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PAGE 4 - PLAINDEALER - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17,1MQ Start Compost Piles (By David Plocher and Er in Hynes) "Now is the time to start a compost pile for use on next year's garden", according to Erin Hynes, agriculture extension adviser, McHenry county. "Compost is won- derous stuff f<J\ several reasons: It makes a great mulch, improved soil tilth, increases fertility, and recycles garden material. You can make compost from leaVes, dead plants, grass clippings, vegetable peelings, and just about any plant material. Large plants, such as corn stalks, should be chopped to in­ crease the rate of break­ down. Avoid using weeds with seeds and diseased plants. Use a compost bin to hold your decaying matter A simple wooden bin, or cir­ cular bin made of wire will suffice If space permits, using two bins is ideal: one for making compost, one to store it. Fill the bin with alter­ nating layers of 6"-12" of organic matter and 1" of soil. Adding fertilizer to the organic matter will hasten the decomposition process by feeding the break-down microorganisms. You can make a Jime-fertilizer mix by adding 5 pounds of 10-10- 10 fertilizer to 2 pounds fine limestone. Use about 1 pound lime-fertilizer mix per 10 pounds dry refuse, of y4 pound per 10 pounds green material. Moisten the layers of organic matter as you build the pile. Once you finish layering, pack the outside tightly. Leave the center loose so that it settles and collects moisture. Water the pile often enough to keep it slightly damp, which will hasten decomposition. Fork the pile over (or into your second bin if you have one) after about three months. By June, the material should be ready to use. The speed of decom­ position will depend on the warmth and wetness of Fall and Spring. Next year, you can continue adding to the compost heap during the growing season. For information on compost, mulching or any other horticultural subject, contact the Cooperative Extension service office at 815-338-3737." Organic Farming Currently, organic farming is limited in scope. A recent study of organic farming by the United States Depart­ ment of Agriculture points out that many commercial farmers and agricultural research scientists strongly believe that organic farming is impractical or infeasible. Two McHenry county farmers were part of the 1980 study which uncovered the following reasons that contriubted to successful organic farming. The managers were highly skilled; they depended on and had available crop residues, green manure crops, legumes, and animal manures as sources of nutrients; soil phosphorus (p) and potassium (k) levels were high and with animal production, the p and k levels are maintained; soil physical conditions were maintained; and finally, farm ownership eliminated the economic pressures of mortgage payment that causes other farmers to farm more intensively. Rabbit Production - The second Annual Rabbit Breeders school will be held on Saturday, Sept. 20 in cooperation with the Illinois R a b b i t B r e e d e r s association. The school is free and open to interested adults and youth. It will be at the state fairgrounds in Springfield. I have details. Call me at the Cooperative Extension service, .338-3737. Solar Energy and Ethanol - A letter that recently crossed my desk explained that there is now a Mid­ American Solar Energy center (MASEC). It is one of four regional centers in the United States funded by the Department of Energy. They are involved with solar energy technologies as well as biomass technologies. The latter includes alcohol fuels, wood combustion and small wind energy systems The 'Illinois Office of the MASEC is the Institute of Natural Resources, Alter­ native Energy division, 325 W. Adam street, Springfield, 111., 62706 ( 217 ) 785-2431. They also sent me a new book out titled Fuel from Farms - A-Guide to Small- Scale Ethanol Production, and a reading list from the "Solar Energy Information Data Bank". Contact me about this information, if you desire. Southern Illinois Harvesting - Four-hundred miles south of McHenry county at the Dixon Springs Agriculture Research center, the harvest of research plots has already begun. The corn is at 20 percent moisture and yielding about 90 bushels per acre vs. last year's 140 bushels. I picked up these facts late last week from George McKibben, crop ?<*9% vo* a Prices Effective Thurs., Sept. 18 thru Sun., Sept. 21 Save 21% Masonite Hardwood Paneling 7 57 Reg. 9.51 M • M Easy to install and aasy care paneling gives you a beautiful room with a long vibrant life. Choose from Dark Cedar or Redwood. x 8' Construction Studs 1.52 Reg. 1.87 Sturdy upright studs I remodeling or building. for any wmt Soy# 24% Wood Tollot Soat Reg. 6.57 Gleaming tnamtl finish with non-ruit hingot White No M100 Save 49% 3 Ph. Air Dofloctor a Reg. 4.39 XeX# Ad|u»tobl« from 10 to M for wall or l lonr reaiitari without filter. No 399 Save 21% 1 x 3" x 8 Ft. Furring Strips Reg. 67* Use as a base for installing paneling ft more ilililif felftPOSE Expound NPOUND Butyl Caulk Reg. 1.97 High grade long lotting butyl rubb«r . • volant Savo 25% 1 Sal. Mm Compound Rug. 3.96 Roody-mlx joint compound in handy I ^ ̂ ol. con. Savt 41% Economical Fluorcscont Circlite 13.87 |j: Reg. 23.76 iix Uses half tho oloctricity and lasts 10 tim** 01 'on9 a> 106 watt bulb. Save 30% 4 Shelf Steel Shelving Unit 14.87 All purpose unit is made of heavy gauge steel. Shelves are 12" x 36' .and adjust to 60" high. No. FS 12-4 Reg. 21.12 4400 W. ME. 120 McHINRY RTE. 47 I COUNTRY CLUB RD. WOODSTOCK SHOP H0RHSBY FIRS! DAILY 9 TO 9 SUNDAY 10 TO 6 production specialist at Dixon Springs. He also added that the harvest is two weeks early. Crop production forecasts for Illinois as of Oct. 12 put state corn yields at 108 vs. last year's average of 128 bushels an acre. Soybeans are down four bushels from last year's 39 bushels an acre. Dr. McKibben also noted no-till and conservation tillage specialists will be among the group of speakers at the conservation tillage meeting planned for McHenry county next Spring. Safety Hints BOBOBB OOOOOOC BY ALAN J. DIXON Secretary of State Watch tfne general traffic scene ahead of you, rather than concentrating on details close to you, whether you are driving in city traffic or on the open highway. This method will give you an opportunity to see in advance traffic situations which may require you to slow or stop, and you will be able to make whatever adjustment is necessary smoothly and in time to avoid an accident. You will find that a great many sudden stops or turns are eliminated. Watching ahead on the highway will enable you to see a slow moving vehicle pull into your traffic lane from a side road or one merging onto an ex­ pressway. In city traffic, you will see a traffic signal turning red or a pedestrian starting to cross the street. If you are watching the street or highway only a few yards ahead of your car, by the time you become aware of those dangerous situations you will have to jam on your brakes to prevent a collision. Give yourself a break. Look ahead and be prepared sooner. (A copy of the Rules of the Road will be sent to you upon request. Write to Alan J. Dixon, Secretary of State, Springfield, 111., 62756.) WOyne Fowler Agronomic Education Diroctor The McHenry Plaindealer 3ft 12 West Elm Stroof (USPS 335-200) Established 1075 McHenry. Illinois 600SO CHECK FOR COMPANY I-Nancy John, president of the Town & Country Newcomers, presents check in the amount of $350 to Company I, McHenry Township Fire Protection district. Accepting are Chris Bennett, center, and Wayne Amore. The Town it Country Newcomers raise funds through selected projects. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD low humidity before it did its job. Scattered barren plants should not be of concern, but if more than about 10 percent of the plants have no ears, you are seeing the result of more stress than the hybrid could handle. This could be due to drought, heat, inadequate fertility, disease or insect infestation, higher populations than ap­ propriate for the management, or several other things. Hybrid maturity, date of planting, and hybrid stress tolerance all enter into the degree of barrenness that may be observed. In your pre-harvest field examination, be very alert to stalk quality. Plants that have been through stress are prone to soft, weak stalks. You can detect these by pushipg the stalk&o see if it gives away below the ear. Some hybrids and some fields may be affected by this more than others. You may want to arrange your harvest schedule so as to get those most likely to go down first. With different reactions from different hybrids this year, it may be a wise management decision to order early the hybrids you feel are doing the best job. Walk Your Fields Now To Confirm Hybrid Choices It isn't always comfortable walking fields of full-grown corn, but growers who haven't done it may be in for some surprises at harvest time, especially this year. You can't assess corn yield potential from the road because the "outside row" effect will fool you every time. An annual field-by-field checkup can help you sharpen your management in many ways. Be on the lookout for such basic managerial inputs as weed and insect control. Herbicide application timing or technique may require adjustment in the Phone S15-3(5-0170 Published ivery Wednesday 1 Friday at McHenry. Illinois Second Clou Postage Paid at McHenry Illinois By McHENRV PUBLISHING COMPANY POSTMASTER: Sand address chonges lo McHanry Plaindealer 3SI2 W. Elm St., McHanry. Illinois 60050 Subscribers ara requested lo provida immediate notice of change of address to The McHenry Plaindealer Mil W Elm St.. McHenry. III. tOOSO A deduction of one month Irom the expiration of a subscription will be made where a change o» addrast is provided through the Post OHice department. Larry E. Lund-Publish«r Adele Froelich-Editor WtWSPAPtR I NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION SUBSCRIPTION RATES tn McHenry County >•3.SO I Yoor $19.00 Outside McHenry County future. Evidence of insect damage needs to be assessed. Corn borer and other insect activity should be identified and analyzed in anticipation of improved pest control. You may find that because of the varying and somewhat abnormal growing con­ ditions, these aspects of your cropping program will show differenct results than you're used to. Even so, there is one more important aspect of your program you'll want to give particular attention - the corn hybrids, themselves. Soil fertility and tillage programs are often reflected in crop appearance. Recognition of a problem, plus some detective work to identify the culprit, may lead to adjustment of fer­ tilizer rates or analysis. Soil compaction problems, once identified, dictate a change in time and extent of tillage. A pre-harvest review is almost essential to the wise choice of hybrids for the next season. One word of war­ ning, however, don't base all hybrid decisions on one field or the experience of only one year. Get overall assessments form several fields in your area. Visit demonstration plots growing on soils and under conditions similar to yours. Well-formed ears that have scattered or limited kernel-set indicate that heat caused the hybrid to miss its pollination "nick." Silks were delayed to the point that little or no pollen was available when they became receptive. Or, possibly, pollen was killed by heat or HOUSE WALK Four unique and gracious Geneva homes will be open to the public for tours Wednesday, Oct. 8. The proceeds from the Wach Walk XIV will go to benefit Community hospital in Geneva. The homes will be open from 10 a.ip. to 4 p.m. on that day. To complement the house tours, there will be a luncheon and a Country fair to be held at the Kane country fairgrounds on Randall road between Rt. 64 and Rt. 38. Information on tickets is available through the hospital in care of Wach Walk XIV, Box 222, Geneva, 111. 60134. there's something New under our canupy..... Wednesday, September 17th, you are invited to join us for cake and coffee to celebrate our recent expansion! Come in for a visit and see our exciting fashion jeans line plus register for Door Prizes and take advantage of opr Celebration Specials! Lon 1007 N. Front St. (Rte. 31) McHenry 385-7747 Daily 9-5:30 Sign up now for our "Merchandise Club" I <Sitiofifie.