Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 18, Number 27, DeMotte, Jasper County, 4 June 1948 — ON THE FARM FRONT [ARTICLE]

ON THE FARM FRONT

Prevention of “weevil damage” to the new crop is possible if the granary is - cleaned out before early summer and sprayed with DDT. Glenn E. f Lehkei, : Purdue University extension entomologist points out that neaiiy all cases of “weevily” grain can be traced to unclean bins. The insects which infest stored grain in the Middle West do not fly to the fields and lay eggs in the growing crop, except rarely in southern Indiana. This being the case, any infestations which occur, likely, come from insects which remain from year to year in the granary. Lehker mqkes the following Suggestions for safe storage of grain in farm bins: 1. Before the new crop is harvested, all old grain and feed is removed from storage bins, and the bins swept thoroughly. 2. The bins and all other parts of the building where grain residues collect are sprayed with DDT. Care should be taken to spray behind bin linings and between partitions. 3. A 50 percent DDT wettable powder is used, at the rate of two pounds in five gallons of water and applied at the rate of one gallon to each 300 square feet. 4. Harvest should be delayed until the grain is mature and dry. The moisture content should be below 14 percent and preferably 12V6 to 13 percent. 5. Grain should be stored as free as possible from broken kernels, weeds, stems, and other foreign material. 6. The granary should be kept clean, and sprayed each spring with DDT. 7. Sacks of feed should not be kept near the granary. Major attention at the University Soils and Crops Farm Field Day to be held here Tuesday, June 29, will be focused on improved varieties of wheat, oats, legumes and grasses, fertilization studies, alfalfa breeding and 2 4-D demonstration of weed control. The field day is expected to attract more than 2000 persons, Dr. N. J. Volk, head of the department of agronomy said. Plans are being made to conduct the visitors on field tours which will be organized at frequent intervals between 8 a.m. and 10:30 (DST). Purdue staff members in the departments of agronomy and plant pathology will discuss the improved wheat and oats, varietes as well as the newer grasses and legumes on the tours. Plots of ladino clover, alta fescue an the brome 0 grasses, all forage crops, which have attracted the attention of progressive farmers in recent years will be observed in the morning. Additional features will be the studies on early ripening wheats resistant to leaf rust, stem rust, loose smut and mosaic; weed control in corn and soybeans; high nitrogen fertilization on small grains and several alfalfa breeding plots. An afternoon program will be presented by members of the university staffs, in the farm grove. The Soils and Crops Farm is situated at the east edge of Lafayette at the intersection of the by pass of state road 52 and state road 26. Hoosier farm folk are asked by Purdue University agricultural engineers and safety specialists to give their attention to haying hazards which have caused tragic accidents and losses to Indiana farmers in past years. The season is approaching when barn fires occur, as the result of storing damp hay in mows where forced ventilation was not provided to complete the drying ; of damp hay. Only well cured

hay should be stored, unless some means is provided to complete the curing. O. H. Lowery, Purdue University extension agricultural engineer, points out that there is a tendency to put up chopped hay, at a higher moisture content than is safe, in order to reduce the s! uttering loss through the blower. This practice should be avoided. the Purdue man emphasizes. The peak of haying accidents as might be expected is reached in June and July, in Indiana F. R. Willsey, Purdue University farm safety specialist, reports. He urges farm people to take extra precautions to insure safe-

ty at this time of the year. Care with operation of haying machinery is especially important because it is usually used with high speed gears and cutting mechanism. Willsey lists several safeguards that may be taken -to reduce hazards: All equipment should be carefully checked for defective hithces, ropes, pulleys, lifts, hay racks, or ladders. Loft floors should be put in good repair hay chutes guarded. Starts and stops should be made gradually in all haying operations. Care should be taken to avoid falls from hay racks, hay stacks, and hay mows should be watched.

Machinery should be stopped and thrown out of gear before oiling, adjusting, or unclogging, and safety guards should be kept in place. Pitchforks never should be thrown and should be placed where they are in sight of all workers. Loose and ragged clothing should not be worn as it may catch easily in moving machinery.