________________________________________________
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
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________________________________________________ Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences |
SOUTH FLORIDA
VEGETABLE PEST AND DISEASE
HOTLINE
October 8, 2004
Hurricane Jeanne slammed into the east coast of Florida on September 25 –26 knocking many growers in Palm Beach, Martin, and St Lucie counties back to square one just as they were beginning to catch up with plantings and the repair damage left behind by Francis. The storm crossed the state and left its mark on all South Florida growing areas to some extent. Storm damage varied widely across the area with the most severe effects being felt in a wide band across south central Florida.
In other areas many of the problems being seen on vegetables are primarily or at least secondarily related to the winds and water from hurricanes. Depending on the location, delays in planting schedules of 1 to 3 weeks have been reported.
Field preparation, planting and other cultural activities are going strong across all south Florida growing areas. Okra harvesting remains active in Dade County and light supplies of pickles and peppers are starting to come to market in Southwest and West Central Florida.
FAWN Weather Summary
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Fall came to south Florida about a week ago with a decided but subtle change in the air especially in the early morning and evening. Temperatures for the period have been slightly above normal with daytime highs in the upper 80’s and lower 90’s. Nighttime temperatures have been mostly in the low to mid 70’s.
Crops are slowly recovering from the effects of 3 hurricanes in 6 weeks. Wind damage and water damage combined to create ideal bacterial spot conditions in many places. Some plants that were heavily damaged by wind and had crown and/or root damage are slowly succumbing to wilt as canopy increases and demand for water cannot be met by the damaged root system.
Most crops are still fairly young and should be able to recover from wind damage. For areas not totally devastated by the storm, wind damage varies from mild to severe leaf burn and breakage, some young fields experienced defoliation but are already have new growth showing.
The good news is that new growth is starting to look green and clean. A continuation of the past few days drier and slightly cooler weather will probably do more than anything we could spray.
The short-term forecast from the National Weather Service in Miami calls for the high pressure system currently over the state to dissipate over the weekend in front of a low pressure system that will bring moist air and increased chance of showers early next week. Later in the week an unseasonably strong cold front could bring the first dose of cool Canadian air into South Florida.
For additional information, visit the National Weather Service in Miami website at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mfl/newpage/index.html
Insects
Worms
Worms remain the predominant insect problem in most areas.
Reports from the Homestead area note that growers have been experiencing a large number of worms hatching out over the past week or so. Respondents report finding numerous southern, fall and beet armyworms, tomato fruitworms, hornworms, melonworms pickleworm and loopers depending on the crop.
Around Immokalee, reports indicate that worm pressure varies from low to moderate. Growers report finding a variety of worms including beet armyworm, southern armyworm, cabbage loopers, as well as a few hornworms, and fruitworms depending on the location. Reports indicate that melonworms are present in squash and other cucurbits.
Around west central Florida growers and scouts report that the biggest problem remains worms of all varieties. Scouts have detected beets, southern, loopers, tomato fruitworms, hornworms, and even a few pinworm eggs and report low numbers of other pests.
Fall armyworms are being reported in sweet corn in several locations in Palm Beach and Hendry Counties. Pressure is high in some locations.
Whiteflies
Respondents in the Manatee/Ruskin area report that whiteflies have been pretty scarce since the storms and numbers remain low in most places.
Respondents in Homestead indicate that whitefly numbers are on the rise but have only reached sprayable numbers in a few locations notably fields adjacent to plantings of ornamental sunflowers.
Around Southwest Florida growers and scouts note that whitefly numbers have been fairly low over the past few weeks but note that numbers have been increasing in recent days with several fields reaching threshold for adults in tomatoes. Fairly high numbers of whitefly have been reported on eggplant in some places.
Nicotinoid Resistance Management Recommendations
· Reduce overall whitefly populations by strictly adhering to
cultural practices including:
· Plant whitefly-free transplants
· Delay planting new crops as long as possible and destroy old
crops immediately after harvest to create or lengthen a tomato free period
· Do not plant new crops near or adjacent to infested weeds
or crops, abandoned fields awaiting destruction or areas with volunteer
plants
· Use UV-reflective (aluminum) plastic soil mulch
· Control weeds on field edges if scouting indicates whiteflies
are present and natural enemies are absent
· Manage weeds within crops to minimize interference with spraying;
· Avoid u-pick or pin-hooking operations unless effective control
measures are continued
· Do not use a nicotinoid like Admire on transplants or apply
only once 7-10 days before transplanting; use other products in other chemical
classes, including Fulfill, before this time;
· Apply a nicotinoid like Admire (16 ozs/acre) or Platinum (8ozs/acre)
at transplanting and use products of other chemical classes (such as the
insect growth regulators Courier® or Knack® as the control with
the nicotinoid diminishes. Note: Courier and Applaud are the same
active: buprofezin. Courier is labeled for whitefly on tomato and
snap bean. The mode of action is chitinase inhibitor. Dimilin
and
Knack are juvenile hormone mimics labeled for whitefly control on fruiting
vegetables.
· Never follow an application (soil or foliar) of a nicotinoid
with another application (soil or foliar) of the same or different nicotinoid
on the same crop or in the same field within the same season (i.e. do not
treat a double crop with a nicotinoid if the main crop had been treated
previously);
· Save applications of nicotinoids for crops threatened by whitefly-transmitted
plant viruses or whitefly-inflicted disorders (i.e. tomato, beans or squash)
and consider the use of chemicals of other classes for whitefly control
on other crops.
Leafminers
Growers and scouts in Homestead report that leafminers numbers are increasing in beans and note that they are starting to show up on tomato and eggplant.
Low numbers of leafminer continue to be reported around West Central Florida. Occurrence is mainly on field ends and borders.
Around Southwest Florida, a few leafminers are beginning to show up on tomato and eggplant.
Aphids
A few winged aphids continue to be reported around Southwest Florida especially in the Naples area.
Respondents in homestead report heavy aphid pressure on a variety of crops.
Broadmites
Reports from around Immokalee indicate that broadmites are starting to build in isolated pepper fields.
Spider Mites
Growers and scouts in the Homestead area note that red spider mite numbers are increasing in okra.
Respondents in southwest Florida are reporting a few problems with two spotted as well as red spider mites in squash in some areas.
Other insects
Reports from the East Coast note some heavy infestations of usually scarce insects like plant bugs and high numbers of hornworms in some surviving plantings battered by Francis and Jeanne.
Diseases
Bacterial Leaf Spot
Respondents in the Ruskin area report that bacterial leaf spot is present on pepper and tomato. Reports indicate that some of the worst affected plantings are in rough shape with bacteria on leaves, stems and blossoms. Some reports note that peppers seem to have suffered more bacterial spot problems than tomatoes.
Reports from the Plant City area tell a similar tale with lot of bacterial disease all over tomato plants where the blowing rain just drove it into the tissue through out the canopy.
Around Immokalee, reports indicate that bacterial spot has caused defoliation in a number of tomato and pepper fields following Hurricane Jeanne. Scouts report that while bacterial spot had been detected in scattered fields before the hurricane Jeanne and they are finding new lesions in many locations and note that previously infected fields are showing many new lesions high in the canopy and behind windburn.
Depending on the location some growers report low incidence and occurrence of bacterial spot in some places around Southwest Florida. In general, peppers seem to have faired better than tomatoes in many places.
Growers and scouts around Homestead note that heavy rains associated with recent storms have increased the incidence of bacteria in a number of plantings.
Root rots
Reports from Homestead indicate that both soil borne and aerial pythium, rhizoctonia and other root rots are present in a number of locations.
Growers in Palm Beach report significant root related problems with plants whose stems were injured by wind or water, which has increased susceptibility to soil borne diseases with many plants, which are displaying lesions that look like Pythium and/or Rhizoctonia. Many of these will probably crash if and when they get a fruit load.
Phytophthora is widespread in surviving peppers where growers report some plants dieing on a daily basis.
Around Immokalee, pythium is widespread in all areas especially in plantings that have been subjected to heavy rains and saturated conditions. Scouts are reporting finding some Pythium infections where plants have been wind whipped and have twisted/crack stems at the soil line. Rhizoctonia has also been recovered from some storm-damaged plants.
In west central Florida, respondents indicate that soil borne disease problems including pythium and rhizoctonia are becoming more common on storm-damaged plants.
Botrytis
Respondents report a moderate increase in the incidence and occurrence of botrytis in tomato plantings around the Ruskin area. Reports note that the fungus seems to be moving in on storm damaged tissue.
Southern Blight
Low incidence of southern blight is being reported on tomatoes in both Southwest and West Central Florida.
Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus
Despite some early finds of TYLCV in the Manatee/Ruskin area respondents
indicate that the incidence of virus remains low.
Growers and scouts around Immokalee report finding TYLCV in a few scattered locations around Immokalee. Incidence in some hotspots has reached the 5% level.
Gummy Stem blight
Gummy stem blight is present on cucurbits around southwest Florida. Incidence is high in some fields that were affected by multiple hurricanes.
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is starting to be seen on squash around southwest Florida.
New You Can Use
Hurricane Disaster Assistance Information
USDA Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Florida Hurricane Disaster Assistance Program will be providing disaster aid to producers of citrus, fruits and vegetables, plasticulture vegetables, and nursery crops. These funds will help to re-establish producers’ purchasing power relating to production losses, tree losses, related cleanup, and rehabilitation costs due to hurricane destruction.
Payments for plasticulture losses will be made in three categories based on the relative amount of investment. As it stands now, plasticulture with plants will be $2500 per acre, plasticulture without plants will be $2000 per acre, plasticulture double-cropped will be $1000 per acre, and bare ground production will be $250 per acre. These payments are above and beyond crop insurance. This is NOT a loan, but an actual payment. There is some confusion at this point as to whether or not a grower is eligible if he had crop in the ground and lost the crop but not the plastic. Based on the current interpretation, the first two categories listed above are only applicable if you have 50% or greater plastic loss on a planting If you lost more than 50% of your plants but did not lose plastic, you may not qualify for assistance under the current guidelines. Hopefully this will be cleared up before the vegetable signup period begins. Please be patient and remember that right now none of this is cast in stone. There WILL likely be changes. This is all very new to all the agencies involved. Check the website listed below if you want to stay updated.
The signup date for vegetable growers is scheduled to begin November 9 and growers will receive payments after application approval is confirmed. The closing date for sign-up will be announced at a later date but producers will be given ample opportunity to complete the process. Please note that we have been informed that because of the tremendous volume of applications, this signup date may be optimistic. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is currently taking applications related to livestock for fencing and clean up and debris. They will begin signup for citrus next and then vegetables and nurseries.
Each producer is limited to $80,000 in assistance. Payments will vary depending on whether it was an insurable or non-insurable crop. Payments will not be available for producers whose adjusted gross income is $2.5 million or higher, unless 75 percent is derived from farming and forestry.
In the meantime, producers should be keeping very detailed records, documenting ALL expenses related to the hurricanes, including labor, materials, everything. Photographs are very helpful, especially if dated. In this case, actual photographs may be better than digital. It is often easy to claim digital photos are touched up. You may want to contact your local FSA office to see when the signup period begins and what information is needed and get on their mailing list.
For your local office contact information or for additional information on if your county is a declared county, go to http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov/fl_hurricane.htm. This website is updated periodically, so check back frequently if you need information.
2005 Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP)
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is now accepting applications for the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP). This program is competitive. Farms and nurseries will be ranked and cost-share and incentive funds will be allocated based on highest to lowest ranking until available funds run out. There is no acreage minimum or maximum. Qualified projects may receive up to $450,000.
The EQIP program could be used to assist with reorganizing an existing inefficient irrigation system or to convert from seep to drip irrigation or to install a tailwater recovery system. The program can also be used to assist with the control of invasive exotic weeds such as cogon grass or tropical soda apple. The EQIP program has certain eligibility rules and restrictions.
Applications are accepted throughout the year, however, only those applications received by December 15, 2004 will be considered for 2005 funding. For more information contact your local NRCS office or visit the USDA Farm Bill web site at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/farmbill/2002/products.html
Vegetable and Agronomic Row Crop BMP Rule Development Workshops Announced
The Office of Agricultural Water Policy (OAWP) was established in 1995 by the Florida Legislature to facilitate and improve communications between federal, state, local agencies, and the agricultural industry on water quantity and water quality issues involving agriculture. The OAWP is actively involved in the development of Best Management Practices (BMPs) on a site specific, regional, and watershed basis.
Best Management Practices are good thing in that they are aimed at protecting the environment and their adoption by growers will provide them with a presumption of compliance in the event that there is legal action surrounding an impaired water body.
The BMP Manual For Vegetables and Agronomic Crops has been in the process of being developed for over a year and workshops have been announced to solicit grower comment and suggestions. The proposed BMP manual currently runs 167 pages and covers all aspects of crop production. It can be seen at the Florida Ag Water Policy website http://www.floridaagwaterpolicy.com/PDFs/BMPs/vegetable&agronomicCrops.pdf.
Growers and agricultural interest would be well advised to familiarize themselves the proposed BMP’s and to attend these meeting to make constructive comments as the adoption of Vegetables and Agronomic Crop BMP’s as rule has the potential to fundamentally affect the vegetable industry. By definition BMPs must be: technically feasible, economically viable, socially acceptable, and based on sound science. Scientists are good at the sound science part but sometimes need your help especially on the technically feasible and economically viable aspects.
October 26, 2004 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Jackson County Agricultural Office Complex
2741 Pennsylvania Avenue
Marianna, FL 32448
850.482.9620
October 27, 2004 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Suwannee County Extension Office
1302 11th Street SW
Live Oak, FL 32064
386.362.2771
October 28, 2004 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Putnam County Extension Service
111 Yelvington Road, Ste. 1
East Palatka, FL 32131
386.329.0318
November 3, 2004 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Miami-Dade County Extension Service
18710 SW 288th Street
Homestead, FL 32030
305.248.3311
November 4, 2004 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Southwest Florida Research and Education Center
2686 State Road 29N
Immokalee, FL 34142
239.658.3400
November 5, 2004 9:30 a.m. to noon
Indian River Research and Education Center
2199 South Rock Road
Ft. Pierce, FL 34945
772.468.3922
December 7, 2004 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Hillsborough County Extension Service
5339 County Rd 579 South
Seffner, FL 35584-3334
813.744.5519
December 8, 2004 9:30 a.m. to noon
Manatee County Extension Service
1303 17th St West
Palmetto, FL 34221-2998
941.722.4524
Pesticide Applicator Recertification Requirements Changes in 2005
Effective January 1, 2005, all applicators recertifying by means of CEUs must earn 4 CEUs approved for the general standards of pesticide use and safety (core material) plus the following number of CEUs approved for each specific license category to be renewed:
PRIMARY CATEGORIES CEU’S REQUIRED
Category 1A1 - Agricultural Row Crop Pest Control
8
Category 1A2 - Agricultural Tree Crop Pest Control
8
Category 1B - Agricultural Animal Pest Control
4
Category 1C - Private Applicator Agricultural Pest Control
8
Category 1D - Soil and Greenhouse Fumigation
4
Category 1E - Raw Agricultural Commodity Fumigation
4
Category 2 - Forest Pest Control
8
Category 3 - Ornamental and Turf Pest Control
12
Category 4 - Seed Treatment
4
Category 5A - Aquatic Pest Control 16
Category 5B - Organotin Antifouling Paint Pest Control
4
Category 6 - Right-of-Way Pest Control
8
Category 7A - Wood Treatment
4
Category 7B - Chlorine Gas Infusion
4
Category 7C - Sewer Root Control
4
Category 9 - Regulatory Pest Control
12
Category 11 - Aerial Application
16
Category 20 - Regulatory Inspection and Sampling
4
Category 21 - Natural Areas Weed Management
16
SECONDARY CATEGORIES CEU’S REQUIRED
Category 10 - Demonstration and Research 4
Topsin M WSB Section18 Emergency Exemption Extended
Based on requests from Florida tomato, pepper, and eggplant growers and efforts by the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association on their behalf, the EPA has renewed the Section 18 Emergency Exemption for Topsin M 70WSB Fungicide for use on tomatoes, peppers, eggplants for control of Sclerotinia white mold for the 2004 fall and 2005 spring growing seasons.
Application rate is 0.5 –1 lb of product per acre. A maximum of 4 applications are permitted at 7-14 day intervals. PHI is 2 days and REI is 12 hours. Exemption is for ground application only, chemigation and/or aerial application is not permitted. Total application must not exceed 3.5 lbs of product per acre per crop.
Growers are reminded that when using any Section 18 labeled product, the label must be in the possession of the use at the time of application.
Business Opportunity
McCall Farms a processor from North Carolina is interested in locating large amounts of red ripe Roma tomatoes this season. They are interested in buying culls and or the rights to fields where commercial harvest for the fresh market is past. For information, contact Sean Lennon. Office number is 1-800-277-2012 ext. 112. Cell phone is 706-975-7578.
The 17th International Pepper Conference Comes to Naples on November 14 –16, 2004
Hope you are making plans to join us for this premier event. For
the past 25 years, the International Pepper Conference has attracted prominent
scientists, researchers, breeders, horticulturists, pathologists, entomologists,
geneticists, physiologists, virologists, extension agents, seed and chemical
company representatives, major
processors, growers, and chile aficionados from around the world and
is now recognized as the premier venue for the dissemination and exchange
of information on Capsicum. All pepper types including bell, long
green/red chile, high color paprika, ancho, pimiento, cayenne, tabasco,
jalapeno, yellow pickling, serrano, and cherry peppers will be a focus
of the conference.
The conference is scheduled November 14-16, 2004 at the Naples Beach
Hotel and Golf Club in Naples, Florida USA. We hope you will
take a moment to review the conference web site where you will find
everything you need to know about this event, including online registration
and links to information about the Naples area.
http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/pepper
You can find detailed registration instructions posted on the conference web site under Registration Information. The Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club is offering participants of the 17th International Peppers Conference a very special guest room rate of $99.00 (plus nine percent tax) with one or two people in a room. This is an EXCELLENT rate for the Naples area, and we encourage you to stay in the host hotel. The group rate will be honored three days prior and three days following the conference, based on availability. The most convenient method to make a reservation is to go to the conference web site, click on Hotel Accommodations and print out the PDF of the Hotel Reservation Form. If you prefer to contact the hotel by telephone, they can be reached by calling 1-239-261-2222. Be sure to specify you are attending the Pepper Conference when making your reservation and obtain a confirmation number verifying your reservation was recorded. Reservations must be made by Friday, October 1st, 2004 to qualify for the reduced rate and to assure availability in the host hotel.
We look forward to your participation in the conference, and if you
have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me personally. Meanwhile,
stay tuned to the web site for updated information at:
http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/pepper
For more information,
Conference OrganizerMr. Gene McAvoy, Extension Agent IIIRegional
Vegetable/HorticultureUF/IFAS Hendry County Cooperative ExtensionPO Box
68Labelle, FL 33975 USAPHONE: 1-863-674-4092MOBILE: 1-239-860-8811FAX:
1-863-674-4097EMAIL: gmcavoy@ifas.ufl.edu Conference CoordinatorMs. Beth
Miller-Tipton Office of Conferences and Institutes (OCI) UF/IFAS
PO Box 110750Gainesville, FL 32611 USAPHONE: 1-352-392-5930FAX: 1-352-392-9734EMAIL:http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/pepper
Up Coming Meetings
Manatee County
December 8, 2004 Row Crop Draft BMP Manual Workshop 9:30 AM
Manatee County Extension Office
1303 17th Street W
Palmetto, Florida.
Sponsored by FDACS Office of Ag Water Policy. For your reference, the Row Crop Draft BMP manual can be accessed atwww.floridaagwaterpolicy.com under Best Management Practices.
December 14, 2004 CORE/Private Applicator Ag License Training
and Test 9 AM
2 CORE CEUs offered.
Manatee County Extension Office
1303 17th Street W
Palmetto, Florida
Miami Dade County
October 8, 2004 CORE – Pesticide License Training in Spanish 8 AM - 5 PM
Miami Dade County Extension Office
18710 SW 288th Street
Homestead
Call 305-248-3311 ext 242 to register
October 12, 2004 Private Pesticide License Training in Spanish 8 AM - 5 PM
Miami Dade County Extension Office
18710 SW 288th Street
Homestead
Call 305-248-3311 ext 242 to register
October 19, 2004 DuPont Product Update
Miami Dade County Extension Office
18710 SW 288th Street
Homestead
Call 305-248-3311 for time and details
October 21, 2004 Update on Water Quality Research in South Florida 9:30 AM
Miami Dade County Extension Office
18710 SW 288th Street
Homestead
Call 305-248-3311 for details
Palm Beach County
October 13, 2004 General Standards/Core Test Review 8 AM - 10 AM 2 CEUs and Private Applicator Test Review 1 PM - 3 PM 2 CEUs
Belle Glade Extension Office
976 State Road 15
Belle Glade, Florida
Contact Laura Powell at 561-996-1655.
Southwest Florida
October 26, 2004 WPS - Train the Trainer Class 8 AM – 12 Noon
Hendry County Extension Office
1085 Pratt Boulevard
LaBelle, Florida 33935
Contact Gene McAvoy at 863-674-4092 for details
October 26, 2004 Vegetable Growers Meeting 6 PM
UF/IFAS - SW Florida Research and Education Center
Hwy 29 N
Immokalee, Florida
Contact Gene McAvoy at 863-674-4092 for details
October 29, 2004 WPS Handler Training
Hendry County Extension Office
1085 Pratt Boulevard
LaBelle, Florida 33935
Contact Gene McAvoy at 863-674-4092 for details
November 4, 2004 Row Crop Draft BMP Manual Workshop 1:00 PM
UF/IFAS - SW Florida Research and Education Center
Hwy 29 N
Immokalee, Florida
Sponsored by FDACS Office of Ag Water Policy. For your reference, the Row Crop Draft BMP manual can be accessed at www.floridaagwaterpolicy.com under Best Management Practices.
Other Meetings
October 19-21, 2004 Sunbelt Ag Expo
Moultrie, GA.
Florida Farm Bureau Building
Gainesville
For more information, or a copy of the preregistration form and directions to the meeting, please call your local extension office.
October 27, 2004 Production and Utilization of Compost Workshop 8:00 AM
Sumter County Solid Waste Facility
835 County Road 529
Lake Panasoffkee, Florida
Contact Dr. Monica Ozores-Hampton – 239 - 658-3400 or email Ozores@mail.ifas.ufl.edu
November 14 –16, 2004 17th International Pepper Conference
Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Resort
Naples, Florida
For more information, contact Gene McAvoy at 863-674-4092
Websites
Frostproof.com
... the Horticultural Supermarket of the Internet. Frostproof
Growers offers top quality horticultural products professional user.
Go to http://www.frostproof.com/welcome.html
CropLifeAmerica is an industry advocacy group dedicated to helping
farmers benefit consumers with safe, abundant and affordable food.
Check out the website at http://www.croplifeamerica.org/index.htmlto
stay abreast of issues affecting the agricultural industry.
World Crops – a collaborative project funded by SARE in cooperation with several northeast agricultural universities, this site was spurred by the increasing ethnic diversity of the US population and provides information on non-traditional crops popular with various ethnic groups. Visit http://worldcrops.org/
Quotable Quotes
I once had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalogue . . . "No good in a bed, but fine against a wall." - Eleanor Roosevelt
The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending; and to have the two as close together as possible. - George Burns
Santa Claus has the right idea ... Visit people only once a year. - Victor Borge
Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint. - Mark Twain
What would men be without women? Scarce, sir. mighty scarce. - Mark Twain
I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury. - Groucho Marx
On the Lighter Side
Grandma's Apron
The principle use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, but along with that, it served as a holder for removing hot pans from the oven; it was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.
From the chicken-coop the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.
When company came those old aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids; and when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.
Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove. Chips and kindling-wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.
From the garden it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled it carried out the hulls. In the fall it was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.
When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.
When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out on the porch and waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields for dinner.
It will be a long time before anyone invents something that will replace that old-time apron that served so many purposes.
Sue Who?
Let's see if I understand how the world works lately... If a man cuts his finger off while slicing salami at work, he blames the deli owner.
If you smoke three packs a day for 40 years and die of lung cancer, your family blames the tobacco company.
If your neighbor crashes into a tree while driving home drunk, he blames the bartender.
If your grandchildren are brats without manners, you blame television.
If your friend is shot by a deranged madman, you blame the gun manufacturer.
And if a crazed person breaks into the cockpit and tries to kill the pilot at 35,000 feet, and the passengers kill him instead, the mother of the crazed deceased blames the airline.
I must have lived too long to understand the world as it is anymore. So, if I die while my old, wrinkled ass is parked in front of this computer,
I want you to sue Bill Gates...okay?
Contributors include: Joel Allingham/AgriCare, Inc, Karen Armbrester/SWFREC, Kathy Carbiener /Agricultural Pest Management, Jim Connor/SWFREC, Bruce Corbitt/West Coast Tomato Growers, Dr. Kent Cushman/SWFREC, Dr. Phyllis Gilreath/Manatee County Extension, Fred Heald/Farmers Supply, Sarah Hornsby/AgCropCon, Cecil Howell/H&R Farm, Loren Horsman/Glades Crop Care, Bruce Johnson/General Crop Management, Dr. Mary Lamberts/Miami-Dade County Extension, Leon Lucas/Glades Crop Care, Gene McAvoy/Hendry County Extension, Alice McGhee/Thomas Produce, Jimmy Morales/Pro Source One, Tim Nychk/Nychk Bros. Farm, Chuck Obern/C+B Farm, Teresa Olczyk/ Miami-Dade County Extension, Darrin Parmenter/Palm Beach County Extension, Dr. Ken Pernezny/EREC, Dr. Pam Roberts/SWFREC, Dr. Nancy Roe/Farming Systems Research, Wes Roan/6 L's, Kevin Seitzinger/Gargiulo, Jay Shivler/ F& F Farm, Ken Shuler/Stephen’s Produce, Ed Skvarch/St Lucie County Extension, John Stanford/LNA Farm, Mike Stanford/MED Farms, Dr. Phil Stansly/SWFREC, Eugene Tolar/Red Star Farms, Dr. Charles Vavrina/SWFREC, Mark Verbeck and Donna Verbeck/GulfCoast Ag, and Alicia Whidden/Hillsborough County Extension.
The SW Florida
Pest and Disease Hotline is compiled by Gene McAvoy and is issued
on a biweekly basis by the Hendry County Cooperative Extension Office
as a service to the vegetable industry.