusion was
reached recently following a care-
ful survey of the potato crop situa-
tion across the Province by officials
of the Ontario Department of Agri-
culture. Further, soil and tem-
perature conditions this year are
such that development of scab is
widespread, many fields having
several misses. Grade out will be
necessary, cutting down quantities
of No. 1 marketable potatoes avail-
able for consumption.
An influx of potatoes from the
U.S.A. earlier in the season result-
ed in extremely low prices and de-
layed digging of the early crop
here. However, supplies are now
clearing away and the crop across
the border is estimated at four per
cent less than last year. Harvest-
ing is commencing in the inter-
mediate and producing areas of
the Province, with yields far below
average. Unlike last year, no
blight is prevalent this year.
It is predicted that potato prices
will strengthen in the next few
weeks and remain firm throughout
the 1957-58 marketing season.
Ontario Potato Growers' Associa-
tion directors from across the prov-
ince met recently in Simcoe Coun-
ty, to assess the present situation
and' make plans for improvement
of storage facilities and market-
ing.
Co-operative Effort Necessary
To Eliminate Ragweed Pest
Although several plants produce
pollen to which many people are
allergic, ragweed causes by far
the most misery to the thousands
of hay fever sufferers, reports the
Field Crops Branch of the Ontario
Department of Agriculture.
Common ragweed is an annual,
grey green in color with bushy
blanches and finely deviled leav-
es. It varies from three inches
to three or four feet in height and
has yellowish -green flowers borne
ott long spikes at 'the ends of the
flower stertlg. It grows on rood•
sides, i r grain fields, in gardens
and even in the heart of large cit-
ies.
Pollen is produced in large quan-
tities and can be carried miles
through the air to infect distant
communities. As a result, local
control program can lessen the
amount of suffering but cannot
eradicate it completely. Only by
the co-operation of all communi-
ties in a total war on ragweed can
it be eliminated entirely.
In spraying fields with 2,4-D at
the rate of six to eight ounces of
acid per acre for the control of
weeds, ragweed is frequently miss-
ed because the spraying is done
too early to affect it. Roadsides
are usually sprayed at a later date
and the weed is well controlled
where a roadside spraying pro-
gram is in operation. Many cities
have a ragweed control program,
and all municipalities should re-
alize the need for clear -ling up vac-
ant lots, fence corners and other
places where it grows.
People susceptible to hay fever
should obtain a copy of "Canadian
Havens From Hay Fever" from
the Botany Division, Science Ser-
vice, Canada Department of Agri-
culture, Ottawa. This pamphlet in-
cludes a rating of various areas
and the amount of pollen likely to
be present. During the pollen sea-
son there are almost no areas in
Southern Ontario safe for the hay
fever victim, • but practically all
areas in Northern Ontario can be
considered safe. Hay fever suf-
ferers should seek medical assist-
ance early or plan a vacation in
the North country during the month
of September.
•
Huron Farm News
After -harvest cultivation is still
going on with some fall plowing.
White beans are being pulled and
threshed. Recent rains have help-
ed the sugar beets, turnips and
corn.
A great deal of second -cut hay is
being harvested, and the crop is
heavy and of excellent quality. Red
clover is filling quite well.
Some rivers that rise in the pro-
vince of Alberta flow south to the
Gulf of Mexico, others flow north
to the Arctic Ocean,
1