The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Greetings to everyone in Western Illinois.
I'm a hope'n ya all had a good Memorial day holiday. It shore was a might windy over the weekend, and the rain was a bit dissappoint'n for most folk a want'n to give ever thing a good drink.
As I understand it, a few folk, up north of La Harpe a bit, got themselves a refresh'n shower, but most folk only got one tenth inch or so. West of the river received over one fourth inch rain but when the clouds hit our dry air East of the river, they lost their incentive to help us out much.
It is so dry in my neighborhood I'm told the trees is a chasen our dogs beg'n for a reprieve. It's quite an interest'n thought. I'm anxious to lay an eyeball on that one!
Some beans has had to be replanted around these parts and some corn is a have'n their share of problems. It seems they either been attacked by some fungus or they forgot to set down adequate roots. One or the other has required extra replant'n time with additional expense required and both situations is bad. Especially when seed dealers is low on the better quality of seed fer best potential yields fer this crop year.
I'm told a seed company around Adair, Illinois is put'n cold steel to their plots by cultivation. The purpose is to throw soil up agin the plants. They is a hope'n fer a good shower rain to provide opportunity to establish a better root system.
I read in last weeks Agri News, on the front page- top of the headlines, that participants in this year's Illinois wheat tour found disappointment in three separate routes from three separate groups of participants. The participants included educators, millers, along with other interested persons.
Yield estimates ranged from 35 to 75 bushels per acre with an average prediction of 56 bushels per acre. This if off from the 62 bushel official estimates published a day earlier by the Illinois Agricultural Statistics Service. Historically, the wheat tour estimates have been within two bushels of the eventual average yield fer the state.
As I read on, within the Agri News to page 8, I found headlines " Double-digit hike in wheat production forecast". That article stated ideal conditions fer both plant'n and grow'n wheat. The U.S. Department of Agriculture forecast the current wheat crop production to be up 13 percent from last year.
For Illinois they predicted yields to average 61 bushels per acre, one bushel better than last year. No mention about "every field have'n some type of leaf disease on it". No mention of plants where tops of heads were not formed or plants damaged by freez'n weather this spring.
Well, the truth of the matter is one should be careful when follow'n market'n advice of USDA prophets. Their record for accuracy leaves much to be desired. Keep that in mind as ya market this years corn and soybean crop!
My neighbor friend, Buster Jigs, gave me some information to determine which side of the fence ya might be sitt'n on. It seemed like a great test to the fellers in our neighborhood group.
It goes like this.
If'n a Republican doesn't like guns, she or he doesn't buy one.
If'n a Democrat doesn't like guns, she or he wants all guns outlawed.
If'n a Republican is a vegetarian, she or he doesn't eat meat.
If'n a Democrat is a vegetarian, she or he wants all meat products banned fer everyone.
If'n a Republican is a homosexual, she or he quietly leads their life.
If'n a Democrat is homosexual, she or he demands legislated respect.
If'n a Republican doesn't like a talk show host, she or he switches channels.
Democrats demand those they don't like to be shut down.
If'n a Republican is down-and-out, she or he thinks about how to better their situation.
A Democrat wonders who is going to take care of them.
If'n a Republican is a non-believer, she or he doesn't go to church.
A Democrat non-believer wants any mention of God and religion silenced.
If'n a Republican decided she or he needs health care, she or he goes about shopping for it, or may choose a job that provides it.
A Democrat demands that the rest of us pay for theirs.
If'n a Republican reads this, she or he will forward it so their friends can have a good laugh.
A Democrat will destroy it because she or he is "offended".
Well, me will be jiggered. I'm a wonder'n who put them thoughts together. I'm not one to get involved in politics from either party affiliation, but I reckon a little humor can brighten ones day.
With Monday be'n Memorial Day I expect the whole week will be mixed up. Anyways, it was nice to have the day off and pay proper respect where due.
As fer me and Mrs. Bruke and friends, we had us a fine dinner with all the fix'ns Monday even'n. It was a relax'n time with good fellowship and much appropriate laughter. It's times like that which build good memories for those times in which things don't always go our way... good ole country fun and a relax'n time!
Have yourself a good rest of the week, smile a lot, and don't take life to serious. Hope to see youn's in church on Sunday. Me and the Mrs. along with a few other neighbors, just might go way up north this Sunday to see how a 175 year old church congregation does it for their anniversary, as was explained in last week's Quill.
Them Rozetta Baptists seems to get all the rain just in the nick of time. They must be a do'n something right. Congratulations and best wishes for the future from one wayfare'n soul ta the other.
Keep On Smile'n
Catch ya Later
Barnyard Bruke