. .1 v>f^ Down & Country Tips by Dave Plocher) Corn Ears Lack Fullness - Poor ear tip development is turning out to be a common concern of corn growers in McHenry county - one to two inches of ear tip have not been producing kernels of grain. The situation is showing up all around the county. •' High population and stress are the most probable reasons for this poor ear tip develop ment according to University of Illinois plant breeder and geneticist, E.D. Alexander. There is an inverse relationship to plant population and the number of kernels on the ear tip. Thus the higher ^the population, the poorer the ear tip fill. Of course, you can af ford to lose some tip kernels if extra ears exist in every acre. Stress, caused by the dry weather we had during mid summer, is also in the spotlight. Stress does not slow , tassel growth as much as silk ^growth. Silks normally come out after the tassel and pollination begins at the base of the ear. Dry weather can cause silks to be delayed so much that K pollen shed has stopped before the final silks are out. Crop Rotation - There are many ^excellent reasons for crop rotation. One that you may not have heard is to rotate away from corn next year if this year's corn is late and adult corn rootworm populations are very high. High levels of adults, thus high levels of eggs in that field, can cause a great deal of pressure on your rootworm insecticide next year. Solar Drying System Plans Available - If you plan to take advantage of the recently- announced government loan program for building solar grain drying systems, be sure to call us for a list of solar plans from the University of Illinois Department of agricultural Engineering. Nine plans are available, including plans for a solar collector on a round drying bin, a free-standing "portable" collector and collectors built into roofs of swine buildings and machine sheds. Some of the collectors can be adapted for shop heating. Loans for financing solar drying systems will be available to producers under the same terms as other farm facility loans administered by the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation service jASCS). Yon can get- in--v formation about the loan program from the McHenry county ASCS office in Wood stock. Soybean Situation in Per spective (following is a sum mary of the Aug. 29 Illinois Farm and Food Outlook) - The soybean situation is filled with uncertainty. Scenarios can be written for both high and low prices. Here are some central facts to consider. The U.S. soybean crop will probably be very large. - The potential for world wide oil production is great. - Brazil has sold a short crop rapidly ~ they may be back in the market to cover any overselling. - World demand for U.S. soybean oil and soybean protein is great. - The domestic use of soybean oil and meal has been great. In addition to these, a small increase in livestock numbers outside the United States is expected. Also to be considered is the fact that hog producers, who are losing money, are not good meal customers. To sum up the soybean situation, it seems that the prices livestock producers can afford to pay for meal will determine the inventory levels. The attitude towards these inventories will be influenced by inflationary expectations and the prospective size of the 1980 crop. This implies a lot of downside risk. Weather "Predictions" -1 have heard nearly every version of the ; September weather forecast. Since September is now one third gone, I'll give my prediction. The first one third of the month will be dry. The rest of the month, according to "weather trends" will be near normal in temperature with average temperatures of 67 degrees. Precipitation will be 150 percent of normal. This should yield us 4.5 inches of moisture. Hopefully, no snow. Income and Food - Inflation - Rising Prices - Increased Food Costs. These three items are very valid concerns to con sumers but you should be in- farmed of all the facts. Since -1960, spendable income has risen at an average annual rate of more than 8 percent. , Meanwhile, spending for food has increased by only 7 percent a year. Other annual cost in- cre#ses that have hit our bank accounts hard are tran sportation up nearly 9 percent, housing up 8.5 percent, health expenditures up 11 percent, and recreation costs up 9.5 percent. Economists do see low food prices (now using 16.5 percent of our income dollar) as a possible thing of the past. Big gains in processing, productivity, and marketing may be behind us. Let's hope farmers, researchers,, processors and food marketing people keep up their good work and are successful in new strivings for efficiency and productivity. Apple Supply and Management - The apple crop in Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, and In diana is larger than that of 1978, but the total midwest crop is less because the Michigan crop is down by about 5 million bushels. Apples that are going to go into cold storage (two to six months) should be carefully selected and handled. Pick mature apples but not ripe apples. The best apples for storage are those picked during the middle of the picking season. The first picked do not store well and the last picked are often too close to being ripe. Fruit growers in our area may be experiencing Golden Delicious tree losses, according to University of IlUinois fruit crop specialist Dan Meador. Three years of severe weather have weakened trees and made them prey to a fungus, Cytospora, and other canker fungi. The only apparent cure is for more seasonal winters. Homeowners Pest= Letter - More than 160 diseases were covered in the 1979 Home Yard and Garden Pest newsletter. Eighteen issues were sent to subscribers at a nominal cost. The newsletter is published by Extension specialists and cover insect, weed and plant disease pests of the home, yard and garden. Details are given on current control procedures, application equipment and methods, safe storage and diisposal of pesticides plus numerous other topics. Write or call to sign up for next year - 815-338-3737, Box 431, Woodstock, 60098. Garden Talk - "Selecting firewood", "Storing • Fall Vegetables", and "Fall Lawn Fertilization" are the three garden talk topics for the remainder of September. They are aired locally on WGN Channel 9, Chicago, on the Top of the Morning Show from 5:55 to 6:25 a.m. The day varies, It is also on WTVO, Channel 17, from Rockford during the Today show break on Thursday at 7:25 a.m. SECTION 2-PAGE t Drive Opens Oct. 1 Volunteers for the annual fund raising campaign for the United Way of McHenry County have now received their assignments and are preparing to carry the United Way story to contributors throughout the county. Their gift of time and effort to help those who need help is the backbone of the United Way movement. "They are dedicated workerspraised Campaign Chairman, William Cowlin, "It's a good feeling to know you've helped someone in need and that's what the United Way is all about. "The child with a physical handicap who needs months or maybe years of therapy. The old man who's alone and depressed. The family torn and twisted by alcoholism - these are the unfortunate people our volunteers are trying to help by asking the county to assist with their contributions. That's one of the fine things about the American character." The United Way campaign gets under way Oct. 1, with a goal of $210,000 to help serve the needs of 19 different human service agencies. This one campaign replaced the need for 19 different campaigns throughout the year. One of these agencies, the lat est one to join the United Way PLAINDEALER - FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28.1W» persons over 60 years of age, the Homemaker primarily provides hotnemakjng help, personal care and emotional support. Depending on the kind of care needed, a Homemaker may provide many of the same tasks Chat mothers and fathers do in the home, such as caring for children by helping them bathe, dress, and supervising their eating. If a mother or father is absent, Homemakers may supervise the children's activities and offer them comfort and discipline. United Wa^ services to residents of McHenry county are many. They include character building for the youth, companionship and recreation for the aging, disaster relief and therapy for the handicapped, none of which can be provided without the generous donations from in dividuals, ' business and in dustry. family, is Homemaker Service of Lake and McHenry counties. This agency has seen a need in northern Illinois and has stepped in to fill it. A Homemaker is chosen because of a positive regard for people and a desire to help those in need. A Homemaker usually has had successful family experiences' and has learned to live, care for, and manage children and adults in need of care. A Homemaker often helps tp strengthen or hold a family together. In cases where a mother is sick, injured or hospitalized, the Homemaker acts as a mother Substitute. For 8 HOUR DO-IT-YOURSELF Carpet̂ Hardwood, Ceramic, and No-Wax Vinyl Sale September 29 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. ONLY Do-it-yourself 8 Hour Sale! Use Master Charge or Visa, Check or Cash - All Items Are Cash and Carry during this 8 Hour Bonanz of Values. All Carpet & Vinyl remnants on sale All Foam backed - outdoor carpeting on sale All Do-lt-Yourself items, No-Wax Vinyls, Hardwoods, Ceramics on Sale ONE DAY ONLY-SATURDAY 10:00 A.M.to 6:00 P.M. September 29 BATHROOM $145 I sq.ft. Ceramic Tile by Florida - 4!4 x 4V* -Brite Glaze (Full Cartons/Boxes Only).. BEDROOMS Armstrong Solarium Tile - self adhering (full cartons only) No-Wax Stylistic Tile - self adher ing (full cartons only) No-Wax Carpet Remnants by Lees - any quality and size under 8 ft. 11 inches x 12 (Regular retail value up to $16.95 sq.yd.) Tidy will cut these remnants in half for a small cutting charge Remnants - Over 3,000 to choose from in 3 stores - prices as low as. Up to 30 sq yds SPECIALLY JRICED 8 HOURS ONLY Sculptured Shag nylon, 8 HOURS ONLY!! 5 colors, Lee's carpeting - WW Sculptured Shag - 6 colors to choose from, Brown, Rust, Sand, Blue, Green, and Tan with foam backing attached. 8 HOURS ONLY!! JUTE BACKED SPECIAL -10 solid colors in stock - Cash & Carry Priced Do-lt-Yourself and Save!-... $099 $Q99 <#sq.yd. tO ^sq.yc $£89 \J sq.yd. $C45 sq.y< $C32 sq.y« September 29 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. ONLY Too Many Items to list - only a partial listing. Every do-it- yourself item in Tidy's Inventory is now on Sale For 8 Hours Only. Don't Miss this Spectacular Sale! EXAMPLES OF OUR 8 HOUR PRICES AND SAVINGS. Armstrong Designers: Solarian No-Wax All Pat terns to choose from .yd. *12.61 ALL FOAM BACKED CARPETING 250 ROLLS IN TODY'S STOCK....... ~ OVER SALE PRICED LIVING ROOM, DINING ROOM & HALL Tidy's best quality Sculptured Shag - with 36 oz super foam high Density padding attached. Sold for as high as $10.99 a sq.yd.-ON SALE FOR 8 HOURS ONLY! This carpeting can be placed in the most used areas ot the house exceptional quality and beauty SPECIAL PURCHASE - Super Foam & Urethane Specials - Sculptured Shags and Saxony Plushes -- 30 multi-colors. Both products excellent values for any room which needs good quality carpeting This carpeting sold for as high as $10.99 a sq.yd. - all with high density plush back or urethane super backs # Jute Back Specials - Too numerous to list -special contractor prices - over 50 full rolls - all prices for 8 HOURS ONLY SAVE UP TO 25% $6?,?81- KITCHEN NO-WAX VINYLSI ALL ARMSTRONG, CON- GOLEUM, AND MANN- INGTON VINYLS ON SALE. SPECIAL ORDERED 200 REMNANTS. All no wax vinyl rem nants regardless of size or quality. Values to $15 95 sq.yd. 8 HOURS ONLY Do-lt-Yourself-Price. Kitchen Carpeting -In stock 6 patterns anso nylon scotch guarded nylon New Armstrong Kit chen Prints - SAVE 8 HOURS ONLY! 30 Pat terns to choose from ideal for heaviest traffic. Cash n Carry Only Congoleum Highlight - All Patterns to choose from - No-Wax Cash n Carry Only. *7.40 *.<. Mannington Lustercon All patterns to choose from. Cash n Carry Only sq.yd. Bruce Hardwood Flooring- (Full Cartons) Heritage Squares $1.55 Nothing Higher Than $£00 ">vd- sq.ft. All colors to choose from. 3/8" Prime Urethane Pad ding '1.00 sq.yd. 1/2" Prime Urethane Pad ding $1.50 _ sq-vd. Lee's Kimberton and Casual Scene. 12 colors in Stock Only $8.95 sq.yd. Armstrong Tile - starting as low as 26' - All Patterns on Sale. Promotional BASEMENT, RECREATION ROOM Regular $6.95 Carpeting reduced. 3 colors to choose from only 9 rolls. Colonial Plank, Oak, Walnut, Rustic Limited Quantities. 50% Level Loop • Ideal construction for basement level - 5 colors to choose from - 8 HOURS ONLY!! . ARMSTRONG TILE - (full cartons only) Excelon Self Stick All Patterns. Excelon Dry Back - ' (Full Cartons only) All Patterns....... Bruce Hardwood Flooring - All specially priced this 8 HOUR SALE ONLY!! V DROP SAMPLES SPECIAL 8 HOURS ONLY 3 - 27" x 18" SAMPLES ONLY... $1.00 For Al l 3 n27" x 36" & 27" x 54" $3.00 PORCH or PATIO ALL OUTDOOR CARPETING AT OUR COST! Grass Carpeting - one of the largest in stock selections in Northern Illinois - 15 colors to choose from, we also have commercial weights, specially priced FOR 8 HOUR SALE ONLY - Buy now, install this fall or save for spr ing. NO INSTALLATIONS ON THESE PRODUCTS Starting as low as. 5 colors Blue/Black. Green, Green/Black, Red/Black, Cocoa T ONLY... each Mon.,Thurs.,Fri. 9-9; Tues.,Wed.,Sat. 9-5; Sun. 12-5 : MM HUE I •skid T.DV {N-WOOOSTOCK: ^ ft«. M «, 1» <«U CARPETS & AREA RUGS 200 Washington Woodstock, Illinois (815)330-1000