Agriculturally Speaking
Hardage Reviews
Progress In Tobacco
By L. B. HAKDAGE
Extension Chairman
The most recent revisions
of flue-cured grade standards,
published in the April
25, 1977 Federal Register,
were adopted to encourage
farmers to do a better job of
preparing tobacco for market
and help return American
tobacco to its former
high position in world
market demand.
In the flue-cured area,
manual labor is giving way
to modern harvesting and
curing methods. With the
current trend toward mechanization,
the quantity of
sand and other foreign
matter in tobacco on the
warehouse floor is rapidly
increasing. Until further
improvements are made in
current cultural and marketing
practices to eliminate
these problems, steps
must be taken to maintain
the overall quality of
flue-cured tobacco dictated
by buyer preference.
Although the United States
leads the world in
producing and exporting
flue-cured tobacco, exporters
have become greatly
concerned about the condition
of flue-cured crops
offered for sale. When
tobacco contains large
amounts of sand and foreign
matter, the yield of usable
tobacco in the exporter's
purchase is reduced. As a
result, the demand for low
stalk tobacco ■ is steadily
decreasing and more of it is
going into Government loan
stocks.
Over the past two years,
this rapid buildup in loan
stocks of low stalk tobacco
and the related problems of
sand and foreign matter
have become the biggest
threats to the future of the
tobacco program. Through
revisions in the grade
standards, USDA hopes to
attack the problems in two
ways.
First, more stringent
uniformity requirements
and waste tolerances have
bqen implemented in the
nondescript grades. This
action should prove highly
benefical to the program
and particularly to growers
who market clean tobacco.
With this change, the
amount of tobacco going
under loan will decrease
and, most importantly, will
be a more salable product.
The amount of tobacco
under loan is one factor
which is considered when
determinations regarding
decreases or increases in
total quota are made.
Second, "sand" and
"dirt" have been designated
as new special factors to
give a precise definition of
this foreign matter. Tobacco
to which a special factor is
applied meets general specifications
of a grade but has a
peculiar characteristic,
such as dirt or wetness,
which modifies the grade.
Under the revised standards,
these new special
factors will be applied to all
grades of the priming group
and the nondescript grades
NIL, NIGL.andNIPO when
the tobacco contains more
than normal but not an
excessive amount of dirt or
sand. When this special
factor is applied, the
tobacco will receive a
reduced support price.
Tobacco not covered by
any standard grade because
it contains foreign matter is
designated as "No-G-F."
Where excessive amounts of
dirt or sand are involved,
this grader will mark that
specific special factor on the
lot ticket after the No-G-F.
For instance, "No-G-Fsand"
would indicate that
the lot did not receive a
grade because of an
excessive amount of sand.
Benefits Of Clean Tobacco
Preparing clean tobacco
for market will not only help
protect the tobacco program
but will bring economic
benefits to the grower as
well. Last season, for
instance, a farmer in
eastern North Carolina
offered 11 sheets of tobacco
for sale, nine of which
received no grade because
of sand. Under the inspection
service, a producer can
clean up the lot and receive
a grade with price support.
The North Carolina farmer
cleaned 234 pounds of sand
from his tobacco, offered it
for sale carrying a P3L
grade, and realized a profit
of $468.53.
iuXow iTutU'lti ivn jhi.-i witAI
Only Three
Only three species of the
manatee, better known as
the "sea cow" have been
discovered. One is found off
the west coast of Africa,
another off the eastern coast
of South America and the
other near Florida's shores.
Mr.
Tobacco Grower
you can't stop a
HAILSTORM
Don't stick your
neck out!
Guard your growing
dollars with
Hail Insurance!
Phone 257-3128
Citizen's Insurance
and Bonding Co.
Main Street • Warrenton
A PLACE FOR FISH TO RETIRE?
It might not look like it, but these tires are soon going to
be a condominium for fish. This small reef or "fish hide"
is made of discarded tires. It will be placed in Lake Rim
near Fayetteville. Though much smaller, it is similar to
the reef recently placed in Lake Gaston.
Artificial Reef Installed
For Gaston Lake Fish
A new artificial fishing
reef has been installed in
Lake Gaston by Wildlife
Resources Commission fisheries
biologists with assistance
from the Rocky Mount
Power Squadron and other
fishermen from the Rocky
Mount area.
It has been known for
many years that lake fishing
can be improved by installing
artificial reefs in areas
which have no natural
cover, such as fallen trees or
rocks. Although a wide
variety of materials have
been used to construct such
reefs, discarded tires have
been found to be among the
best materials when installed
properly.
"Tires are a perfect
material for constructing
reefs," said fisheries Biologist
Larry Birchfield of Nashville.
"They don't deteriorate
or pollute and they're
readily available — over 20
million are discarded in the
United States each year."
Over 350 scrap truck tires
were used to construct the
' ffStoti reef. They
were donated and transported
to the shore of Lake
Gaston by North State
Motor Lines of Rocky
OITA CHESTON
4-H Member Hired
Junior Counselor
ByG.W.KOONCE
Extension Agent, 4-H
Oita Cheston, a member
of the Norlina Youth
Improvement 4-H Club for
eight years has been
employed as a 4-H Junior
Counselor at Betsy-Jeff
Penn 4-H Camp near Reidsville
this summer.
Announcement of Oita's
employment at North Carolina's
most modern 4-H
camp facility was made
recently by Fred H. Wagoner,
Director of N. C. 4-H
Camps. Her qualifications
for employment was very
satisfactory to the director
and is a tribute to her 4-H
participation and accomplishments
over the years.
Oita is the daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. S. M. Cheston of
Norlina. She is now serving
as president of her local 4-H
Club and is a junior at
Norlina High.
Having already visited the
camp and received training,
she will report for work on
June 13. Her employment
for the summer is expected
to last about 10 weeks.
Since some of her duties
will be connected with
breakfast, lunch and dinner
served at the camp, Warren
County 4-H'ers can expect to
eat plenty and get the best of
everything during county
encampment week of July
11 through the 16.
Mount. Members of the
Rocky Mount Power Squadron
and others helped cut
holes in them so they would
sink, tied them together
and loaded them on a barge
for transfer to a site a
half-mile below the Eaton's
Ferry Bridge where they
were sunk in 25 feet of
water.
According to Birchfield,
fishes such as largemouth
bass, striped bass, catfish,
sunfish and especially crappie
should begin utilizing the
reef immediately. The
reef's location is marked
with a "fishing reef" buoy.
Demonstrations
On Water
Safety Planned
By G.W.KOONCE
Extension Agent
Two water and boating
safety demonstrations are
planned for Warren County
citizens next Tuesday, June
14. The first demonstration
will be held at the swimming
pool in Soul City Recreation""
Park from 5:15 to 6 p. m.
The second demonstration
will be held at the George
Hunter farm pond on County
Road 1636 between Areola
and Bethlehem from 6:30 p.
m. to 7:15 p. m.
The water safety demonstrations
are being conducted
by the Wildlife Resources
Commission and are held
for the purpose of educating
the general public on
employing safety precautions
and techniques while
swimming, boating, or when
at or near a body of water.
Citizens are urged to
announce the demonstrations
in church, clubs, or
other groups so that a wide
range of participation will
ensue to the benefit of
saving lives particularly
during the outdoor season.
A pound of most greens
will cook down to about four
servings.
A shocking
lesson in
home
economics.
In the last ten years, the costs
of building materials and
construction have more than
doubled. Which could mean
big trouble for you if your
house burns down.
Let Nationwide insure your
house for its full replacement
value now. Then add inflation
protection for the future. As
building costs go up or down,
your coverage goes up or
down. Automatically.
Call a Nationwide agent for
complete information.
BILL FLEMING
EAST MACON STREET
WARRENTON, N. CAROLINA
257-3298
NATIONWIDE
INSURANCE
Nationvnd* is on your mm
Mutii.it f *GwrH*tn>
Mimn* ottn ♦' Owo
d
Demonstration
To Be Held
By EMILY BALLINGER
Extension Agent
Are you interested in
learning the correct methods
for canning or freezing
fruits and vegetables? Or
are you interested in
updating your information
about these two methods of
food preservation? If so, you
will be interested in attending
one or both of the special
interest demonstrations on
food preservation to be
given by Miss Emily
Ballinger, Home Economics
Extension Agent.
A demonstration on Canning
Fruits and Vegetables
will be given at 2:30 p. m. on
Tuesday, June 14, and a
demonstration on Freezing
Fruits and Vegetables will
be given at 2:30 p. m. on
Wednesday, June 15. Both
demonstrations will be
given in the Home Economics
Extension Agent's
Office in the Warren County
Agriculture Building.
Anyone interested in
learning more about the
latest recommendations for
canning and freezing foods
is invited to attend the
meeting.
Local Farmers To
Tour Vance County
By L. B. HARDAGE
Extension Chairman
The Warren County Extension
Service in cooperation
with the Vance County
Extension Service, and
Granville County Extension
Service as well as the
Livestock Associations from
each county is sponsoring a
tour on June 21 to be held in
Vance County.
Visits will be as follows:
Fred Newton's farm located
in the Carey's Chapel Community;
Ronald Smith's
farm located in the Bobbitt's
Community and B. Mac
Crews' farm in the Dabney
Community.
If you are interested in
this tour please contact the
Extension Office in Warrenton,
(257-3640) before June
15 to secure ticket for
dinner.
Ttre Chinese used a printing
technique some 700
years before the Gutenberg
Bible was published in
Europe.
The Warren Record, Warrenton, North Carolina, Thursda;
Extension Agent
Gives Growing Tips
By L.C.COOPER
Extension Agent
MULCHES—A summer mulch of such as pine bark,
pine straw, grass clippings and leaves can be very
beneficial to plant growth. A mulch helps to retain
moisture, protects the root system, and aids in weed
control. A mulch makes plant beds more attractive. Also,
mulches serve as a protection to plants by keeping the
lawn mower from coming in contact with lower limbs
and bark.
STORING BULBS—Most flowering bulbs need to be
taken up and replanted every two or three years. Now is
a good time to dig most of them. Be certain to wait until
the top dies down before digging, but don't delay the job
until foliage separates from the bulb. After foliage turns
yellow, dig bulbs and keep varieties separated.
Allow bulbs to dry in a cool, dry shaded place. Then
remove tops, old scales and any excess soil. Store bulbs
in a cool dry place away from heat or hot-water heaters
or furnaces. A good place to store bulbs is in an old nylon
stocking, or mesh orange bags.
FERTILIZE AZALEAS—Azalea roots do not go deep.
Use an old kitchen fork to scratch in fertilizer at the
branch tips.
WINTER-KILLED SHRUBS—Some are surprised that
certain shrubs severely damaged by last winter's freezes
now are beginning to show new growth. If you've not
already done so, it is wise to cut away all dead wood from
shrubs. If no new growth buds have appeared, it's a good
bet that the plant was killed completely by low
temperatures.
PRUNING "NEW' EVERGREENS-Young evergreens
must be pruned or sheared every year if they are
to retain their shape, and develop into desirable plants.
During June, and until about mid-July, is probably the
best time to prune. If not pruned for two or three years,
evergreens will develop a lop-sided appearance, with
open spaces and sometimes two or more central stems.
If pruned now, evergreens will set buds around the
cuts, and develop new stems from these buds. Such
growth is what makes the plant dense and good looking.
Tops should not be cut back until the tree has reached the
desired height. Do not remove lower branches. The most
handsome evergreens have branches from the ground, so
dense that the main stems cannot be seen. And, they
have well-formed tops.
Gauges Ma\
By EMILY BALLINGER
Extension Agent
Pressure canner gauges
may be tested for accuracy
in the Home Economics
Extension Agent's Office in
the Warren County Agriculture
Building on Monday,
June 13 from 2 p. m. until
4:30 p. m. or on Friday, June
17, from 8:30 a. m. until 12
noon.
Using correct temperatures
for processing foods is
very important in food
safety. Canner gauges
should be tested each year
so if you have not had yours
tested this year, now is the
time to do so. There is no
' Be Tested
charge for testing. The
canner lid is all you need to
bring for testing.
Graham flour is another
name for whole wheat flour.
'.June9,1977— Page IS
Former Soul City
Agency Has Office
In Warrenton
The Warren Regional
Planning Corporation —
formerly based in Soul City
—has opened new offices at
the Professional Building on
East Market Street in
Warrenton.
Under a contract with the
U. S. Department of Commerce's
Office of Minority
Business Enterprise, the
staff of the WRPC will
provide management and
technical assistance in such
areas as management analysis,
accounting systems
and services, financial management,
lease negotiation,
bidding, loan packaging and
business packaging.
These and other services
will be provided free of
charge to the residents of
Vance, Warren, Nash,
Edgecombe, and Wilson
counties.
The staff team consists of
two basic units, a Business
Development Organization
(BDOi and a Construction
Contractors Assistance Center
(CCAC). The BDO will
assist minority and disadvantaged
businesspersons
wishing to start up or
expand a business, while the
CCAC will be assisting
minority and disadvantaged
contractors in securing
prime and sub contracts
within the regional area.
Together these teams,
which include a mortgage
banker, financial specialist,
estimator, accountant, business
development trainees
and a secretarial staff, can
help to package many new
businesses. Separately they
can help new business with
each step during formative
period from conception to
production.
During the past four years
the organization has assisted
over 150 clients.
ATTENTION FARMERS
Vou get substantial savings Propety Fire insurance
when you Insure
Formers Mutual
Fire Insurance Association
W J Hecht. Pres Phone 257 3370
VV R Drake. Sec b Treas T^tor Bunding
THE CHAMP!
After 8 years, still the top contact sucker control program.
Off-Shoot-T 85" is still the champ wherever
good flue cured tobacco is grown. Because it's
knocked out more suckers than any other product.
In fact, it won't give a sucker an even break.
But it'll sure give you one. Because with OffShoot-T
85 you can top early. That can earn you
up to $25 an acre per day by helping to increase
your yield of quality tobacco. And that's not all.
By practically eliminating suckers. Off-Shoot-T
85 will also save you costly hand clean up time.
What's more, it's easy to use. Just spray it
when most of your plants are at the early button
stage. Then, since your plants don't all grow at
the same rate, make a second application 5-7
days later And follow up about a week later with
maleic hydrazide That's the best way to get almost
perfect sucker control.
This season don't give a sucker an even break.
Use the champ. Use Off-Shoot-T 85. For better
sucker control. Agricultural Specialties Dept
Buckeye Cellulose Corp , 1355 Lynnfield Road.,
Suite 210, Memphis. TN 38138.