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The Seaforth News, 1955-10-27, Page 3N:k TIWTARM FRONT J06 "lelodern agriculture is 1.)1g business" that's the highly un- original statement of an article by Horace Brown in Hydro News, an elegant slick -paper magazine put out by the Hydro- Electric Power Commission of Ontario at regular intervals. Seeing that our Hydro has—and brooks — no opposition we fail to see why they should spend such money convincing what might be called a "captive audi- ence." However, it is an ungrate- ful thief who criticizes the suit Worn by the man whose pocket he is picking; so, continue Mr. Brown, If you doubt that statement, look at the record of farm pro - Suction in Ontario since 1018, When the total output of the erovince's farms was valued at About $595,043,000. Actual fi- gures are not available for 1954 is yet, but they are expected to lit about the samelevel as 1953 when the gross value of agricul- ural production was set at $1.• 122,501,000. * a * Despite its successful record ut growth, Ontario agriculture is ;till in a constant battle with a lumber of hazards, ranging from nsects to weather. Insects and plant diseases are ;be implacable enemies of the !!armor, but fortunately the mod - !lin man of the soil has found in- valuable allies in the federal And provincial laboratories, which. labor on a 12 -month basis seeking ways to protect the narvests. « * „ One such research centre is the Science Service Laboratory, operated by the ti'ederal De- partment of, Agriculture at Har- row, Ontario. Its corps of scien- tists has many notable achieve- ments to its credit in the con- stant war being waged to re- duce crop losses. This highly -geared operation would be impossible without eleetricty, according to the Of- ficer -hi Charge, Dr, L Ward Koch. Enjoying an international reputation as an authority on field crop diseases, Dr, Koch re- ports that the use of electricty is vital to most experiments, and that much of the research would, in fact, be impossible without electrical energy. « * * The white laboratory building is a familiar and welcome sight in the Harrow district. The staff, which is composed of 12 fully- trained scientists, five techni- cians and other service person- nel, carries out several of its experiments in an adjacent greenhouse, as well as field tests m 10 acres of property sur - :minding these buildings, C * * Established in 1938, the Sci- 'nce• Service Laboratory has srovided invaluable assistance o the farmers, not only of On- tario, but even across the bard- s% For instance, the Harrow tcieritists discovered a method rf controlling the black root in tuaar beets — a fungus disease, which was causing incalculable lamage to this important crop. They determined that the di - lease could be controlled by the application of a chemical fertil!- cer mixture at the time of seed- ing, The method has now spread beyond Canada and is being used in the humid areas of the United States, particularly in California. The chemical, was clubbed "Thir- am," from the initials of its va- rious components, although it is sold under a number of trade names. * * * Further research established that "Thiram" could be adapted for the control of vegetable seedling diseases. One teaspoon of the mixture is now added to a greenhouse "flat," a box for growing of seedlings. * * Research at harrow ..has also provided controls for a number of serious tobacco diseases, most- ly soil -borne. Another notable achievement was the control de- veloped for some of the .cucum- ber diseases. This has brought Dr. Koch and his associates many commendatory tetters from grateful farmers of the district, where about 125 acres of this vegetable are grown under glass. Cucumbers, in this area, repre- . sent a cash crop of about $3,- 000,000 annually. Fluorescent lighting- fixtures are employed in the laboratory for plants requiring constant temperature and rn o l S t u r e. Equipped with electric timing devices, the fluorescent fixtures simulate daylight, thus making studies of their growing habits snore intensive. This electrical application, Dr, Koch said, is essential for investtgations into the relationship of diseases to crop plants. Another important use of elec- tricity is to steam and disinfect soil. The disinfected soil then becomes part of the experiment, with disease organisms deliber- ately added for study under va- rious conditions. This provides a number of checks and enables the assessment of injuries to plants caused by diseases. In the spotless, well-appointed laboratory, electricity and its uses are ever-present. While the scientific equipment may prove somewhat bewildering to the layman, it is easy to understand the importance of lighting, the cold storage rooms, and the small research Tonnes where light and beat are electrically -con- trolled and humidity is kept to a minimum. * * Clean test -tubes and bottles are essential to scientific work, and the H a r leo w laboratory washes its bottles with an elec- trically - operated revolving brush, while autoclaves are used for a variety of sterilizing opera- tions. A Warburg apparatus measures the respiration of plants and plant tissues, provid- ing one idication of plant health. High speed centrifuges, special electric heaters, constant -tem- perature tanks where experi- mental work on soil -borne troubles can be carried .through on a yearly basis, electricelle- operated ventilation in the greenhouse and many other ap- plications of electricity are in constant use in the laboratory and greenhouse. * * « While a power failure during research would be disastrous, Dr. Koch said no experiment has ever been ruined in this manner. THE "KINK" GETS A KISS—Mrs, W. G. H. Latham, housewife who hunts in the 'Peruvian jungles as a hobby, giyes a good -night kiss to "H'oney Bunch," a kinkajou. The pet dikes to be dressed in doll's clothing, responds to affection and quickly adjusts to elviliied living. .. Fashion Hints . FINELY -STITCHED RIBBING outline the neck and pockets of this Tight grey suit. The fabric is a blend of terylene and wool. The slim skirt has a box pleat in the back for easy -walking. P. A. (Bud) Lawson, Hydro's Harrow Area Manager, empha- sizes that the Commission recog- nizes the importance of the laboratory. Anew line was con- structed two years ago in the vicinity of the laboratory, while the building is only a short dis- tance from two substations. « * * The years to come may bring even more startling develop- ments at this important agricul- tural research centre, with sci- ence and electricity working to- gether as the farmers' friends. Can You Prove The World Is Round? Human beings can live on the sun — so said an amateur as- tronomer in Germany. He formed the theory that there were "holes" in the sun which were cool enough to be inhabited by man. Ile became so obsessed with his theory that he offered to pay anyone who could dis- prove it more than live thoasand dollars. The German Astronomical So- ciety promptly produced the proof and an independent jury of experts decided they were right. A German court ordered the astronomer to pay up. Be- fore an appeal could be heard the astronomer died in an acci- dent, but the Federal Supreme Court has just upheld the ruling that the sun is uninhabitable and ordered his heirs to pay the re- ward lie so rashly offered. Can you "square the circle"? This means producing a formula ° for erecting a square containing exactly the same area ate given circle If you can do it — and prove your solution is correct— there orrectthere is a prize worth $200,000 waiting for you. Twenty years ago .a wealthy Bucharest mer- chant left over three-quarters of his fortune to anyone who could solve the problem of squaring the circle. His heirs tried to get the courts. to set aside the will on the ground that squaring the circle was impossible. But the court held there was nothing inherent- ly impossible about it and only modified the bequest to the ex- tent that proof must be pro- duced within fifty years. So, if you think you can do it; you have thirty years left to prove it — and collect the money from behind the Iron Curtain. Squaring the circle is a prob-, 'Ions that 1125 fascinated menthe-. tnaticians from the time of the ancient Greeks, Plato, Archi- medes and Pyfhe"oras tried it and f ailed, .Centuries later Gali- leo and Newton had a go and failed. It came to be realized that the problem Was impossible. But that has not prevented en- thusiastic amateurs producing their "proofs," A Frenchman once- offered a million francs to anyone who could prove the circle could not be squared. A mathematician promptly gave the proof, which depends on the fact that however many hundreds of places of decimals you work out the relationship of the diameter and circinnference of a circle, it never "comes out" The Frenchman would not pay rq� and was t"'con to court. He Was luckier than the Gerrnani astronomer with his inhabitants on the sun. The French court held the mathematician's proof of the impossibility of solving the problem was good. But it argued that only a fool would have offered the prize and it was the duty of the court to prevent a , fool being parted from his money. The mathematician was given the verdict — but no money! If this discourages you from trying to square the circle what about getting in touch with one of the ` planets and winning $15,000. This sum has been on offer since 1900 through the French Academy of Science for anyone who can prove he has signalled to a planet and re- ceived a reply. The Guzman prize was left as a legacy in 1889 and at first the Academy refused to accept re- sponsibility for it because they considered signalling to a planet was impossible. But at last, in 1900, they agreed to judge the entries on condition that. if the prize was not won the interest should be paid every five years to the scientist making the greatest contribution to know- ledge of the stars and planets. There have been thousands of entries from cranks and mad- men, but none has given the necessary proof. At school you were no doubt taught that the earth is round. If you can prove it, you can earn $5,000. There is just one snag. The reward was offered by Mr. Wilbur Glenn Voliva, of Zion City, U.S.A., on condition that he • was judge of whether the proof was satisfactory. As it is a fundamental belief of the sect that the earth is flat, no one is likely to convince the "flat-earthers" that it is a sphere Once Mr. Voliva made a trip round the world, Did it convince him the earth was round? Not a bit! "The earth is as flat as the plate you eat your pie from; the captain of the ship was just steering round the rim," he said When he returned. In a different category is the million roubles offered for news leading to the discovery of the fate of Captain Jascha Dschu- gasehvili of the .Red Army and eldest son of Stalin. He quar- relled with his father and de liberately used his real name instead of Stalin's, Ile disap• peared at Smolensk and probable was buried in an unmarked grave, But the rumour was that he had been taken prisoner, had given a false name and at the end of the war changed his idea• tity to escane the 'family con. necti.on. Sofar as is known, the million roubles have never beer claimed. HADN'T THE TIME A man who had been cele brating unwisely but well came upon a workman digging a hole "Whash you doing?" he asked. "Diging a tunnel," said the workman affably, "Where's it- going?" asked the jolly one. "Under the river." "And how long will it taker" "About three or four years" "Well," said the persistent one, "I can't wait all that time. I'll take a taxi." Modern Etiquette Q, If one is eating in a pub. lie place where small butter pats are served in little paper containers, is at all right to let the knife rest on the pat when not in use? A. Never, The knife, when not in use, should rest along the upper right part of the plate — and never, of course, with the handle of the knife resting on the table. Q. Is it required that a bride return all her first calls, or lust those she prefers? A, The bride should return all these calls, and as early as possible. It would be very rude to return some, and omit others. Q. Is it ever proper for a girl tp ask a man to dance with her? A. Only if the man is her husband, brother, brother-in- law, cousin, or perhaps an old childhood friend. When you have been ask- ed Qto pass a dish at the table and you were just about to par- take of that dish yourself, is it all right to help yourself first? A. No; this would be very crude and ill;bred, unless of course the other person insists that you help yourself first Q. When it is necessary for a male member of a dinner party to leave the table, should all the other men rise until he has de. parted? A, This is not necessary. Q. Who stands the expense of a wedding breakfast in a hotel? A. The parents of the bride, Q. When one receives an in- vitation to an "open house,' does this mean one is obligated to bring a gift? A. No, An "open house" is simply an invitation to come and see the new home. It is neither expected nor customary Inc the guests to bring gifts. Q. Row much time is the bride expected to spend with her guests at the wedding re- ception? A. She doesn't have to remain more than two hours, She may then retire to her room with her maid -of -honor to change into her travelling costume, Q. When a man takes another man to lunch, who should give the order to the waiter? A. Each man gives his own Order. Q. is it proper to invite peo- ple to a shower who you know are not being invited to the wed- ding? A. Most definitely not! Un- less, of course, the wedding is to be so small that only the im- mediate afmilies will be included. HIS CHOICE Bernard Gimbel, millionaire merchant and sportsman, tells about octogenarians who were asked with whom they'd like to be buried. "John D. Rockerfel- ler," said the first. "He not only made fortunes, but gave them away." "Franklin D. Roosevelt" said the second. "He was one of the greatest Presidents of all time." The third man said, "My choice is Marilyn Monroe." "But Marilyn Monroe isn't dead yet," pointed out the questioner. "1 know," was the answer. "Neither'am I." NDAY SC11001, LESSON 4t ltari•tas Warren tt H. 15.1) Jesus Proclaims His Mission Luke 4,16-24, 28-30 Som-enehas said that an ex. pert is an ordinary fellow away from home. Jesus said, "No prophet is accepted in his own country." He made this state- ment after his first sermon in the synagogue of his home town of Nazareth. He had read a very significant passage from the prophecy of Isaiah. He was the one of whom the prophet had written hundreds of years be. fore; the one who had come to preach the gospel to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the cap- tives, recovery of sight to the blind and set the bruised at liberty The people marvelled at the gracious words he spoke. They said, "Is not this Joseph's son?" They apparently did not know or did not want to be- lieve of his supernatural birth by se virgin Mary, When he reminded them that it was a woman of another people, e widow of Sidon, who sustained Elijah in the time of famine and that the only leper healed in Israel in Elisha's day was Na - mean, a Syrian, the people were angry, They proceeded to illus- trate the truth that Jesus had spoken. They, too, would reject their own prophet. They led him to the brow of a hill and would have cast him down from it but he, passing through their midst, went his way. He went on to Capernaum and trught them on the Sabbath days Why are people so often blind• ed to the presence of greatness from their own midst? It is pride and prejudice? At any rate others were glad to hear Jesus. His own home town would have terminated his ministry when it had barely started But not even a mob could thwart God's purpose. Jesus, the Son of God, would not give up his life till he had accomplished the work he had come to do. He said, "I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again." We worship a living Saviour who still ministers to the brokenhearted and the needy in body and soul. PERPETUAL It was one of those association - of -ideas Army tests where that examining officer makes a com- mon -place gesture and asks the recruit to fire back et him the first thought it provoked. Ort this occasion he waved a hand• kerchief, First two men gave the formal reply: "Waving good-bye, sir." But the third offered the startling retort: "Women, sir." "Women!" echoed the officer. "What is there about waving a handkerchief that could pos- sibly make you think of women'" Replied the recruit blandly. "I'm always thinking of wo- men, sir." .r DIAL SO.527-76937—In effect, this is what Bell lineman B. W. Kennon is doing as he adjusts this device atop a telephone pole,. He is tuning in on SOIar Power (check numbers on your own telephone dial) in a key experiment to tap the sun's energy for a new type of rural telephone service. The device, a solar battery, converts the sun's energy directly into usable amounts of electricity, and excess current feeds into a storage battery for use at night and during periods of bad weather. The bat- tery, developed by Bell Laboratories, is said to be at least 13 times more efficient than previous solar energy converters.