The Mountain Messenger, Thursday, July 19, 1990 7A
of Farmin
Ella S. Galford
the seed catalogs arrive in
,ruary I drool over them. I can
~ost taste the crisp lettuce,
nchy cucumbers, vine-ripened
atoes, snap beans, and sweet,
corn in the enticing pictures. As
howling wind sends the snow
rling into waist-high drifts, I throw
~ther log on the fire and curt up
my catalog. Not even the wind
the window panes can punc-
my dream• 1 see tiny seedlings
through the warm spring
and long summer days that will
me a larder bulging with the
from my garden• Spring
'Jst around the corner, and sum-
will soon be here.
gardener knows you reap
refits other than vegetables from
;]arden. The fresh air and sun-
~e are good for you, and muscles
have sat on the bench all winter
straight, and not a weed is showing
itself. Thriving potato vines and fat
pea pods proclaim new creamed
peas and potatoes. Tomatoes
stretching to reach the top of their
wire cages are filled with bloom and
are setting fruit on their vines: A pro-
fusion of white blooms glisten
through the foliage of the bell pep-
pers. Squash and cucumber vines
form mats of green holding trumpets
of. yellow flowers. The bright red
globes of radishes poke their
crowns above the soil, and cab-
bages are wrapping leaves around
their heads. The crinkly lettuce,
shiny onion blades, and feathery
carrot tops are a symphony of
green. The bush beans are spread-
ing their leaves like a hen getting
ready to cover her chicks, and I
know in a few weeks they will hold
treasures of green and gold. The
called into play as you swing the sweet corn already covers a dog's
bend, stoop, and squat to tend back, and soon tassels and silks will
j~ Plants. time you get toappear.
By
the
,lly en end of the row, you swab yourHere is a feast for even the most
Bluegrass Market
Saturday July 14, 1990
280 head sold to 65 buyers.
Amounting to $94,216.24
STOCKER & FEEDER
STEERS
Under 500# 72.50
500 --750# 70.00
Over 750# 70.50
HEIFERS
Under 500# 60.00
501 --750# 50.00
Over 750# 50.00
BULL CALVES 68.00
BABY CALVES 100.00
VEAL CALVES
90.00
89.00
83.25
83.50
84,50
82.25
84.00
155.00
HOGS
SLAUGHTER 41.00
SOWS 35.50
BOARS 33.00
PIGS & SHOATS
By Head 25.00
PONIES
HORSES 440.00
SLAUGHTER CATTLE
STEERS 60.50
BLUE
HEIFERS 46.50 56.25
RED
COWS 43.50 52.50
OTHERS
BULLS 58.50 69.50 BABY
Under I000# 68.50 75.00 EWES
Over I000# 58.50 69.50 BUCKS
WETHERS
SHEEP & LAMBS
51.00
58.50
38,50
COW & CALF
P,'MRS 650.00
COWS, BH
49, 50
25.00 49.00
850.00 GOATS
GOATS,BH 28.00 45.00
Learning about herbs can teach
us many things. One to remember is
the blooming of the first golden rod,
solidago virgaurea (Compositae), a
signal that summer is at a half-way
point. This is a time to wander
around the yard, decide and write
down what improvements, additions
or corrections can be made for next
year. At the same time, this is a
good time to think ahead for very
personal Christmas gifts like herb
vinegars, wreaths, nosegays and
restful herbal scented pillows.
What is growing in your garden?
Now, before these plants start to
bloom is a good time to snip some
leaves, sprigs, and branches to dry
for another time or use. Most herbs
can be gathered like a bouquet, tied
together at their stems and left to
dry upside down in a brown -- to
keep out the light, dust and dirt so
all of their natural qualities will be
preserved -- paper bag. These fu-
ture specimens should be left alone
for at least a week before checking
Helen Woodward
herb, when pinched between your
fingers and gently whiffed, begins to
smell like hay it is time to add it to
the compost pile, or hoe it in around
other plants as a mulch. All dried
and preserved herbs should be
checked at least yearly for their
aroma and essence. Many will last a
long time; some will not.
Small one-ounce glass jars are
always the best for preservation of
dried herbs as each opening to the
air lessens the value of the remain-
tng contents. Naturally we can al-
ways use more and we can always
add them to our compost or just till
them in with our soil when they be-
come stale for the value of sub-
stance wilt always remain.
in using your herbs for wreaths,
potpourri, medicine, or delightful cu-
linary additions, do think of some of
the sayings of our past: chamomile
is for patience; ivy is a symbol of
God; lavender is for tuck; mint is for
cheerfulness, roses are for love;
rosemary, for memory; rue is for vi-
~aty brow and realize this is one " discriminating palate. As I gaze at to see if they really did dry. If not, sion; sage is for health; violets are
~rcise class you can't drop out of the garden I think of the pictures I wait a few more days before check- for humility.
ieu are goin to r
,ro~: g a,sea garden, drooled over ,n February. Th,s gar- Once A Prison ing again. Editor's Note: These articles
_~er and frustration melt and areden proclaims the truth of those pic- When thoroughly dry, place in are intended for educational pur-
[C~l,~ried away on summer breezes as tares I tell my neighbor "Yes, I do By Amy Donaldson to do right and help others, held small clean bottles or jars in a dark poses only. They are not intended
gardener uproots weeds and have'a real good garden this year." From the time of the earliest In- reading classes for illiterate fellow- cupboard as the more exposure to to treat, diagnose or prescribe,
• r~Ss that try to invade the harden He smiles dian inhabitants to the present, local inmates. Often, a third of the prison light will lessen the vital essences of nor to be considered as a substi-
amy ~,, , = .
)untyWi~ gardener's heart swells withMy garden? Did you know slugswoodlands have been used for a va- population was illiterate, and moon- the herb preserved, tf your dried tale for professional care.
's Run~e when someone stops to ad- come up with lettuce rabbits like riety of functions including hunting, shiners made up a large percentage
nded. ~Rthe garden he has created, beet tops, deer are fond of peas and fishing, farming, logging, camping of those the CO's helped. Other re-
, ~ li ecently I stood with m- nei,~h- b~,-~n~ and net her lead n rand hiking. But in 1938, a new use habilitative activities included
wpen, oo :~ u =~ °' t p g o net making, and electricity. [ a'ttleman T°l-la-ve"Day July 21 " Ex " "
Sevy ~l k,ng at this miracle wrought scolding will prevent tomatoes from of the forest was added to the list classes in welding, carpentry, cabi- Fair hlbltor?
n sLof~ -- when the trees on Kennison Moan- F eld __
e _,4 God and man the harden It ~s curlin their leaves" Oh es
-ee- g ' Y -- "Deadhne Nears
includi~ u a least for the eyes as well Johnston Grass really grows rank lain became the only bars for a fed- Some prisoners worked on a 35-
, ¢i the stomach The rows are whenltlsfertlhzed. The Greenbrier County
Lynn I:~ . . • •• eral prison camp with the or4g, mal acre farm allotted to the prison camp
ted at t!i. • purpose of completing Route 39 be- by the U. S. Forest Service, while Attention all horses, cattle, swine,
Cattleman's Association Field Day sheep, goats and rabbit; grab your
Situated near the present-day lumbering in the Monongahela Na- will be held July 21 at the West Vir- owners and head for the State Fair
:est": Ginseng Permits Reqmred: tween Richwood and Millpoint.others, especially CO's, worked at
n~r~seng, Memoriesof~ll'ly I,~gal AugeGnse15 ~oosOssmCell~ke130 Cranberry Mountain Visitor Centerlionel Forest. Prisoners often ginia State Fairgrounds, 10 a.m. on-of West Virginia. The entry form
on part of what is known as the Cow worked alone in the woods when on til 3 p.m. deadline is near, JULY 25.
J n t I Exhibitors in all areas are wel-
ish lu ~ _ " Yesterday " g " e p pper Pasture Trail, the prison camp be- lumbering details, but none of theHighlights of the one-day event
prizeS~.. By Loin Morton and have a spicy taste. The roots came a permanent minimum secu- inmates ever walked off a work will include farm machinery exhibits;
_.. .!~When I was -~ ^~-,,4 --~,--,, are dried and round into a re ish rity work camp in 1938. The early crew, although it could have been feed and mineral supplement dis- come. There are sections for all
, /yield..,_ . ,:, ~..,,u, , u,,=. g g y
e McF~TM my dad disappear into the powder for use as a medicinal prisoners were thieves, moonshin- easily accomplished. Just as lum- plays; livestock exhibits; cattle types of food, sewing, crafts, ftow-
,.s~as hunting for ninsen,-, Ur,on his Dreoarat on The dr ed eaves ield ers, and long-time prisoners almost bering prisoners faced hard work, weight guessing contest with cash era, and agriculture products. All
;rook ~'r-- ' =~. ~ _ _ • y a ready for parole. Their early shelter those working on the farm also had prizes; an educational program pre- exhibits will be on display during the
~iiiiiiiiiiiii~i~iI had been temporary with tents pro-many hardships to overcome such sented by Paul Lewis, Chairman of State Fair, August 10-18. The State
viding the only protection from the as groundhogs, June frosts and the Animal Science Department of
Arctic-like Pocahontas County win- grasshoppers, yet they put all of West Virginia University; and Char- Fair is a week earlier this year and
tars. But soon after achieving per- their energy into their work and usa- les Alien, President of the West Vir- the entry form deadline is too. For
manent status, the prison camp ally produced a crop. ginia Cattleman's Association; a 4-H further entry or Fair information call:
645-1090 or write: State Fair of
boasted dormitories, warehouse, The rehabilitative emphasis such
i encO~ " • The harvesting of this use ginseng as an emetic and in and FFA Steer and heifer Show.
i t has become a part of the heri some cultures it is considered an boiler plant, infirmary, saw mill, craft as lumbering and farming, combined Everyone is welcome. There is West Virginia, P. Q. Drawer 986,
le of many West Virginians, and is aphrodisiac, shop, and school. Although no with a cohperative atmosphere and no charge for admission. Lewisburg.
__~n viewed as a traditional means By law, ginseng can be dug from fences or walls were ever built and mutual respect between inmates
~II~supplementing family income, the ground only between August 15 only minimal supervision was pro- and staff, created the perfect envi-
• -,.,,at.In the days when my father and November30, inclusive, of each vided, a mere 20 inmates success- ronment for a successful prison
)'U"I' i~qtted ginseng, there was an abun-
year in West Virginia. It is illegal for fully escaped over the 21 year exis- camp. But despite the phenomenal
-lumen ~ harvest on each tr p Although any person to possess uncertified tence of the prison, success of the camp, the prison was
• -~ g nseng sup I has bee ginseng in the state between April 1 During World War II, the prison closed in 1959 and the land is once
1
led Ir~ ,,:. P Y n sow y
• ,,)ylndling over the ast half c and August 14. Any uncertified her- was filled with conscientious objec- again part of the Monongahela. The
t or m~,'= P entury.,
.,.,.st Virainia is one of the ~o~:~!!e:~
tC~,~eJ:l~rs of~American ginsenghe:fpSo~tPs, vested ginseng not sold by March furs (CO's), and their work was one forest has reclaimed much of the
31 of the year must be weighed and of the most successful attempts of land, and all that remains of the
~ad be~st Virginia production has ranged receipted at an official weigh station, the camp rehabilitation. All prisoners once thriving federal prison is a few"
ission ~een one and twomillion dollars The receipt allows the ginseng were required to enroll in school if grassy corners of concrete and
ter tn~l-'~annual ..... =nross export sales over owner to hold the ginseng for sale at they could not pass a fifth-grade pieces of metal that mark the site for '~ ~ltoYr
• -'" '=~ aecade.
t afflrn~!Ginsen a later date. There are twenty-five competency test, and many of the curious hikers along the Cow Pas-
s rulir~ g is sometimes called official weigh stations in West Vir- CO's, possessing a moral obligation tare Trail.
rounded ~'u~ndrag°n'"root oftenThe shape of the gin- ginia. ,, ,,~ ,,,, ,," " ~---JJ]~i~=,,.= J!~~ attachments to tackle all your
resembles
the ha- A permit is required for collecting - '' ' "" Brown Sugar Cake "~- 1 I (~111,~( -- ~...~ & Speed, direction and
a::ela0~n form in miniature. This coinci- ginseng on National Forest lands. ' -~~/~ ~ implement controls are close
~datt~ce of nature is sometimes ctted Permits may be obtained at district Frosting
~-..m~a,~ "~ POssible reason obscured by 1lb. Brown Sugar
offices during normal business ~ "-~T~' ~ ~.~'I~RM[IS
• passage of time for the belief in 1/2 stick Butter -/~J~ ~ L~a[~,
~*tain (mainly oriental) cultures that hours. The fee for a permit is $10. 1/2 tsp. Cream of Tartar
Digging is not permitted in the Cran- 2/3 cup Evaporated Milk (from can) ,~ ,~,,~
~Seng possesses great medicinal berry Wilderness or the Cranberry ltsp. Vanilla Extract. .,J.,t~RIMPLEME. i[
S NP-.~1 curative powers. Glades Botanical area. Add all ingredients, except Vanilla in saucepan, Mix good, let boil Rt. 219 North Lewisburg,
WV
h IS 3 minutes. Add vanilla, beat with electric mixer until cool. Enough to 497-2777
spread on cake. I II Illlllllllllll III
The Friendly Competitors AnlineGladwell
Forren and Cabbage Head
lighthearted contest between
!Fort Spring men ended in a 10
~pound Cabbage and a free din-
I!or_~ one of them John Perry and
[- orren both laugh about their
:~,.,---d~ contest now in its second
;~h~,!~' Mr Forre'n however, enjoyed
~.--mor even more last week as
i~h~"a[Vested his large cabbage,
',~, ned a diameter of 14 inches
:~he Winnin h '
g end was planted
"1 dug the hole, put in some
fertilizer, placed the plant.
hole, packed the dirt around
watered it, put grass clip-
around it--and then forgot
it. I didn't use Miracle Grow or
manure like John did---but I
d"
"It's really going to cost me this
year," Mr Perry said. "I'm not sure
where Troy will want to eat. I'm
afraid it might be The Greenbrier.
I"m really going to have to try
harder. In spite of all the water and
fertilizer I used, I still wasn't able to
beat him. Troy's farm up there on
the hill must be better for cabbage-
growing--must be that good soil."
Mr Forren is an advertising sales-
man for the Mountain Messenger.
Mr Perry is a retired librarian from
Greenbrier East High School in
Fairlea.
"Protect your best
with the best"
For liter•tur• and location of the
office nearest you, call Morton, IL
800/447-7436
Illinois customers call 80Ot426-6686
-
Send your recipe to
The Mountain Messenger
122 N. Court St. Lewisburg,
i,i
Anthony
ONLY NUMBER YOU NEED
• Life Insurance
• Auto Coverage*
• Special Farm Package "10"
• Homeowners*
• Liability"
• Estate Planning
• Group Insurance
• Workers' Compensation°
• Inland Marina"
• Disability Income
• Pensions
F rm • Available to Farm Bureau members In Ron Brolhers
c~= , ~ [ 10 elates In the Northeast.
Family at. 3 Box 20-A Beckley ,WV 25801
........ Office 253-0681 1-800-922-1269
ELMER COLLINS
SEAMLESS ALUMINUM GUTTERING
Also specializing in
HEARTLAND VINYL SIDING
with manufacture's lifetime guarantee
Sewing the area since 1978
REFERENCES - EXPERTLY INSTALLED
497-2798
Renick
