l\'IARKET BULLETIN GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TOMMY IRVIN,COMMISSIONER Vol. j-1', No. 52 ag consumer line I have been thinking about purchasing a large amount of beef for the freezer. My husband and I have three teenaged sons, so I don't think any of it will be wasted. Can you give me some advice about making such a purchase? There are several factors which should be considered before buying the beef. Do you have enough freezer space for a large amount of meat? Do you have enough money to buy it without cutting into your food budget for other necessary items? If you buy it on credit, then you should calculate the total amount of interest and service charges and take that . into consideration. Finally, how quickly will the meat be used and will your family get tired of it after awhile? Remember that ground beef and stew meat will keep in the freezer (at 0 degrees R) for about three months and beef roasts and steaks will keep for about a year. *** What is the standard weight for a bale of hay? There is no standard weight for a bale of hay. The size is usually agreed upon by the seller and buyer in advance. *** I have noticed that brown eggs cost more per dozen than white ones. Why is this? Is there any difference in the quality of the eggs? Brown eggs cost more because less of them are produced. Most of the commercial laying hens lay white eggs. Other than the color of the shell, which is determined by the breed of the hen, there is no difference in the quality of the eggs. *** The leaves of my rose bushes have dark spots on them and they are turning yellow and dropping off. What can I do to c;orrect this problem? Your roses have blackspot disease, which is a fungus that thrives in warm, damp conditions. Preventive control is possible with many fungicides, but Maneb or Funginex is recommended. Be sure to read and follow all label directions when using such products. You should remove the infected leaves and stems before spraying. It is also a good idea to remove any debris that has fallen from the shrubs, because blackspot can be transmitted to other healthy limbs and plants from fallen leaves or stems. If you have problems or questions about products or services regulated by the Georgia Department of Agriculture. write: Consumer Services, Room 224, Agriculture Building, 19 M.L. King Jr. Dr., Atlanta, Georgia 30334-4201, or call toll}ree. J-800-282-5852 (statewide), or in metro Atlanta, 404-656-3645. Wednesday December 30, 1998 Georgia Department of Agriculture Regulates Fruit Stands, Flea Markets Georgia consumers who attend flea markets or visit roadside fruit stands are urged by the Georgia Department of Agriculture to take note of food products which may not comply with Georgia State Food Laws. Canned goods which are extremely dented, rusted, swollen, mislabeled, or have been offered for sale past the "sell by" date, are prohibited from sale and removed by the Department's Consumer Protection Division. State Food Laws apply to flea markets and roadside stands as they do to grocery stores and supermarkets in Georgia. Following an in-depth review of flea markets and roadside stands, the Department has established that all food products and locations selling food products are subject to inspection for compliance with Consumer Protection Food Division Regulations. Before purchasing questionable food products at "cheap" prices, consumers are urged to consider whether the money . saved by buying the lower priced items are worth the risk of illness. Flea market and fruit stand operators are reminded that the food regulations are in effect on Saturdays and Sundays, and that the Department is taking an active role in monitoring and inspecting these businesses on weekends. For more information or to register a complaint about a food product or food handling, call the Consumer Protection Division toll-free, 1-800-282-5852. January Garden Chores All types of ornamental trees and shrubs can be planted during January. These plants can be purchased in containers, or as balled-and-burlapped or bare-root stock. Now is a good time to undertake the gardening projects you haven't had the time to earlier in the year, such as installing edging for beds or walkways. If you haven't had a soil test made, do it now so you will receive the results in time to prepare the ground before spring planting. As soon as the soil can be worked, begin preparing your beds for spring flowers and vegetables. If the soil is heavy clay or sand, you can improve its drainage, fertility and texture by applying six to eight inches of compost or old sawdust and working it into the soil. If you apply leaves, straw or other organic material that has not decomposed, mix in about one-half cup of ammonium nitrate or other high-nitrogen content fertilizer per square yard of soil. These materials will then need several weeks to decompose before you begin planting. Most ornamental shrubs can be pruned in January with the exception of spring-flowering shrubs, such as azal\!as and hydrangeas. If you prune now you will remove the flowerbuds. Wait and prune immediately after the plants have finished flowering. Trees and shrubs can be transplanted now and throughout the winter months. To keep transplant shock at a minimum, dig plants carefully leaving as much root ball as you can manage. To avoid damage to the plants, lift it by the root ball and use the trunk only for balance. If you have a plant that is too heavy to lift and place into a wheelbarrow or cart, set the root ball on an old sheet or bedspread and pull the plant to its new location. Bulbs such as daffodils and tulips still can be planted if you do so before the end of January. Seeds of cool-season vegetables, such as collards, turnips and spinach can be planted in January; transplants of broccoli and cauliflower can be planted also. ~ JVe'tO-' J/ear ~ (f~ !!Tro-Uv and tllb~ {7jttlfeLuv Jtgff 1999 Calendar Inside Copyright 1998 Provisions of Disaster Assistance Plan Announced Last week the Market Bulletin reported that the Fiscal Year 1999 Budget Bill passed by Congress included $2.375 billion for emergency financial assistance to farmers who suffered losses due to natural disasters. Following is a summary of the legislation. Types of Assistance Farmers are eligible for compensation either for losses suffered to the 1998 crops (single year) or losses in any three or more crop years between I994 and I998 (multi-year). Farmers can receive payments under either the single year or multi-year provisions, but not both and USDA will make payments at the higher of the two levels. The plan includes help for farmers whose land was flooded for an extended