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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (July 15, 1956)
Is That So? Ever wondered how the earth clothed itself, even to the re motest Island outposts? A splendid example is cited in The Wonders of Seeds by a fellow newswriter, Alfred Stef ferud: 73 years ago the jungle island of Krakatoa in the East Indies blew its top literally lifting 216 square miles of rock intp thei air. All of the island was destroyed except one moun- 7-14-56 tain peak and that was covered with a thick layer of smoking ashes from deep within the earth. Trees, shrubs, small plants and animals were wiped out; for the time, all was lifeless. And the nearest land-life was 25 miles distant, across the ocean. Nine months later, a French botanist visited the island. Care ful searching yielded only one sign of life a lone spider busily spinning a web. (Many spiders' young can be carried into the .air and balloon long distances on filaments they exude.) All else was lifeless. Three years later, a Dutch bot anist visited the islands. He found many seashore plants along the coast; further inland, ferns and grasses. Ten years later, another scientist found the island well clothed with beef wood trees, orchids, coconut trees and wild sugar cane., How did the plants get to this isolated island to reclothe it so quickly? Four ways by birds, wind, water and animals plus in this instance, humans. Wind Carried Spores The wind carried the very tiny fern spores which are so light that even a gentle air can carry them a hundred miles and more. The orchid seeds, too, were car ried by the wind. Although true seeds and slightly larger than the fern spores, they are yet so small that it takes 8,000,000 or so to weigh one ounce! But how ever small, each one is capable of producing a beautiful self sustaining wonderfully colored flower! Through the countless ages, many other plants have perfected even more complicated methods of riding the air currents: ma pies, ashes, and elms have de veloped winged fruits; dande lions, lettuce and many thistles have perfected parachutes; some like the milkweed, willow and cotton have grown long silky hairs which enable them to fly; and plants like the ground-cherry have enclosed their seeds in paper-thin cases with air in them to act as balloons and help them move through the air. As for denuded Krakatoa's seashore plants, such as coco nuts, they took the water route. (Some coconuts' from the Sey chelles Islands, largest of all seeds, exceed 40 pounds each.) Protected by thick husks and hard seed coats, coconuts can float for weeks on end. Finally cast ashore by waves and moist ened by rain water and dew, they sprout. And again, thanks , to a miraculous provision, these seeds can sprout and grow with out beinc covered with soil. Many other fruits and seeds are lighter than water, too, and float easily. It is not unusual for large rivers to carry seeds from one end of the continent almost to the other but a more fre quent means is by the tiny rivu lets following a heavy rain. Next, birds brought seeds to krakatoa. Quite likely among the first were papaya and fig their hard seeds are so con structed that the flesh can be digested while the seeds remain impervious to the powerful di gestive acids of the bird's stom ach. In fact, some seeds are helped toward germination by fteing in birds stomachs. Sprout Where Dropped With some birds, like black birds, horned larks, and pheas ants, some seeds pass tnrougn the birds' bodies and sprout where they are dropped; with others, like robins, crows, wax- wings, and bluebirds, the fleshy REPRINTS 8 Exposure Roll... PENNYWISE 3" E. Main By EUGENE BURNS Ranger-Naruraliit fruit's soft pulp is digested and the hard seeds passed; a few like the jays, woodpeckers and tit mice often carry large seeds away and store them, like acorns, and either forget their hoards or die before they eat them and the seeds sprout; a few birds die with the seeds in their bodies and the seeds then germinate; and finally, some seeds stick to the feet, lags and feathers of birds, like ducks and geese who may have floating seeds on their feathers when they rise from the water and walk or fly to another place. Finally, man brought his own fruit trees to Krakatoa where they grew for a time but be fore they could get underway, the natural jungle crowded them out. However, in other areas man usually carries his starchy food plants with him, food such as wheat, corn, rice, potatoes, radishes, and other plants. Thereby, although he seldom thinks of it in that way, nature has duped man to help her dis perse her seeds all over the world. Although the methods of seed dispersal in Krakatoa were lim ited to these "four, nature has not two other means: she has made seeds which hang on to passers by seeds with needles, barbs and burrs that cling to animals. And she has perfected seeds that can be broadcast by the plants themselves such as violets, tcuch-me-nots, pansy and witch hazel. All of these shoot their seeds out of pods. Not very far, true, but far enough to give them a better chance to grow. And in millions of years, yard by yard they can and do cross continents. (Copyrigh, 1956, By Eugene ' Burns Released by McClure Newspaper Syndicate) Free: By special arrangement with the editors of the Encyclo pedia Americana, my panel of judges will award each week to the readers who send me the best true-life nature adventure, the best nature observation, or the best question on nature and wildlife, a complete 30-volume set of this world-famous refer ence work in a handsome Seal craft binding. Each week new submissions will be considered. Sorry, I simply can't answer your many friendly letters. Please address your letter to: Is That So! co Medford Mail Tribune. ' ' The Family: Council Editor's Note: The Family Council consists of a Judge, a psychiatrist, a newspaper editor, a women's page editor and two newspaper writers. These consult with clergymen ol all faiths and denominations. All letters are held In complete confidence. J. R. My wife is driving our daughter to satisfy her own am bitions. Mrs. J. R. He is holding her back. J. R. We have two rather tal ented daughters. They are both musically inclined and we have eiven them lessons since early childhood. The older girl, Marie has somewhat more natural abil ity than her sister, but Kay is the harder worker, i think that they could each achieve about pmial modest, success on the stage or as teachers. Mv wife, who is a frustrated opera singer, has always believ ed that Mane has a great gut. She recently took her to a fa mous teacher who coddled her in this opinion and offered to take Marie on and to train her for opera. I know my daughter and know that she just doesn't have it in her to put in the work that is required. My wife is just driv ing Marie to satisfy her own am bitions and they are both headed for heartbreak. . Mrs. J. R. The truth is that my husband does not want Marie to set ahead of Kay. Marie is prettier and has more personal ity than Kay and my nusDana has always tried to hold Marie har-V sn that she will not out shine Kay too much. Kay is a greater favorite of his. The Council: Mrs. J. R. is prob ably being unfair when she ac cuses her husband of playing fav orites with his daughters. He is probably rightfully concerned about the welfare of his talented and less flashy daughter. Garden Notes Br C. B. CORDY County Extension Agent foi Horticulture Soil fungi are responsible for the deterioration of roots on many of our common garden plants. When root systems are affected by these fungus rots they turn black and are no longer effective in absorbing moisture and nutrients. Because of this poor root system severely affected plants generally are rather easily pulled from the ground. Strawberries, raspber ries, and asters are some of the plants which are most common ly affected by these root rots. One of the characteristics of plants affected with root rots is that they make a normal growth in the spring and then as the first hot days of summer strike them the old growth yellows and loses its vigor, the blossoms or fruit that are being produced will remain small in size. With herbaceous plants such as asters the plants will wilt overnight and fail to recover. Control Measures As the diseases develop in the soil control measures are diffi cult because it is so difficult to penetrate the soil. Soil fumiga tion is the only cure , and this is frequenty ineffective because of the ease with which the area is reinfected from nearby areas. Growing resistant plants is the best prevention and even then a certain percentage of the resis tant plants will be attacked. Some of our large trees are also affected. The Catalpa will frequently have one or two wilt ed branches appear and while this wilting occurs in the top of the tree the cause of the trouble is in the roots. A similar trouble affects cedars but this disease attacks the roots and crown of the plant and results in a dieing from the bottom part upward. In addition to these root rot troubles we are this year experi encing considerable tree loss from the excess moisture last year. This loss is just now show ing up in many of the trees with most of the complaints coming in about the black locust. In .the case of trees affected with excess water last winter the only treat ment that could be given them now is to give them very careful watering at this time so that the remaining root system would have the best possible chance of nourishing the tree. On the other hand, J. R. is wrong to impose limits on the older girl for the sake of the younger. He agrees that Marie has more talent and a . famous teacher apparently agrees with Mrs. J. R. that the voice is poten tial opera material. A famous teacher would not waste time on the girl if she did not have pos sibilities. Up until now, Marie has per haps shown little capacity for work, but people rise to situa tions and the knowledge that she has a natural gift of high quality might give the girl a new impe tus. It is only fair to give her at least the opportunity to find the fullest expression of which she is capable. The husband and wife should not assume that Kay would be jealous of her sister or that she will be outshone in every way. If the family relations are happy and loving, Kay might well take great pride in her sister and at the same time prefer her . own less spectacular role in life. If she gets a great deal of love and attention from both her par ents and if they try to help her with her own career as much as they do Marie, there is no reason why Kay won't be happy in a more modest life in which she .might find even greater fulfill ment and happiness than Marie in an impressive career. (Copyright 1956, General Features Corp.) Cg: 77 f i RESCUE TWiS CASE NESBITT'S at your ?5Wil GROCER IISI Unpaid Library Fines Estimated at $1,000; Notices Being Mailed The amount of money owed to the Medford Public library in unpaid "late" fines for books was estimated as well over $1,000 by Librarian Miss Helen Webster last weetc. She said the library is in the process of sending out "re minders" to patrons of the amounts owned. While most of On The Side By E. V. DURLINO (Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.) Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more. Men were deceivers ever One foot in sea and one on snore To one thins constant never. Then sigh not so, but let them go And be you blithe and bonny Converting all your signs of woe Into, hey, nonny, nonny. Shakespeare. From the European tourist front come many reports of record-breaking high hotel and res taurant prices. Such prices are strictly for the uninformed and uninitiated. They prevail in what are generally referred to as "tourist traps." The experienced traveler knows how to avoid these bankroll wreckers. For ex ample, take the French Riviera. There are hotels in Monaco where you can get a comfortable room for less than $2 a night. Also restaurants where you can dine well for less than a dollar.. In Monaco, these places are on the Rue Des Olivres. There are equally inexpensive places in Nice and Cannes. So, if you want to see Nice, Cannes and the church in Monaco where Grace Kelly was married before you die, don't be scared off by re ports of prohibitive prices. There are many inexpensive ways of getting to Europe and also a num ber of places there where mo derate prices still prevail. Asking Queries from clients. Q. Mar lene Dietrich is now as slender and as well formed as when I saw her in the film titled "The Blue Angel" nearly 25 years ago. How does she do it? What is her diet? A. Marlene is one of those fortunate people who neither has to diet nor exercise to keep well streamlined. She eats anything and plenty of it. One of her fav orite side dishes is mashed pota toes and gravy. Ideal Bill How much of a vaudeville fan were you in the yesteryear? How do you think the present day variety shows on television com pare with "big time" vaudeville of the past? Have you ever fig ured out an "ideal vaudeville bill"? What follows is Joe Laur ie's idea of a perfect vaudeville bill: 1. Joe Jackson trick cyclist ' 2. Doyle and Dixon dancers 3. Will Rogers 4. Nora Bayes and Jack worth 5. Burns & Allen 6. Imhof, Conn and Corinne 8. Smith and Dale 9. Wills, West and McGinty (The comedy builders) Over There In Great Britain purses won in Greyhound races are tax free. All money won in wagering on such races is also tax free. No tax is collected on money won bet ting on horse races. The huge amounts won 'in football pools are also tax free. No wonder Great Britain has become a na tion of gamblers. Stogie Department The only town in the United States named after Ireland's pa tron saint is St. Patrick, Mo. That's what I said. Now a sub scriber, demanding a carefully wrapped stogie be sent to him by return mail, points out that in New Mexico there is a town nam ed San Patricio. How about this? Dp you think I lose the stogie? them are small, sue said, in some cases they amount to as much as $10 to $15. Library patrons who have bor rowed books and then, through inadvertence, failed to return them, also are being sent re minder notices, she reported, as are those who have returned books which were damaged. For Fairness "This is certainly not a 'get tough' policy," Miss Webster stated. "But in fairness to all our patrons, and to the taxpay ers who support the library, we feel as we must make an at tempt to secure payment of the amounts due," she added. Mrs. Marjorie Shepler, head of .the circulation department, with the assistance of Mrs. Wilma Eubanks and Mrs. Mar jorie Haley, is mailing -out the statements to all borrowers whose records are not 'clear." The project is in preparation for a modernized system of reg istration, using mechanical book chargers, which will get under way early in the fall. New li brary cards will be issued to all borrowers eventually, and will have inset embossed metal plates, similar to the familiar charge-a-plates",used by many department stores and gasoline retailers. Musi Be Paid All fees and fines must be paid before one of the new cards can be issued, Miss Webster said, and books will not be checked out to anyone who has unpaid fines or missing books outstand ing. The librarian explained that fines are not levied primarily for revenue, but to insure the fairest use of library materials, and their punctual return for the use of other readers. How ever, all fines and fees collected are deposited with the city trea surer, and are available for li brary use as a budgeted "ex pected income" item during the following fiscal year. This amount has been estimated at more than $2,500 for the com ing year, and Miss Webster pointed out that it is a major income item, as well as the fairest method libraries have yet found for the protection of all their patrons and a guaran tee of faster service. KMED KA jiiiltfa liri i Mw aiiiaaaaaaiiBUaaa!! Groceteria Mgr. Melvin Hall looks on as KMED Program Director Norm Oberst presents Mary Hammock with her KASHBOX check for $724.00, and Mrs. Lydjard presents the Groceteria Merchan dise award. THE KMED KASHBOX SHOW IS RADIO SHOW FLORENCE CACHELIN MARGARET LUELLING MRS. ALLEN SMITH MRS. HARRY HAMILTON MRS. L. R. WILSON MRS. HENRY CROUCHER SOLVE THIS RIDDLE I CAN STAND OR NOT WHERE I AM PUT. PRETTY WELL TOO FOR JUST ONE FOOT. RUSHED UNDER WAY. NO PLACE TO GO. THAT WHICH I.AM YOU REALLY SHOULD KNOW. Sunday, July IS. 1958 News About Books From the Library A surprising number of stories of famous theatrical personalities have been published in recent years. A theatrical biography by a husband is Richard Aldrich's book, "Gertrude Lawrence as Mrs. A." This is the story of two real, engaging people and the of ten gay, sometimes tempestuous, but always exciting life they led together. Ethel Barrymore re calls her long life in the theater in "Memories," while the story of Katherine Cornell is told in "Curtain Going Up!" by Gladys Malvern. Movie Personalities Biographies of a number of well-known movie actors and ac tresses have also appeared. "Sun shine and Shadow," is the title selected by Mary Pickford for her autobiography. In it she tells the intensely moving and person al story of her life. John Bain bridge's "Garbo" is the story of the fatuous and hysterical journ alism. "The Oliviers," ' by Felix Barker, is the life story of actor Sir Laurence Olivier and his actress-wife, Vivien Leigh. This au thorized biography traces the rise to fame of these two people sin cerely decidated to their art, to their profession, and to one an other. In "Orchids and Salami," the youngest Gabor sister, Eva, tells of her life in Hungary and her experiences in adapting her self to American life and publi city. Radio and TV Radio and television come dians are also represented among the new biographies. "Treadmill to Oblivion," recalls the late Fred Aliens' long years on radio. Another amusing autobiogra phy is "Have Tux, Will Travel," a breezy, crackling story of Bob Hope's life. Hedda Hopper is a potent force in Hollywood today, and in "From Under My Hat," she breezily describes her scoops and shenanigans. All of these books are avail able from the Medford Public li brary or any branch of the Jack son County library system. Two excellent new books on home decorating "The Com plete Book of Home Decorating" and "Modern Home Decorating" have been added to the li brary. Many other helpful books SHBOX AWARDS s5128. PRODUCTS H SOUTHERN OREGON OR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA Given Away Here Are $432.00 $708.00 $380.00 $224.00 $312.00 $416.00 Want to Play the THEN H.B.C. K Pvl E D 1440 "THE STATION MOST PEOPLE LISTEN TO MOST" on decorating, painting and wall papering, and remodeling are al so available. fuiHanre ahnnt. rptirpmpnt 1c given in Thomas Collins' new h n n lr "Tho r.Milo. Vr. whirh ran Vip cihtainaA nf Vio Li brary. The author, who conducts a synaicaiea newspaper column on rptirpmpnt has infpruipwpd thousands of people about their retirement experiences and prob lems. Washington Firm Submits Low Bid Portland U.R) Cresto and Lanphere of Long Beach, Wash., was apparent low bidder with a figure of $93,575 for clearing right-of-way and construction of access roads for 19 miles of 230,000-volt transmission line in Douglas county, Bonneville Pow er Administration reported Saturday. The line will extend from the Umpqua river to Reston. FATALLY INJURED Grants Pass (U.R) Coleman Youngblood, 22-year-old O'Brien logger, was fatally injured Fri day when he was hit by a log at a woods operation near here. Announcement! "Your Exclusive Hotpoint Dealer" Offering you courteous and friendly service Drop in and See Ma or Call 3-5306 mt 14 Y f-'H 7 Western Thrift Mgr. Wayne Welty presents Mrs. R. M. Elrod with the KASHBOX check for $400.00 and the Western Thrift mer chandise award as KMED Program Director Norm Oberst inter views the lucky winner. THE LARGEST AHD MOST POPULAR the Winners MRS. A. W. STEVENSON THERESA O'CONNOR MRS. J. R. WOOD MRS. OLIVE FOUNTAIN MARY HAMMACK MRS. R. M. ELROD KASHBOX Game? MEDFORD (OREGOK) MAIL TRIBUNE FIVE Civil Service Announces Correction Officer Exam The civil service commission has issued a new examination announcement for. a male cor rectional officer in federal pen al and correctional institutions throughout the United States. Further information and ap plication forms may be obtain ed from Chester Silliman in the U. S.-Post Office building in Medford. RELIABLE CLEANERS 1826 West Main CASH & CARRY Special This Week Men's 2 Piece Suit ciEr $ioo PRESSED Sorry No Pickup or Delivery or Stamp! on This Special You'll be proud of your clothes when they are cleaned by our famous LUSTROL PROCESS) Call now for FREE Pickup & Delivery Northern Stamps, Too PHONE 2-6670 DEAH and BILL COX Howard O. HOOKER takes great pleasure in announcing his association, effective immediately with City Appliance INC. dial Mini . Letters Received $292.00 $148.00 $500.00 $592.00 $724.00 $400.00 It I 11 ' I Mtiu llLllilLiiJlJAXlLitiJalaaWWIasasl HEAR THE SHOW 8:15 A.M. Monday through Friday Groceteria 12:50 P.M. Monday through Friday Western Thrift Drug jj - I 1
