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PAGE 18-PLAINDEALER-FRIDAY. JANUARY 6, 1984 - By EARL ARONSON AP Newsfea tores Suddenly, as we drove along the gravel road there appeared vast fields of a drab, thistle-like plant with sharp spines. It was saffloweYf\ which yields leoirwif Elvin Olson near WUUston, N.D.. where Olson and his 2 sons, Brad and Ryan, raise 1,100 acres of safflower. The Olsons explained that saf- th reportedly the urated fat con- percentage of ble< art polyunsaturated fat' con- ana lowest percentas tent saturated fat. Reports that safflower oil is be­ ing recommended for heart and high blood cholesterol patients lured me to the Northern Plains of Montana and North Dakota, which produce 100,000 acres of the plant. The area is also rich in coal and petroleum, wheat and small grains My guide, Dave Wichman. field manager for Continental Grain Co. -- which contracts for and processes 90 per cent of the area s safflower crop -- says the fields are aglow with yellow, gold and red blossoms in summer and fall. As they mature, the plants brown, their sharp, hard leaves repelling most animal invaders. Even in pre-Christian days, the oil and blossoms were use ̂in China and India in food prepara­ tion, dyeing cloth, and medicines. Now, major world uses are in cooking, margarine, mayonnaise, salad dressing, frozen desserts, bird seed, cattle and poultry feeds. Researchers are testing for flour and high- protein foods. Growing 18-20 inches tall and maturing in 120 days, plants average 8 to 10 bolls -- shaped like tiny bowls--each bearing 18 to 25 pale gray seeds the size of plump rice. These are crushed, oil extracted and refined. The straight, well-kept road led to the 3,500-acre farm of go down four feet) Weeds are its most serious problem, fought with herbicide. We saw the young Olsons in three roles within a few hours: They escorted us across the patio where a tame "wild" turkey played with three docs and four cats, then to a field for a saf­ flower closeup; they delivered 30,000 pounds of planting seed for next season to Continental storage bins at Culbertson, Mont., 40 miles away, and then ated harvesting combines -- for wheat. The sophisticated combine cuts plants beldw the lowest brancn, cracks the seed bolls, and blows out the pappus, or chaff. Seed is planted 20 pounds to the acre in April or early May and harvested from mid-September to mid-October. "It's a good crop," said Ryan, "because it ex­ tends the work period beyond harvest of wheat, barley and other crops." /" (Any queries about gardening Eroblems must be accompanied y a stamped, self-addressed envelope.) (For Earl Aronson's "Associated Press Guide • to House Plants," send $1 to House Plants. AP Newsfeatures, 50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10020.) SUITS TURN SOFT when they're sweater knits. From the Giulliana Collection comes this thigh-length cardi­ gan in acrylic/wool knit of bold blue and clay stripes, with bow tie neckline and breast pocket accent, two low patch pockets. All-wool double knit pleated skirt is slimmed with stitched-down pleats. About $140. Are you moving in the right circles? _r AT&T: AFTER THE BREAKUP Ma Bell spawns seven new systems USWEST $8 /10.4 AMERITECH $9/14.1 NYNEX $10/12.6 35 N*Dakota MINN S DAKOTA \ 1 WIS*n^m,cH MONT «VR 'CONN N J IOWA - -- yoHiO ILL I IND \ m CALIF OK LA PACIFIC TELESIS $8 /10.7 I TEXAS SOUTHWESTERN BELL CORPORATION $8/10.2 BELL ATLANTIC $9 / 14 BELLSOUTH $11/73 .4 1983 REVENUES PHONE LINES (estimated, in billions) / (estimated, in millions) A A (Source AT&T) NEA GRAPHIC AT&T was once the only phone company in town -- but the phone giant's Jan. 1 breakup gives Ma Beli seven independently operated offspring, each rougtily equivalent in the amount of revenue and number of phone lines. Automobiles 86 For Sale CLASSIFIED, urnlHtfV t u r n * -- n r r ^ -A ̂ - - - 1 XVL * JUT1 7»0-ll'4 Read classified regularly to stay in circulation. Call 815-344-4800 people read classified Limited A.f.R. FINANCING NOW AVAILABLE *For 36 or 48 months with 1/3 down cash or trade and approved credit. EXCLUSIVELY AT dimldt •ATSUIM In Barrington ON ALL NEW NISSAN-DATSUN CARS & TRUCKS 111 , "J"11 iM ' THIS OFFER GOOD ON AU. MODELS MSTOCK • NO- EXCEPTIONS" ' • . • HURRY IN FOR THE BEST SELECTION j * * Offer good on vehicles purchased out of stock after Jan. 1 only. HOURS: M-Thurs. 9a.m.-9p.m. Frl. 9a.m.-6p.m. j Sat. 9a.m.-5p.m. ) Sun. 11a.m.-4p.m. itunldl SBEEEHZ) In Barrington (312) 381-7991 136^.NW HWY. (RT. 14 BA RRINGTOW (one block «Mt ol RT. 59) S Service & Parts Department AA-F 7:30a.m.-5p.m.