Service

USDA'S REPORT TO CONSUMERS

ITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE OFFICE OF INFORMATION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250




September 1967 No. 45

OUTDOOR BEAUTY: 1 3

Natural Beauty. Mu the b li and excitement of
nature have been capt d n one U.S. Department of
Agriculture's most rece Cyp "A Guide to Natural
Beauty," a 32-page bookle ed with 36 color photo- L
graphs, shows how people can enhance the beauty of their gardens
and communities. This practical, how-to-do-it booklet brings
together knowledge gained from the Department's research,
plant exploration and development, soil and water conservation,
and management of the National Forests and Grasslands. The
booklet lists USDA services and tells how they may be obtained.
"A Guide to Natural Beauty" may be ordered from the Super-
intendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington,
D.C. 20402, for 55 cents. Please include your zip code.

Subtropical Shrub. A new ornamental shrub named the "Rosemound"
dombeya has been propagated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Horticulturists predict it will be excellent for landscaping
in southern Florida and other tropical and subtropical areas.
"Rosemound" has dense foliage, and is rounded and symmetrical
with dust-rose flowers which almost cover the foliage in late
autumn. It grows to 6 feet, and although it seldom produces
seed, it can be rooted from cuttings. "Rosemound" may also
be tested in the North as a specimen plant for conservatories
and as a florist pot plant. The original seeds are believed
to have come from Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean. Plants
aren't available yet, but nurserymen are propagating them now
and they should be ready by 1968.

Plan Ahead. Take advantage of cooler weather and give your
lawn a head start. It's best to fertilize established grasses
in the fall, U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists report.
Fall fertilizers stimulate additional root growth and make
grass more vigorous and attractive in the summer. Good com-
mercial fertilizers containing nitrogen, phosphorous and
potassium, in percentage ratios of 10-6-4, 10-10-10, or similar
analyses, are best for established lawns. Apply 10 to 15
pounds for each 1,000 square feet of lawn. Plan two applications,
a month apart, to avoid burning the grass, and water the lawn
well after each application.







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Conservation Gardens. The Crider Memorial Garden, the only one of its kind in
the United States was recently dedicated at Beltsville, Maryland. The U.S.
Department of Agriculture garden contains two acres with 216 samples of plants,
each of which is adapted to meet a particular conservation requirement in differ-
ent regions in the United States. The plants have been successfully used for
streambanks, impoundment structures, wildlife habitats and many other conser-
vation plantings. Named after Dr. Franklin J. Crider, who initiated tests for
grasses and legumes when they weren't available for conservation needs, the
Garden is open to visitors and interested conservation groups.

New Crapemyrtles. U.S. Department of Agriculture horticulturists have developed
four hardy new varieties of crapemyrtles with good resistance to powdery mildew.
Plants aren't available to the public yet, but they'll be released to cooperat-
ing nurserymen for propagation and should be ready for homeowners in 2 to 3
years. The four varieties--Catawba, Conestoga, Potomac and Powhatan--are hardy
as far north as Washington, D.C. where other crapemyrtles have been severely
damaged.

RESEARCH FINDINGS

Last of the Mule Train. Mules may finally lose their job in the National
Forests. They currently haul equipment over steep and winding trails, but a
U.S. Department of Agriculture engineer has developed a gyro-stablized land
vehicle that is threatening their existence. This "gyro carrier" has three
wheels in a line and is balanced by a 180-pound gyro that spins at 5,500 revolu-
tions per minute. It can carry 800 pounds of cargo, climb over ordinary obstacles,
and travel through rough and narrow forest trails. But that's not all it does.
The gyro carrier can climb a 60 percent grade, while the normal maximum for
roads is only 9 percent. It has tremendous potentials and yet it stems from the
same simple principle that keeps a child's top spinning. The land vehicle was
developed to carry tools and equipment over the 102,729 miles of trails in the
187 million acre National Forest System, so don't be too surprised if you run
into this unusual-looking machine when you're camping or visiting the National
Forests.

Sad Farewell. Automation may replace the thumb--that well-known device shoppers
use in order to evaluate peaches, tomatoes and plums. U.S. Department of Agri-
culture researchers have developed an instrument to test fruits and vegetables
in the market, and eventually the instrument may even tell producers when to
harvest their crops and packers when to take the produce out of storage.
Engineers are using sound to measure firmness. A normal product allows sound
to pass through it at a certain frequency, so if the frequency varies it's a
sign the product is either too firm or too ripe.
FOOD FACTS

Plentiful Foods. Turkey is again the feature on the U.S. Der-rtment of Agri-
culture's plentiful food list. But other foods--like o -.. iuice, seasonal
vegetables, peanuts, and peanut products--will also fill th wise shopper's
basket during September.







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Flavor First. To make sure you're getting the best flavor from your chicken,
use a fresh chicken within two days after you purchase it or else freeze it,
U.S.Department of Agriculture home economists advise. Frozen chickens can be
stored up to 12 months at zero degrees, but when you take them out for cooking
it's best to thaw them in the refrigerator for about 1 day.

A Tremendous Shopping List. Imagine food shopping for millions of children!
That's what the U.S.Department of Agriculture does each year to help feed school
children. This spring the Department bought 44.2 million pounds of beef at the
cost of $28.7 million. This purchase will provide 11 to 12 servings of meat to
over 20 million children this fall. All beef purchased was USDA Choice quality
or better and will provide a significant contribution to improved and reasonably
priced lunches.

Shrink-Proof Meat? Well, not quite. But you can serve more meat if the original
cut shrinks less. So try cooking meat at low to moderate temperatures. There's
less shrinkage--and the meat is more tender, juicy, flavorful and uniformly
cooked. And to insure that the meat's done, the U.S. Department of Agriculture
advises you to make sure the center of the meat is brought up to at least 140
degrees Fahrenheit.

Head Start Recipies. Wholesome meals are the best way to get a real "head
start". That's why the U.S.Department of Agriculture has prepared a guide of
small, but nutritious meals for preschool children from low-income families.
These children are part of Head Start, which serves breakfast, lunch or snacks.
The meals are wholesome, yet inexpensive, and easy to prepare. The 130-page
guide, geared to small portions for 25, 50 or more children, covers cereal pro-
ducts, soups, main dishes, vegetables, sauces, salads, sandwiches and desserts.
Recipes are given in an easy-to-follow form, while a special feature lets food
buyers tell at a glance how much is needed for each recipe. Single free copies
of "Food Buying Guide and Recipes" are available from Project Head Start, Office
of Economic Opportunity, 1220 19th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20506. Please
use your zip code.

Real Honey. Natural honey has its own built-in preservative to prevent mold
and fermentation, according to U.S.Department of Agriculture food specialists.
Honey may darken or crystalize when it gets old, but this doesn't hurt it.

PUBLICATIONS

Calendar Check. It may seem a little early to start thinking about spring-
flowering bulbs, but it's really not. U.S. Department of Agriculture horti-
culturists report spring-flowering bulbs must have time to develop roots before
winter. Plant them not later than the end of September in the North, and late
October in the South. If you're interested in soil preparation, plant care,
or instructions for specific bulbs, write for "Spring-Flowering Bulbs," Leaflet
No. 439, from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, D.C. 20402. The price is five cents and please include your zip
code.




UNIVERSITY OF FLORILA

3 1262 08740 0684
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When the Freezer Stops. When your home freezer stops it's time for you to act.
And the sooner you act, the better the chance of keeping the food from spoiling.
U.S. Department of Agriculture specialists suggest you keep the freezer closed
to retain the cold. Open it only if you're adding dry ice or taking food out
so it can be moved to a locker plant. But when the current is on again, how do
you know if the food is safe to use? "What To Do When Your Freezer Stops,"
Leaflet No. 321, will answer this question, and many others. Single free copies
are available for a postcard request from the Office of Information, U.S. Depart-
ment of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250. Please include your zip code.

HANDY HINTS

Do's and Don'ts of Dishwashers. Are you getting the best performance from
your dishwasher? U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers offer these
suggestions after testing six different dishwashers under varied conditions.
Although food removal increases as the water temperature increases there is
little benefit from temperatures higher than 140 degrees Fahrenheit, as far as
physical removal of soil is concerned, the scientists report. Rather, the quality
of the water seems more important. All the machines did better with soft water
than hard water. Dishwashing compounds suited to your local water conditions
can help, but don't try to solve hard water problems by using more detergent.


Fall Suit Shopping. Whether it's for back-to-school or back-to-work, carefully
consider the men's suits you buy. U.S. Department of Agriculture specialists
report that in men's suits much of the quality is hidden and it shows up only
after wear and cleaning. However, quality can be discovered by checking these
things:
Lining, interfacing and pocketing that are made of closely-woven material.
Linings and interfacings that are soft and supple when crushed in the
hand. Roll the tip of the collar and lapel to see if they flip back into place
as they should.
Pocket openings that are reinforced inside with light-weight linen.
Trousers with generous seams and pockets.
Matching patterns at the seams.

The Big Stretch. Some cotton knit T-shirts lose their shape after laundering
more easily than others. U.S. Department of Agriculture clothing researchers
find that the cause is fabric structure. The tiny knit loops in the fabric,
normally plump and round, may have been stretched during manufacturing. After
laundering, these loops relax, return to their normal shape, and the garment
becomes shorter and wider. Look for shirts with firm, even knitting. Avoid
a fabric that has thin places. By examining the knit carefully you can often
tell if the knit loops are round and relaxed, or are long and stretched. The
more round the loops, the better the chance that the knit will retain its shape
through repeated washing and drying.

For information about items in this issue, write: Editor of SERVICE, Office
of Information, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250

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