U.S. Farm Labor
Supply Declines
Mechanization May
Ease The Situation
Latest surveys indicate a con
tinued decline in farm workers in
the country, as shown in the ac
companying chart.
However, the farm labor prob
lem will be eased somewhat by
more progress in mechanization
and technology.
For the next few years the
armed forces will continue to
take some men from the farm as
well as business and industry. In
addition, high-paying jobs in met
ropolitan areas will continue to
attract workers from agriculture,
but the situation won't be particu
larly different than in the past 15
years.
During the past 15 years work
ers employed on farms have de
creased steadily due to gains in
farm mechanization and new farm
ing methods. However, new farm
output records have been set with
progressively fewer farm workers.
Output per man-hour and per
farm worker in 1952 were report
ed as the greatest on record—
and 1953 may bring a new high.
According to recent report wage
rates paid farm workers probably
will rise less than 5 per cent this
year. Last year’s rise was 7 per
cent.
Rises will be different in particu
lar areas, governed by the loss
of farm workers to industry, the
armed forces, and normal changes
in demands.
Agriculture authorities see the
continued decline in the number
of farm workers through 1955.
$462 Million Spent
On Chemicals In '52
American farmers used about
462 million dollars worth of agri
cultural chemicals last year. Cur
rent estimates indicate that near
ly a half-billion dollars will be
spent this year.
The chemicals will be used to
destroy insects that cause millions
of dollars worth of damage to farm
crops every year.
About 10,000,000 acres in the
United States are sprayed with
dusts and liquid chemicals. Some
areas get both types and often
as many as six to eight applica
tions are made in the same field.
Cotton crops receive 10 different
sprayings.
In addition, a vast amount of
forest area is sprayed to protect
tree by ground application and
from the air.
New and potent insecticides to
combat crop pests are appearing
on the market daily. Some of
them are Systox, Aldrin, Deildrin,
and Benzine - hexachloride espe
cially recommended for cotton,
Endrin and Chlordane which,
though highly restricted in use
now, promises good results with
some food crops, and Parathion
which has a variety of uses in
cluding some food crops.
Before using or buying any in
secticide, however, it is recom
mended that the farmer consult
his county agent or agricultural
authorities on their application
and effectiveness.
FRONTIERSMAN CLASSIFIEDS
ALWAYS BRING RESULTS
Carpenters, Remember I
Carpenters Local 2251
Meets 2nd and 4th Wednesday
Each Month
CONSERVATION
NOTES
By Lew E. Hanks
The Soil Conservation Service
is making plans to start its an
nual summer soil surveys.
Each summer a considerable
area of potential agricultural
lands of the Territory is mapped
and its capability for agricultural
use determined. Over one million
acres in the Territory have been
classified thus far. This mapping
is done at the request of the Al
aska Soil Observation District,
under whose direction the Soil
Conservation Service operates.
Plans are to finish mapping the
area between Knik Arm and the
Susitna River as far north as wil
low this year. George Woodruff
will be in charge of the field party
this year.
Soils are mapped on aerial pho
tographs. Types, texture, slopes,
degree of wetness, depth of top
soil, presence of gravel or rocks,
and present cover are all delini
ated on the photographs with a
high degree of accuracy. This data
is then integrated into a capabil
ity classification which is a deter
minaton of the potential benefical
use of the land from a farming
view point. These maps are then
published by the Alaska Soil Con
servation District for use by the
public. Capability information on
the areas mapped at present is
It
Plan to Restock
Echo Lake in July
Rehabilitation work on Echo
Lake was completed Sunday,
June 7, Alex McRae, of the De
partment of Fisheries announced
this week. Members of the Ma
tanuska Valley Sportsmen Asso
ciation assisted McRae in the pro
ject.
While clearing the lake, a large
amount of stickleback were found
to be prevalent. Toxicity of the
water will clear in approximate.
1,7 one month’s time, McRae said,
and a restocking program will be
gin the latter part of July. Rain
bow fry from the Fairbanks hat
chery will be used for this pro
gram.
Those who assisted McRae in
the rehabilitation work were
John Bush, Vern Donaldson and
Glen Woods and his two sons.
available through the S.C.S. of
fice in Palmer.
These areas already mapped in
clude the Matanuska Valley west
to Big Lake, Anchorage and Chu
giak areas, most of the west side
of the Kenai Peninsula, Tananna
Valley near Fairbanks and along
the highway as far as Big Delta.
This information is available for
your use in farming and home
steading. Make use of it.
. = == .1
O'Neill & Sons Inc.
Distributors for
E. I. DuPont Do Nemours Co.
Explosives and Dlasting Accessories
Phone, Write or Wire
Phil .O’Neill.... Alpine Inn
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Apartment Seekers
We are new taking applications for one,
two- and three bedroom apartments in the
new Pioneer Apartments, Inc.
All rental prices are set by FHA.
See....
Sandvik & Roark
PALMER, ALASKA
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YOUR GAS MILEAGE
IS UNDER PAR
A sharp drop in your car's gas mileage is a sure sign
your motor needs a tune-up! For new pep and
. maximum gas mileage — drive in soon!
TUNE-UP
that
power
Complete Set SUN DIAGNOSIS Equipment
Tosts' Service
Downtown Palmer
'.fr************************************************
J
I
Airmen io See Him;
Plan Outing Flight
Film on flying will be shown
at the regular meeting of the Ma- j
tanuska Airmens’ Association to
be held tonight in the Co-Op |
club room. Members from the An- (
chorage CAA will be present. The ,
association meeting will begin at
8 p.m., however, members of the *
Flying Club are reminded that
their meeting will be held earlier,
at 7 p.m. , *
All persons interested in joining
the association and flying club are
invited to attend the meeting.
Several new members have been
added to the club roster the past;
month, who, through their mem-1
bership, have been using the club
plane for flying lessons. Anyone
interested in learning to fly is [
urged to take advantage of the
low rates established by the club
for membership and the use of the 1
plane. A qualified instructor is
available at the Palmer field.
Members of the association will
discuss plans for the next break
fast flight, tentatively set for
sometime this month.
We are ready and able to help
you out of a wet situation. Our
work is dependable, our ser
vice is prompt, and our charges
are reasonable. Call us prompt
ly and we'll be "Johnny-on
the-spot" to fix your plumbing.
Call 46
MAC'S PLUMBING
and HEATING
BROWNS WILL
REMOVE IT!
Peaches seem as innocent
as they are delicious—but
a fresh peach stain on your
dress or suit is as stubborn
as a goat. Don't waste time
fretting . . . call us. We'll
remove all such “hard to
take out" stains, scientifi
cally and carefully—and
return the garment to you
as good as new.
• I
BROWN’S SHOP
HJXIUARY HEAD TO
VTTEND LOCAL MEETING
\ND CONVENTION
Mrs. Esther Clethero of Sitka
ind department president of the
American Legion Auxiliary, will
)e present at the regular meeting
>f the Palmer Auxiliary Thursday
;vening, June 18. All members
are urged to attend. While in the
Valley, the department president
will attend a tea to be held June
21 at the home of Mrs. Izola Sims,
She will also attend the depart
ment convention to be held in
Cordova June 24 to June 27,
which delegates from the Palmer
American Legion and Auxiliary
plan to attend.
RUGS AND LINOLEUMS
Prints or Plains
Imports or Domestics
1
Ask for Our Estimates on Asphalt Tile
J C FLOOR COVERING
Located in National Bank of Alaska Bldg.—Spenard. Alaska
PHONE 31415
*********-s**********************-x-***^**********
Jacuzzi Pumps
COMPLETE SELF PRIMING
PUMPS FOR ANY DEPTH WELL
AVAILABLE
CDXCCrD'C HARDWARE t
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YOUR
BANK
THE BEST
APPROACH
TO . . .
SAFETY, SECURITY
Don't trust your precious insurance policies, your will,
your property deeds, and other important papers to
a make shift "home” safe. A deposit box costs so little
and offers so much security for your valuables. Come
in today, and let us serve you.
MATANUSKA VALLEY BANK
Palmer, Alaska
OPEN FRIDAY EVENINGS 6—8 P.M.
DAILY 10 A.M. — 3 P.M.
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W* CO^VtlCHT
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MOOVCTtOHft
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PALMER BAKERY PRODUCTS AT YOUR FAVORITIE GROCER