Your account does not include highlighter on images.
Searches Highlighted on Image
National Sponsors
| December 26, 1985 The Ponchatoula Times |  |
|
©
The Ponchatoula Times. All rights reserved. Upgrade to access Premium Tools
PAGE 10 (10 of 16 available) PREVIOUS NEXT Jumbo Image Save To Scrapbook Set Notifiers PDF JPG
December 26, 1985 |
|
|
Website © 2025. All content copyrighted. Copyright Information Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Request Content Removal | About / FAQ | Get Acrobat Reader 
|
1985 not a good farm year
An economist with the Louisiana
Cooperative Extension Service predicts
a sharp decline in net farm income for
1985, saying current forecasts call for a
drop of around $10 billion.
Dr. Clyde St. Clergy says forecasts
call for 1985 farm income to be in the
$20 billion range, a substantial drop
from the 1984 level of $34.5 billion. If
that prediction holds true, it will mark
the third consecutive decline in net farm
income, St. Clergy said.
However, the Extension Service
economist says problems for farmers
don't stop with the losses in net income,
Cash income for 1985 also is expected
to drop, and St. Clergy says combining
that with declines in farm equity puts
farmers in quite a bind,
"It really puts farmers in a maior stress
position as far as credit is concerned,"
St. Clergy says. "First, their cash flow is
declining, which makes it difficult for
them to repay loans which they already
have outstanding.
"On the other hand .... you have a
decline in equity," the Extension
Service economist says, explaining that
the equity problem has been created by
drops in land values, which fell by 12
percent in 1984.
"The net effect is when a farmer goes
to the banker to attempt to borrow
money for his next crop, he is in a
relatively poor position," St. Clergy
adds. "His income has dropped, which
means he is having problems paying
both principal and interest on previous
loans.
Stop home wood decay
Many people assume that decay is a
problem only associated with older
homes. This is not necessarily the case.
says forester Dr. Bob Mills of the
Louisiana Cooperative Extension
Service.
"Decay can be just as much of a
problem in homes that are only a few
years old. People also assume that
termite inspections and termite treat-
ments will assure safety and structural
integrity. Neither provides assurance
that decay or factors that can lead to
decay are not present," he says.
Decay is caused by a microscopic
plant called fungus, notes Mills. The
funga[ spores are constantly in the air. If
a fungal spore lands on wood and the
conditions are proper, it will begin to
grow, sending thread-like strands deep
into the wood. Fungi use part of the
wood substance as food. As they develop,
more wood is consumed and begins'to
lose strength and structure until the
wood is destroyed,
The key to preventing or controlling
decay is to control the moisture in the
wood, says Mills. Decay fungi need a
wood moisture content of about 28
percent to grow in the wood and continue
development. When you maintain
wood moisture below this critical level.
decay will not occur. It is recommended
that the moisture content be kept below
20 percent, tf the wood has started to
decay, lowering the moisture content
below the critical level will stop the
decay. With the wood dry. the decay
fungi will be dormant and eventually
die. Preservative sprays do not stop
decay, but may reduce it for a time.
The moisture content of wood
depends upon the relative humidity and
temperature of the air. the Extension
forester continues. ]n [,ouisiana. condi
firms are ida] fr t}, m'i-hlrc "',tent
of wood to remain at around 12 to 14
percent. This is well below the critical
level, unless moisture is present from
other sources.
Areas under the house often harbor
moisture. In crawl space under a home,
sources of water are often present,
including the soil itself. The soil's
moisture will evaporate into the air in
the crawl space,
Poor drainage and leaking pipes can
also contribute to the moisture problem.
See whether rain water runs off or
under the house. If ventilation in the
crawl space is adequate, excess
moisture may be removed. Poor venti-
lation will keep the moisture level under
the home high, increasing the humidity
in the crawl space and making the wood
a prime target for decay organisms.
Ventilation in many new homes is not
adequate, even though it may meet
building code requirements. Plastic
sheeting placed on the ground in the
crawl space will help. but it may not be
enough if ventilation is poor.
Mills says wood under the house
should be checked for evidence of
decay and termites. Termites require 20
percent or more moisture to survive and
often occur in conjunction with decay.
Study drainage patterns around the
house during or after heavy rains. The
ground around the perimeter of the
house should be sloped or channeled to
make water run away from the home.
In cold weather, he says mildew on
framing under the home. moist soil
under the home. and caulking outside
the home are areas to examine.
For more information on keeping
wood from decaying and identifying
termite problems, Mills says to contact a
county agent at the parish Extension
office.
CITIZENS IN SERVICE
Wainwright
AIR FORCE
Air National Guard Airman Latitia
Wainwright, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Jesse C. Wheat of 30595 Adagio Lane.
Albany. La.. has been assigned to
Keesler Air Force Base. Miss.. after
completing Air Force basic training.
During the six weeks at Lackland Air
Force Base, Texas, the airman studied
the Air Force mission, organization and
customs and received special training in
human relations.
In addition, airmen who complete
basic training earn credits toward an
associate degree through the
Community College of the Air Force.
The airman wilt now receive specialized
training m the administration field.
Her husband. Thomas. is the son of
Jerry N. Wainwright of 34009 Pea
Ridge Road. Albany.
Packaged Liquor and Wine
( No. 2 store only)
DEEP SOUTH
Jewelry
1507 5.W. Railroad Ave.
542-6850
THE PONCHATOULA TIMES, DECEMBER 26, 1985, PAGE TEN
Jo Jo the Clown
Mrs. Fulmer's afternoon entertained the class.Michelle
kindergarten was the place to be Falcone and Jodi LeBlanc helped
Thursday. Jo Jo the Clown with this magic trick.
One Stop Floor Covering - 1st Place
How to save $$$ this winter
Turning down your water heater to
125 degrees Fahrenheit can prevent
accidents and save money on energy
and water bills, says Barbara Schilde,
health and safety specialist with the
Louisiana Cooperative Extension
Service•
In a recent survey, 80 percent of
homes tested had water of 130 degrees
F or higher. "Water at that temperature
is hot enough t, cook with and can
cause third-degree burns in 30 seconds
of contact." says Schilde. Higher
temperatures may cause severe burns in
even shorter times.
Tap water scalds are usually more
extensive than other burns because
many occur in the bathtub or shower
where greater portions of the body are
in contact with the hot water. When
large body areas are involved, hospitali-
zation is frequently needed. The death
rate from tap water scalds is 40 times
higher than it is from other types of
scald burns.
The most effective prevention for hot
water burns is simply to lower the
temperature of the water in the heater.
Water heaters are one of the biggest
energy users in the home. It's estimated
that reduction of water temperature
from 150 to 125 degrees F can save
between 8 and 9 percent of the average
home's water heating costs.
Gas water heaters are easy to turn
down because the temperature control
is on the outside of the heater and
marked "hot" and "warm." The safest
place to set the control is in the middle
of the word "warm." about 125 degrees
F. At this temperature, it would take
more than a full minute of exposure to
get a severe burn.
Electric hot water heaters have an
adjustable control inside the cover plate
of the heater, says Schilde. Lowering
this thermostat requires turnin off the
electric power. After removing the
cover plate, adjust the thermostat,
replace the cover and turn the power
back on. she advises.
The Extension safety expert points
out that water temperatures can vary
within any tank by as much as 15 to 25
degrees, regardless of the setting, so
turning down the thermostat to an exact
setting is not a guarantee thin *he v,,ater
temperature is accurate.
To check water temperatures,
Schilde suggests using a candy or meat
thermometer at the faucet. Hot water
should not be used for at least two hours
prior to the test. A temperature check
made first thing in the morning provides
the most accurate temperature reading
for your heater, she says.
Models available
SLU has always been a source of
knowledge, but now it will supply
models for fashion shows.
Local groups, clubs and clothing
stores looking for models for fashion
shows can now choose the -South-
eastern Fashion Council," made up of
male and female student models
"We're hoping that the fashion
council will grow and expand in both
membership and service to the
community." said Dawn Bertinot, a
junior fashion merchandisi major
from Gonzales and the council's vice-
chairman.
According to Bertinot, the group
already has several shows planned for
the 1986 spring semester. She empha-
sized that the council is available at no
charge for use by anyone, particularly
businesses and entertainment groups.
Interested persons, groups or
businesses should contact Miller at
(504) 549-3116 or Bertinot at (504)
549-2617.
"
etting down ?
to brass tacks we say thanks for your
patronage and wish you every joy
of this bright season.
From the Staff of
Gabriel Building Supply
I 142 S. 8th St.
Texaco Anti- Freeze....$3.
2 Liter ( Plus an additional 1.50 factory rebate)"
7UP and Pepsi ....98 o Gal. Milk...$1 ""
Coke Classic.....$1 Bag Ice.......';'
6-Packs SAVE 12/12 oz. Packs
$ Budweiser 85"
OOO00OOO0 O0 O00 OOIOOOOOOOIIO000
Light....................$, =''
$2 '' Miller Lite ..$5 ""
IOOIOOIOOOI OOOOOIOOIOO0 OIIIO0
$1.7.9. Milwaukee's Best
eeoeeeeo oeeoooeee,q't
89..........Buscn Quarts...............89
1 Liter
Club Soda, Tonic,Ginger Ale
69
_ f I I I II