THE ZEBULON RECORD Volume XXVII. Number 81. CAROLINA SOIL USED FOR RESEARCH fj j r mm 'flmMmtf v sf .. s ra ' l , 3S| %. ~ \ A mmP™" l ™^::: B||||||p:>: mi m illy 1 i |i SL \ Graduate biology students at Duke University’s Marine Labora tory, Piver’s Island, Beaufort, collect the first samples of soil from North Carolina to be processed by a pharmaceutical manufacturing firm in a quest for more effective antibiotics. Soil from everywhere is being tested by research workers in man’s struggle with disease since a handful of soil from Missouri resulted in the discovery of aureomycin. Students holding samples of Cartaret County dirt are Betty Martin of Spartanburg, S. C., and William Ward of Durham, along with Dr. C. G. Brookout (standing), director of the unique marine university on-the-seashore. Crimson Clover Said Top Cover Crop for Gardens While we are between crops, in a sense, we should be thinking of ways to improve our garden soils. Much needed organic matter may be added through the use of stable manures or summer and fall green crops to be turned under. Field peas, soybeans, or crotalaria may be sown in July and turned under in the late fall, or crimson clover may be sown in August or Sep tember to be turned under next spring. For Zebulon and Wendell I like crimson clover. These mater ials will make heavy soils easier to work and will give sandy soils a better water-holding capacity, and along with that, there is the added fertility. Soil Acidity The average gardener probably understands little about soil acidity and the proper use of lime. That is because he usually does not know the needs of the individual crops. Also, he does not know how acid his soil is. He usually adds lime because someone suggests that his crops will grow better if he uses it. It is foolish to add lime to soil if you do not know that it needs lime or that the crops to be grown require more lime. Farmers May See Two Irrigation Demonstrations in Orange, Warren With interest in irrigation at an all-time high in North Carolina as a result of June heat wave and drought, demonstrations on the use of irrigation equipment will be held at three locations in the State in early August. Zebulon farmers may attend demonstrations in Warren County on August 6, and in Orange County on August 7, They are being arranged by local county agents and H. M. Ellis, in charge of agricultural engineering Lime reduces soil acidity. Most vegetable crops will thrive in slightly acid (pH 6 to 6.7) soils but there are a number of them that will not thrive at all in very acid (pH 4.5 to 5.0) soils. These are asparagus, spinach, celery, onions, lettuce, beets, muskmelons, cauliflower, broccoli, parsnips, and salsify. Crops such as beans, cu cumbers, com, watermelons, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes are quite tolerant of a very acid soil—in fact it is desirable for water melons. It is also desirable to grow Irish potatoes on quite acid soils to prevent the development of potato scab, a serious disease that is made worse by liming the soil. The soil testing laboratory of the N. C. Department of Agricul ture, Raleigh, N. C., will test your soil free of charge and tell you how much lime to use. Take samples by slicing the soil with a spade or trowel to a depth of four to six inches which will give you soil from the top as well as lower down. Thoroughly mix and send about one pint to the laboratory. Most county farm agents also have equipment for making simple soil tests. work for the State College Exten sion Service. All interested per sons are invited. Cost Figures Persons attending the demon stration will have an opportunity to hear discussions on irrigation, ask questions, and see various sized units in operation. They also will be able to obtain a general idea of what an irrigation system for their own farm would cost. Zebulon, N. C., Tuesday, July 15, 1952 Local Guardsmen Step Up Training At Alabama Post Members of the famed 30th In fantry Division, North Carolina National Guard, are preparing for federal combat efficiency tests this week at Fort McClellan, Alabama. Taking part in the Third Army tests are officers and men of Bat tery A, 113th Field Artillery Bat talion, Zebulon. The local National Guardsmen participated last week in unit and individual training, and are now ready for the federal tests which will be run under simulated combat conditions. Each unit of the “Old Hickory” division will be graded by Third Army inspectors, and will compete with other Third Army units for the Eisenhower Trophy, symbolical of supremacy in combat training. In 1951 a 30th Infantry Division artillery unit won the Third Army award. Religious Services At the end of the first full week of summer training, members of the local unit attended religious services held for Guardsmen in the Fort McClellan chapel and in the field. Services will have to be foregone next Sunday so far as formal worship is concerned, since the citizen-soldiers will then be en route to North Carolina by train and motor convoy. The two-weeks summer encamp ment will come to an official end July 20, but actual field training will be terminated on Friday of this week in order for Guards men to entrain Saturday, July 19, for the long trip home. During the past week, Guards men have enjoyed PX facilities, movies, softball, and swimming. Creep Feeding Urged For Local Livestock With pastures short around Zeb ulon as a result of the recent drought, it’s going to pay farmers to creep feed beef calves. State College Livestock Special ists A. V. Allen and Sam Buchanan say the pasture shortage has pre vented cows from producing their normal supply of milk. Creep feed ing, they assert, will add 50 to 100 pounds, and calves will grade higher when they’re sold. You won’t need an elaborate creep—just a makeshift arrange ment that will allow the calves to get all the grain they want. The ideal place for putting the creep is in the shade near the watering trough and salt shed. You can build it with either lumber, poles or wire, and it’s best to keep the openings 16 to 20 inches wide, and three feet high. A regular feed trough with a roof overhead or a self-feeder will do the job. The recommended grain ration for calves two to five months old is equal parts of cracked corn and whole oats. For calves five to 10 months old, add one part of pro tein to eight parts of the cracked corn and whole oats. For calves five to 10 months old, add one part of protein to eight parts of the cracked corn and whole oats mix ture. Chamber Meeting The Zebulon Chamber of Commerce will meet in the town hall at 8 p.m. Wednes day, July 16, for the purpose of electing officers and two directors for 1952-53. Tar Heel Leaf Growers Asked for Heavy Quota Vote Saturday, July 19 Farm Bureau officials and other agricultural leaders through out North Carolina have joined in urging that North Carolina farmers cast a heavy vote in the flue-cured tobacco quota referendum on Saturday, July 19. Participating in the referendum will be flue-cured growers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Vir- NOMINEE Jr HH I £&&& KnHgc-; . If! fNi f§i ~<** ST'