FARMERS & CONSUMERS Tommy Irvin, Commissioner Georgia Department of Agriculture Market Bulletin VOL 68, NO. 17 Wednesday, April 28, 1982 Tout HiVgeubmg Morgans Remain Versatile Breed The Morgan horse is the oldest ex isting light horse breed of American origin. They are unique as a breed since they trace in the mule line directly to "one" foundation sire. The foundation sire, originally known as Figure, was owned by singing master by the name of Justin Morgan and was foaled in West Spr ingfield, MA. The young colts exact parentage may never be known, but it is really of little importance, since it was the produce of the stallion that founded the breed we now call the Morgan Horse. Originally the early Morgans were all-purpose horses that did yeoman work clearing the forests of New (Our guest columnist this week is Tom Hilgenberg, Chairman, Georgia Morgan Horse Club, Route 1, Box 1840, Newnan 30263.) England and also pulled the family carriage to church on Sunday. His docile disposition also made him an easy riding horse. Early Morgans were noted for their straight clean legs, deep muscling over the quarters and shoulders and short backs. A well muscled neck was topped by a short, fine head with its large expressive eyes and short prickled ears. The Morgan trot became famous and from the trotting racetracks to the streets of New York and Boston, Morgans pulled carts and carriages all over early America. Today, Morgans primarily are us ed as family show horses. The ver satility within the breed allows the wide range of classes that are found in today's Morgan shows. From fine harness and high trotting park sad dle classes to fast trotting roadster classes and pleasure saddle and harness classes as well as Western Pleasure, hunter, dressage, cross country and on and on; the Morgan is the versatility champion of America. The point was proven again in the fall of 1981 when a Morgan gelding, 13 years old, Mancunian Dauphin (Continued on Page 16) INDEX Letters to the Editor . . page 2 Special Handicrafts . . page 2 Enjoy the Many Advantages; Plant a Vegetable Garden Georgia Cooking .... ..page 5 It is time to get your gardening tools in hand and plant your summer Spray Schedule......... . page 14 vegetable patch. You certainly will not be alone. More and more people are beginning to Quilt Pattern.............. . page 15 grow their own fruits and vegetables because of the many advantages gardening provides. Bulletin Calendar ... page 16 A garden offers the average family Your savings will depend on the size the potential to save on food costs. of your family, the size of your garden and more importantly, your Coastal Plain Crop Researchers skills as a gardener. Growing your own fruits and vegetables allows you to enjoy fresh, Working tor Georgia Peanuts quality produce. Produce gathered at peak maturity usually has better flavor and higher nutritional value Georgia leads the nation in peanut production. Peanuts also have the distinction of being the state's top money producing crop. In 1981, the crop was valued at $443.7 million contributing an impressive 29.3 percent to the state's total crop value. than that harvested at early stages of maturity and shipped long distances. Working with plants and seeing them respond to your care has therapeutic value. A sense of pride Past research at Georgia's Experi well as lead to expansion of the in and achievement is gained from lear ment Stations has played an impor dustry throughout the world. ning and utilizing your "green- tant role in the present status of our Two USDA scientists, in coopera thumb" skills and watching your peanut crop. Current research at the tion with the Coastal Plain Station, family enjoy the harvest. A garden Coastal Plain Experiment Station in have recently introduced new also provides an enjoyable outlet for Tifton will help the state maintain its top position in peanut production as (Continued on Page 15) exercise and fresh air and sunshine. A vegetable garden fits well into the "back to nature" trend. It is an easy first-step towards learning skills in self sufficiency and appeals to those desiring to produce "natural" foods organically. Vegetables and home fruit or chards can provide edible, attractive (Continued on Page 16) Tomatoes are not only a popular choice for backyard gardeners, they also are a valuable Georgia crop. In 1981, tomatoes were commercially produced on 1900 acres throughout the state, yielding $3.34 million in agricultural revenues. The recent release of six resistant tomato genetic stocks, developed by Georgia and Texas Agricultural Experiment Stations, should result in im proved tomato production throughout the southeast. Currently, the seed are available for breeding and research purposes only. Use of this stock, highly resistant to southern blight, will enable tomato breeders to develop commercially adapted varieties much faster than previously possible, according to Dr. S. C. Phatak of the Coastal Plains Experiment Station, Tifton. Phatak, shown above, began working on the project six years ago. Beware: Appealing Loan Arrangements The Department of Agriculture has received reports that one or more in dividuals posing as business con sultants are promising farmers they can get loans for them from foreign countries. It is understood that several farmers in the Brooks County area have given money to at least one such individual who asked for several thousand dollars in airfare to travel to Europe to arrange such a loan. He has not been heard from since. Farmers and others should be ex tremely careful when approached by anyone representing himself as be ing able to secure foreign loans for any purpose. 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