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18 Section 2 of The Canadian Statesman, Newcastle Independent, Wednesday, April 6,1983 MY TRIP TO MAPLE SUGAR BUSH On Wednesday, March 9 our class and "MKMafr's class went to the Maple Sugar Bush. We went by bus and left at 1:00. After about a half an hour on the bus we arrived at a restaurant and walked the rest of the way. We walked across the corner and with an ignorant look on our faces we climbed up a huge hill. By the time were were about half way up the hill a black dog came trotting down the hill with his tongue hanging out of his mouth looking like nothing was wrong at all. I knew just what was going to happen. Like always one of the kids yelled "Hey look at the black dog!" Then everybody stopped to pet the dog. That poor dog! He looked so squashed that I felt like pushing pushing everybody away! I stopped to pet the dog myself ana the whole time we were there the dog followed us. "I'm pooped I thought to myself." myself." Mrs. Ransberry let us go down a slide with a fort you got to go into. There was a really neat path to go through, it looked like a forest with a path with leaves on it. At last, I thought we're here. When you looked up all you could see were hills and trees. The first thing that we did was meet Mr. Ransberry. Then we got to go into the sugar shack and taste the sap while it was boiling. It didn't have much of a taste to it. It lust tasted like water with a dab of sugar in it. We were really only supposed to taste it once but we all got to taste it about three times. After Mr. Ransberry talked to us a bit we all got to look into one of the pails to see if there was any sap. I guess I found quite a Sit but not as much as I expected. I climbed to the top of one hill and ran down. Janice had a pail of Maple sap. As I came burning down the hill. Janice's back was right in front of me, I couldn't stop very quick so I yelled "Janice look out!" When Janice took a look at me coming down the hill her eyes nearly popped out of her head. I turned as fast as I could and just skinned her arm. We gave all the sap to Mr. Ransberry who boiled it. When it was ready Mrs. Ransberry let us taste it. It was delicious! The only thing that I didn't like about it was it was too sweet. Then it was time to go home so we walked down the hill again and got on to the bus and left. Jessica Mason Maple Grove School Grade 3 - Age 8 OUR VISIT TO THE MAPLE SUGAR FARM On Wednesday, March 9th,. our class (grade 3 and 4) and Mr. Mairs' room went on a trip to a Maple Sugar Farm. We took the bus and we were singing songs. When we got off the bus, we went up a big hill which had a sign saying: TAKE THIS ROAD AT OWN RISK! I bet almost every kid was panting! (plus teachers!) At the top of the hill we were greeted by Mrs. Ransberry and her dog Blackie. The weather was really dull! On the way through the woods, we went up a whole bunch of hills. At the farm, we learned how to collect sap. Well, first you pick a Maple Tree, and then you drill a hole in the south side, E ut in a spile, hook on the ucket, and you're all set! You collect the sap, and put it in a big pan, and put the pan over a great big stone stove. Put in some wood to heat up the stove. Then the water in the sap starts to evaporate and condenses. The sap turns into. .... Maple Syrup, and we got to taste some! At the maple sugar farm, there were some great big hills! We climbed up all of them! I found a fungus, but I threw it on Pancake Lane (the cow trail!). I sure had a good day at the Maple Sugar Farm! By Janice Benson Grade 4, Maple Grove School Age 9 Tom Pleasance Testing and Comparing Results Against Crops One of the Functions of Improvement Association ATTENTION FARMERS! Looking for an alternate crop? MANCAN BUCKWHEAT could be for you! Call 705-277-2502 for details. Pontypool Gram limited R.R. 1 BETHANY Sharing information on different kinds of crops and farming techniques is what the Durham East Soil and Crop Improvement Association Association is all about. Tom Pleasance, one of the directors of the association, says that information on the year's crops and plots is distributed distributed through a newsletter and at the association's annual meeting. "We test crops and compare the results against crops we know grow well, crops that are consistent yielders. You have to have that comparison to judge what the new crop can really do in this area," says Tonr. Tom says that barley, oats and soy beans are popular cash crops in this area. "One farmer might test five or six varieties of soy beans, or five or six varieties of corn. They try different rates of sowing and look at what variety produces produces the most for the amount of time and money put into it." The farmers volunteer for plot testing and the association association makes sure there is sufficient sufficient testing in all areas of interest. The association will sometimes provide the seed or make partial payment for the seed if the farmer is dealing with a new variety, explains Tom. The association newsletter, which is published six or seven times a year, looks at various crops, weather conditions, pesticides, crop dusting and erosion problem. "Several areas are working on erosion problems right now. We have three farms just west of Bowmanville where grassed waterways for erosion erosion control are being tested," Tom says. He added that farmers often realize they have a specific problem and volunteer for testing to see if they can correct it, with help from the association. "You can help others, too. You don't realize that other farmers might have the same problem you have." The Durham East Soil and Crop Improvement Association Association includes Cartwright, Clarke, Cavan, Darlington, Hope and Manvers Townships. Townships. The association is affiliated affiliated with a provincial soil and crop improvement group and Gerald Brown of Brown- view Farms, east of Bowmanville Bowmanville is a provincial director. Tom says the association provides the farmer with bits of information that will help him make decisions concerning concerning crops. Best of all, the farmer is receiving information information he knows has been tested. "We supply a tool for choosing the best crops for your land and your budget," says Tom. There were 210 members in the association last year and membership costs $7 a year. WORK! WORK! WORK! Do you live on a farm? Well I do. My name is Paul Watson. You have probably picked strawberries, apples or at least one of those at my place. If you think it is easy to run a farm, you do not live on a farm. I know that because I live on a farm and it is extremely extremely hard. You have to feed the animals, spray, and fertilize the crops. Next you have to make sure all the fruits and vegetables are picked when they are ripe. It is not a matter of putting your feet up and watching the funnies funnies on T. V. There's a lot more than that too. That is just an inch of it! There is a mile more than that. You have to be a fairly good mechanic to fix the machinery. You have to know when to buy machinery and sell it. You also have to know when to buy and sell land and when to rent it. You have to like farming because it is a long time when you're doing what you don't like. Paul Watson Maple Grove School ON A FARM When you're on a farm you have to do a lot of work. You have to raise the cattle and build a large pasture for the cattle. Farmers raise chickens to have eggs. It takes a whole day to get things in order on a farm. You have to grind the wheat. Farmers raise goats and flowers. On a farm you have to milk the cows and goats. A farmer wakes up at dawn and goes to sleepat7:00. IT'S A HARD JOB! By Elizabeth Badurina Grade4 Mitchell's Corners Public School "LIFE ON THE FARM" One day I went to my Grandpa's Grandpa's and Grandma's farm. They weren't happy. One of their calves had been attacked by a fox during the night. My friend, my sister and I went outside to play. Then suddenly we saw something in the yard. We went to have a look. It was some blood and red plastic. It wasn't very nice so we went into the house. We didn't come out until it was time to go. Christie Geddes 10 years old Maple Grove School THE LIFE OF A FARMER He gets up at the crack of dawn, Just when dew covers the lawn. The rooster crows at six o'clock The farmer goes to feed the stock. He drains the cows of delicious milk, And brushes the horses till they're as smooth as silk. He walks past cows chewing their cud, While feeding the pigs he falls in the mud. He collects the eggs from countless hens, Then puts the piglets in their pens. He drives the sheep out into the field, And makes sure the gates are tightly sealed. This takes up the morning and most of the afternoon, I think the farmer should take a break soon. The farmer thinks he's, done his best, And goes inside to have a rest. Tracy Mclmoyle Grade6 Mitchell's Corners DURHAM REGION FEDERATION of AGRICULTURE Serving the needs of our farmers. Further Information on the Federation can be obtained by contacting the secretary at (416) 985-2787 © SCW. INC. James Broker Limited iimiii NESTA AKEY DOUG JAMES "For all your insurance needs" 24 King St. East Bowmanville Telephone 623-4406