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Clinton News-Record, 1971-01-28, Page 7Clinton ,. Ontario Second Section 106 Year - No. 4 Thursday, January 28, 1971 BY A. R. BUCKLEY When Baron Walter von Saint Paul found a little blue-flowered, hairy-leaved plant in a grotto in the Usambara region of South Africa, little did he realize that it was to become the most popular house plant in the world. Saintpaulia ionantha (Usambara violet) was named in his honor. It was later called African violet in America and this name has been the popular one ever since. Today there are so many African violet cultivars that the list compiled by the American African Violet Society contains thousands of names and yet is by no means complete. There are kinds with miniature, medium and large flowers, all of which may be single, semidouble or double and occur in tones of blue, pink, lavender, wine, purple and white. Some have two shades of the same color or two colors in one flower, or flowers of one color splashed or flecked with another color. There are also novelties with star-shaped flowers. The petals may be fringed, wavy or ruffled. Leaves are smooth, corrugated, fringed or waved on the edges, round or pointed, flat or cupped, solid green or variegated with creamy white. The rise in popularity of the African violet is due not only to the development of new varieties, but to the adaptability of this beautiful house plant to the high temperatures and generally dry conditions of our homes. Since the plant responds particularly well to special care, home gardeners find it a challenge to grow bigger and better plants than their neighbors. By careful cultivation it is possible to keep the plants flowering most of the year. Four important things are needed for the successful growth of African violets. These are: proper light conditions, the right kind of soil, humidity and watering. The best location in the home is one Where sunlight is enough to produce ample blooms without causing yellowing or burning of the foliage. Full sunlight will produce more blooms, but the foliage tends to yellow and the plants take on an undesirable appearance. In winter, lack of sunlight will produce nice green foliage, but very few, if any, flowers. The best location seems to be a large window facing west, where the sun shines in late afternoon and the plants are shielded from its direct rays by awnings or curtains, An easterly window will produce fine plants provided they are shaded When the sun is at its highest point. A south window in winter is excellent, but in summer the excess sunlight will produce yellowing of the plants unless they are shaded. A north window is adequate during the summer months provided the room is bright and the window large, but as the days grow shorter the plants should be moved to a window with a southern or 'western exposure. African violets grow very well under fluorescent lights. Today, under such fixtures collectors and hobbyists are able to produce plants of exhibition quality, The soil for these plants should be open that le, A collection of African "Vio'let's. Snowmobiles - fun or hazard Winter used to be a time of peace and quiet when those with brains and money went south and those with brains but no money stayed inside beside a arm fire. Oh, there were a few ho took to sliding down hills n toboggans and skis, but for he most part winter was the ndoor season. Then about a decade ago the irst of a revolutionary new achine started appearing, the nowmobile. Little did we know hen what fun they would soon providing for so many. We dn't realize that hundreds of ople would be killed or badly njured every winter. We didn't ow that they would shatter he silence of winter, make roperty owners fume at the ery mention of the names and nd conservationists into fits of guish at the damage being aused to natural areas. The snowmobile has become ne of the most controversial achines of the century. illions of people own them and ke them while millions of thers wish they had never been vented. Through it all, though laws have been passed. o regulate their use, most ople on both sides of the rgument don't know what the aws say. Chief Lloyd Westlake of the inton police department ints out that part of three 'fferent provincial statutes overn the use of snowmobiles: he Motorized Snow Vehicles Act of 1968, the Highway Traffic Act arid the Petty espass Act. The chief has compiled a summary of the portions of each act that every snowmobiler and every property owner concerned with snowmobiles should know. The owner of every motorized snow vehicle shall register it with the Department before driving it or causing or permitting it to be driven and shall pay to the Department a fee for the registration thereof and for the number plate therefor. Where an owner changes his address as given under subsection 2 of section 2, he shall within six days send by registered mail or cause to be filed in the Department his change of address, and every subsequent change of address. Every motorized snow vehicle while being driven shall have attached to and exposed on the front thereof, in a conspicuous position, a number plate furnished by the Department showing in plain figures the number of the permit issued for the current year or any part thereof. When a motorized snow vehicle is being driven, the number plate thereon shall be kept free of dirt and the view thereof shall not be obscured or obstructed by any part of the motorized snow vehicle or any equipment or attachment thereon or by the load carried thereon. Except as permitted by the regulations, no person shall drive a motorized snow vehicle upon the King's Highway or a secondary highway. No person under the age of sixteen years shall drive a motorized snow vehicle upon a highway. The owner of a motorized snow vehicle shall not permit any person under the age of sixteen to drive the motorized snow vehicle upon a highway. Where the operation of a motorized snow vehicle is permitted on a highway under this Act, no person shall drive a motorized snow vehicle on a highway, unless he holds an operator's or chauffeur's licence issued under the authority of The Highway Traffic Act. No person shall drive a motorized snow vehicle upon a highway unless he is insured under a motor vehicle liability policy in accordance with The Insurance Act, and the owner of a motorzied snow vehicle shall not permit any person to drive the vehicle upon a highway unless the driver is so insured, The owner of a motorized snow vehicle who drives or permits the driving of the motorized snow vehicle on a highway shall, upon the request of a constable or other police officer, produce evidence that the motorized snow vehicle or the driver thereof is insured under a motor vehicle liability policy in accordance with The Insurance Act. Every owner of a motorized snow vehicle who fails to produce evidence under subsection 2 when requested to do so or within a reasonable time of such request is guilty of an offence and on summary conviction is liable to a fine of not less than $50 and not more than $500. Every owner of a motorized snow vehicle who produces false evidence when he is required to produce evidence under subsection 2 is guilty of an offence and on summary conviction is liable to a fine of not, less than $50 and not more than $500. Every person in charge of a motorized snow vehicle who is directly or indirectly involved in a collision shall, if the collision results in injury to any person or in damage to property of any person, other than the owner or driver, apparently exceeding $200. report the collision forthwith to the nearest provincial or municipal police officer and furnish him with information in respect to the collision. HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ACT "Highway" includes a common and public highway, street, avenue, parkway, driveway, square, place, bridge, viaduct or trestle, designed and intended for, or used by, the general public for the passage of vehicles; "Intersection" means the area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the 'lateral curb lines or, if none, then of the lateral boundary lines of two or more highways that join one another at an angle, whether or not one highway crosses the other; "King's Highway" includes the secondary highways and tertiary roads designated under The Highway Improvement Act; THE PETTY TRESPASS ACT Every person who unlawfully enters or in any other way trespasses upon another person's land, (a) that is enclosed; (b) that is a garden or lawn; or (c) with respect to which he has had notice by word of mouth, or in writing, or by posters or sign boards so placed as to be visible from every point of access to the land, not to trespass, and whether or not any damage has been occasioned thereby, is guilty of an offence ' and on summary conviction is liable to a fine of not less than $1 and not more than $10. Where an offence under subsection 1 is committed by means of a motor vehicle, the driver of the motor vehicle, not being the owner, is liable to the fine provided under subsection 1 and the owner of the motor vehicle is also liable to the fine provided under subsection 1 unless at the time the offence was committed the motor vehicle was in the possession of a person other than the owner or his chauffeur without the owner's consent. 1954, c. 69, s. 1. Every person found committing such a trespass may be apprehended without warrant by any peace officer, or by the owner of the land on which it is committed, or the servant, of or any person authorized by such owner, and be forthwith taken before the nearest justice of the peace to be dealt with according to law. R.S.O. 1950, c. 275, s. 2. A new type of resort is springing up across the country to facilitate the snowmobile owner who wants worry free fun with his machine. If the growing complaints against the snowmobile Is the snowmobile a source of winter recreation or a noisy, dangerous toy in the hand of irresponsible adult children? It is becoming a tough question to answer as the numbers of snowmobiles multiply each winter and the number of deaths, injuries and complaints from property owners grow by leaps and bounds. Clinton police feel an adequate knowledge of the laws concerning snowmobiles would improve the situation. 30000000000000000000000 • Dedicated to Snowmobilers Oh to be a snowmobiler Dashing through the snow Filling lungs with bracing air As o'er the fields we go. But we must always keep in mind, That cares cannot be left behind. Up the hill and down the dale Over icy streams. Through the woods and back again To sounds of joyful screams, But we must always be aware, Of all the dangers present there. Down the road and up the bank. Through the little park Snowmobiling's so much fun Especially in the dark. But we must always realize One bad mistake means someone dies. Bard of Bayfield 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0_0 0 0 0 0 0 QS QS 0 0 Q.9 frican violet most popular house plant continue to grow it may lead to complete banning' of their use except in such areas especially set aside for them. Around the County containing peat moss or well decayed leaves. Unless you have the right kind of soil, it is better to buy specially prepared African violet soil sold by seedsmen and department stores. At the Plant Research Institute a mixture of equal parts pasteurized soil, peat moss and sharp sand is used. For my own personal plants I like to add some live sphagnum moss to this mixture. Although the African violet will withstand dry home conditions, it often suffers from bud drop and brittle leaves. Better flowering plants will result if adequate humidity is provided. Place pots on a shallow layer of sand or gravel in a tray and keep this constantly moist. Occasionally spraying the foliage with an atomizer filled with lukewarm water helps maintain humidity. Watering is Very important in the growth of African violets, Over-watering will eventually encourage crown rot, and too little water will cause the plants to wilt so badly that they may never recover, Generally, the plants need watering more in Winter than in summer in our heated homes, especially if they are placed near radiators, Our plants are usually watered twice a week during very cold weather and once a week during the rest of the winter, but of course not unless the plant needs it. The best way to tell if a house plant is dry is to feel the soil in the top of the pot. If unsure of water requirement, re-examine the following day and water them if necessary. This is preferable to over-watering. Too much water will retard blooming, but lush leaves will probably result. African violets may be watered from the bottom to avoid getting cold water on the leaves. An occasional heavy watering from the top will leach excess mineral salts that may have accumulated hi the soil. Use water at roan temperature when watering from the top. EXETER STUDENT OUT OF PC RACE Exeter — An Exeter man's entry into the leadership race for the Ontario Progressive Conservative party was short-lived. Vic Fulcher, a 21-year-old student at Fanshawe College, announced Monday night, January 18, he would enter the contest to name a successor to Premier John Robarts. However, at a press conference Wednesday, the communications arts student announced he was withdrawing. A nephew of Provincial Treasurer Charles MacNaughton, Fulcher said from the outset he did not consider himself a serious candidate for the leadership, but that he was a serious person with good intentions. Those intentions were to spur discussion on some of the topics not being covered by the five candidates presently in the race. He said he wanted some discussion On education, environment, student unemployment and nationalism, and by becoming a candidate it would give him an opportunity to discuss and present his views on these matters at the convention in Toronto in mid-February. "What I wanted to do was use the form provided for the leadership candidates to tell the public about these issues," he said. He said the major obstacle he had to overcome if he were to be successful in his struggle was to convince people that he was hot foolish enough to think he could win or because he wanted to damage the campaign of any or all other candidates. He said he learned from conversations he had with party members in London and Toronto over the past couple of days that there was a more effective way of achieving what he 'wanted without doing anything that could 'anger Ontario Progressive Conservatives or encourage the charge that his actions were irresponsible. They encouraged him to accompany Douglas Jure, president of the Ontario PC student association., on his province wide tour to talk about the issues concerning Ontario's young people today and the qualities of leadership that the next premier is going to need. —Times Advocate. SO INFLATION IS A THING OF THE PAST? Wingham — Despite rumors to the contrary, it would appear that a certain amount of inflation still prevails in this fair land, Below is a schedule of mechanics' rates received last week from one of the machinery suppliers serving the printing trades — including 'The Advance-Times. Mechanics time, $14.00 per hour; time and one half, $18.50 per hour; double time, $22.00 per hour; second mechanic on same job, $11.25 per hour; time and one half, $14.75 per hour; double time, $17.75 per hour. On an emergency repair, with two mechanics required, combined rate, $39.'75 for double time. —Advance-Times ACQUIRES GODEFI ICH MOTORS Goderich — The Estate 'of Stanley IL Prevett is pleased to announce that C. Clayton Ambery has made arrangements for the purchase of Goderich Motors Limited. Goderich Motors Limited had been owned and operated by the late Stanley H. Prevett since 1987. Mr. Ambery has taken over active management of the company and extends an invitation to all of the friends and customers of Goderich Motors Limited to visit the dealership. —Signal-Star AWARD WI LL MEAN SEWING MACHINE Seaforth — When Mrs. Tony Van Dorp found out that she had won the Grand Prize in the Win-A-Prize '70 contest she ran to the barn to tell her husband. However, when she got there she was too excited to say anything. He looked up and said "What's the matter with you? Did you win $1,000?" Not quite $1,000 but the trip to Bermuda is valued at $500, which is a sizeable bonus to a family of six. The Van Dorps have four girls ranging in age from five weeks to ten years. Melody, the baby, and four year old Sheila are at home while Mary Ann, 8, and Carolyn, 10, both attend Calvin Christian School in Clinton during the week. Mrs. Van Dorp came to Canada with her family in 1950 when they settled in Middlesex County near St. Thomas. It was there she met and married her husband who had immigrated in 1948. They lived in Woodstock until moving to the Seaforth area three years ago. Because of the baby, the other children and the responsibilities of running their dairy farm, the Van Dorps are unable to take the trip to Bermuda and have accepted a cheque for $500 instead. Mrs, Van Dorp said she would use the money to buy a good sewing machine and put her imagination to work with the remainder. —Huron Expositor. DOG PROBLEM STILL EXISTS Blyth — Police Chief Jim Warwick has asked us to inform local residents that there is still a local dog problem on garbage mornings. All in all Jim says most dog owners are keeping their pets tied on Thursday mornings, but apparently a few are spoiling it for the majority — which is so often the case in any situation. He wants us to remind dog owners that if the situation persists, 'a local by-law will be passed making it illegal for any dog to run at large within the village limits for the entire twelve months of the year. It looks like some of our residents had better get their thinking caps on and do something about their dogs. —Standard. MACKAY HALL TO GET NEEDED FACE LIFT Goderich Goderich council agreed last week to let the town's property committee proceed with renovations to MacKay Hall rip to a maximum of $5,000. Coun. Ron Price, chairman of the committee, asked for approval for the work which would include rewiring, renovations and re-decorating some parts of the hall. Come Price said council was aware of the condition of the wiring at the hall which had been condemned last year. He said the groundwork had already been done by the previous committee and the object in asking for permission to proceed before budget time was the safety factor involved. Coup, Ed. Giesbrecht, the former committee chairman and Conn. Frank Walkom, both members of the present property committee,. supported the motion. Conn. Wallcom pointed out much money had been spent on buildings for young people but nothing had been done for senior residents.