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V / Solar Workshops (By David Plocher and Erin Hynms) ' by David G. Plocher Today's escalating fuel costs and uncertain petroleum supplies have ** made managing energy for crop and livestock production a major concern tor Illinois farmers. When it takes more fuel to dry a corn crop than the farmer needed to grow and harvest that crop, it's time to take a close look at farm energy management. And that includes giving real thought to solar energy. The University of Illinois Cooperative Extension service and the Illinois In­ stitute of Natural Resources have developed a program to help farmers learn how to manage energy in both crop and livestock production. Focusing on "Solar Ap­ plication and Energy Management for the Farm", the workshops - 14 in all - will be held throughout the state. The workshops nearest us will be on Feb. 19 in Rockford and Feb. 20 in Kane county. Featuring grain drying and livestock systems, the one-day workshops will cover solar basics, drying systems and solar livestock applications. Specialists at each workshop also will present the results of a solar- drying field study. In ad­ dition, the experts will ex­ plain such new ideas as biofuel burners and bin- sampling. Contact me for registration details. Bill Peterson, U of I Ex­ tension agricultural engineer, will present in­ formation on grain-drying systems, focusing on types of systems and the energy they use, as well as management considerations. He will discuss the use of solar energy for low-temperature drying, high-speed drying, combination drying and hybrid drying systems. He also will give examples of multiple-use solar systems. In addition, Peterson will give tips on grain aeration, storage and safety. Jon Carson, U of I Ex­ tension assistant in agricultural engineering, will discuss solar livestock applications, including basic concepts, types of systems and examples of multiple- use solar systems for - livestock use. Using slides, he also will show examples of demonstration units and give design considerations and guidelines. In addition to explaining biofuel burners and new bin- sampling techniques, Peterson will use slides to describe several on-farm solar systems and will tell how monitoring those systems measured their energy savings. Finally, at each workshop a local farmer will report on a solar system he uses on his farm. Each workshop will open registration at 8:30 a.m., and the program will begin at 9 a.m., adjourning at 3:45 p.m. Some workshops will require a registration fee to cover the co6t of lunch, others are designed for participants to have lunch on their own. I recommend that farmers who want to attend a workshop in their area, check with the County Ex­ tension Office, P.O. Box 431, 789 McHenry avenue, Woodstock (815-338-3737 or 4747) for registration in­ formation and program details of the nearest workshop. byErinHynes Meeting Houseplants' Water Needs - One of the first science lessons you learned as a child was that water is essential for plant life. Yet many people who" grow houseplants don't know how much water plants need and their good intentions ruin their plants. Too much or too little watering is the most com­ mon houseplant problem. Both underwatered and overwatered plants die from the same caus£ - lack of water! Plants absorb water through the roots and« transfer it through the stem to the leaves, where 99 percent is lost via tran­ spiration. Thus, plants need a steady water supply to keep firm and growing. In waterlogged soils, the roots lack oxygen and cannot take up the necessary water. Eventually, the roots rot and the plant dies. How do you know if you're over or underwatering? Overwatering makes the lower leaves yellow, un­ derwatering affects the upper leaves (other factors may cause these symptoms, but watering incorrectly is the most common reason). A general rule Is: if the plant wilts and the potting soil is dry, water. If the plant wilts in wet soil, don't water until the soil surface dries out. Different plant species vary in their need for water. Instructions which come with plants, plant care books, and other sources can tell you your plant's water requirements. Factors which determine how quickly a plant uses water include: 1) Humidity - plants use more water in the winter, when house air is dry and heated, than in the humid summer. 2) Soil texture - loose, Sparse soil allows more air into the root zone, drying more quickly than fine, compact soils. Fine soils hold water and are more likely to encourage root rot. 3) Container type - clay and unglazed ceramic pots are porous and absorb water. Soaking new and dry pots will decrease their water absorption. Plastic and glazed pots do not ab­ sorb water. Remember also that plants in small con­ tainers need more frequent watering, since relatively more soil surface area is exposed to drying air. 4) Bloom - plants need more water when flowering than they do when not flowering or dormant. Technique, as well as frequency, is important in watering. Don't water plants sparingly. Thorough watering encourages deep, healthy roots. There are three methods for watering plants, each equally ef­ fective when done correctly. Top watering is the most common method. Pour water slowly over the entire surface until it begins to drain out the bottom. Empty out the excess water that drains into the saucer. Top watering leaches out salts in the soil. Salts in excess can stunt plant growth. If the surface soil becomes crusty Own a 4-WImm Drive Truck? Own a 2-Wheel Drive Thick? Whether you're running a 4 x 4 or 2WD truck. Western offers a dependable snowplow that's designed to handle the worst winters. For homeowner or light commercial use, count on the NEW SnowKing™ by Western. The SnowKing is the first lightweight snowplow designed specifically for 2WD trucks. To turn your 4x4 into a real money maker, there's the master in dependable performance...Western's 4-wheel drive snowplow. This winter... depend on Western. SEE: WT'rt On TN Mom a ADAMS ENTERPRISES 3017 W. Rte. 120 - McHenry, Illinois 815-385-5970 and compact, loosen it gently with a fork. * \ Bottom watering is less messy than watering from the top. Set the pot in a shallow pan of water until the top soil is moist. This method causes a crusty white salt build-up on the soil surface, so top water thoroughly every few waterings to leach the soil. Immersion is a good method for reviving bone- dry plants. Place the plant in a deep pan, sink, or tub filled with enough water to cover the surface of the plant. Keep the plant underwater for two minutes after it stops bubbling, then let drain. If your plants have pest or disease problems, immerse plants separately and change the water each time. The moisture in the air surrounding your plants is as important as the water in the soil. In the winter, most homes are too dry for plants to do well. To increase the humidity surrounding your plants, group them together. The moisture each gives off will benefit the group. Pebble trays are the best method for increasing humidity. Fill a shallow pan with pea gravel or pebbles. Add water to just below the top of the pebbles. Set your plants on the stones, making sure the bottom of the pots are not sitting in water. The evaporating water will humidify the plants. A few "don't's": Misting isn't recommended. It does little to increase humidity, and promotes fungus diseases. More frequent watering will not com­ pensate for low humidity, so don't drown your plants. With proper watering and adequate humidity, you'll avoid many common houseplant problems. If you have any horticulture questions, contact the Cooperative Extension service at P.O. Box 431, 789 McHenry avenue, Wood­ stock. Phone: 815-338-3737 or 4747. by David G. Plocher Newsletters Bring the University to Your Door - The best way to start off the new year is to subscribe to the University of Illinois Agriculture Newsletter Service. Eighteen newsletters published quarterly to weekly will bring to farmers and homeowners the latest in research findings. The subject matter ranges from economics to insects, beef to poultry, market farm outlook to bees and honey, and homeowner pests to nursery notes. The cost varies. If you are on one of our mailing lists, you will soon receive a copy of a sub­ scription form. Sign up right away and make use of this valuable resource. Public Meeting on Nitrites - The National Academy of Science will hold a public meeting on nitrites and alternative curing agents in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 22. The purpose of the meeting is to receive in­ formation from individuals and organizations on health risks and benefits of nitrites and nitrates and on the status of research on alternatives to nitrites. Nitrites are used in cured meat products to prevent botul ism poisoning. However, the safety of nitrites has been the center of controversy since a 1978 report suggested it had carcinogenic effects in animals fed the preser- SECTION 2 - PAGE 3 - PLA1NDEALER - FRIDAY,JANUARY !•, 1981 vative. In August, I960, Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture determined there is insufficient evidence to support the researcher's report. Nitrites to date have not been given a clean bill of health. Written comments may be sent to Robert A. Matthews, National Academy of Sciences, 2101 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, D C. 20418. Urge Local Control Of Surface Mining Stronger The weaker sex is the stronger sex because of the weakness of the stronger sex for the weaker sex. CHAT'S IT SAY? One-Third Illiterate Almost one-third of the peo­ ple in the world -- 814 million -- don't know how to read or write, according to UNESCO estimates. That includes two-thirds of the people in Africa and a third of those in Asia, excluding the Soviet Union. Senator Jack Schaffer, R- Cary, has announced that he has pre-filed a bill which would return to municipalities and other units of local government the power to pass or enforce ordinances concerning surface mining. "The gravel industry is a very important one," said Senator Schaffer, "as it provides many jobs and a large amount of tax revenue, particularly in McHenry county. However. I firmly believe that gravel pits should be under control of local governments so they can more effectively regulate planning and zoning." SB 29 would amend the Environmental Protection v act so that nothing in the act' would limit the power of a unit of local government or school district to pass or enforce any ordinance concerning surface mining or land Senator Schaffer said he is writing to local government officials in the 33rd Legislative district asking that they support the measure and urges them to contact Governor Thompson and legislators to seek their active, aggressive par­ ticipation in the passage of this bill. "My bill is needed to counter-act an Appellate court decision which ruled that permits issued by the Environmental Protection agency supercede local zoning. In my opinion, local governments-must have the power to zone and plan their own communit ies ," said Senator Schaffer. SB 29 is an exact version of HB 233 that was vetoed by Governor Thompson in the last session of the General Assembly - » • • • * Freedom is not always the right to do and to say what you please. * * * • Most adults forget that boys and girls look at things with juvenile minds. Wmmy?* ; \ < ASOp I :>,.f • .v?f ,vV i f , \ ' O INTEREST on your Personal Checking 5%% Checking NOW--What you always wanted--A Personal Checking Account that pays you interest. There is no longer any need to transfer money back and forth between your savings and checking accounts. WHAT IS NOW? A 5V4% Negotiable Order of Withdrawal Checking Account that gives you the most for your bill pay­ ing money. It combines the best of checking and savings facilities into one account to simplify your life. Your money keeps earning interest until the day the checks you issued must be paid. WHAT WILL IT COST ME? Your account is entirely free of monthly service charges when you maintain an average monthly balance of $400.00 or more. Should your average monthly balance be less than $400.00 for any particular month, there is a $5.00 service charge for that month only. There is no per-item charge, no limit on the number of transactions during the month, and no minimum balance necessary to earn interest on your account. < * Your interest will be compounded daily from the date of deposit to the date of withdrawal. Interest earned during the month will be credited on a monthly statement mailed to you at the end of each month. HOW DO I OPEN MY NOW ACCOUNT? Easy--just stop in one of our conveniently located offices in Marengo, Woodstock, McHenry or Crystal Lake. BfltfS Marengo Federal Savings and loan association m-w FSL1C MARENGO: 800 E. Grant Highway • 815/568-7258 / • McHENRY: 4400 W. Route 120 • 815/344-1900 • WOODSTOCK: 118 Cass Street *815/338-2900 WOODSTOCK DRIVE-UP: Routa 47 and Calhoun Straat • 815/338-7440 • CRYSTAL LAKE: 550 Barley Rd. on Rt. #14- 815/455-4300