Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 59, Number 83, Decatur, Adams County, 8 April 1961 — Page 6

PAGE SIX

Preble Township Farmers

Solve Their Own Problems

A ditch group can be the answer to a lot of problems that ■ farmer faces, the Adams county soil and water district committee points out. For example, look what a group of 28 farmers in Preble township, following the old adage, “If you want a job done right, do it yourself.” have accomplished. The number one problem of these farmers was keeping adequate drainage. They tired of flooded farmland two or three times a year, with damaged crops. They felt the surface drainage and tile systems which they had were inadequate. Most of the soil in this area is a gray-to-bleak silty-clay loam. This had poor internal drainage, meaning that surface drainage, like ditches, are necessary, as well as drain tile. The main outlet for this 1,652 .acre area about a mile north of Preble is the Paul Bieberich ditch. It had been cleared about eight years before by the county surveyor’s office as a court ditch. Each land owner was assigned a station along the ditch to keep clean. But often the station was cn some other farmer’s land. Some of the farmers didn’t keep their stations very free of weeds and brush. The ditch soon resilted, and fiUed up with brush and dirt. In the fan of 1957, 11 farmers along the ditch signed a request to the supervisors of the local Adams county soil conservation district for assistance. They wanted help in worikng out a solution to their problem. During that fall and winter the SCS technician who works with the district surveyand and designed a new outlet ditch, with erosion control structures. He included an estimate of costs, and guides for the builders. Under the guidance of Cletus Gillman, U. S. work unit conservationist, they formed the Paul Bieberich ditch association. This association elected one of its members, Hugo Bulmahn, president, and Wilbur Selking, another landowner, secretary-treasurer. Then the group set up an acreage benefit system to determine the cost to each farmer. They collected the estimated cost of the project, and obtained the necessary legal easements for the work. Next step was to request Federal cost-sharing from the Adams county Agricultural and Stabilization committee (ASC). The ASC assured the group that, they would be reimbursed for about 50% of the cost of the project on its completion. Bids were then let on the work. , Action construction was started ( by the low bidder in February, 1959. The group had agreed to install corrugated metal pipe on the end of each tile outlet that came into the ditch. They had also agreed to have the contractor seed the ditch banks as the ditch was constructed to prevent immediate erosion. Sowing of seed was done as fol-

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lows: sweet clover, 20 pounds; tell fescue, 20 pounds; and seaside bent grass, one pound. This was used for each acre of ground seeded. Actually this was sublet to one of the farmers, who seeded the banks at least every two days as the ditch was reconstructed. Reconstruction was completed in July, 1959. Five months had elapsed since the project was started. However, the farmers’ job was over then. The important part had just begun. One of the requirements written into the articles of association is that the group will meet at least once each year to elect officers and conduct any business necessary to maintain the project. No legal force can be used to make any member of the association “do his share.” The association depends 100% on a cooperative community spirit, and a Christian sense of doing what is right. Although the group, like any other, has had its share of disagreements and problems, it seems to be working very well. Leroy Bulmahn is the president of the group now, and Hugo Bulmahn is secretary-treasurer. The ditch banks are sprayed once each year to control brush and weeds. This spraying is done before soybeans would be damaged by drift. It is done by contract, usually to one of the members of the association. All the farmers along the ditch now keep a constant cheek on the condition of the ditch and its important structures. When trouble is spotted, the officers go into action. using the maintenance fund in the treasury to repair the ditch immediately. This project works because all the farmers realize their income and success depends on the successful operation of the ditch. There is no one as interested in the project as they are—so why shouldn’t they manage it themselves?

Merchants Warned Os Pair Os Thieves A youth, described as a “Beatnik,” approximately 18 to 20 years of age, and his blondehaired companion, have been working this area shoplifting transistor radios, the Adams county sheriffs department explained this morning as a warning to Decatur and Adams county merchants. The pair have been known to have stolen transistors in Bluffton, Portland, and Berne. So far, only radios have been reported taken. The man is reported to resemble a beatnik, has dark hair, is dark complexioned, and usually carries an overcoat over his arm. His female companion is described as short, is approximately 30 years of age, and wears a pale blue leather coat and tight plaid slacks. So far, only radios have been taken, but all merchants in the city and county are urged to keep a lookout for the pair and if seen to notify the local authorities imI mediately.

gsß IK 'SSSs 91 ■ I EHil -wl ImH I ’3*ll 111 Bl I mI ■ Ml 1 j I ■■ H 1 ASSOCIATION FORMED by the local landowners organized the ditch association under the soil conservation district rules. This allowed them to get Federal aid for one-half the cost of the improvements. But everything had to be done voluntarily. Here the present SCS work unit conservationist, Milt Spence, is pictured talking to the group.

County Agent’s Corner

By LEO N. SELTENRIGHT 4-H Dairy Club Banquet Another very successful 4-H dairy club banquet was held last Thursday evening. Speaker Mauri Williamson did an excellent job of entertaining the group as well as leaving with them some valuable inspirational thoughts. David Beer was the recipient of the outstanding 4-H dairy member trophy. David, a freshman at Purdue, was able to be at the meeting by returning from Lafayette with me and going back to the campus with Mr. Williamson. Denny Bollenbacher, 4-H dairy member, did a fine job of reporting for the 4-H dairy club. Congratulations to the 4-H dairy calf committee and sponsors for a wonderful job. State-Wide Extension Officers Roy Price, county extension committee chairman, Mrs. Dan Striker, county home demonstration council chairman and Lois Folk, home agent and myself attended a meeting at Purdue University Thursday. Director of extension L. E. Hoffman and assistant director, Eva Goble discussed the growth of extension programs and what has made them effective. P. E. Henebry of Allen county and Mrs. White of Pulaski county discussed what the extension program has meant to their counties. Ken McDermott, extension economist, outlined the opportunity of extension work. Dr. Fred Andrews, Purdue dairy department head, discussed research and what it means. The meeting was concluded with an address by Dr. Earl Butz, dean of the School of Agriculture. ABA Annual Meeting The Artificial Breeders Association had another very successful annual meeting last Tuesday evening. Their cheeses and summer sausage sandwich combination with all the milk they could drink seemed to hit the spot. Mr. P. I. Ighley, of the Chicago Office of American Breeders Service, gave some interesting facts on artificial insemination. There are about 8,700 dairy cows in Adams county and in 1960 37% of these were bred artifically by the association. 4-H Junior Leaders The 4-H Junior Leaders are off to a good start for 1961. The officers elected were John Rumple, president; Jim LeFever, vice president; Rose Lautzenheiser, secre-tary-treasurer; Marsha King, news reporter, and Tom McKean, song leader. The officers will be meeting soon to set up the yearly program.

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Corn Research Plot We are again planning on a corn research plot in Adams county. Paul Crane, research agronomist, checked out the field at Paul Kohne's recently and is working on the plot. Infomation from this, as well as many other plots over the state, go to make Up the results of the research bulletin, “Performance of Dent Corn Hybrids in Indiana.” Area S.C.S. Meeting Adams county was represented at the area soil and water conservation supervisors meeting last Thursday evening in Columbia City by Richard Scheumann, Hugo Bulmahn and Milton Spence. Reports of the meeting show a great deal of interest in area work. Also the ladies auxiliary of the organization in several counties is actively working on soil stewardship week. They are planning for a program with Wayne Rothgeb on WKJG-TV for May 12. This will be on “Farms and Farming.” Spring Extension Conference Our Spring Extension Workers Conference will be held April 10 to 12 at Purdue University. This is an opportunity for me to catch up on some of the newer research information as well as find out what is going on in other county extension programs. Feed Grain Meetings The new feed grain program will be discussed at two meetings next week by the ASC office. One meeting is April 11 at 7:45 p.m. at the Berne-French school cafeteria, and the other meeting is April 14 at 7:45 p.m. at the Farm Bureau CoOp Building at Monroe. If you are interested in the program plan to attend one of these meetings. Soybeans and Root Rot From Dr. Kirk Arthow, Purdue Pathologist, a question on seed treatment to control root rot is answered as follows: “We do not recommend soybean seed treatment except for poor quality seed or where difficulty in obtaining a satisfactory stand has been enpreviously. The small increases in emergence Which frequently result from seed treatment are very seldom accompanied by an increase in yield. Seed treatment increases yield only when the stand from untreated seed is very poor, less than 4 or 5 plants per fopt. 9 L-4. “Some seed protectants will prevent seed rot and pre-emergence damping-off caused by the soil fungi Pythium, Rhizoctonia, and Phytophthora. Phytophthora is the one which is most prevalent in

your area. However, Phytophthora rot is not strictly a seedling disease like the other two, but may kill plants throughout the season whenever conditions are favorable for its development. Seed treatment may prevent some seed rot but it will not eliminate the disease. “It is suggested the growers who treat their seed use materials that have been adequately tested on soybeans.”— Phytophthora is what we normally have and this rot attacks seedlings and growing plants in poorly drained, compact soils: attacks during wet seasons and kills plants in all stages of growth. Blackhawk is the only Indiana recommended variety having resistance. Ohio released varieties, Madison, Henry and Ross, have resistance. Recommend mixture of 1/3 Blackhawk and 2/3 Lindarin, Harosoy, or Hawkeye for those having suffered Phythophthroa losses.

Os This And That Goodby Winter, welcome Spring! Whether Easter comes early or late it always marks the beginning of spring. Winter brought many joys along with flu and colds, but now spring is budding and begging to be noticed. Council Meeting Mrs. Dan Striker, county home demonstration president opened the spring council meeting Tuesday with a spring poem, followed by everyone repeating the creed. The group made plans for National Home Demonstration ■Week which will be celebrated April 30 to May 6. Plans this year include publicity in the local newspapers, over radio and television. Besides this each home demonstration member is urged to tell one non-member about the home demonstration program. Purdue Homemakers Conference was announced for June 1315. Again this year sixty to seventy-five women from Adams county are making plans to attend. Reports were given by Mrs. Merle Kuhn and Mrs. Harold Ziegler, explaining the district home demonstration meeting they attended at Pokagon State Park on March 14. Thirty-one women attended the meeting representing twenty-four home demonstration clubs. Spring Fashions Simple, uncluttered and soft is the silhouette for spring. Gone are the fussy details of past years. Beautiful fabrics and vibrant colors are flattered by clean-cut dramatic lines. There is much variety, giving great scope for individuality, but no really new form. Extremes are out and safe styles are in. Silhouette importance is less color influence, and the big color is pink—shading from the ice cream shades through the shock shades to the fuchsias. There are many dual purpose clothes, lots of co-ordinates, and lots of bias cuts. Necklines become the 1961 theme song with flat bands, upstanding wings, coils and cowls replacing collars. Yokes are not only decorative but a useful cutting technique to achieve deep armholes and wider shoulders. This is a button year—elaborate, mammoth, newest used in twos. A welt seaming and top stitching is everywhere. Dresses for spring are soft and fluid. Skirts come in all shapes. The slimmest skirt is not too tightly fitted at the hipline, gathers softly into the natural waist or below. Pleated, gored, or bias skirts move freely. New is a teardrop line-wide through the hips, narrow at the hemline. Pink! Pink! Pink! The biggest splash of color this spring is pink, (pink with strong violet undertones) from hot pink through cyclamen to the fruit

■ KO -i ■ I ' 'v .*■*►•* '"‘►■■if'*’, -■ "JNBSI ' / - ! Wr| ® , s , x PAUL BIEBERICH DITCH in Preble township, just a mile above Preble, drains 1.652 acres of land, and used to flood like this two or three times a year, ruining nearby crops. Brush, trees, and debris collected in the ditch, plugging the outlets. _____

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CLEAN DITCH, as it may now be seen, cleared of all debris, sides reshaped, seeded with a good grass mixture that doesn't wash out each spring, carried far more water than the norami flood condition brings. Adams county’s tight clay soil creates many problems that tile alone won't solve. Ditches, plus a good tile system, and good conservation practices, are necessary to raise good crops in this area. t

shades. Color interest is drifting to flower shades; daffodil and tulip —yellows, —cornflower and azalea blues, the purples and lavenders of wood violets. Leaf greens and cool water greens are more popular than the harsher tones. Beige continues very strong in pale and sandy tones, especially in coatings with heavy texture interest. Biggest news this spring is made by the use of color in startling end unexpected combinations. Food For You •

iWth the sun shining and the dirt facing us, our thoughts turn to house cleaning. During this time we are interested in finding foods that are easy to prepare, not too expensive and contain all the food value needed for plenty of vim, vigor and vitality. The following Apple Crumble might help you through the busy days ahead. Jiffy Apple Crumble '% package orange-muffin mix Vz teaspoon cinnamon Vz teaspoon nutmeg ¥4 cup butter or margarine 1 No. 2 can (2*£ cups) sliced apples 1 tablespoon lemon juice Combine muffin mix and spi-

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■ ces; cut in butter till crumbly. Empty apples into Bxßx2 inch I pan, and -sprinkle —with lembn i juice, then crumbs. Bake at 375* for 40 to 45 minutes. Makes 6 servings. The Last Word “Are you Waiting for tomorrow i to start living?" I V ' Louisville Coach To Handle Kentucky Stars LOUISVILLE. Ky.-(UPI),—Guy Strong. Louisville Male High School coach, has been named to 1 handle the Kentucky prep Alli Stars in their annual two-game ’ series with the Indiana All-Stars 1 in June. Strong was assistant to Gene i Rhodes, Louisville St. Xavier coach, the past two years in the ■j series. Burns Prove Fatal To Indianapolis Man INDIANAPOLIS (UPD — Burns received 10 days ago in a home fire cost the life of Marion T. . Anderson, 56, an Indianapolis; barber. Anderson died Friday evening in General Hospital. He was burned

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SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 1961

March 30 when a sofa at his home caught fire while Anderson apparently was smoking a cigarette. SMITHS (Continued from page 1) remarks. Robert is a name used in every generation since 1810. "Has your family meant that I much to Uncle Sam? Mine has i not," Mrs. Halberstadt concludes. ' REGIONAL (Continued from page one) scholarship, third, a SI,OOO scholarship, and fourth, a SSOO scholarship. Tour City A special tour of Decatur and its main points will be conducted by the Decatur high school speech class, under the direction of the speech instructor. Deane T. Dorwin, following the contest. ' The local American Legion [post, Post 43, will give a dinner i for the contestants, their escorts I and the committee. All contestants must be in high : school, arid informal dress is I required.