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Ge 2- PORT PERRY STAR - Wednésday, July 3, 1991 "Scugog's Community Newspaper bt Choice" Lack of rain hurting some crops According to experts in the "field", June's extremely hot and dry weather has had an ad- verse effect on some crops in the area. Joel Bagg, a farm manage- ment specialist for the Minis- try of Agriculture, Durham Re- gion, says it has been one of the driest months of June on record. And as a result of the heat wave, many of the crops, J PORT PERRY STAR o> ' $500 Bi ADVERTISING B® VOUCHER EMS Flooring won a $500 advertising voucher from the Port Perry Star. Pictured above, EMS manager Donna Lock- man accepts the voucher from Port Perry Star advertising manager Anna Gouldburn. Port Perry Star advertisers who spent over $500 in advertising during the month of June qualified for the promotional contest. Royal Bank manager Marva Collins selected the winning entry. The Port Perry Star 188 Mary Street, Port Perry 0985-7383 such as corn and barley, are be- ginning to show drought stress. The signs of this condition in- clude lack of moisture and re- duced growth. He says the corn and barley crops did get off to an early start, and did benefit from the many days of sunshine, but are now being affected by the lack of rain. One positive aspect of the re- cent weather is that the farm- ers were able to cut hay earlier this year. Typically farmers need a number of consecutive dry days to cut and dry the hay, but this year mother nature co- operated nicely. Mr. Bagg says as a result, a lot of hay has been made quickly this year. Unfortunately, regrowth has been very poor to date. The horticulture products such as strawberries and rasp- berries, which receive most of its water from irrigation, has not been affected as dramati- cally, he says. Marlene McKay, who along with her husband Rod operates Willowtree Farm, a U-pick strawberry operation in Man- chester, has noticed a differ- ence in the crop this year. She says the berries have been smaller, and there have been less of them. She estimates that this year's crop was only half of the normal crop. The season has also been cut one week to three from the usual four. As a result of the poor pro- duction to date, they have been forced to reduce prices for the strawberries by 10 per cent. But despite the disappointing season, she says "we're still do- ing well." At this late stage in the strawberry season, rain will not help this year's crop, she says, as the fields have already been cleared. Rain would help next year's crop, however. The lack of rain will also hurt other crops that should be ready later in the year. Mrs. McKay predicts both the apple and raspberry crops will be smaller both in size and quan- tity. Despite the unfavorable weather conditions so far, all is not lost for the year. Mr. Bagg says what is needed is a nice day-long rain to give the fields a good soaking. This would re- vitalize the crops. "It's too early to say there's not going to be a crop," he says. "If we do get rain, things will turn around very quickly." Mayor suggests residents use restraint when using water Although most of Scugog has plenty of water and is not af- fected by the low rainfall in June, Mayor Howard Hall does suggest that residents use wa- ter sparingly. The mayor said the residents should "use a certain amount of restraint" when using water and use it when only absolutely necessary. "I would urge the people to use the water sparingly so were not faced with a water shortage," he said. Mayor Hall says the current water shortage in portions of the Greater Metropolitan Area does not have too much of an ef- fect on Scugog, as the area "has quality water, as well as a quantity of water." He says the township's water tower does not get drastically low. "The only area which he says is of some concern is the Green- bank area, which is in the pro- cess of getting a new water sys- tem. Mayor Hall says notices have been issued to all the resi- dents in the area concerning the situation. Not all portions of the region have been as fortunate as Scu- gog, however. Some municipali- ties, including Ajax, have im- posed mandatory water restrictions. Others are con- templating such measures. John Aker, chairman of the works committee, said the Cherrywood Reservoir, in Pick- ering, is completely empty and isoperating at full capacity. Mr. Aker was so concerned about the water shortage prob- lem that he requested Regional Chairman Gary Herrema to of- fer a prayer for rain in place of the Lord's Prayer at the begin- ning of last Wednesday's Re- gional Council meeting. Correction Last week the Star quoted Durham East MPP Gord Mills as saying the Immaculate Con- ception Senior's Residence as being "a product of Ontario Homes Now project which is on its way to producing $30,000 affordable homes." It should have read 30,000 af- fordable homes. The Star regrets the error. 0) V0 4 auto glass &* trim id. Boat Tops, Seats & Complete Upholstery Sun Roofs, Tonneau Covers, Vinyl Tops Carpets, Cellular Telephones INSURANCE WORK -MOBILE SERVICE hw ey WRITTEN GUARANTEE PORT PERRY 985-8507 Two Locations 139 Queen (at Water) 6 High (at 7A) E75) On any One WINDSHIELD INSURANCE CLAIM GEG EE RG EIV EDT R TIO ERICE RVI RTE coupon at time of purchase. Boa rer 7 al RHEIN Nal prt ton AT ra are a ed om