The Wortham Journal (Wortham, Tex.), Vol. 76, No. 41, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 23, 1975 Page: 4 of 4
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Freestone County Area Newspaper Collection and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Fairfield Library.
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Thursday • January 23, 1975
THE SCIENTISTS TELL ME...
By RobeM L Haney. Science Writer
The Texoj Agricultural Experiment Station
New Lawn Grass
Resists Disease and Insects
Considerably more than
half of the home lawns in
Texas are estimated to be
in St. Auftustinegrass. And in
the Gulf Coast area of the
state, 46% of the lawns are
in the popular St. Augustine-
grass.
But a serious new disease
of this grass, first observed in
1966 by lawn service opera-
tors in South Texas, has
blighted many fine lawns.
The disease spread to 62
counties by 1974 and has
been found in Louisiana and
Mexico.
In 1968 Dr. R. W. Toler,
Experiment Station virologist
at Texas A&M. found the
disease was caused by a plant
virus. Toler named the dis-
ease St. Augustine Decline
(SAD) because of the symp-
toms produced. On the
leaves, SAD produces a yel-
low mottling often called mo-
saic. Plants are reduced in
vigor, and growth of both
stolons and roots are retarded.
The grass in diseased lawns
declines in growth, has thin
spots, and is invaded by
weeds and other grasses.
Some other grasses affected
by the virus include Proso
millet, pearl millet, foxtail
millet and crabgrass. Two
other viruses are known to
invade St. Augustinegrass, but
they are not a problem in
Texas.
Research at Texas A&M
revealed that the SAD virus
was spread by transplanting
infected grass into new lawns.
A lawn mower can also spread
the virus when SAD diseased
grass is mowed and then the
same mower is used to mow
healthy grass
There is no known chemi-
cal that will give practical
control of plant viruses or
virus diseases such as SAD.
Control of SAD was sought
through finding a St. Augus-
tinegrass that was resistant to
the virus. Using special injec-
tion techniques that exposed
the plants to the virus, more
than 2S0 breeding lines of
St. Augustine were tested.
Those that resisted virus in-
fection were selected for fur-
ther testing.
Of the materials that resist-
ed SAD in the greenhouse
tests, FA110, an experimental
line supplied by the plant
breeder at the University of
Florida, proved to be the
most resistant to SAD. The
resistant material was then
tested in known diseased
lawns over a period of three
years.
The SAD resistant line was
then tested by Dr. Richard
Duble of the Experiment Sta-
tion and found to be resistant
to chinch bugs, the number
one insect problem of St.
Augustine lawns in the state.
The resistant grass, FA110,
was then named ’Floratam’
(the name comes from
Florida and Texas A&M) and
jointly released to certified
sod producers in Texas and
Florida in 1972. The new
grass is available through the
Texas Agricultural Experi-
ment Station Foundation
Seed Service, College Station,
Texas, or Certified Sod-Pro-
ducers, Turf Nurseries and
Home & Garden Centers in
Texas.
Floratam compares favora-
bly with Common St. Augus-
tinegrass in growth but is
slightly less cold hardy. How-
ever, efforts are underway to
improve its cold tolerance and
maintain the high levels of
SAD and chinch-bug resis-
tance.
Research shows Floratam
can be planted as sprigs, plugs
or sod. Floratam will usually
establish in one season when
sprigged on 12-inch centers,
plugged (4-inch squares! on
18-inch centers or planted as
solid sod. In the absence of
soil tests, a complete fertilizer
such as 10-20-10 incorporated
with the soil before planting
or applied broadcast soon aft-
er planting, gave good results.
It was applied at the rate of
2 lbs. of actual nitrogen per
1000 sq. ft. of surface area,
or 20 lbs. of 10-20-10 per
1000 sq. ft. This complete
fertilizer gives in addition to
2 lbs. of nitrogen, about 4 lbs.
of phosphorus and 2 lbs. of
potassium. After planting,
to insure quick coverage,
monthly applications of nitro-
gen alone were added at the
rate of 1 lb. of actual nitrogen
per 1000 sq. ft. and contin-
ued until sod was well estab-
lished.
Once the turf was estab-
lished it was mowed to 1ft
inches to 2 inches in height.
Research shows St. Augustine
grasses are sensitive to herbi-
cides; they should be used
with extreme caution. After
Freestone County
Sessions
With The Sheriff
By J.R. (Sonny) Sessions, Jr.
Week started with copy in mail
of civil rights suit in Federal
Court that convict doing time for
burglary trying to get filed
alleging all sorts of lies and
asking for unbelievable amount
Floratam had fully covered
and was well established, it
was maintained by fertilizing
twice a year, once in the
spring and once in the fall
with 1 lb. of actual nitrogen
per 1000 sq. ft. per appli-
cation.
Editor’s Note - Any ques-
tions regarding this column
should be addressed to
Science Writer. Dept, of
Agricultural Communications,
Texas ■ A <t M University,
College Station, Texas 77843.
Ostomy Association
Will Meet Feb. 2nd
The Waco Ostomy Association
is having its regular monthly
meeting on Sunday, February 2,
1975, at 3:00 p.m. at Richfield
Christian Church, 4201 Cobbs
Drive, Waco, Texas. Anyone
interested is welcome to attend.
There will be an election of of-
ficers for the year 1975.
GO TO CHURCH
SOMEWHERE SUNDAY
WORTHAM METAL WORKS
Phone 765-3203 or 765-3485 - Wortham
Choose A Payne Air Management Specialist For
The Fmest Av Conditioning For Less
Health lips
Texas Medical Association ■
1801 North Lamar Austin Texas 78701
BACKACHE
Backache is such a common
ailment among civilized man
that there are very few adults
who haven’t had a touch of it now
and then.
Some physicians credit soft
beds, soft chairs and other
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INVESTOR-OWNED ■ SERVING GROWING CENTRAL-EAST TEXAS
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ten
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of judgement plus injunctions to
stop his being brought back and
tried for life sentence on habitual
as spent most of life in the pen.
These things are ridiculous and
harassing but due to Federal
court rulings it easy for them to
do.
Criminal and juvinille court
held Monday in Judge McCains
court, case set on one put off
again that an expert at getting
this done. Bear and I took
juvinille to Anderson Co. jail for
stay until Feb. hearing, don’t
know what going to do with,
family don’t want as can’t handle
and courts have closed down
Gatesville, etc. Back thru Oak-
wood located witness in cattle
theft case with assistance of
Judge Ellis and took statement
for future use.
Ranger Clements and deputy
from Richmond up Tuesday with
owner of foam machine and
trailer impounded here under
suspious circumstances until
found it stolen and owner came
for. Bear, LeFevreand Nicholson
made fast trip to Skelly truck
stop after request from Tarrant
Co. bus transfering convicts to
TDC asked for back up. Found to
be guard needed go to bathroom
only leaving the driver, really
didn’t need any help as Arts
brother-in-law had his BB gun out
backup up others with shotguns.
Trip to Plum Creek areaa
Tuesday night with juvinille
officer to pick up youth who hit
girl on school bus with enough
injuries to be hospitilized.
Teague and Avant one day
locating subject wanted Johnson
Co. on bad checks. Mexia youth
filed on for burglary of Teague
drive in’s Sunday night, released
on bond here and for burglaries
Mexia Pick up put on teletype
Thursday night for girl as
runaway.
Bear had man from Canada in
getting car inspected for title
change who advised it colder
here than where he came from.
Got call on man drinking causing
family problems, jailed overnite.
Dispatched ambulance 7 a.m.
one morning to service station for
man that fell out in restroom. He
also had complaint from one of
our boarders that been here
many times before griping about
the service and food and going to
see what he could get done about
it, wanted to know who ever
heard of sweet rolls for break-
fast. Bear also played cowboy
couple times helping herds of
cattle get moved across old 75.
Also had lady in Saturday
looking for her trailer house that
stolen Auinlan and she thought
might have come here and she
down looking for it
LeFevre filled office up with
tents, sleeping bags and all kinds
of stuff out of camp and trailer
houses east of Fairfield that
youths took in several burglaries.
Had call on family spat last
Sunday morn that settled without
incident. Out on 84 looking for
reported drunks that they missed
and located and jailed by THP.
Youth filed on for cutting two new
tires on patrol car one night last
week arrested and arraigned
with promise of restitution as
was stupid act.
Deputy Brown worked and
assisted with several wrecks,
also THP with DWI, numerous
civil papers served by he and
Constable Kirgen during week,
citations issued for drag racing
on old 75 which getting too
common and dangerous again.
4—The Wortham, Texas Journal
Deputies to judge with three off
interstate, speeding, no drivers
license and contributing to
minor. Deputies assisted with
airplance accident in Freestone
area Friday afternoon where two
local youths seriously injured.
Assisted with bad wreck at local
drive in movie Friday night and
later the Game Warden with
drunk on 84.
Quiet week for Wilson on night
deal, helped old man with two
women find mechanic for car,
jailed one drunk from all night
cafe, had report on CB radio
being stolen from truck parked
on road which passed on to Leon
Co. as where it occurred. Had
call on man laying on road in bad
fog who he thought dead but just
drunk and jailed. Gas and man
carried to car that wouldn't run
without it couple of miles out.
Chief rode with him one night
having ball on citizens band and
knowing more truck drivers than
Wilson.
Nicholson working during bad
weather last Saturday night
carried man home whose wind-
shield wipers quit working,
assisted another motorist that
turned too soon and then couldn't
back upon ice, answered prowlei
call where man found to be lost
trying to get directions and then
truck would not start.
Several basketball games
around County worked by
deputies during week, also
assisted Teague Police with
wreck there one night. Anderson
Co. subpoena served on man 2:30
a.m that been trying to catch all
week. THP jailed several during
week on possession of marihuana
and one on driving under in-
fluence of drugs, also jailed
seven during weekend on DWl's.
comforts of modem civilization
with an increase in the number of
persons who suffer from low back
pain, says the Texas Medical
Association.
Once called lumbago, back
pain is often caused by poor
posture, obesity, ill-fitting or
inappropriate shoes, a sedentary
life, overly strenuous work, or
participating in sports. It may
also be due to disease not directly
relating to the back or to injury
or strain.
Low back pain may occur at
any age but it seems to bother
middle-aged persons most. It
occurs in both sexes and in all
races, and is more common
among people who do work that
requires stooping or lifting.
Good posture of the entire body
is important in preventing low
back pain.
Sit with head, shoulders and
trunk erect. When standing, the
spine should be straight. Not the
military “ramrod" posture, but
straight.
A soft, saggy bed and low, soft
chairs contribute to backache.
Chairs, ideally, should be firm,
straight and have the contour of a
normal back.
A low-heeled shoe is best for
standing or walking. High-heeled
shoes tend to throw the posture
off balance and increase strain
on the lower back. Loafers,
ballet slippers and sneakers also
may lead to backache if worn
extensively.
In lifting heavy objects, keep
the back straight and lift with
knees and thigh muscles, rather
than bending over and straining
the spine.
Like many other ailments,
backaches may be aggravated by
emotional tension or anxiety.
Treatment of backache varies
with the cause When it's due to
strain, usually rest, heat and a
pain reliever will help. Massage,
used in moderation, may help
relieve discomfort. Your doctor
also may recommend exercises
to strengthen the muscles of the
back and improve posture
NOTHIN'
IFLAT^J
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Plumbing-Repairs and New Construction
Back-hoe Senrice Septic Tanks and
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Reflections
Character is a structure founded on the deep rock-bottom of
early principles established in us by the home, the school, and
the church.
After that It is largely up to the individual. Too often theI
soft, easy life creates a weak character. Strength of character (
is usually acquired the hard way.
When we discard a bad habit, when we perform an un-
pleasant task, when we make a decision against our own self-
interest because it is the right thing to do. we are putting in the
1 steel girders that form the solid network around which our
character is built.
Every time wr resist a temptation we drive .another rivet
1 to make the character structureimore solid and secure.
But each time we harbor a petty thought, perform a mean
act. break our word, fail to live up to a promise, we weaken
the structure we call character.
After the foundation is laid, every man is the architect of his
own character. Whether a person shall be a tower of strength
or a weak, puny, jerry-built edifice, lies in his own hands.
From the papers of
J.F. Gorman
E. A. STRANGE
Complete Loan and Insurance Service
(For Over 35 Years)
ERNEST, HARRY AND MACK
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The Wortham Journal (Wortham, Tex.), Vol. 76, No. 41, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 23, 1975, newspaper, January 23, 1975; Mexia, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1107101/m1/4/?q=Lamar+University: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fairfield Library.