Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

TIM'S TIPS

FARM SAFETY WEEK

Tractor accidents continue to plague Arkansas farmers nearly 20 years after federal safety standards were instituted. But experts say good judgment can help operators prevent such mishaps.

More than 60 people were killed by tractor overturns on Arkansas farms in the past 10 years. At least an additional 23 died after being run over. Hundreds more were injured. Agriculture is inherently dangerous until you take steps to make it a safe working environment.

Since October 26, 1976, the federal government has required that every tractor be equipped with a roll-over protective structure (ROPS). However, some operators remove the safety devices, and experts estimate more than two million tractors remain unprotected.

ROPS is designed to absorb the total impact of an overturn while protecting the driver, and the ROPS should not be removed. Seat belts keep the driver within the protected area and should be worn at all times. However, belts should not be worn if the tractor is not equipped with a protective structure because the driver could be pinned in a turnover.

Tractor accidents persist for a variety of reasons. Agriculture is a workplace in which people work extremely long hours at times, causing fatigue. It's a workplace in which those who are relatively untrained, including very young people, get involved, many times before they are mature enough to realize the gravity of the situation they are in.

In addition, a farm - unlike a production plant - is an uncontrolled environment where conditions can change rapidly. You are dealing with slopes, washouts, muddy ground, unanticipated livestock behavior or the possibility of delay due to equipment breakdown and, of course, any one or more of these inconveniences may occur just before a storm breaks. Use these guidelines to avoid accidents:

• Plan to work safely. Do not act impulsively.

• Anticipate problems. Know, for example, that your tractor is vulnerable on a slope and should be operated with special caution.

• Recognize the value of taking precautions.

Slopes are such dangerous terrain that they merit particular attention. Often they are covered in tall grass or weeds that hide holes, stumps and rocks. It you get off the tractor and inspect the slope before you drive on it, you may not turn the tractor over.

Remember to work down the hill where operation on moderate slopes is essential. When you must drive across the slope, turn down, not up, to avoid obstacles. Any side-mounted equipment should be kept on the uphill side of the tractor. And always drive slowly. Such precautions are necessary because a tractor can turn over in just three-quarters of a second.

HORTICULTURE TIPS

Houseplants that have been living outdoors all summer need to be prepared for the move indoors. Try to move them inside when night temperatures reach 55 degrees.

Most of our houseplants are tropical plants and don't do well with low temperatures. Moving them in early will cause less of a shock of transplant. All of them should be indoors by the end of the month.

Check for insects before you move them inside. Any plants that have had a problem should be treated before being brought inside and kept isolated for a while to make sure they don't share their problems.

Your outside shrubs are preparing for fall. Avoid fertilization and severe pruning this late in the year. Both of these practices will encourage new growth which will not have a chance to harden off before frost.

Inspect your shrubs for signs of insects or damage. Remove any dead branches, or broken limbs. Water weekly, if natural rainfall does not occur, and replenish your mulch.

Hold off on transplanting shrubs or trees from one location to another until they are completely dormant, usually late November through early March.

Many insects are beginning to migrate indoors, including crickets and ants. Spray or use the granules of Diazinon or Dursban around the foundation of your home. This will prevent them from getting in.

Plant peonies this fall. Be sure to plant them in a sunny location with well-drained soil.

When planting the peonies, be sure to plant them shallow. The growing tips or eyes should be planted no deeper than one inch. In a heavier soil, plant them one half inch deep. If you plant them too deep, you'll end up with a green plant with no blooms.

If poison ivy is a problem in your yard, late summer to early fall is an ideal time to eradicate it. Perennial plants begin to store nutrients for the winter and will take more of the herbicide down to the root system for total kill.

Herbicides to do the job include Glyphosate products, (Round-up, Kleen Up, etc. or a newer herbicide Finale). Both are non-selective herbicides which will damage or kill whatever they come into contact with, so only spray plants you wish to kill. Make sure the weeds to be killed are healthy and actively growing before you try to kill them.

Plants that are heat stressed may get damaged by herbicide sprays, but many times their systems are shut down and they won't take up enough of the herbicide.

Azaleas are once again plagued with lacebugs. If your leaves look mottled or silvery in appearance, turn the leaf over. If you see small black or brown specks on the underside of the leaves, lacebugs are the problem.

Damage that has already been done to the leaves won't disappear. Heavy infestation may cut down on flower formation for next spring. Strong sprays of water on the underside of the leaves can help to reduce the population, or you may use sprays of Orthene, Malathion or Insecticidal Soap. Be sure to keep the plants well watered, especially prior to applications of pesticides.