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September 24, 1981 - Woolly Bear and KatydidSeptember 24, 1981 imbe &Uff olk Timer Woolly Bear and Katydid Can you believe it? We actually started a fire in the old wood stove today and it's only the 21st of September. There's prob- ably nothing that tells us more of what's ahead than the temperature. Of course, there are lots of other signs about. This morning when I wanted to shake the cobwebs out of my head before breakfast I went out and split some wood. One of the logs, an old cherry that likes to defy me, was the hiding place for a couple of "woolly bears." These caterpillars are already set for winter and have put on their bristly black coats to discourage any predators that might come across them while they're asleep during the winter months. They show little resemblance to the brown Isabella tiger moth we see flitting about our outdoor lights during the sum- mer. That masquerade lasts but a short time before they change into their winter coat. Folklore says the longer the black sections on the woolly bear the colder the winter. At any rate it's fun to think about those myths and speculate for it gives you something to hang your predictions on. I believe our winters are much milder than years ago. I remember when Herman Moeller and I built an ice boat and sailed it across Peconic Bay; when Thanksgiving meant snow and when our driveways would be covered over and blocked for days. I rather liked that idea, for it was an excuse to play "snowbound," sort of like the ways of yesteryear when farmsteads were virtually cut off from the world by winter's snow. Remember the poem "Snowbound "? To me, it was the perfect expression of a snow storm. Katydid or Katydidn't Another sign of fall is the late summer calling of the katydids. These masters of camouflage make it almost impossible to find them, for they are completely green from head to toe. Add this to the fact that they live in the treetops and you can see why many folks have never been able to find out what's calling, "Katydid, Katy - didn't." Think of a slender green grasshop- per about an inch and a half long and you pretty well can picture this creature of "did or didn't." We'll probably never know X00 i��z� 021 what Katy did or didn't do but then that's the fun of speculation. Our minds are so varied that the mere thought of what your contemplation might be intrigues me. Katydids are late summer singers and autumn callers and their songs on a quiet night are truly penetrating. It's been said that their song can be heard for over a quarter of a mile and who makes all these calls? The male, of course, for he is the one who knows the secret about Katy. He accomplishes this high pitched call by rubbing his wing covers together. Actually the katydid has two calls, one for daylight and one for night. The daylight one is, much more subdued. One observer who was studying the call of the katydid during the day found that when a cloud came over and darkened the sky, it switched its call from day to the familiar night call. Sounds probable, but I wonder. Cool nights trigger all sorts of activities. The mouse and its myriad relatives, who have ranged the fields and woods all summer, are now thinking there's a better place to spend the winter. The old wood pile, the brush heap out back, maybe the garage or even your house will do. It matters not so long as it's waterproof and protected from Mr. Fox or a hovering owl. Any place will do. Then there's the food supply. If you have been gracious enough to leave a bag of bird seed unattended, a bag of potatoes, old candles, any kind of food, they'll find it. After all, their world is one of survival and the less they have to go outside to prepare, the better they like it. Out in my woods where there is no home I've often found them in cavities in trees or even old bird houses. Their cache of cherry pits and hickory nuts vouch for their hoarding. FARM ECONOMIST,. The Kubota M750ODT is proof you don't have to cut down on features to cut back your budget. Our largest Kubota comes with 16 forward and 4 reverse speeds. Four -wheel drive. 72.2 PTO hp. And a water - cooled diesel engine that never needs a tune -up. It's noted for its incredible fuel efficiency and won't shy away from heavy field work in soft sandy loam or mud. If you want a tractor to EKUBOTA' can work on a farm and stay on a budget, get a farm economist to help you. Get the M750ODT. We're looking for work. Island Ford & Municipal Machinery, Inc. Edwards Avenue, Calverton 727.9200 Page 7 WOOLLY BEARS - -These bristly black and brown caterpillars of the Tiger moth, shown curled up here, have already located their winter homes. Photo by Paul Stoutenburgh Winter's a long time for them. We do the same thing when we can, freeze, or preserve. It's all part of the preparation for winter. Many have forgot- ten the time - honored rituals handed down by grandparents. Today with food chains scattered about few think about preparing for winter's months ahead. There was a time when life and death hung on your ability to prepare. Today we take it for granted that the store shelves will always be full. Few have ever thought that perhaps in the future these take- it -for- granted supplies might not be there. I'm afraid we've become like the wild animals and birds in our parks that have been used to having food handed to them. All goes well 'til the visitor leaves the park and the wild animals and birds are left to forage on their own. This is a real problem situation brought about by becoming Foms on 3 1 0� a Zaltu" Long weekend trip to Chincoteague Virginia Home of the celebrated Wild Ponies and one of the greatest migratory wildlife areas on the eastern seaboard Nov. 20 - 22 dependent on one source of food. Some Prepare For Winter The wise person thinks past this man- made dilemma and tries to become somewhat self - sufficient. It's not the eas- iest task, for it involves work and much preparation. Many will never have the opportunity to experience any part of self - sufficiency living in the ghettos and tight cities. Yet some of us will still cling to that survival trait and go out of our way to prepare, doing our own thing; raising our own crops; preserving our own jams; freezing our own vegetables; freezing our fish; and making our own wine. Perhaps in the long run it's not really necessary but for those of us who do there is a good and satisfying feeling in preparing for the winter ahead. PAULSTOUTENBURGH LIMITED SPACE Call now for your Reservation: 286-2626 •n q