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

Town-Country Tips by David Ploch«r, Ext*n>.on S«rvic» 338-3737 338-4747 Fall Nitrogen Losses -A Potential Problem- University agronomists have always talked about using N-serve, a nitrogen stabilizer, as an in­ surance plan against nitrogen losses. This year it may be worthwhile. Central and northern Illinois fall applied nitrogen normally stays in the ammonium form through the winter. Microorganisms usually don't get to their work until the soil thaws and warms in the spring. Insulation by this winter's early and heavy snowfall kept the soil warm enough to keep the microorganisms on the job, although at a slow pace. Where N-serve was used last fall, we do not feel there is yet a problem. Without it, there is a chance that we could have lost 20 percent of the fall applied N. If you applied Nitrogen earlier last 'fall, the problems are compounded. The alternatives are several and include waiting until late May to see what the crop does. Side dressing or preplant is another alternative, but equipment is a problem. I will keep you informed on the situation as I talk further with the agronomy specialists and we look closer at the potential problem. Give me a call if you feel you have a particular problem. Fatigue Leads to Accidents- As the spring planting season gets underway, I again caution you farmers not to overwork yourselves. Fatigue can lead to carelessness, which often leads to accidents. Take some rest breaks. You should keep both your equipment and yourselves in good condition. Another caution is to take a realistic view of what you are doing. In other words, set a realistic time schedule because "stoppages" always upset a tight schedule, and you know some will come up. Plan now to have some and when they come up you won't be so upset. Insect Update- Late planting dates give us a greater potential for black cutworms. Moths are being picked up in pheremone traps locally. Although there is still much we don't know about the cutworm, we do know that they like green growth for egg laying. University entomologists also, feel that the European corn borer potential is greater for late planted corn. Your Food Dollar- Some recent USDA studies have shed new light on the breakdown of the food dollar. A dollar spent for food at the retail store goes as such: 39 cents to the farmer, 28 cents to labor, eight cents for packaging, five cents to transportation, five cents to rent, depreciation and interest; four cents to profit before taxes, two cents to advertising, two cents to business taxes and seven cents to utilities, fuel, insurance, bad debts, etc. When food consumed away from home is considered, the farm share of the dollar drops to 31 cents. Labor rises to 32 cents and the other categories remain about the same. Illinois Farmland Rentals Increasing- David Lins, U of I agricultural economist recently stated that "high capital gain on farmland may discourage owners from . selling." Statistics on the transfer rate of farm land suggest that the higher the capital gains, the lower the rate of transfer. For example, Illinois has a very large number of absentee owners. Many of these are people who have inherited the land and are holding on to it. Often they cannot farm the land themselves, but view owning it as a hedge against inflation. This means that farm operators may have to rent rather than buy additional land, Lins said. In Illinois, 75 percent of all farmers rent at least part of the land they fafm, Lins said. And 55 percent of all agricultural land in Illinois is rented, leaving Illinois with the great­ est amount of rented farm­ land in the nation, Lins said. Garden Weed Control - It is not a good practice to use herbicides in small ornamental and vegetable gardens where you are growing several species. Each crop species must have a different her­ bicide. The cost and the great care needed in herbicide ap­ plication prompts me to discourage their use. If you do want to try her­ bicides, request a copy of circular 1051- Controlling Weeds in the Home Garden, from my office, the University of Illinois Cooperative Ex­ tension service, 338-3737, or 4747. Be sure to follow the directions. Lawn Reseeding- Using too much seed is a common mistake when reseeding a lawn. Crowded seedlings will not be strong enough to withstand summer's adverse weather. U of I specialist, John Street recommends sowing approximately 15 to 25 seeds per square inch. The best procedure is to loosen the soil in bare or dead areas with a hoe or rake. Scatter the seeds and then rake to lightly cover them. A mulch, of peat moss, dried clippings or straw, applied over the area will help to hold in moisture and prevent soil and seed from washing away. Quality seed is important for an attractive lawn. Many of the bargain brands contain un­ desirable turf species or a high percentage of weedy species. The seedbag tag lists the percent purity and germination as determined in laboratory tests. Best results are obtained from bags containing no weeds or other crop seeds such as tall fescue, bentgrass, redtop or annual bluegrass. Street recommends buying seed containing the same specie or species already present to avoid a patchy appearance. Organic Mulches- Organic mulches usually have a cooling effect on the soil. Common types include plant residue (straw, hay, leaves, grass Air condition your home with an =7̂ lirtemp CENTRAL SYSTEM These units have excellent E.E.R. ratings for economical operating cost. Complete package to fit your furnace, in­ cludes coil, condensor, line set, relay and power wiring, com­ pletely installed clippings, crushed corn cobs, peanut hulls, composts) peat; wood byproducts (sawdust, wood chips, shavings) and animal manure. These mulches improve garden tilth as they decompose, returning organic matter, and plant nutrients to the soil. They also keep the soil moist and the temperature uniform. Apply organic mulches three or four inches deep to keep the weeds down. They should be spread evenly over the soil, between the rows and around the plants. Organic mulches slow the rate of soil warming, so they should be applied after the plants are well established. Side dressings of nitrogen fertilizer may be needed as the microorganisms that decompose the mulch use nitrogen in the process. Light green on yellow leaves in­ dicates nitrogen deficiency. Synthetic Mulches- Synthetic mulches include black and clear plastic (polyethylene) film. Seeds can be planted through the film by cutting slits in the film with a sharp knife. Black plastic blocks sunlight from the soil and weeds cannot grow. It also warms the soil by five to ten degrees for early spring plantings and warm- loving vegetables. Black plastic may be used for beans, cucumbers, musk- melons, peppers, pumpkins, summer squash, tomatoes, watermelons and winter squash. The film should be 1 and one-half mils thick and three and four feet wide. Clear plastic warms the soil temperature by 10 to 20 degrees, speeding up seed germination and growth in cold soil. It may be used 1 and one- half mils thick and 1 and one- half to 3 feet wide to cover rows of early planted peas, radishes, lettuce, sweet corn, beans and potatoes. The main disad­ vantage with clear plastic is that the weeds also grow. Clear plastic should be removed after the seedl'n^s have emerged. Marian Lauds Students At Academic Banquet SECTION 2 - PACiK 9- PLAINDEALER - FRIDAY. MAY 18,1979 Mikus, music department head The banquet was spon­ sored by the Marian Central Parents association, the Marian National Honor society, and coordinated b^ assistant principal. John Hurite Marian Central Catholic high school recently hosted the third annual academic honors banquet program. This event is held in recognition of all students currently in the top 10 percent of their resepctive classes. Approximately seventy-five students, in the company of parents and Marian faculty, were com­ mended for high academic achievement during the 1978-79 school year. Guest speaker for the evening was Dr. Wesley Vos, associate dean of Music and humanities professor at DePaul university Dr Vos' speech was entitled, "What Is Excellence?" Certificates were then awarded to qualifying students, and the evening s program concluded with a "pan­ oramic" view of this year's musical achievements at Marian, directed by Richard Despise not thy mother when she is old. -Proverbs 23:22. The hand that rocks the cradle Is the hand that rules the world. -W. R. Wallace. V? i \ K / \(>U • B.T.U. Approx. Sq. Ft PRICE TON B.T.U. Cooling Cap. INSTALLED \xh 18,500 1000 *975" 2 24,500 1300 *1045°° 2lh 31,500 1600 M19504 3 36,000 1800 *1295" 3V2 43,000 2100 s1445°° 4 48,000 2400 51545" 5 60,000 3000 s1675°° Prices could vary according to your particular home. Call for FREE ESTIMATE. Absolutely No Obligation!' R.D. HAHN & SONS SHEET METAL, INC. 209 E. ROUTE 120 McHENRV. ILL. 385-9670 If Uncle Sam owes you a tax refund this year, put it to work in one of Marengo Federal's high-earning savings or cer­ tificate accounts." All Marengo Federal savings and certificate accounts earn the nation's highest interest rates...the highest allowed by law. As extra protection, every penny of your hard earned money is insured safe up to $40,000 by the FSLIC a permanent agency of the federal government. So if you're expecting one good return this year, give yourself another by investing in a MFS savings or certifi­ cate account. With three convenient offices to serve you. 51/4% Regular Passbook The most flexible savings plan ever. Add or subtract any amount, any time. Minimum balance $5. Interest compounded daily. 5%% Golden Passbook Savings must remain in account f o r a m i n i m u m o f 9 0 d a y s . Minimum balance S500. Interest compounded daily. 61/2% 1-Year Certificate 63/4% 30-Month Certificate 71/2% 4-Year Certificate 73/4% 6-Year Certificate 8% 8-Year Certificate C e r t i f i c a t e s r e q u i r e $ 1 , 0 0 0 minimum balance. Interest com­ pounded daily and paid quarterly on all accounts or monthly on request. 'Certificates withdrawn prior to maturity earn at regular passbook rate less 90 days interest Marengo Federal Savings t=J i? and loan association MARENGO: 200 E. Grant Highway 815/568-7258 • McHENRY: 4400 W. Route 120 • 815/344-1900 • WOODSTOCK: 118 Cass Street • 815/338-2900