The Seaforth News, 1960-06-16, Page 3Troubles Of A
Houseplant Sitter»
My wife has a green thumb.
It is the greenest thumb imagin-
able and its, pigmentation is a
year-round thing. The inst;tnt the
frost' festoons the pumpkins, her
base of operations moves indoors
and the season starts anew with
a frightening variety of house
plants.
Recently, a family matter
made it necessary for my wife
'to be absent from our green
7nansions for a few weeks. Long
in advance, I was adjured as to
the tending of the pot-bound
jungle that sprouts in such ver-
dant profusion in virtually every
square foot of space we have.
I can now state with authority
that ttie care and feeding of
house plants is no job for a man,
least of all this one. In the
art of gardening, I am all thumbs
- none of them green. Picture
my plight when I was summer -
11y put in charge of the green-
house -with -furniture where we
dwell. Suddenly I became aware
that not only do plants need
water; they need food as well.
"Don't forget to feed the Af-
rican violets," my darling ithulg
at me as she boarded her plane,
"You'll find the bottle on the
herb shelf,"
That gave me something to
think about on the gloomy drive
home. It also opened a dark pas-
sageway in my mind that awak-
ened the long -dormant memory
of a man-eating orchid I had
read about in the dim and care-
free past. As soon as I got home,
I made an uneasy inspection of
the premises, just to be sure, but
found, to my relief, that nothing
that bloomed or threatened to
do so looked even remotely like
the carnivorous orchid washed '
up by the waves of memory,
Next morning I went over my
list of do's and don't's. When my
wife. had compiled it and then
recited it, like a Memorial Day
threnody, days in advance of her
leave-taking I had listened with
what could, by no stretch of the
imagination, be described as rapt
?Mention. As I recall, I had
grumbled that it doesn't take
nuch intelligence to douse a lit-
tle water on house plants once in
a while. That remark was made
from the citadel of my ignorance,
a citadel now under frontal as-
sault by the enormous list I held
in my hands.
I ran over the list for that part
about meals for African violets.
Sure enough, it was there. And
there on the herb shelf was an
ominous little vial labeled "Af-
rican violet food."
The list gave special instruc-
tions for watering the Amaryllis,
which heretofore I had imagined
to be not a plant but a harmless
little waltz dashed off by a
French King during a lull in a
stag hunt. Now I learned that
not only was it a plant with long
swordlike spears that drooped
disconsolately but threatened to
turn a sickly brown i.f they
were not copiously watered
every other day. And every
ether day arrived with amazing
frequency.
What's more, I discovered
that those pesky African violets
must be watered from the bot-
tom up. I took these instructions
literally, turning the first pot
upside down in the bottom.
When I did, the whole thing (an
Azure Beauty, I later learned)
plummeted in a soggy green
mass to the floor. I concluded
that this technique was faulty
and thereafter abandoned it. I
watered them from the top like
any decent plant should be wat-
ISSUE 24 - 1960
' �'- -/_ f PORT-AU•PttlN
0
Newsmap
eeesemielteeireisiee
Two years of drought and fanzine
bare lett thousands emaciated.
Haiti is one•of the world's poerost,
most overpopulated and underedu•
toted areas.
The 3,700,000 people have an aver•
age income of $75 a year, poorest
in the western hemisphere.
The shaky goyernmant of President
Francaise Duvalier is bankrupt.
•Twin military threat is posed by
Cuba and the Dominican Republic.
"THE SUNBURNED CRAB" - Haiti has been likened to a sunburned crab, Its claws reaching
out for Cuba. However many think it's the other way round with Cuba reaching menac-
ingly toward the hard -up little French-speaking republic which shares a Caribbean island
with ferocious Dominican Republic. Things are bad in Haiti and the future appears worse
as its people look toward Cuban and Dominican Republic strongmen.
ered and it didn't seem to do
them a bit of harm.
Fearful of other casualties like
the first African violet disaster,
I decided to oonsult one of the
books in the vast collection on
gardening that has 'gradually
edged my Zane Grey set into the
attic, This served only to con-
fuse me further. A little learn-
ing is not only dangerous, it's
downright discouraging. The do's
and don't'• I found listed in the
book I chose were even more
involved that the list my wife
had saddled me with. It was'
from the book that I culled the
unnerving information that Af-
rican violets can suffer from wet
feet, writes J. Norman McKenzie
in the Christian Science Monitor.
I didn't even know they had
feet. I do know, however, that,
wet feet or not, they bear little
resemblance to the image of
things African that I had gotten
from reading "The Snows of Kili-
manjaro." My impression of the
dark continent is that it spawns
only a spartan breed that would
disown any namby-pamby off-
spring that made a fuss about
wet feet,
Annoying as were the African
violets with their delicate con-
stitution, they were hardy as
ragweed when stacked up against
the begonias left in my care.
These were the hanging kind
(Lucerne, the book called them)
and the slightest movement in
their vicinity set their finicky
leaves to quaking like an aspen
in a high wind. Once, when the
spout of my watering can jostled
a blossom ever so gently, it
drifted suicidally to the floor
as if, by that agonizingly heroic
gesture, to punish my clumsiness.
The gesture worked. From
that moment on, I approached
all the begonias (and we have
roomsful of the things) on tip-
toe.
Somehow, I bunbled through
and Homecoming Day finally ar-
rived. Until this Golgotha, I
never realized how dear my wife
is to me. Indeed, to show my
gratitude, I planned a little sur-
prise for her -
I bought her a house plant.
It's rather nice if I do say so
myself. The man in the florist
shop called it a miniature Jap-
anese garden. It's in one of those
candy -dish affairs with colored
gravel and a solemn little man-
darinlike figure loafing under a
tiny umbrella - shaped silvery
tree. The nice thing about it is
it's artificial - genuinely arti-
ficial. You don't have to water
it, you don't have to feed it, and
you don't have to tiptoe by it.
You just sit around and look at
it.
My wife says she likes it. As
for me, I love it.
If you want to know the dif-
ference between a child prodigy
and a spoiled brat, ask the
neighbours.
CROSSWORD
PUZZLE
-ACROSS 54. Malcea
1. Roof of the tourney
Mouth 56. Favorable
7. capital of nttenttnn
Montana 63, winged fruit
58. Clradntlnne
12. Cllcir beetle of color
l4. Football team TSOWN
15. Cover the 1. ("net of e
Mettle mammal
28. Ttnilan day 2 Fxensee
breeze 3. Path
B. Fling about 4.1 nodose nt
8. Mnn'n infatuation
nielenamc 5. Tellurium
20. Acme's stage symbol
wh neper
22 fir tong r.
$3. Unlisted
1 soldier
24. T7xhib14
88. left tackle
Al. Otte on the
Rhine
28. Past ten:10
ending
38, Preeldent of
troves.
32. Luzon native
3.--'rt•e-tong
Chinese Com -
Mutat leader
4. Restrain the
breath
86. Mother
48. Mimic*
42. Forward
2 TTnreesting
maehtnes•
5. Sound
expreestnd•
inquiry
8. Tlmo of life
48. Poo I t the pole
49. Fourth a llph
60. Tltnd of
blaetttt
2. Small flea
58, Pewit;t
9. tinet'en 34 nrago
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cabbage
8. Nn Syrian :16. fttt711n1 of
deity PhITIppino,
87. Fontlese
0. Permit animal
10.13aechnnnlb,n 10. intortwlst
cry again
21. Cuddle 40. Spnrlclee
12 Shepod llkn a 4a Rahylonlan
handle 004 of heniin9
17. Inrresno In 44. T{npp}• 710011,
pricey 47 r'h.„ne
20. 1V11r1 hdffn to 111 Without
of lndta mntot ore
21. 'type mr"Fura 5 t '1 14,1
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est this page.
TIIFARN FRONT
JokilQue1t._
Obstacles to the use of inseeti-
cides may be swept aside by a
ttew type, introduced in Canada
last year. The new insecticide is
not a chemical - it is a bacter-
ium,
The problem has been that
insecticides leave residues on the
foliage and fruit, which are. (1)
frequently toxic to man and
animals, and (2) harmful to
beneficial insects as well as to
pests.
Moreover, insects can develop
resistance to many insecticider,
commonly in use.
1' * *
Produced commercially, the
new insecticide preparations con-
tain spores of the bacterium Bac-
illus thuringiensis, which has
long been known to kill insects
in nature.
This insect -killing pathogen
is unique since it may kill by
infection or by a toxin contain-
ed in the bacterial spores, This
toxin, first studied by Canadian
scientists, paralyzes the insect
within a few hours after it has
eaten a moderate dose of bacter-
ial spores. Feeding is stopped
and death follows.
* * *
At the Canada Department of
Agriculture's research station at
Kentville, Nova Scotia, two
pounds of the spore preparation
in 100 gallons of water applied
to apple trees with ordinary
orchard spray equipment killed
over 90 per cent of winter moth
larvae and about 75 per cent of
canker -worms on apple. Heavier
applications gave about 50 per
cent control of grey -banded leaf
roller, a less important pest of
apple.
Tests against these and other
apple insects will he continued
this year. * * *
Trials conducted in Canada -
and the United States in 1959 in-
dicated that the new insecticide
is quite specific for leaf and
fruit -eating insects and probably
has little or no effect on parasites
or predators.
Extensive tests, have shown
that the higher animals and hu-
man being are susceptible nei-
ther to infection by the bacteria
nor to the toxic action of the
spores, and hence residues on
fruit or foliage are of little or no
concern. * * *
Furthermore, there has been
no indication of insects develop-
ing resistance to this new type
of insecticide.
Since this bacterium is one of
many microorganisms which
have potential as insecticides,
this discovery may open a whole
new approach to insect control.
* * *
Agricultural p r o duction in
Canada would only be half what
it is today were it not for chemi-
cal protection against insects and
other pests, says J. R. W. MIles,
Canada Department of Agricul-
ture entomologist.
Pesticides put in the soil be-
fore planting control soil insects
• or weeds, sprays and dusts pro-
test crops from insect damage
throughout the growing season,
and fumigants destroy pests that
threaten stored food.
e * *
Many experiments are conduct-
ed to determine the safest and
best insecticides and the proper
time- for application. Chemists
determine the amount necessary
for insect control, how long it
is effective under different
weather conditions, and the safe
intervals between the last ap-
plication and harvest.
* * *
Some insects, such as the
European corn borer, require
long-lasting insecticides.
Crops such as asparagus, which
are harvested every two or three
days, need an insecticide that acts
quickly and leaves no residue,
Studies at Chatham show that
DDT and DDD may be used safe-
ly against the tomato fruit -worm
on ripe tnmaloce that are to be
processed into juice. The insecti-
cide stays on the skins and does
not appear in the juice. No resi-
dues have been found on kernels
of corn from plants treated by
the insecticide for control of the
European corn. borer.
* * *
Results of experiments are on
control calendars, available to
growers for choosing the best
and safest materials. Treatments
aim at effective control without
the risk of residue remaining on
the edible portions of the crops
at harvest. •
The farmer has the responsi-
bility of choosing the best mat-
erials and applying thein accord-
ing to recommendations outlined
for him,
By this co-operation of manu-
lecturer, scientist and grower,
the public is assured of clean,
wholesome food.
Well Digging
An Ancient Art
The art of digging wells is
ancient. At Chanpudaro in the
Indus Valley is a well that dates
from the third millennium be-
fore Christ. The Babylonians and
Egyptians dug many wells, some
of which reached to depths of
over 200 feet. The Romans, too,
were skillful well diggers,
The digging of these ancient
wells must have been difficult
even as recently as Roman times;
for at best the chief tools that
were used were the pickax and
the sledgehammer, and they
'were made of relatively soft
iron- rather than steel.
The modern well digger drives
his truck up to the appropriate
spot, rigs a drill, turns on the
motor, and then stands by only
to regulate the rate c'f spin or
to change bits or add extension
rods as required. Occasionally a
modern well is dug by hand, but
only if it is shallow and does
not involve piercing a rock for-
mation, Deep wells and hardrock
ones are drilled.
With well digging such a dif-
Upsidedown to Prevent Peeking
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ficult and often vital task in
early times, it was inevitable
that techniques would be devel-
(ped for locating underground
water supplies Pliny, the Roman
naturalist and writer of the first
century, recommended that to
lr,eat° underground water one
should go out just before sun-
rise, and lie lace downward on
the ground with chin resting on
the eat13. "If vapor is seen to
rise, dig; for that will not hap-
pen in places without water."
When a well is sunk to tap ae
aquifer of sediments or solid
rock, the water may have to be
pumped upward or it may rise
of its own accord. In the Artois
region of France, the'wells flow
freely, making pumping unneces-
sary. From the name of this dis-
trict has come the adjective ar-
tesian, which is applied to a
well that yields such free -flow -
in water.
r.
The conditions necessary for
artesian wells seem 1) have been
understood by Leonardo da Vin-
ci 500 years ago. What is re-
quired is that there be water
in an aquifer that slopes down-
ward and is overlaid by an Im-
pervious stratum. The aquifer is
analogous to a hose that draws
its water from a water tower
high aloft. The impervious layer
is the cover for the hose. When
the hose is pierced, the water
spurts upward and emerges in
the well without pumping or
otherwise being lifted.
Among the famous artesian
water basins of the world are
those in Australia, in northern
Illinois, and in the Santa Clete.
Valley of California. - From
"The Ocean of Air," by David 1,
Blumenstock,
JUDGE FOR YOURSELF
Even the law can make mis-
takes. The other day a retired
lawyer recalled two very amus-
ing cases. Shortly before a case
was due to be tried before the
famous judge, Mr. Justice Han-
non, a grave -faced, sombrely -
dressed juryman stood up and
asked to be excused duty.
Asked on what grounds, the
man replied: "I am deeply inter-
ested in a funeral which takes
place to -day and I am most
anxious to be present, sir."
The judge, impressed, said,
"Your plea is just. You are ex-
cused."
The judge learned later that
the juryman was an undertaker!
Stranger still was an incident
that occurred in another court
when, after his opening speech,
counsel for the plaintiff called
on the latter to give evidence.
To everyone's surprise, a mem-
ber of the jury rose, left the
jury -box, and walked over to
the witness -box,
"What are you doing?" he was
asked.
"I amtheplaintiff," he replied.
"Then what are you doing on
the jury?" demanded the judge.
"I was summoned to sit on the
jury," was the reply.
"But you surely know that you,
cannot help to try your own
11NMYSC I001
LESSON
[Sy tura tt ;..:f lay tkttrren
II /3.. 18.1)
The Two Ways
Matthew 7:13.11; Luke 15:11.21
Memory Selection: in all thy
ways acknowledge trim, and he
shall direct thy- paths. Proverbs
Stn.
The first verse of today's les-
son recalls an incident of 35
years ago, A school -hate of the
former year.; and then attend-
ing Teachers' College. (It was
called Normal School at that
time) asked me to write in her
autograph book. I wrote, "Strive
to enter in at the strait gate."
Luke 13:24. She read it and a
serious expression passed over
her countenance. That evening
I had the opportunity to explain
to her the way of salvation. She
went to her room and there
alone, confessed her sins to God.
She proved the premise of 1
John 1:9, "If we confess our sins,
he Is faithful and just to forgive
us our sins, and to cleanse its
from all unrighteousness." Lou-
isa Baulke became a missionary
in Egypt. Later she married Tor-
rance Alexander and together
they are presenting the Gospel
in the land of the Pharaohs, The
Spirit of God spoke to her
through the Word and a life was
changed.
We often hear the expression,
"We're all going the same way."
But Jesus said there were two
ways. He exhorted. "Enter ye in
at the strait gate: for wide is
the gate, and broad is the way,
that leadeth to destruction, and
many there be which go in
thereat: beeausc strait is the
gate, and narrow Is the war,
which leadeth unto life, and few
there be that find it." We need
more preaching of awakening
truth, All's not well with the
world. There is a heaven to
gain and a hell to shun and the
multitude - is travelling the
downward way. There are many
pressures bearing upon us that
make it appear to be the proper
thing to swing along with the
crowd. "There is a way which
seeketh right unto a man, but
the end thereof are the ways of
death," Proverbs 14:12,
The story of the returning
prodigal illustrates the way bacii
to God who loves us. We must
realize our need. This is convic-
tion. The Holy Spirit convinces
of sin, righteousness and judg-
ment, With His help we must
turn our back on sin and look
to Jesus Christ who died for us.
By grace through faith we shall
enter into fellowship with God.
In Him we find rest, peace and
joy. It is the happy way to live.
case?" pursued the judge.
"Well," admitted the juryman-
plaintif f. "I did think it was a bit
of luck!"
SWIMMING LESSON -- Bob Sewell had to teach this beaver to
paddle. (It's a mechanical one at Disneyland.)
SC) PEACEFUL? - It is. wintertime In international relations and blossomtime In West Berlin.
From the looks of this quiet street in a suburb who'd know that the Cold War had growo
icy?