davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-12-28
Life in the Country
StorIings Get Dates Mixed Up
And Start Nesting in Winter

1t looks to me like a couple of
istarlings out our way have their
seasons mixed up. Here it is win
Itertime and these crazy birds ap-
Iparently are building a nest.
For the last three years a pair
of starlings have nested and
brought forth their brood in the
caves of our house. There is a
little hole there and they can get
i'm and out of the weather to build
their nest.
Each year I have thought I
would stop up their nest but I
have never done so. don't think
Iof it until the nest is completed
and then it seems a shame to
break it up. Starlings are supposed
not to be such desirable birds but
II am told that they do away with
IA lot of japanese beetle grubs. So
II let them alone.
The other morning I noticed
our two starlings-or a pair like
them-as busy as bees going in and
out of the hole in the caves. I
couldn't tell for sure if they were
carrying in nesting material, but
the way they talk to each other. I
am sure that some Housekeeping
venture is in the making.
All of the other Starlings that I
have noticed about this winter
travel in focks. They swarm over
the fields and rooSt at night in
the pine woods. 1t is strange that
these two birds should break away
from the flock.
If it turns out that the starlings
ARE beginning to mate in winter
we will have to do something
about it. There is enough Of them
when they confine their multiply
ing activities to the summer.
X X X X
The Agriculture Department
tells me that I will be able soon
to exchange my spray for a hypo-
dermic needle.
The department is working on
chemicals that, when injected
under the skin Of a COW, will give
her protection from the bites of
flies and other insects.
If this scheme really works, 1t
certainly will change things about
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-12-28

County do not have extension
service workers to serve. as do
Montgomery and Prince Georges
Counties in Maryland and Fairfax
County, Virginia. Montgomery
County has one assistant agent
qualified to help home gardeners
solve problems of growing plants
under city or suburban conditions.
The local school systems include
some gardening work in the cur
riculum, but it falls far short Of
being as comprehensive as the adj
viSory committee suggests, Per-
haps that's because Paul Young.
who heads the work in Cleveland.
Ohio. where they have what many
consider the finest teaching pro-
gram for gardening of any city
school system in the United States,
is a member of the committee.
He told how the teaching of gar
dening has been expanded until
it covers all ages, from kindergar-
den to adult classes. But, he adds.
he's not taught as course. but
as a vehicle for the teaching OF
science and other subjects.
Help From Clubs.
The gardener who Is beyond
the reach of the extension service
might we'll join a good garden
club, or organize one for his COM
munity if he is to learn how to
do the things he wants to do. In
nearly every community there are
experienced gardeners who can
help the beginner. More especially.
acting as a group they can secure
speakers who will answer oues-
tions and explain how to grow and
care for plants in the Washington
area. Then, there are films and
slides that may be borrowed which
will help the beginner.
The advisory committee rec
IommendS the continuation of food
preservation principally to insure
better diets, but it also recognized
the Importance of canning or
freezing surplus products. That
1T is one means of combating the
high costs of living. Help to the
home food preserver is supposed
to come from the same sources as
for the gardener. but the situation
is about the same. Neither the
District nor Arlington County
have such agents. Montgomery.
Prince Georges and Fairfax Coun-
ties have home demonstration
agents on the job and they not
only answer questions but put on
demonstrations before groups. We
might say the home food preserva-
ton phase is better Off for assist
ance and guidance
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-12-28

First of all, they require from
go to 10 per cent humidity, and
more important, the cattleyas need
a light intensity of about 1000
foot candles. You simply don't
find these conditions in the aver
age home.
When he transplants his seed
lings, DR.. McPeak uses a mixture
of one third peat moss, one third
oak leaf mold and one thirc
asmunda fiber. He prepares his
own leaf mold from leaves rakeo
up on the place.
It's a Slow Job.
DR.. McPeak said most OF the
orchid plants will sell for SIC
on up. He said the better ones
usually will bring from $500 tc
900.
THE best thing about growing
Orchids" he said, lis that they
make you slow down. I spend q
couple afternoons a week out al
the greenhouse and it is great
relaxation.
orchids grow so slowly anc
take so long to develop that wher
you fool with them, you just have
to slow down"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-12-28

For the last three years the
Secretary of Agriculture has called
together garden leaders from all
corners of the country, represent
ing every important gardening
group or interest, to act in an
ADVISORY capacity. Each year this
committee has reviewed the vari-
Gus factors affecting gardens and
gardening before submitting a re-
port to the secretary. Each year
the secretary has accepted prac-
tically all the recommendations
and taken such steps as he could
to implement them.
The first committee recon-
mended and expanded a program
for the growing and preservation
of food. That was before the out
break of the Korean conflict. The
following year, it was continued in
essentially the same form but
under the name National Gar
den and Home Food Preservation
Program"
1t is now suggested that for
1853 the name be changed to the
National Garden Program. The
committee recognizes that there
is not the pressing need for food
gardens and places emphasis on
the ornamental phases. The ad
visory committee believes we
might well give more attention to
lawns, flowers. trees and shrubs
and less to vegetable and fruit
production.
Vegetable Growing Continues.
This does not mean that garden
ers who want to grow vegetables
are to give them up. 1t means
there will not be a drive to en-
courage food production. Those
who wish to grow vegetables will
be encouraged, and, where pos
sible, they will be helped through
guidance. Blunt for those who
wish to engage in the pleasures OF
growing roses. gladiolus. or some
other flower, or who want a better
lawn, they should be given such
aid and encouragement as it is
possible to extend.
The committee also suggested
ways to implement such a pro-
gram. One suggestion is that the
extension service in the States be
given the responsibility of organ
izing and helping gardeners. The
other is that schools include gar
dening so that students can learn
basic skillS.
Gardeners in the Washington
area are not too we'll situated tc
get help as suggested. In the first
place, the District and Arlington
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-12-28
Now Is the Time
To Mulch Berries,
Expert Advises

Mulching strawberry plants will
provide winter protection and
1T should be done now.
Bruce Aroian, associate horti-
culturist at VPI, says a good time
to apply mulch is when the tenn
Iperature is as low as about Is de-
Igrees for a day or two, long enough
to stiffen the soil.
Although winters usually are
not excessively severe in Virginia,
considerable loss from winter in
jury to crowns and roots of the
plant is suffered each year. For
this reason, mulch is always
recommended. Wheat straw, oat
straw and rye straw make good
mulches. Pine tags also may he
used where the material is avail
able. The mulching material
should be shaken and loosened
thoroughly and applied along the
rows directly upon the plants to
a depth Of 8 inches. About
100 pounds OF straw per 1OO-foOt
row. or az tons Of straw per acre,
will be needed.
In addition to protecting the
plants from winter injury, the
mulch delays blooming in the
spring. decreasing the likelihood
of frost damage.
When new growth starts in the
spring, most of the straw can be
swept back into the space between
the rows, leaving just a small
amount around the plant. Plac-
ing the mulch between the rows
will help conserve moisture, keep
weeds down and help keep the
berries clean.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-12-28
By jones Birchfield-

the farm. Dairymen, like my
neighbor Tooty Norman. will be
scurrying about the barn in fly
season with pocket full of hypo-
dermic needles.
No sprays needed. Just give the
old cow shot in the shoulder and
the flies will stay a mile away.
Science is wonderful.
X X X n
We have geese on The 40
Acres-in fact, we have nine of
them. and two ganders. but none
like the one Judge j. r. H. Alex
ander used to own.
This gander was particularly
fond of the judge and used to
climb up in his lap to rest every
time the judge sat down. He
used to resent the horses and
would steal the blacksmith's tools
every time Coony Castle came to
shoe them.
This gander, according to the
judge, used to steal rides. too. He
would grab a horse by the tail
and hang on when the horse took
off. One day he let go as the
horse rounded a corner and got
knocked silly against the side of
The barn. But that didn't stop
him. He was at his same tricks
the next day. 1t all goes to show
what a pet will do if given the
opportunity. all he needs is a
little sympathy and understand
ing.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-12-28
By Margaret l. Fisher

Paul Golden and Jerry Machlin
of Washington. Participation is
open to all members of Amer
lean Contract Bridge League.
Final tally in the Washing
ton Bridge Leagues four
months contest ended Deem
Der II. for point award prizes
revealed a three-way tie in
Glass A (players holding more
than 100 master points,. On the
basis of S, 3, 2, l for finishing
first. second, third and fourth
in the Wednesday night dupli-
Gates during the contest, Mrs.
Freda Bentley, Charles johnson
and w. M. Lingley each scored
q to split the first prize.
In a similar contest among
Class B players Q0-99 master
points, Mrs. Jean Ellis was I'M
disputed winner. totalling "a.
DR.. E. M. Short finished second
in this group, 2112: E. G. Harris.
jr.. third, 18. 1t. M. M. Hall
rated first prize in the Class c
competition (nine master points
or less) with 18. j. K. Conover,
Is, and DR.. C. r. Greenhow.
1914, finished second and third.
Winning 1872 out of "a
matches in the final session Of
play last Monday. Mrs. D. D.
Brodie, Lynn Carrier. Phil Gar
land and r. L. Simmons out
paced the remainder of the field
vieing for Federal Bridge
Leagues fall series team-of-
four honors. The Carrier team
earns the right to compete next
May for the Steward trophy
against the winner of the IT.
session spring team series,
which begins January 5.
Runnerup team in the series
just concluded was composed of
Mrs. T. M. Boyle, Mrs. M. R.
Reddy. Mrs. Gregg Gusts,
Kathleen McNutt and the H. S.
Kleins. Top pair prizes last
Monday night went to Hardee
Allen-Irwin Eisenberg, Mr.. and
Mrs. Richard Lesko: seconds to
Mrs. Jean Ellis Henry Rau and
Garland Simmons. Tomorrow
night Federal divides its De-
cember master point quota in
open pair play.
New Years Eve will afford
opportunity for a gala duplicate
match for patrons of the Ste
phan Studio. Mrs. D. E. Ste
phan. director of the studio, has
arranged a special contest linn
tied to 40 players. Reservations
are required; call CO. 5-7857.
Mrs. Stephan's regular Wednes-
day matinee game has been
Cancelled for December 81.
Max Bershad-M. D. Goldstein
were Howell winners at the
Stephan Studio monthly master
point matinee last Saturday.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-12-28
Bridge Players
Tit|esot Stokei Week End Tournament

The Northern Virginia cham
pionship series, a Washington
Bridge League tournament now
in it's 10th year. opens Friday at
the Willard Hotel. offering a
first crack at 1853 sectional
tourney honors.
First to defend their titles are
Mrs. Gregg Custis-Mrs. BesS
holland and John C. Kunkel-
Alvin Roth, all Westinghouse.
who won the women's and mems
titles in the Northern Virginia
series year ago. The women's
and mems pair matches will be
held concurrently. 2 pm. Friday,
in the Crystal Room Of the Will
lard.
The mixed pair contest takes
place Friday at 8 pm. Last year
Barry Cohen of Detroit. paired
with Ruth Sherman of New
York to win this event. giving
Cohen an early advantage in
accommodating master point
awards that will probably net
him the McKenney trophy for
1852. This goes annually to the
American Contract Bridge
League player who wins the
most master points within a
calendar year.
Defending the open pair title
on Saturday are Mrs. Freda
Bentley and Lew Levenson, two
of Washington's newest life
masters. This match will be
held in two sessions, the 2 pm.
session being a qualifying round.
Finals will be held at $50,
when a special open-pair game
will also be available to those
eliminated in the matinee Ses-
sion.
The series will be concluded
on Sunday with a two-session
eam-of-four match. starting at
1890. David Murray. Larry
Reynolds, James Sourilas. all
localities, and w. B. Woodson of
Burlington, N. c.. are the de-
tenders. An additional pair
game will be offered concurrent
with the second team session
at Z pm.
Charles johnson. tournament
chairman. has appointed these
committee chairmen to assist
in arranging partnerships:
Women's pairs, Mrs. Dora
Schwartz. Randolph 6-7170:
mems pairs. Manfred Sobern-
helm, Woodley 6-9891; mixed
pairs. Fredda Kenyon, Column
bia 5-5786, and w. M. Lingley,
Jefferson 1882; open pairs.
Mrs. Margaret L. Fisher, Adams
4-1560. and Vic Zeve, Adams
4-0116; team-of-four, Mrs. j.
R. McGhee, King 9-4172, and
Charles Lovenberg. Tuckerman
2-5353; special games, Rosemary
Riordan, Columbia 5-4306, and
Said Haddad. Ludlow 1882.
A. M. Sobel of New York will
direct the matches, assisted by
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-12-28
New Chemical Used
Control Diseases

A fungicide called manZate is
showing promise in the control of
certain vegetable diseases.
S. B. Femme, plant pathologist
at VPI, says manZate is similar
to ferbam and zineb in that 1t is
one of the dithiocarbamates; but
instead of containing iron DIS in
ferbam or zinc as in zineb, 1t con-
tainS manganese.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-12-28

Mrs. Margaret L. Fisher Charles
Lovenberg were runnersup.
Chess Clubbers divided their
Thursday series master point
awards on December Is when
the winners were Kathleen
McNutt-Alex Hart (N-S) and
the David Murrays who tied
with DR.. and Mrs. Gilbert Rude
E-W. Mrs. E. r. Shepard-W. r.
Garrett were Ms runnersup.
At the Walsh Club Saturday
night, % pairs We'd for master
point awards. Top scores fell
to Wilson Satterfield- Manfred
Soberheim and Gene Metz-Bob
Seaton. Ms runnerup awards
ended in a tie between Mrs.
Rena Dunnavant-Mrs. Lucy Nc
Conchie and Mrs. Mary Palla-
dino-Col. j. G. Seabourne while
E-W seconds went to Mrs. Cath
crime Crist-David E. Thomas.
Penthouse Bridge Leaguers
meet for another duplicate
game Tuesday at 1880 pm. in
the North Federal Security Ad-
ministration Building. This
game is a substitute for the BIZ
weekly Thursday session which
last week would have fallen on
Christmas Day. The Penthouse
group also recently ended a 10
game contest. first prize for
highest percentage in the series
going to Julian F. Gilmour.
Eugene Davidson ran a close
second.
Winners and runnersup in
other local duplicate last week
were:
10, ALEXANDER q BRIDGE CLUB; Deem
bent per 49, md d M! and Mrs Fred Slayer
Nj. and Mrs. Ed, Rudolph. 1t. and
cEAs SSBo an c E4RcT Da sAgE OFF:
Mrs. D. D. Brodie-Phil Garland.
Dixie I, Wright- Mrs. G. W. thinner.
b. Boyd-Larry Reynolds. Mrs. kathryn
'0e co%Mfss e aa5'' OFFICERS MESS
BRIDGE CLUB. Quanttco.. December 10:
elk. 24Mr. and Mrs. a. 6. Z Carlson ri oan
COUNT CLUB, December 90: Mrs.
G.. w, thinner Henry Shetelman, Mrs.
Elizabeth Count-A. A. Hart. DIR.
Emily Grewe-Francis Drake. sCol. and
Mrs. J. G. Seabourne.
STEPHAN spd NJ! sT TYPO Deesgbs5 r.:
McConchie-Mrs,. LESSEE Terry. H, P. Still
Bridge Colendor
TOMORROW-Federa Bridge League.
1900 New Hampshire; master point
Club executive dining f2 room mac General nsraf'
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Club, 1865 Eu-
cid; pair game (open). 7:45. Andrews
Air Force Base Offcers Bridge Club,
pair game; 7;45. Count Club, 1914
Penthouse Bridee League. Federal Sc
curity Administration, North Build
ing: pair game. $50.
WEDN N;ES Studio. :, 1885
5.9ss 2; for oar rese aei t' ''A'i w.
THURSDAY-Chess Club. Gordon Hotel;
pair game. 7:45.
FRIDAY-Northern Virginia Champion
ships, Willard Hotel; mems pairs.
women's pairs. 200; mixed pairs.
sATURDAY-Northern Virginia cham
.pionships: open pairs, 200 and $50;
special pair game. $50.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-12-28
National Garden Program
Advisers Place Emphasis Next Year
On Ornamental Phases of Gardening
By W. H. Youngmon
Garden Editor

the last three the County do not have extension
Secretary Agriculture has called service workers do
garden leaders from all Montgomery Prince
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-12-28
This Week
In the Garden

Wet soils and cold. unpleasant
weather have precluded much
out of doors work, and since
there is much to do indoors at
this season, gardening is at a
low ebb, and will be until the
spring catalogues begin to arrive.
But there are several chores that
need attention, one Of them is
getting the tools to the repair
shop for overhauling and sharpen
ing. This is the best season OF
the year to do it, so it should not
be put off.
House plants are growing under
what is probably the least favor
able conditions of the entire year.
The air is dry and the days are
short. They need careful water
ing. Overwhelming can be just
as bad as under watering. Setting
the plants in a bowl of water to
insure adequate supply Is fatal to
the major portion Of the root
system which rots. Watering from
the surface Is good, but it takes
time. Pour enough water through
the soil by frequent applications
until it runs out in the saucer.
Dump that water into the sink
because it is likely to contain the
more soluble salts. Such a water
ing should last several days.
Speaking of house plants, DR..
p. P. Prone of the New York
Botanical Gardens recommends
feeding them regularly. He sug-
gests a soluble plant food. diluted
according to the manufacturers
directions every two or three
weeks. Of course, that is weak
plant food, but that is why it
works without injury to the plants,
and by feeding them regularly
they keep on growing vigorously
One word of caution-do not feed
unless they are in active growth,
which means that plants going
into a rest period or that are
resting do not need feeding.
Should the gardener feel in
clined to work in the garden, this
lis about the time when pruning
can be started. Early pruning ap-
plies especially to the fruit trees
and grape vines. The rose bushes
can be cut back to three feet so as
to offer less resistance to the wind.
The early spring Towering shrubs,
/ if they were not pruned right after
Towering. can be pruned now. al
though some bloom will be sacri-
feed but do the job If it was not
done last June. The crepe myrtle.
and other of the less hardy shrubs
should not be pruned until next
spring.
No doubt, because of wet soils,
the chrysanthemums have not
been lifted and put into a specially
prepared bed to protect them dur
ing the winter, or, better still, into
a cold frame. Do the job at the
first opportunity because loss of
unprotected plants usually run
high In this area. It's not the cold
but the wet soils.
Evening star., 1952-05-23
g. 0. P. Wont | Name Taft
Or Eisenhower, Ewing Says
By The As.oeio,ed Pres.

BOSTON, May 23.-Oscar r.
Ewing. Federal Security Admin
istrator, said last night that he
doesn't think the Republican
nominee will be either
Gen. Eisenhower or Senator Taft
because either one would split
the G. o. P. right down the
middle"
"The Republicans have not
always been smart but are smart
enough to get a candidate who
would not offend or be involved
in the internal party struggle
some one who is against sin," Mr..
Ewing said in a news conference.
He said If the Democrats
named q solid liberal" as a presi-
dental candidate I'VE will be
picking the next President of the
United States"
Asked if he would like to see
himself get the nomination, Mr..
Ewing said:
Il want to say definitely that
] am not a candidate in the sense
that I am campaigning actively
for the nomination. am more
interested in the issues"
He listed the issues in 1852 a:
preservation of peace. prosperity
human welfare and fair play.
Evening star., 1952-05-23
Ridgway Says Reds
Admit Using Truce
Talks for Propaganda

Gen. Matthew B. Ridgway
charged today that Communist
truce negotiators in Korea have
used the discussions as a propa-
ganda forum.
They have frankly admitted
this is what they are doing" he
told q press luncheon at the
Shoref1am Hotel. Hour after
hour. meeting after meeting, the
Communists lies have poured forth
in an almost unbroken stream"
Adding that what the Reds were
doing at Panmunjom they also
were doing in other world forums,
Gen. Ridgway declared:
I'm a nutshell, their purpose is
to divert world attention from
their own crimes against human
ity, including those peoples unfor-
tunately under their control, by
accusing us of crimes against
humanity"
Time for People to Know.
The former Far East command
er, who leaves early next week to
succeed Gen. Eisenhower in Eu-
rope. asserted 1t was high time
the free peoples recognize the pro-
portions Of this vicious propa-
ganda."
Turning to Europe, the general
said he understood the French
Communists are planning quite
a reception for me-"
1T is the same kind Of recep-
Evening star., 1952-05-23

no action pending completion of
the Senate probe.
Mrs. Bullock Demurs.
Mrs. Bullock, who preceded her
husband as witness, answered
questions during a brief part of
the hearing-at the beginning
but later relied principally on the
reply:
II decline to answer"
She and her attorney. Charles
E. Ford, told the committee she
was claiming both her constitu-
tional right against self-incrimi-
nation and her right as a wife to
refuse to testify against her hus-
band.
At one point, Mr.. Bauman COM
mented:
Mrs. Bullock, it appears from
department store records. has
some very fine tastes in clothes
In at least two instances her suits
cost her $229.50 apiece. One hat
cost her $50"
He said these were not pur-
chased. however, during the Pc
riod under investigation.
| At the close of Wednesdays
session, during which Mrs. Bull
lock testified for an hour and Is
minutes and the inspector for
hours and 40 minutes, Senator
Pastore, Democrat, of Rhode
Island, commented:
There was lot here that re-
Quires q lot of explanation"
Evening star., 1952-05-23
Two Brothers Go on Trial
For HiI|sboro Lootinqs
BY the Assoeiated Press

LEESBURG, Va, May 23.-Two
Baltimore brothers went on trial
here today on triple charges of
housebreaking, armed robbery
and felonious shooting.
Robert Hamilton, Is. and Joseph
Hamilton, 81, face the charges as
the outgrowth of the looting of
homes in the Loudoun County
community of Hillsboro in Fehru-
ary.
Two others are charged in the
caSe-sameS G. Aiken, 43, and
George Holland, 81, also of Bal
timore. ALI four have pleaded
not guilty.
At one Of the homes they are
accused of entering, Douglas
Thompson, 66-year-old farmer
surprised the intruders. During
a scuffle MIR. Thompson was shot
in the shoulder.