The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

9 4 Better Indoor Plants By Flourescent Light PAGE 9 • PLAINDEALER-WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, *976 Area Business** It's S(no)W Picnic A blanket of snow covers the grounds of the Moraine Hills State park picnic area. The taUes are empty with no brave souls anxious to make use of them for an outdoor lunch. Winter has arrived and it appears it will be months before the great thaw will liven this scene with families enjoying picnic lunches. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD For and about Teenagers BY PATRICK EDWARD THIS WEEK'S LETTER: I have a big problem There is this boy who shows -- off and on -- that he likes me. But I'm puzzled. He tells me to meet him then we go at a different time and miss each other. Whenever I do see him -- and I'm with a friend -- But when I'm by myself, he acts like he likes me a lot'. I'm 14 (8th grade) and he's 16 (11th grade). What should I do? OUR REPLY: Tell this guy to shape up! Really. Just ask him why he's acting so weird. Make certain he's clear on what you're trying to communicate. Remem­ ber, he does like you. And, you like him. What you're both trying, to decide is whether you want to be closer friends and spend time with each other. The basic fact remains, you both like each other. And people your age (people all ages, for that matter) act kind of funny sometimes towards their friends. Just tell him the truth about how you feel and what you want to do. If he can't dig it, that's his problem. (Ikmw of Ik* voium* Of Ml, nq»iHi lor personal ropMs cannot bo accomo- datod EdHoflal panal salads lor araakly uaa, lottor wMch ksal njraa®sla Qusitiona and/or comments from readers. PON AND ABOUT TECNAOCNS, BOX 111, FRANKFORT, KV. 4M01.) Double Talk "What makes you think the baby's going to grow up and become a successful politician?" asked the neighbor. "Because," replied the proud father, "he can say more things that sound good and mean nothing at all than anybody I've ever knoum." B-l: Deterrent Or Fri l l? Not since the General Billy Mitchell controversy of the 1920s has United States airpower been involved in a furor to equal the debate swirling around the B-l bomber. Being developed by the Air Force to replace the aging B-52, the supersonic airplane has been on trial in the U.S. from the day development work formal­ ly began in 1970. Nothing changed when the B-l recently cropped up in the proposed Democratic national plat­ form. It immediately totiched off a hot debate among party leaders. It also has involved the current Congress in one of the most emotional funding battles in recent memory as the time nears to make a production decision. Generally, the B-l is a clearcut for-it- or-agin-it issue. Defense experts insist it is absolutely essential for the defense of the nation in light of a menacing Soviet arms buildup. Opponents claim the B-l is not only too costly, but actu­ ally obsolete in the missile age. Ironically, if the B-l were being judged solely on its technical merits, there would be no room for debate. From the inception of contract work to the present, the B-l has been one of the best managed programs in the his­ tory of the Department pf Defense, ac­ cording to Thomas C. Reed, Secretary of the Air Force. Former astronaut, Tom Stafford, an Air Force major general who is now commander of the Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., where flight tests of the B-l are under way, describes the B-l as "the most successful of any test program the Flight Test Center has seen to date." In more than a year and a half of flight testing, the B-l has demonstrated vir­ tually all its major design requirements. And as for the gallant, but rapidly aging B-52, Senator Barry Goldwater, a retired major general in the Air Force Reserve, stated on the floor of Congress that he would be reluctant to fly the 20-year-old Stratofortress into combat. Cost has been the B-l's major alba­ tross, mainly because the general pub­ lic has not fully understood the effects of worldwide inflation. In the six years of the program the cost estimate, in terms of 1970 dollars, has increased only 12 per cent--a re­ markable achievement in view of the complexity of the program. Over-all, the program cost through 1985 is es­ timated to be $21.6 billion, but fully 88 per cent of the increase is due solely to inflation, according to Government accounting. In the same time period, inflation also has drastically driven up gas prices, bread prices, and the prices of practically everything else in the con­ sumer world, prompting B-l supporters to ask why the B-l is being singled out for special censure. Actual usefulness of an advanced bomber in the missile age also has been questioned. It has been pointed out an ICBM could penetrate the Soviet Union in 30 minutes, while the B-l would require several hours to cover the same distance "after the war is over." Among military experts this argu­ ment is particularly galling, since is completely ignores the role the manned bomber plays in deterring warfare. The length of time it takes a bomber (com­ pared to a ballistic missile) to reach its target at transoceanic distances not only provides high visibility of national resolve, but offers time for negotiation and the opportunity to recall the mis­ sion. The ICBM has none of this flexi­ bility. Once a missile is launched there is no recall. The result will be destruc­ tion of an enemy target and nuclear war. That is one of 14 reasons General Russell E. Dougherty, commander in chief of the Strategic Air Command, recently listed in strongly supporting the need for the B-l. "I view the B-l as the best candidate vehicle reasonably available to satisfy the future requirement for a modern manned penetrating bomber -- and to provide the U.S. with the diversified characteristics that are and will be needed in our complementary mix of strategic delivery systems. I do not see any other comparable system that can reasonably be expected to do this job as I think it must be done for assurance --or for long-term economics." In the trial of the B-l bomber, the foregoing constitutes the main argu­ ments, for and against. You be the judge. xk FOR ECONOMY SAKE... wumuE YOUR man -- LIMITED OFFER -- SAVE ON HEATING BILLS I „0rC 6" OF INSULATION P" IN YOU* ATTIC! 11 WITH ANY SOFFIT--FACIA & SIDING JOB BANK FINANCING AVAILABLE! FREE ESTIMATES! PHONE 815/385-8454 CHECK US FIRST!!! ...OTHER HOME IMPROVEMENTS DONE! Fire Fatalities A recent study reveals that there were more multiple-death fires (three or more fatalities) and resulting deaths reported in 1975 than in any of the previous four years. A total of 250 such fires were recorded in 1975, resulting in 1,091 deaths. Despite the tragic increases, there were no multiple-death fires in nursing homes in 1975 for the first time in many years. One of the biggest problems gardeners face these days is the lack of light, says George Young, University of Illinois extension adviser, McHenry County. Most homes are simply too dark for good plant growth. Recent studies at the Or­ namentals laboratory of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, Maryland, suggests that fluorescent lights do a better job of producing healthy plants at lower opeating cost, than do incandescent plant growth lights. Petunias grown under fluorescent lights look like tho?e grown under greenhouse conditions; they are compact and luxuriant, with deep, green foliage. Although the plants grown under incandescent lights differed somewhat*/ depending on the kind of light used, they all tended to be long and stringy. The lights tested included a fluorescent type that sells for about $15 and three in­ candescent types. The in­ candescent lights included a flood lamp, a special "growth" lamp that's basically the same, but sells for about $5, and a "cool" lamp with an interal filter that sells for $8 to $10. The fluorescent light easily produced the best-looking petunias. Under both the flood and growth lamps, however, the plants grew so tall and spindly that they had to be staked. Leaves are pale green and do not expand properly, Side branches never develop. According to Dr. Cathey, USDA researcher, light from an incandescent source is in the "red range," which promotes internode lengthening and eventually turns all plants into climbing vines. Since energy use and cost is based on wattage and fluorescent lights use very low wattage, they use less energy than the incandescent types. In three months use, the savings in energy would offset the initial higher cost of the fluorescent lights, says Young. Also, fluorescent lights are cool to touch and lamps can be closer to the plants without burning the foliage. These findings do not suggest that incandescent light should not be considered for indoor plants. In fact, incandescent lights such as hanging flood lamps, can be used in decorative arrangements to supplement bright light from a window. But you must have reasonably good natural light too. Fluorescent lights, regar- Reeelve Charters Secretary of State Michael Howlett has issued a not-for- profit charter to the McHenry C o u n t y H o r s e m e n ' s Association Inc., 3431 W. Elm St., McHenry, 111. A & J Grounds Management, Inc., McHenty has changed its name to Mock Excavating, Inc. ^American Viewpoints Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be pur­ chased at the price of chains and slavery? For­ bid it, Almighty God. Patrick Henry dless of color, can be used to promote good growth of most plants grown indoors without sunlight. FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY 197' - . A N D O F L I N £ £ ! ^ AUTO LICENSE PLATES The First National Bank of McHenry offers a license plate service effective December l, 1976 thru February 14, 1977. You must have your pre-printed form from the State of Illinois in order to purchase your 1977 license plates. (Service Charge $2.00) "THE WEDNESDAY BANK" THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF McHENRY 3814 West Elm Street • McHenry, Illinois 60050