Crop residue left on ground during winter monfrt. Protect your cropland during winter months Crop residue management and cover crops can protect cropland from wind and water erosion dur ing the winter months. Residue managemnt is simply leaving the residue of the harvested crop on top of the soil surface. This resi due will prevent the wind from picking up the soil and blowing it away. It will also aid in control ling water erosion. Infiltration of rain water will increase on a field where there is less runoff and a reduction in erosion. There are many reasons, such as incorporating lime, why the crop residues are destroyed. In such a case a cover crop may be planted for overwinter protection of the soil. Cover crops, which are close growing grasses, le gumes and smallgrains, also in crease infiltration and reduce runoff. Cover crops can also be used as winter grazing for cattle or turned under in the spring and used as a green manure crop. Cover crops and crop residue will It takes about 150 gallons of water to make the paper for one Sunday newspaper. ?Quality service ? Experience vote JOHN BEERS For Hertford Town Council PoW for by John Doors Radiator problems? See your Radiator Aid Station. We're specialists. 1. Complete Flush 2. Cleaning ? Repairing 3. Recoring ? Replacement By rum Implement add organic matter to the soil, in crease soil, increase soil aeration and soil tilth. For more information about cover crop and crop residue management contact your local SCS Office. ! Preparing vegetables for winter pantry < Peppers should be separated from the plant with a sharp knife, as branches break easily. Pep pers continue to ripen after pick . mg. Place in a cool area so the \4pocess will no^ Be too fast. Refrigerated banana and bell peppers remain in good condition for two UPthree weeks. They may also be flWraen Clean out seeds and veins ind chop. Blanching is Hot peppers may be dried by stringing and storing in a well circulated area. Another method is to dry flSt on 9 drying tray. Us ing rubber glftves, remove the stem and seed core. Grind into flakes and "store in airtight con tainers. Plants of small peppers, such as 'Tequila Sunrise', can be pulled up whole and pinned to a clothesline. Allow to dry thor oughly, then carefully snip off the fruits. Sweet red peppers are deli cious in many ways. Char whole fruits under broiler until black. Take out of oven and place in a brown paper bag for 20 minutes. This method softens the pepper, making the skin easy to slip off. Remove seeds and cut into strips. Place in sterilized jars and cover with olive oil. They will keep almost indefinitely. RUTABAGAS There are three good storage methods for this yellow root veg etable. Store in a cool area that stays between 32 and 40 degrees. Set the roots in a moisture proof container and store under ground. It is important to mulch because rutabagas will be spoiled by frost. "Crockett's Victory Garden" suggests dipping roots in warm water with a parafin layer on the top. The resulting coating pro tects roots from air. SQUASH Cut winter squash from vines about two weeks before frost is expected. Store in a dark dry na rea maintaining a temperature of about 50 degrees. Check for mold, which may be removed with a cloth lightly saturated with vegetable oil. SWEET POTATOES Using a pitch fork, carefully dig potatoes to prevent any dam age to the protective skin. Let cure on the ground for a few hours. Sweet potatoes last longer if they are first placed in a well ventilated are* with ? tempera ture of at least 85 degrees high temperature will deter rfaisopus rot. After two weeks relocate po taotes in a storage area that will maintain a 50 degree tempera ture. GREEN TOMATOES Gather unblemished fruits only. Place in a dark, well veoti- ' la ted area that stay* 46 to 90 da- I greet. Contrary to opinion, green ? tomatoee will not ripen in sun- 1 lightl They just shrivel, turn pink J and taste awful. i Might as well wait for winter , tomatoes that stores sell. Shriv- . eled, pink, and awful. v Counsel, referral service offered to farm families By JOAN GOSPER Farmers and their families who are feel ing the stress of low farm prices, declining land values, tight credit and other problems may need to talk it over with someone. In addition to the help that has always been available at the county agricultural extension of fice, a toll-free answering serv ice is now in operation. By dial ing 1-SOO-7NC-FARM, one can get information, referrals and coun seling on : farm and family finan cial problems ; legal options ; and individual and family problems. Workers trained to be support ive and to make referrals are on ' duty from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Moo- ' day through Friday. Callers do not have to identify themselves, ' and the service is confidential. ! This telephone service is being' offered by the N.C. Agricultural Extension Service and numerous * cooperating agencies and organi- ;? zations. i I "A good book is the best of friends, ? the same today and forever. " M. Farquhar Tupper i First Citizens Bank's new automatic teller machine in the Elizabeth City area is now on the joa It works 24 hours a day, every day, at 1609W.Ehringhaus Street. That means adjded convenience for everyone holding a First Citizens Bankcard. Now, you can make cash withdrawals, deposits and othef transac tions at any First Citizens Bank 24 in North Carolina. And because First Cfttizens is a member of the Relay" network, your First Citizens Bankcard provides access to more than 1,000 automatic teller machines in North Carolina, south Carolina and Virginia. Don't have a First Citizens Bankeard? Simply drop by any of our offices and pick up your applica tion. It's easy. Very soon you'll receive your First Citizens Bankeard and your personal secret num ber.Then you'll be able to put Elizabeth City's newest citizen to work for you. 24 hours a day!