Milford chronicle., 1963-09-20
THE GREEN
THUMB

InUmH
With the start Of corn harvest
underway, keep those field
losses down. With the yield re-
ductions caused by dry weather
this year 1t is especially i'm
portant to harvest all the corn
with a bare minimum OF field
losses.
Due to the dry weather that
has prevailed during the last
2 years there is an increased
interest in alfalfa production.
II you plan on seeding alfalfa
this fall, 1t should be done as
soon as possible II you have
not already completed this task.
Don't forget to apply ample
lime to get the PHI well over
60. Prepare a good seed bed,
innoculate the seed and take a
little extra time to do the Job
right. You will be we'll paid for
a good seeding Job by the stand
that results.
We have detailed information
on hay and pasture seeding at
our SubStation Office near
Georgetown II you want further
material on this subject.
In regard to Fall treatment
for alfalfa weevil control the
University Of Delaware En-
tomology Department has the
following recommendations :
Either heptachlor or dieldrin,
used at the rate Of one pound
per acre between Sept. 25 and
Nov. IS, is recommended for
alfalfa weevil control. Failures
have been experienced In other
states but thus far these ma
terials appear to be effective in
Delaware. Use in granular form
or in fertilizer or as a spray.
Accurate celebration Of all ap-
plication equipment is a
"must". Do not try "do-
it-yourseH" mixes Of the in
secticide with fertilizer; this is
a Job for the manufacturer. Do
not mix granules and fertilizer;
such mixes are not stable. Do
not apply insecticide with
fertilizer at time Of seeding.
This will not provide protection
so It Is a waste Of material.
Treat the new seeding the same
as an established crop. Remem-
ber that this is an inset con-
troll program. Control next
spring will depend upon ac-
curacy Of applicable No
grazing is permitted after treat
ment, either in the fall or spring
until after the first cutting.
&%&
Some farmers seem to be
confirmed optimists. They
figure II they lined few years
ago, the treatment will last in
definitely.
Actually, many fields that
were recently lined may be
badly In need Of lime right now.
Increases in crop yields due
to lime and fertilizer, will step
up the removal Of plant nutri-
ents from the soil. This is true
Of all nutrients, including those
supplied by limestone.
II you take It out you have to
replace 1t!
Limestone supplies the soil
with calcium and magnesium and
Improves the effectiveness of
other nutrients. For example,
nitrogen does a better crop
feeding Job and phosphate is
more available to growing plants
when the soil has a good lime
level.
Right after harvest Is a good
time to get your soil tested,
too. The soil testing labor atory
at the University Of Delaware
has more time now than will
be available next spring so you
will get your results more
quickly. Get your soil tests in
and apply necessary lime this
winter.
Profitable production Of high
quality fruit, vegetable and field
crops depends largely on pro-
viding an adequate and balanced
supply Of nutrients. Lining,
where needed, should be the
first step in building up the
soils nutrient supply. Fall and
winter are ideal times to lime
fields because the ground is
firmer. Later on, blowing or
deep discing is a good way to
work the lime down into the
Isoil.
Before-dinner party appetizer: