a a MITCHELL ADVOCATE APPRECIATING YESTERYEAR Movie houses opened at turn of 20th century in Perth County ELLEN THOMAS STRATFORD-PERTH ARCHIVES The earliest surviving mov- ing picture film lasts only two seconds, is called the Roundhay arden Scene, and was filmed in 1888. According to a 1937 article in the Stratford Beacon Herald, been avery exciting aa Here is one ale ’s recollect “Movie Shows Appeared in stratford a Long After the Turn of the Century Ontario Street Was Cit “42nd Street” In Early Years of Movies Fifty years ago (in 1887) there ” in Strat- ford - for there were no motion pictures. But the first flicker of the reason to believe that in 1889 the late Albert Brandenberger was instrumental in having Strat- ford included in the circuit for what was in all probability the very first cinema show to tour Canada. The cinema was a British importation and the 1889 picture called “Scotch Grey.” The City Hall auditorium was the place of showing. George Wreford recalls that a British film was shown in Guelph about that time - and it is not unlikely that it was the same show that thrilled Stratford's first motion picture viewers 48 years ago. Stereoptican Beare or magic lantern slides, were familiar in 1889. In Avis year sea Villiers, famed in his correspondent of the ey Graphic, gave his lecture here on “War in a White Sheet.” This was a recital of his war expe- riences, illustrated with lantern slides mi ade from his own! sketch- electrician who “hooked up” the machine for what w: many people then here, their first movie. The portable projector was in view of th and WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2024 7 not surprisingly, built by Albert Brandenberger, opened in 1901. In 1906, the Theatre Albert was advertising films that were Ppa of the > day - travel films. drew almost as much attention as did the wildly- flickering nes for “Over Niag- ara Falls” is rather humorous, considering it was a silent film. It the But that program of: eae ‘and they were very short and simple) provided the thrill ofa lifetime for the open-eyed (and open-mouthed) children and adults, fortunate enough tobe present. Tom Orr stoutly main- fined that the first t reel sheuee eso! ‘There seems to have been a lull in moving picture promotion after that first demonstration in 1889, For it was about 1898 before cinema shows again appear on Stratford’s enter- tainment calendar. Again, it was Albert pre enboreey who brought them. William Ben- nington recalls having been the Me recollection is ae it was a garden scene with water spout- ing from a hose in the hands of the gardener. Perhaps there were if by fus wus! and “Roaring.” “Advertisers for “The Grand,” and “Griffin’s Opera House,” lead up to “The Majes- tic,” the “Classic,” and “Princess,” all vying for pane de the early years of silent Stratford- Perth A “archives welcomes donations to the collection and is open for drop- in research from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. For details about what's avail- able by dropping ii in and to set Is - or got in late.” The article goes on e. v ‘that in the very early 20: Stratford. The Theatre Albert, in-dep' research, please visit www. perthcounty.ca/StratfordPer- thArchives, call us at 519-271- at ext. 259 or email archives@ county.ca FOCUS ON THE FARM Stewardship program supports sustainable nutrient use on farms MARK REUSSER DIRECTOR, ONTARIO FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE Fertilizer is one of the most important tools on the farm, pro- viding crops with the nutrients they need to eee but can’t get from the soil alon Tt’s also an casi resource that requires careful manage- ment to ensure nutrients are available to crops when needed, and not lost to the environment. Farmers are doing their best to manage nutrients effectively to limit emissions from fertilizer that can be lost to the atmo- sphere in the form of green- house gases that can impact the Nutrient losse: fertilizer or livestock manure, are managed sustainably - and this is a responsibility that farm- ers take seriously. My family and I farm in Water- loo Region where we grow crops, and we follow the principles of an initiative called 4R Nutrient Stewardship. It lets us improve the eco- nomics of farming, crop ductivity and fertilizer ¢ eticiene cy while also benefitting the environment by ensuring we use the Right Source of fertiliz- er at the Right Rate applied at the Right Time and in the Right Place. This is a formula that many farmers have long followed all, ig too can also have a negative impact on water quality and aquatic species. That's why it’s important that nutrients on the farm, whether much fertilizer or applying it in away that wastes the nutrients instead of making them available to the crops to use just doesn’t make sense. Participating in the "am means we're not just following sustainable practices but can also prove what we're doing. One of the most important 4R Best Management Practices for farmers is testing their soil develop farm or even field-spe- cific recommendations for nutrient use so we’re giving the crop what it actually needs. Other activities include working fertilizer into the soil as soon as possible after appli- cation to minimize losses, not applying nutrients on frozen or snow-covered ground, respecting minimum setbacks to protect environmentally sensitive areas, keeping detailed records and more. Losses also cost farmers money, as nutrients lost are not available for crop growth. 4R is also known as ‘nutrient use La a A as A ae farmers to ment and economic losses to the farmer. Nationally, 4R is coordinated by Fertilizer Canada. Here in Maat it is agricultural retail- ~ businesses who sell seed Ed fertilizer and provide agro- nomic services to farmers like ig chieve a 4R certi- pape ane deliver the program to far I alee serve as a board member of the Ontario Fé ets are currently 4R certi- fied. Many other farmers are using those practices even without cer- tification. spats) bs he 2023 Fertilizer Use Survey results, for example, more ian t two wo thi irds of Ontario corn following basic 4R principles on their farms — an increase of 3.5 per cent from 2020. There is more work to be done, however, to encourage f Ontario's Agriculture and one of my roles is to represent farmers on the provincial 4R Steering Commit- e Through this committee, OFA works with other farm and commodity organizations and the Ontario Ministry of Agricul- ture, Food and Agribusiness to enhance and assy ie certifi- agricultural retailers become its benefits and principles. Our Steering Committee is working on activities like review- ing and updating audit standards, reducing the record-keeping bur- den of the program for retailers and cation program, es for farmers and agricultur: ‘ural retailers, work on the Fertilizer ise Survey for Ontario and raise an of the ce of 4R practices to ensure nutrients are applied at a time and place and ina form and at a rate that can be best used by crops. This also minimizes losses, to the environ- the agri- qealeirat coast rm ak ofthe progress that's mi eialvals of 4R practices. As farmers, we have a respon- sibility to future generations to farm sustainably, minimize cli- mate impacts, and look after our air, soil, and water. At the same time, we must ensure our farms Spee "eed one million acres of: see in an peat: that lets us do that