davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1948-02-29
virginia Farm to Be Revatnped
Contours and Strip Crops to Precede
Pond for Irrigation of Pasture
By james BirchfieId

In the rolling section of lower
Loudoun County, Va, q 360-acre
farm that has been cropped for
more than 100 years is being re-
fashioned under the hand of its new
owner, a Washington radio news
man.
Loren B. Pope moved to the coun-
try a little more than year ago.
The farm he bought was producing,
but the perpetual cropping system
that had been followed had low
cred the fertility Of the fields. He
was faced with the problem of
changing the agricultural plan and
at the same time keeping up farm
production.
In the Pope farm there are two
woodland areas, one of % acres, and
detached area of SO acres. The
remainder of the farm, excluding
the house and barn area, consists
of pasture and cropland.
Farm Needed Redesigning.
When Mr.. Pope took over, 266
acres were divided into small fields
where cash crops were grown. Only
80 acres were In pasture. The farm
supported two dairy cows, 16 hogs,
40 sheep and about 500 chickens.
In other words, the poultry and the
cash crops were the main sources
of income.
This system has had its effect on
the land. An unbalanced livestock
program, coupled with continued
cropping, has lowered the land fer
tility to the point where it must be
restored if future high production
Is to be maintained.
1t looked like an intensive live
stock program was the answer,
and so this year, with the assistance
of L. w. King, Loudoun represen-
tative of the Soil Conservation
Service, the Pope farm is being
re-designed.
Fields are being thrown together
30 that cultivation can follow the
contours of the land, and land
that once produced corn, wheat and
other cash crops is being sown to
permanent pastures and hay.
Land to Be Contoured.
Instead of the 266 acres of CROP
land, Mr.. Pope plans only 90 acres,
and this area will be contoured and
stripped-with corn alternating with
strips of hay and small grains. I'm
der his plan, the pastures will be
increased from 80 acres to 1B9 acres,
and where no permanent hay was
Evening star., 1948-02-29

Temporarily disappeared at the time
of the first claim he actually was
bothered with it.
He can get sworn statements
from his doctor to that effect.
Then all he has to do is write the
adjudication officer at his regional
Office and present the evidence that
his disability never really disap-
peared, that he had 1t all the time
Then it's possible that the VA will
readjust his claim and pay the
compensation all the way back tc
his discharge.
But proof must be shown.
Question from w. F., Plymouth
Ind: Il was a lifetime resident OF
New York State before the war and
went back there after discharge
But now I've moved my family and
self to Indiana Can't possibly gel
the New York State veterans
bonus"
I understand the New York Leg
islature has begun action to take
care of cases like yours. Write the
Veterans Bonus Bureau, 187:
Broadway, Albany, N. Y, for
further check.
From Mrs. w. M, Washington
IT am an ex-Wave and am about
to have baby. Can I get hospitali'
zation and medical care from the
VA?"
Not for having a baby. The Va
Evening star., 1948-02-29

If you keep your dog in pen out
of doors be sure that he has some
sort of a platform or bench on
which he can climb. While often a
dog will suffer no harm from lying
In the snow, he would rather have
a bench or board on which to sun
himself. Snow-covered or frozen
ground becomes wet and muddy
when it begins to thaw. A dog
forced to lie unprotected on such
ground may develop a serious cold
from the dampness. Remember, q
dog can stand any amount of cold
weather providing he isn't exposed
to drafts or dampness.
Dogs and Milk.
I was asked II dog should never
be given milk. The questioner had
been told that If dog drank milk
it would develop worms. Although
a large number of dog owners know
this is myth, 1t is astounding how
many take it for truth. Milk will
never cause WORMS.
Speaking of what not to feed your
puppy, here are some items that
should never be included in his diet:
Beans, peas, potatoes, salt pork,
ham, fresh white bread, cake, candy
or any other desserts. A young
dogs digestive tract is not equipped
to assimilate these foods. Another
hint-never give a dog cooked eggs
in any form, but remember that raw
eggs are good for him.
A young dog requires little drink
ing water, his diet in most cases in
cludes ample liquid. Contrary to
prevalent opinion 1t is not wise to
leave water constantly available to
puppy as he is inclined to drink
too much with resultant digestive
troubles. Up to six months of age a
pup should drink water three or four
times a day, and then have his
drinking bowl removed. Fresh water
should be put down each time that
it Is offered, and not Immediately
after a meal-at least an interval OF
10 or Is minutes.
A Dog That Thought.
have often said that dogs have
reasoning power. This true story
strengthens further my conviction
that dogs think and understand:
Miss Mary Hart Of Chicago, ILL.,,
lives in q small apartment along
with her dog Pat. Recently she
tripped and fell against a radiator
knocking herself unconscious. Pat,
sensing something wrong, tried to
arouse his mistress and, failing,
started to bark, but no one came to
his assistance. Then a light flashed
on the telephone switchboard down.
Evening star., 1948-02-29

grown before, at least 13 acres viii
be put into alfalfa.
But the greatest changes are to
be made in the livestock program.
The hog numbers will be increased
to 800 and the sheep to 100 head.
The farm still will support 500 pure
bred New Hampshire Red chickens
for hatchery eggs, and one more
COW Is being added to the home
dairy herd.
The farm formerly produced no
cattle, and Mr.. Pope still is unde-
cided whether to add beef cattle to
the program.
"It may be-" he said, that some
cattle will find place iry the setup
as time goes on"
Pasture Irrigation Plan.
But one of the most exciting
phases of the new farm plan Is an
experiment Mr.. Pope Is going to
conduct on pasture irrigation.
In the upper pasture area is a
natural pond site. Some 30 or more
acres of pasture land drain natural
ly into a narrow gorge between two
hills. Here a dirt dam will be
constructed to form a large farm
pond. Water held in the pond
can be used to irrigate lower pas
ture areas.
by turning q valve" MIR. Pope
said, II will be able to control the
moisture on my lower fields Even
in drought years I will still have
pastures"
Mr.. Pope, like many agriculture
leaders, believes that pastures in
this area, even in years of normal
rainfall, will benefit from additional
moisture. And, in dry periods, a
source of water may mean the diff
ference between success or failure
of his livestock program.
Let Gravity Do Work.
Some farmers" he said, have
thought of using pumps to bring
water from bottom streams to hill
side pastures. With me it will be
simple-11l just let gravity do the
work"
In addition to the irrigation, most
Of his pastures eventually will be
sown to orchard grass mixtures.
Some of the bluegrass fields are
being left for the present, and
where new pastures are being es-
tablished a mixture Of one and one
half pounds OF Ladino clover, four
pounds of Lespedeza, eight pounds
Of Orchard grass and eight pounds
of Red clover per acre is used.
Pastures are being lined, and
fertilized at the rate of from 400
to 900 pounds per acre.
The Pope program will not be
completed overnight, but each year
should see the land improve and
production increase. 1t is just
another example of what science
plus intelligent management can do
to rescue a farm.
Evening star., 1948-02-29
This Week in the Garden

The cold frame should be ready
for the first sowings of lettuce ano
radishes. Two or three weeks may
be gained by planting a row or two
of these first crops, that is, if there
is room enough after allowing fol
the cabbage and other plants which
are to be transplanted to the frame
from the seed flats. The lettuce
trimmings will be about the right
size to transplant to the garden the
middle of March.
We should not postpone pruning
much longer. Grapes are a must
job and then we can tackle the
others. Roses can be left until
last since it does not hurt to prune
them after the new shoots have
started. Cut back the buddleias
crepe myrtle, Rose of Sharon and
the A.G. and PIG. hydrangeas
rather severely If you want large
flowers.
1t is time to give the dahlia
tubers and other stored bulbs and
corms a careful checking. Note il
there are signs of shriveling or OF
rot. If there are signs OF rottings
then the tubers ETC., should be un-
packed and allowed to dry, remov-
ing all that are diseased. Dust with
Bordeaux or sulphur before repack-
ing.
It Is not too late to buy and poi
an amaryllis bulb or two. Plant
Evening star., 1948-02-29

both to keep down weeds and to save
cultivation. A mulch helps to keep
down soil temperatures which. in
this area, are high enough to check
root functioning.
A mulch also serves to keep the
melons from coming into direct
contact with the soil, thus discour-
aging the pickle worm, pest that
bores holes into the melons. =
The most serious pest is the.
striped cucumber beetle, which
spreads the melon wilt, disease
that is usually fatal to all infected
vines. Rotenone dust (075 per cent?
has been the standard preventive.
but gardeners are now using saba
dilla, which, unfortunately, is not
always obtainable. DDT does not
seem to be effective in controlling
the beetle.
Leafspot is sometimes trouble
some and the melon grower will
want to dust his plants with one
of the newer fungicides. There is
no preventive for the wilt, other
than controlling the bugs that
spread it.
Some Suggested Varieties.
There are a great many varieties
of the cantaloupe available to the
home gardener. For this area we
should select those that have rel
atively short growing season. Ford
hook is of high quality, so is Jenny
Lind and Perfecto. The commercial
growers raise Early knight, Hearts
of Gold, Hale's Best, Benders Sur
prise, etc. Any of these will give
satisfactory results If they are well
grown and harvested when ripe.
Much of the quality of melon
depends upon picking at the right
time. Too often melons are pulled
green and the fiat insipid flavor Is
blamed on the melon rather than
upon the fellow who picked 1t. A
melon is ripe and ready for picking
when the stem begins to separate
from the melon. This is easily seen.
A crack develops at the roint OF at
tachment as the melon approaches
maturity. When ripe, a slight pres
sure of the thumb on the stem will
cause it to break. If it takes more
than a slight pressure the melon Is
not ready for picking. Better wait a
few days and let it store up some
more sugar. Then it will be at the
peak of its flavor.
Evening star., 1948-02-29
Why Not Try Your Luck With Melon Patch?

Commercial melon culture Is
largely confined to sandy soils, but
sandy soils are not essential If the
home gardener is willing properly to
prepare his clay. Melons require a
Well-drained soil which is usually
associated with sandy soils, but
where the clay subsoil has good
drainage we may improve the clay
topsoi and grow melons.
Melons thrive best in a slightly
acid soil. Most Of our soils are
medium to strongly acid. we should
bring them to a so to SIS PHI value,
testing with a home soil testing kit
or taking sample to soil testing
laboratory. In adding lime, use
ground limestone rather than the
hydrated lime. This Is especially
essential when spading under ma
nure or enriched compost at the
same time. # hydrated lime is mixed
with the manure, good share OF
the ammonia Is likely to be lost.
The melon patch" should first be
coated with a liberal dressing of
humus-compost, barnyard manure,
leafmold or any other kind of de-
cayed vegetable matter that is avil-
able. This should be spaded under
along with the lime. A half pound
of an 8-10-5 commercial fertilizer
to each Is square feet of bed might
well be mixed in at the same time
This should be done a week or two
before planting time-May 5.
At planting time the gardener may
dig large holes or a trench, depend
ing upon his planting method, to a
depth of 10 or IL inches. In the
bottoms of the holes or the trench
a 6-inch layer of well-rotted manure
or enriched compost is spread. A
liberal sprinkling of ground lime
stone and a tablespoon of COM
Evening star., 1948-02-29

this group. There will be many
other club group displays besides
the commercial entries.
The Philadelphia show has CORE
spondingly interesting exhibits. The
tour to it, same train the morning
of March 8, is being backed by the
Woman's National Farm and Gar
den Club Capital Division, the
Woodlawn Garden Club and the
Neigborhood Garden Club. This
tour arrives back in Washington at
1855 pm. Tickets may be picked ur
between tomorrow and Thursday at
the Women's Travel Bureau OF the
B. g. O., 1903 H street NV. (Execu-
tive 0770), or reservations can be
made and tickets secured from Mrs
Frank L. Ball, Mrs. Rene Jones
Taylor, Mrs. Claude O. Thomas
Mrs. H. Leroy Wright, Mrs. William
r. Weaver and the Misses Evelyn
and Esther Cannon.
The Bethesda Chevy Chase Har-
vest Show Committee at recent
meeting concluded business of the
1947 show, elected officers and be-
gan to shape plans for the show
September 10. The treasurer was
authorized to pay $3.50, proceeds OF
the last show, to the Bethesda
Chevy Chase Educational Founda-
ton. New officers are: Chairman
Col. George E. Strong; vice chair
man, j. Stealey Elms; treasurer, j
B. Bodley; recording secretary, Miss
Altona Chartron; corresponding
secretary, Mrs. Reginald Alexander
delegates at large to the Executive
Board, E. X. Bender and George A
Smith. Ed Stock, Mr. Elms, Fred
Lang, Phil Schaefer, Mrs. Ed Mat
teossian and Mrs. Smith were elect
ed permanent members of the
board.
The Bethesda Chevy Chase Ro-
tary Club has accepted sponsorship
of the show this fall.
Mr.. Smith was named publicity
chairman, and it was suggested that
newspapers, radio, garden clubs and
the Chamber of Commerce be asked
to assist. s. r. .tJA- -.
After the meeting, Mr.. Schaefer
showed slides and spoke briefly
about Williamsburg.
Next Sunday the Potomac Rose
Society will sponsor a rose-prun-
ing demonstration at the Robert E.
Evening star., 1948-02-29

them in a well enriched soil mixture
and in a pot that is only an inch
or two larger in diameter than the
bulbs. Give them a light watering
and place in warm room until the
new shoots show. Then water freely
and keep In a sunny window. Some
of the newer varieties are very at
tractive although the old reddish
ones are the least expensive.
+ X X X
Some gardeners have not ordered
their seeds and plants for this
springs garden. Delay is likely te
bring disappointments. Some of the
more desirable varieties are likely
to be sold out. This happens nearly
every year, and with the indicated
increase in vegetable gardening
this year 1t Is more than likely
Gardeners are not kidding when
they say they are going to raise
vegetables-it Is one of the best
ways to cut down the cost of living.
It is time to start tomatoes, pep
pers, eggplant, petunias and other
seeds that take 6 to 8 weeks to
reach planting size. We can usually
count on its being warm enough
to set out these tender crops around
the first of May.
* X X X
March winds are a blessing when
it comes to drying out the soil SO
that we can start digging. They
are an evil force though when they
dry out the rose stems and SAP
their vitality. A windbreak or cover
of some kind that will protect the
bushes is desirable. If one, has not
already been provided. Pine boughs
are good since they not only break
the wind but shade the soil ane
keep it cool. This keeps the root!
inactive and prevents the bushe.
from starting into active, growth too
early in the season-W. II. Y. /
Evening star., 1948-02-29
Records Completed

Two registered Guernsey COWS
owned by Leigh Lawrence, owner
of Dairy Lou Farm, Herndon. Va.
have completed advanced register
records, according to the Ameri-
can Guernsey Cattle Club.
Benton's Bright Vera, a junior
2-year-old, produced 1880 pounds
of milk and 514 pounds Of butterfat
Benton's Lucky Nell, q senior 2
year r-old, produced 10,422 pounds OF
milk and 500 pounds of butterfat.
Evening star., 1948-02-29

says childbirth is not a disability
or an illness and that unless COM
plications develop foreign to nor
NAL childbirth you are not entitled
to VA medical care.
From r. c., Brookneal, Va:
Some are wondering what will
happen if a Federal bonus is voted
World War II veterans. Will we
get it, even though we've been using
our benefits under the, CT bill?"
AS the law stands today, yes;
provided a bonus is some day voted,
which isn't a sure thing at all. But
there would be no deductions from
it of GI bill benefits.
Maj. Mai and his stat are
equipped to ans1Der any question
from q World War II Deteran.
Send your questions to him in
care of this newspaper and in
close a selt-addressed, stamped
envelope.
Evening star., 1948-02-29
Dog Notes
By Peter Boegs

stairs. Plugging in, the operator
heard only the barking of a dog
and thought something was wrong
So she sent the janitor to investi-
gate. Upon opening the door of the
apartment with pass key, he dis
covered that Pat had pulled the
phone off the table and onto the
Evening star., 1948-02-29
The Question Box.

The Question Box.
Question-Do dogs get chorea very
often and what Is this disease?-
G. L. S.
Answer: Chorea usually makes its
appearance during or after dis
temper. 1t causes repeated convul-
sive twitching of a group of muscles,
but is rarely fatal. I have known
many dogs who have lived for years
with it.
Question-Is it true that raw
onions, garlic and dried squash
seeds are good to keep a dog free
from worms? How should I prepare
them, and how much should I give
my cocker spaniel who is years
old?-A. E. S.
Answer: The above will be OF
no help in keeping your dog free
from worms. This Is just another
erroneous myth that is believed
about the care of dogs. If your dog
is suffering with worms ask your
veterinarian to prescribe the proper
medicine.
tReleased by McNausht Syndicate. Inc)
Evening star., 1948-02-29

GiUe a dog d platform.
floor, unlocking the receiver. The
dog was dividing his attention by
barking, into the mouthpiece ane
running over to lick the face of hi.
stricken mistress in an effort te
arouse her. It is difficult not to be.
lieve that Pat sensed how to ust
the phone to help his best friend
Dogs do think!
Evening star., 1948-02-29

Large-scale exhibitions are being
offered next week in New York and
Philadelphia and all-expense B. &
o. tours are being supported by the
clubs. Dates for both shows are
March 8 to 13. The New York show
at the Grand Central Palace will
have 255 main classes and 16 gar
dens varying in size from 375 to
1000 square feet on the main floor.
A 70-foot display Of roses also will
be staged there. The Garden Club
of America will offer gardens show
ing doorway planting, a sun-heated
pit, a terrace, and flower arrange
ments. An exhibit, Across the
United States" will be set up by
Evening star., 1948-02-29

The Agriculture Department is
urging garden clubs to take the in
itiatiye in every locality in enlisting
support OF the Freedom Garden
Program for 194S.. Chief problem is
to locate and allocate idle ground.
Whatever plans are made must be
made quickly. Much is at stake.
Demands for food at home and
abroad are great and will continue
great. Any store, school, county
office or business center offers the
potential means to introduce idle
land to eager gardeners. Here are
the main incentives: Increase the
national food supply, make possible
shipments for foreign relief, help
reduce the cost of living, raise the
nutritional standards with fresh and
preserved foods daily on a year.
round basis, assist community de-
velopment and family health from
the standpoints of attractive sur
roundings and recreation.
Woodbridge Garden Club tomorrow
at 8 pm. will hear Howard Chittick
of the Fairfax Biological Laboratory,
Mclean, Va, speak on Combating
japanese Beetle Grubs and Milky
Disease Spore Dust" The meeting
will be held at the Brookland Bap-
tist Recreation Building, Sixteenth
and Monroe streets NE. MIR. Chit
tick will stress the importance of
starting campaigns promptly. which
will cover entire neighborhoods.
Nonmembers are especially invited.
The effectiveness of early-cut spring
shrubs for winter display will be
demonstrated. Mrs. Alma Marshall
will preside.
Evening star., 1948-02-29
Garden Club Activities

Scammell gardens, 2810 Bladensburg
road NE. at 2::30 o'clock. If it rains
the demonstration will be held the
following Sunday.
The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1948-12-16
Wheat Crop OK.
Durocher Learns

With ample moisture and a
heavy stand Of growing grain,
next summers crop Of wheat In
the Horse Heaven section prom.
ises TO be q good one.
This brief ssimming-up Of the
grain crop prospects came from
farmers of this area this week
through the Durocher Implement
and Appliance company Of Ken
|newicik.
c. Durocher, owner of the Com
|pany, said he had talked with q
great many farmers recently
about crop conditions and what
he learned from this group was
that crop prospects are excellent.
Some Of them pointed out, how<
ever. that with the wheat farmer
there Is many q slip between
the cup and the lip"
I'VE hope the crop will be as
good as It looks today" Durocher
said.
Two factors have entered into
the good crop picture thus far,
farmers have said:
l. A good sprouting and early
growth last fall.
2. Ample moisture since then
and favorable weather all round
to give the wheat plants good
root. I
The weather last fall was In
sharp contrast to the wet fall Of
The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1948-12-16
Owners Urged 10
Get 1919 Plates

Approximately $500 vehicle
owners in the Kennewick area
have purchased their 1949 license
plates, L. E. johnson estimated
this week. explaining that usual
~ about $500 sets Of plates are
sold during the year. However,
more vehicles may be In the COM
munity than there were year
ago, he added.
Reporting for the state at large.
George c. Starlund, director Of
licenses, said that approximately
10000 applications have been re-
ceived in the department Of Ii
censes, elaving about 100000 own
ers to apply for renewal before
January I, after which date US
ers Of 1948 plates win be subject
to arrest and fine,
More than 10000 owners wait
ed until after January 10 and
paid a $500 penalty during the
asst licensing xllA
To eliminate long periods Of
waiting in lines, Starlund suggests
that car owners apply promptly
inasmuch as county officials have
full crews and are waiting 70 serve
vehicle owners.
The 1913 registration certifi-
cate must be presented 1t TIL
time the application is made. Il
this Is Lost owners are advised q
| apply for duplicates Immediately,
The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1948-12-16

may come anly when production
Is low"
The economist gives these rea-
sons for profitable livestock, dairy,
and poultry business in the next
few years: business activity and
employment are likely to be
fairly high except for a brief
slump. Untitled demands for cars,
homes, schools, roads, etc., plus
prospects for defense spending,
foreign aid, and foreign invest
ments are the chief reasons. With
city people employed most Of the
time at good pay, they will bid
actively for meat dairy and
poultry products.
Feeds are likely to be less ex-
pensive except for years Of short
crops"
He goes on to point out that
the meat supply outlook for the
The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1948-12-16
Good Earnings Predicted in Farm
Animals and Poultry IN Next Year

Livestock, dairy and poultry
raisers of Benton county face a
profitable future during the next
i've or six years, according to an
analysis Of the states farm out
look release by Frank Webster,
county extension agent.
At the same time, he said, the
author of the analysis, Extension
Economist Karl Hobson of Wash
ington State College, finds the
outlook for crops less favorable.
Writing In the new Extension Cir
cular, Keeping Up on the Farm
Outlook, which will be mailed
free monthly on request to the
county j. agents office, Hobson
adds:
''Unless we are more success
full than we expect in developing
q large foreign demand, high
prices for most crops and fruit