4A MAIL TRIBUNE, Med ford, Oregon, Thursday, April 10, 19S8
Rao
Frost Forecaster Conducts
Continuing Research
A lean, sandy-haired, blue
eyed man climbs out of a
black car with the state seal
on the side, walks up to a
pear tree and holds something
which looks like a walkie
talkie next to a cluster of
green buds.
This may be repeated sev
eral times on a cold frosty
morning. The fruit rancher
whose trees he is examining
knows he is Bill Rogers of
the frost warning service of
the U. S. Weather Bureau.
The gadget is called a thermi
stor. It's used to measure the
temperature inside the buds
so it may be compared with
the outside temperatures. A
long thin hypodermic-like
needle attached to a cord is
pushed into the heart of the
bud. Sensitive antenna-like
wires record the outside tem
peratures at the same time.
All of this is part of a con
tinuing study by the weather
bureau to determine the re
lation between the outside
temperatures and the bud
temperatures. This and other
knowledge gained by on the
spot studies will be used to
determine more accurately
under what weather condi
tions the fruit may be dam
aged. This research into what
temperatures are considered
critical to the development
of fruit and what happens to
the fruit bud during certain
weather conditions is aimed
also at helping the grower
save money on smudging.
Rogers is one of 16 men sta
tioned all over the "Far West"
In this fruit frost warning
service. Most of the men trav
el on a regular circuit. They
hit the various localities when
frost forecasting is vital to
the growers. This includes
both fruit and vegetables.
During the fire season such
men also aid the state and
federal foresters with fore
casts in being prepared in ad
vance for the "tinder dry"
conditions in the woods.
This is Rogers' third year
in the Rogue valley. Ordinar
ily as forecast supervisor of
the fruit frost warning ser
vice for the far west, he
spends all his time in the
Pomona, Calif., headquarters.
However, a shortage of per
sonnel has brought him out
into Ihe field.
WHAT DOES
TO HOUSE
DID IT FOR $1,1612
Route 2 Box 332, Central Point
Number Chicks Started. .1248
Number Chicks Lost 24
Number put into house 1224
Libability 98.1
BREED: Dernier White Leghorn Pullets
FEED PURINA
PURINA
USED PURINA
COST FOR FEED $1,072.95
TOTAL CHICK COST .J 306.00
BROODING COST 36.64
MEDICANTS 10.94
TOTAL PRODUCTION COST $1,426.53 "
Average Cost Per Pullet 1.1 bVi
Age When Housed 20 Weeks
PURINA has a program to help you grow big pullets
quickly at low cost. Ask us how you can get started
on a tested and researched program to get lots of
early Fall eggs. , -, '
ftMARCH SEED & FEED CO.
"SEE THE DIFFERENCE PURINA MAKES"
Farm Store 10th & Fir Uptown Store 6th & Bartlett
and Qmden
Not just any weatherman
is allowed to enter this high
ly skilled and technical
work. The frost forecasters
receive basic education in col
lege meterology courses that
include large doses of higher
mathematics, physics and
chemistry.
The Pomona headquarters
prefers to train its own per
sonnel. A trainee spends some
time in the southern Califor
nia orchards working with
and studying heating prac
tices. He works on the orch
ard heating crews. He must
have a thorough knowledge
of fruit production. Such a
man is chosen from among
"successful" forecasters. In
other words his batting av
erage in predicting the wea
ther must be high.
After a year in the field
in southern California the
trainee is sent to a district.
However, the new men are
not sent to the Medford dis
trict since this is considered
one of the toughest areas for
frost forecasters. Cloudiness
here makes forecasting dif
ficult. Clouds may move in
just as orchardists fire up.
The temperature raising
clouds may make it easier
on the fruit, but it costs
money just to fire up. Grow
ers here are much more care
ful with their fruit, also, Rog
ers said. They can't afford to
let any blossoms go. There
fore, the forecasts have to be
right on the money.
Pears are more tender than
oranges, Rogers said. Apri
cots are considered the most
troublesome. A frost can wipe
out a whole crop of peaches.
How frost may affect the
pear crop depends on the
state of development. When
the buds are in a cluster heat
ing is 'required generally
about 24 degrees. When in
full bloom, heating is requir
ed at 28 or 29 3egrees.After
the petals drop and depend
ing on the, size of the pear,
heating is required from 30
to 31 degrees. . j
"Of course a number ofi
factors may affect the time
for orchard heating," Rogers
said. "Generally, the fruit is
more easily frost-damaged in
later stages of development."
To make orgiard heating
easier on their neighbors as
well as themselves growers
IT COST YOU
PULLETS?
"Super" Chick Startena
Chick Growena
Pullet Developer
Work
are gradually improving their
heating techniques and equip
ment as a result of research
done in the field by tese
frost warning' men. The new
er types of orchard heaters
including the lazy flame, re
turn stack and jumbo cone
have all helped, to cut down
on the smoke.
Rogers puts in a full day
and often a full night. In the
morning he visits the U. S.
Weather Bureau office in the
Medford airport to get pre
liminary weather reports.
Then he may get out in the
orchard after a frost period
to count the blossoms and
evaluate the damage.
About 3:30 p.m. Rogers
makes out his weather charts
similar to those shown in the
television weather reports.
Important weather informa
tion is received on a tele
type machine set up in his
courthouse office. Next he
makes his weather map. Then
he visits the various themo
graph stations scattered about
the area. These are thermom
eters with a recording appara
tus attached. As the temper
ature is measured by a ther
mometer, an electrically pow
ered pen marks the tempera
ture on graph paper attached
to a drum.
Recording results and oth
er weather information men
tioned are used for his fore
casts issued by radio and tele
vision stations each night.
Rogers is also available most
of the night to take tempera
ture readings or, to answer
urgent questions of the grow
ers. The frost-warning period
usually extends from March
15 to June 1. After he returns
to Pomona he issues a report
to the growers who he serves.
This report is used by the
growers to study their orch
ard heating, practices and to
make plans for next season's
session. This service-was first
used in Medford in 1916.
This Week's
By HIAWATHA ESTES
This story and a half home
retains the charm of our col
onial heritage, yet the interior
is as modern as tomorrow.
Nothing has been done to al
ter the traditional Cape Cod
lines. . Dormers look out
from the stained shingle roof
and louvered shutters border
the rows of windows on the
lower floor. Warm toned
brick veneer is used across
the entire front wall and hori
zontal siding is used else-where.-
The entrance hall is lighted
by four small panes of glass
in the front door.- A wide
staircase leads to the second
floor from this entry.
Upstairs are three spacious
bedrooms,, two bathsjand an
incredible amount of ward
robe, closet and storage
space. . The family bath, with
I r y-.ij mil - 3 - - - - . r 1
Dirt Growers
On Damping
By DON BERRY
County Horticultural Agent
Home gardeners seeding
early spring vegetables and
flowers in hot frames or
greenhouses should take pre
cautions against damping off.
Damping off is caused by a
soil fungi which will attack
both sprouting seeds and the
tiny seedlings as they emerge,
thus reducing the stand. In
fected seedlings show a
browning on the stems, wilt,
and fall over. This trouble is
common in greenhouses, hot
beds and even outdoors dur
ing warm humid . weather.
Seed treatment is the best
method of control. Materials
like Arasan or Cap tan are
available to home gardeners
Picking Good Spot Vital
For Proper Garden Plot
By, DON BERRY
County Horticultural Agent
Vegetable Garden Location
Picking a good spot for
your garden is as important as
buying good seed and giving
it good care. A garden site
that is level, well drained
and in a sunny spot with rich,
deep sandy loam soil, free of
rocks, is most desirable, how
ever since this is not possible
with most home garden en
thusiasts there are a few
things every gardener should
look for in planning the loca
tion of the garden spot. Most
important is good drainage.
Often times vegetables will
drown out if allowed to stand
too long in water or very wet
soil. Carrots are especially
susceptible to drowing and too
much moisture in. badly drain
ed areas deprive plant roots
of air and nutrients needed
for healthy development.
Draining wet spots before
preparing soil also of benefit
and the presence of green
scum on the soil surface is
one of the indications of ex
cessive moisture. Where gar
deners are unable - to drain
properly otherwise,' planting
on ridges will help.
Another important ingredi
ent is plenty of sunshine.
Direct sunlight for at least
six hours a day is a must for
leafy crops like lettuce, spin
Town, Country House
l2"R8 ' .
In NOOK
pan .1 1 i
N2 .
PLAN NO. 3 528 c
1215 SC. ff. zoi . 20
recessed tub and pullman
lavatory and the separate
half-bath will ease early
morning clean-up traffic for
even a large family.
A third bath, with a stall
shower instead of a tub,
serves the den-guest room on
the ground floor and is also
accessible through the service-laundry
room.
The super-kitchen is a
housewife's dream come true
double windows over a
double sink; built-in oven, re
frigerator and surface cook
ing units; lots of cabinets and
drawers for top efficiency.
A dining bar divides the
kitchen from the big, bright
family room. Cupboards above
open to both sides to save
steps in table setting and
clean-up.
Across the back of the
family room, large glass doors
Warned
Off Trouble
for treating their seed. A very
small quantity, about as much
as can be placed on the tip of
a knife blade, added to seed
packets and then shaken gent
ly until seeds are coated, is
the simplest ethod of treat
ing. Where damping of has been
a serious problem, additional
protection is obtained by dust
ing the surface of the .soil
with Captan or Ferban, or
drench with a solution made
up using two level tablespoons
of Captan or Ferbamin one
gallon water, thoroughly
soaking the soil at seeding
time, ' and applying a second
drench or dust as the young
plants emerge.
ach, chard and kale. Others,
like tomatoes, egg plants and
peppers, will need more.
Trees not only give excessive
shade but their roots compete
for moisture and plant foods.
One more important consid
eration in choosing a location
is a good source of water. City
or irrigation water will afford
protection against summer
droughts, but in some local
areas the deeper wells are
salty which is detrimental to
garden plants.
Generally speaking, a soil
that is well drained and pro
duces rank growth of weeds
and grass will also produce
good vegetables.
Dairy Building Plan
Given In Bulletin
Corvallis -How ' to design
modern dairy buildings for
the greatest efficiency and
still allow for economical ex
pansion at a later date is ex
plained in a new bulletin re
leased J?y the Oregon State
college extension service.
Titled, "Dairy Buildings,"
the new bulletin was pub
lished by OSC in cooperation
with the extension services
of University of Idaho and
Washington State college. Ad
vantages of the loose-housing
system for dairy cattle are ex
plained. offer a wide view and pea in
summer for relaxing patio liv
ing. To help lower construction
costs the corner fireplaces in
the family room and living
room are built as a unit.
Sliding doors between the
living and family rooms can
close them off for privacy or
open wide to unite the areas
when you entertain.
The water heater and
forced air unit are located in
the large double garage which
is accessible from the den.
Complete working drawing of
the above plan can be obtained
at a cost of S7.50 for the first set
and 15 for each additional set,
when ordered at the same time.
This plan will be available for a
period of four months from this
date. Please allow two weeks for
delivery. If the above home does
not entirely meet with your satis
faction a new home plan book.
Town and Country Homes, may be
purchased for SI. Send all orders
for either plans or books to
Hiawatha Estes. P.O. Box 404-T,
Northridge, Calif.
CHIT CHAT
Br JOE G. COWLEY
Mail Tribune Farm Editor
Farming, fishing and hunting just naturally seem to go
together. From what we have observed there are very few
farmers who are not good fishermen and hunters.
The other day we saw a sign announcing the start of
fishing season is not far off. Like a lot of people who don't
get out with a pole as often as they would like, we started
thinking of fishing we would like to do, what we can do
and what we have done. That brought to mind an old
retired lawyer and an ex-farmer by the name of Herb
Kerr. Also a 10-year-old boy he took salmon fishing for the
first time.
For days afterwards this youngster told how he, Kerr
and Kerr's old fishing buddy climbed into a boat mounted
on a small cart and how the cart whizzed down a set of
tracks into the water with a splash. Usually the boat didn't
travel that fast but if the lad had looked sharp he would
have noticed old Herb's wink to the fishing pier attendant.
Then there was the hours of sitting in the rowboat as
the outboard gently pushed it along at trolling speed. Noth
ing happened for what seemed like hours, then the quick tug
on the line and a salmon trout was quickly gaffed and
boated. During the waiting the two old-timers swapped
fishing and hunting yarns. One time Kerr slyly reached
around and gave his partner's line a quick little tug. Then
there was muck excitement as the old gentleman quickly
started to reel in suddenly realized the joke was on him
and the guffaws which followed.
This, too, is the long way around the barn, but what
we are aiming at is the farmer is usually both sports and
conservation minded. Also, if more men took a neighbor
boy or their own son fishing how much, more enjoyment
they would both get out of the outdoors and the invaluable
lessons which could be learned. The lad old Herb took
fishing will never forget that and similar experiences the
ex-farmer was generous enough to provide. This might be
one answer to juvenile delinquency.
The other thing we mentioned that the farmer "is both
conservation and sports-minded is now being recognized by
some of the more responsible, sportsmen. Many of these
belong to the Izaak Walton League. The Jackson county
chapter has written for more information and instructions
on how to put a new plan Frontiers, Inc., into operation
in the Rogue valley area. This is a new attempt" to improve
farmer-sportsman relations.. According to those who are
pushing it, such a plan would open up a lot of game land
which otherwise might be closed to the sportsman.
Farmers over the years have become tired of seeing
stock stray out through gates left open by careless hunters,
having their stock shot up and other resulting . property
damage. And rightfully so. This new plan proposes to insure
the farmer against any such loss or damage if he agrees
to open his land to hunters who belong to Frontiers, Inc.
The money these hunters pay into this organization is used
to pay any damage claims by the farmers. It costs the farmer
nothing. Members of the Izaak Walton. League here are
anxious to start this plan working in the valley. If it works
as well as it looks it should be plenty good.
Another league project now under study is a proposed
chapter tree farm program. Aim is to promote conservation
education. This plan calls for a chapter to buy a tract of
forest land and seek to have it certified in the industry
operated tree, farm program. Such a farm would be super
vised by a tree farm committee which would obtain pro
fessional forestry advice. Work would be done by the
chapter members. . .
League members pushing this idea point out, that while
the primary purpose of tree farming is to grow forest crops,
the tree farm can also provide picnic and swimming facil
ities, a rifle or archery range, -hiking trails, berry patches,
and fishing spots.' ' -
Members of the Izaak Walton League here seem to be
right up with the farmer in appreciation of women's ability.
In commending this chapter as "chapter with the best pro
gram of the month," one of the national officers stated,
"They recognize the importance of women in conservation."
The farmer has long recognized the importance of women.
In many farm families she is the one who keeps the bank
book straight, financial records, plus many farm records
needed to insure wise farming practices.
Some of the "board punchers" (telephone operators) over
at the telephone office complain there isn't enough about
dairying in this column on the farm page. We hope to correct
that. Meanwhile here is something we hope will hold their
attention:
The opinion of Circuit Judge Val D. Sloper of Marion
Increase yields iviffEa
33EGGH) 'flim'.'j.iiBh car 2Bg -J& H S33S3f
Soil insects can take a big bite out of your crop dollar by destroying the
seeds, young plants, and root systems. One application of Heptachlor,
at planting time, wUl protect your crop from seed to harvest or only
a few dollars per acre. Agricultural experiment station tests prove that
Heptachlor increases yields from 10 to 100, so play it safe! Get
Heptachlor now in any of these easy to apply forms:
HEPTACHLOR SPt AY S-iot broadcast or row treatment
HEPTACHLOR GRANULES for row treatment
HEPTACHLOR-FERTILIZIR MIXTUtES-do two jobs at once, save 50
of time and labor.
KILL FOLIAGE INSECTS LATER IN THE SEASONI
Heptachlor alto provides xctllini control of lygut bugs, army
worms, thripi, jrosshopptrt, too boorlat, critkot. cutworms, od
other railage insects. U.f.D.A. fos!s prove HoptacMor treated
alfalfa doos not contaminate milk!
SH YOUR MAIM
... AMtOCAl UADUM SO WMCTK1DI
VKLSICOL. CHEMICAL CORPORATION
20S2 Cantor Street, Berkeley, California
TOOAT SOS fSOVW
Oregon Grain Prices May
Stay Approximately Same
Corvallis Oregon grain,
hay, and seed prices for 1958
should be about the same as
last year with prospects of
slight price increases for some
seed crops, reported Ray H.
Teal, . Oregon State college
and grain marketing special
ist. Wheat will remain the best
paying grain for many Ore
gon farmers even if the an
nounced cut of 22 cents a
bushel in national support
rates is permitted to go into
effect, the specialist says.
Prices for Pacific North
west white wheat are not
likely to average much above
supports this year. Exports of
white wheat in recent months
have fallen below a year ago
and prices for carryover
stocks can be expected to de
cline toward the support price
for the new crop, Teal stated.
Feed grains have little
chance of bringing better
prices than last year due to
a further build-up of carry
over stocks across the coun
try, he continued. Recently
announced national support
price for 1958-crop oats is the
same as last year, but the rate
on barley is two cents lower.
Malting barley price levels
are expected to tie closely to
feed barley prices.
Storage Plans Suggested
.. Growers of feed grains are
advised to make arrangements
for suitable storage to qualify
for government supports since
county on the validity of the brucellosis testing law clears
the air of any doubt as to its validity, according to a
recently issued statement by Robert J. Steward, state director
of agriculture.
Steward points out in his statement that the testing
program was established by the department under the 1957
brucellosis act.
"At this point, 80 per cent of the testing has been com
pleted. We believe any cattlemen who have been hesitant
to test pending the outcome of this case will now join
forces to see the state of Oregon gains a brucellosis-free
status with next year," Steward said.
The case was carried to the court by cattlemen chiefly
from Wallowa and Gilliam counties.
Steward has urged all cattlemen who have not tested
their stock to make contact with the nearest state or federal
veterinarian to schedule an early test.
He said the testing program has continued uninterrupted
since last August 23, the date the suit was filed. From Sept.
1 to March 1, 220,803 cattle were tested in the state, with
1996 reactors discovered. During the same period, calfhood
vaccination was stepped up to 80,480 head of young stock.
He added that since September, Hood River county has
achieved certification status and seven more counties are
on the brink of completing testing. These counties are
Grant, Baker, Union, Polk, Lincoln, Benton and Clackamas.
This will place 22 of 36 counties on the brucellosis-free
rolls. .
Some counties are nearing the deadline for completion
of testing. They should act now so they will not lose all
progress which has been made to date, the director said.
Your Pastures
and Small
Grains Need
MOYKaOGEFn!!
Here's How NEW PHILLIPS 66 AMMONIUM
NITRATE Helps Increase Your Profits
Stretches grazing periods . . . helps you
produce plenty of low-cost feed.
Helps put more protein in your pasturts
for higher quality forage.
Increases your profits per acre through
higher yields from your small grains.
Gives you more uniform distribution for
even feeding of crops.
EASY TO HANDLE AND APPLY
BECAUSE IT'S FREE FLOWING IN
STORAGE AND DURING APPLICATION
SEED
10th & South
prices are likely to drop be
low support levels at harvesl
time.
Teal sees little chance foi
improvement in hay prices in
1958. Stocks are large in pro
ducing areas as a result oi
lighter feeding during th
mild winter. Prices have some:
chance of going higher nexl
fall if mouse-damage to has
fields proves as severe as
some areas report.
The 1958 price picture for
most turf seeds is about th
same as last year. Supplies ol
fine fescues are reported mov
ing well, and use of turf seeds
is likely to continue heavy
around homes and schools,
along highways, and in rec
reation areas.
Common ryegrass seed
prices are looking up slightly,
partly as a result of shorl
crops in Europe and New Zea
land. Alfalfa and red clover
seed harvests have declined
during the past two years,
bringing fair chance for price
improvements, Teal noted.
EGYPT STRIKES OIL
Cairo (IP) Minister of In
dustry Azis Sidky said today
the discovery of a new oil
field in the Sinai Desert is a
"turning point" for his coun
try's industrial development.
Sidky said the fields will "en
able Egypt to become self
sufficient and even an ex
porter of oil."
.
& FEED CO.
Fir - 6th & Bartlett
- 4,-'.Ma7ft