February 25, 1982 - Thawing and FreezingSECOND SECTION e *u f f 01 h Tt M e 5 FEBRUARY 25,1982
Thawing and Freezing
Those who have paved driveways and
sidewalks might not have noticed a change
taking place within the ground. Winter's
cold penetrates deep into our soils and does
not give up its grip for some time after our
first freezing and thawing. This freezing
and thawing is a surface maneuver.
The real deep freeze of our soil is the
culprit that creates the excessive softness
when we have a quick thaw. It's the time
when you slip and slide and everything
seems to ooze. The problem is there's no
place for the water to run off in the soil. It
can't go down because of the frozen soil
below. Slowly the deep thawing will take
place as time goes on and then the water
will be able to percolate down until our
footing is solid once more.
This freezing of our soil is most important
for it conditions it and sets it ready for
spring's jubilant growth. You've all noticed
how soft and workable the soil is when you
first dig into it in the spring. The heaving
and thawing help aerate the soil when the
frost is out. The warmer weather ahead will
bring an additional ally, the worm. For it's
his holes and tunnels that help with aeration
and water percolation. These are just some
of the things we see for there are untold
numbers of things going on in the soil that
make it rich and porous so our plants and
trees can grow.
All winter long when the ground is hard
and frozen the horses move across the
pasture without leaving a trace. Of course
when it snows, their tracks can be plainly
seen. So it is today as the frost comes out of
the ground, deep hoof prints show up in the
smooth nibbled surface of the pasture.
Now once again they can roll on the soft
earth, caring little for how they look.
Usually when a horse gets up from its daily
roll, it will shake from nose to tail and a
huge cloud of dust will drift off. Not so now.
The shake is still there but the wet mud
that's matted on the long hair stays put. I
must say they become quite scraggly
looking but they seem to care little.
q @QMP)3 uW
M�IQMTN
I can also tell when it has thawed out by
the chickens scratching. During the winter
freeze they are powerless to move even the
smallest leaf that's frozen solidly to the
ground. Now they're scratching and
picking everywhere and our egg supply has
once again been re- established. During the
cold months they just about gave up laying
and the ones they did lay would freeze and
crack before I could gather them.
How we enjoy fresh eggs! Some say
there's no difference from store eggs but let
me tell you there's a difference in looks and
in my taste buds. You can't imagine the
difference: bright yellow orange in
contrast to the pale lemon yellow store
eggs.
Some of our chickens are just coming into
their own now for they were only young ones
last fall. Out of the last batch we had two
roosters and they are now showing that age -
old rivalry for king of the roost. They have
learned to crow. First very weak and raspy
but now like veterans they sound off each
morning. I'm not sure how they're going to
be received by our neighbors, but being
some distance away I think they'll be
tolerated. Time will tell.
All winter long they have managed to
survive, but now that there's a break in the
weather raccoons and opposums will be on
the prowl. During the coldest weather they
would be curled up in some dry place and
sleeping it off, but now that the warm spells
have moved the urge to get out and explore
will soon find them in our backyard. A
plump chicken or freshly laid eggs will suit
4 GOOD REASONS WHY
WE CAN KEEP YOU
GOING GREAT!
1. Trained technicians
2. The right tools and diagnostic equipment
3. The right parts for your car or truck
4. Personalized friendly "Red Carpet" treatment
lull1
GM suExu"M
',
KEEP THAT GREAT GM FEELING
WITH GENUINE GM PARTS
oAuT.l.sERvcE WELLS
GREAT GOING BEGINSBim Pontiac - Cadillac • Subaru
Main Road, Peconic 765 -1000 722 -3100
IN STOCK FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY
1982 Mazda
GL C's
As IOW as 15295 p,o.,
35 IMPG 46 E MPG
WATER AND ICE -- Winter does not give up her hold easily. Moderate
temperatures during the day are driven out by each night's drop in
temperature. It's the timeless process that has shaped our world.
Photo by Paul Stoutenburgh
them just fine and knowing this the
chickens will leave the chicken house and
roost in the trees to escape these
marauders. Even the laying boxes will be
deserted should a raccoon or opposum find
an egg meal in them. Then it's a search to
find where they've laid the eggs; out in the
garage, in the wood shed, or up on top of the
hay. It reminds one of an Easter egg hunt,
but with a bit more intent for if I neglect to
find them the eggs will accumulate and I'll
soon have a setting hen and another batch of
chickens.
Down at the creek the ice has all moved
out, leaving in its path' a line of uprooted
docks and pilings. A closer look shows great
scars along the banks and along the shores
where huge pieces of ice pushed and ripped
out great chunks of marsh grass. Few of us
realize the power that these great masses of
ice have behind them when they're on the
move. It doesn't take much of a tide or wind
to egg them on their way to destruction.
From the beginning of time the world has
had its freezing and thawing and its running
waters. From the first eroding away of
solid rock to today's ice and thaw, the
process goes on. And so the soils of the
world were born by these endless processes
and their work still goes on today unnoticed
by most.
PAULSTOUTENBURGH
NOW WH T*O)
When you least expect it your car may overheat...
and you'll probably be at the end of your wits
trying to figure out what to do...
Before this happens to you ... See the trained
professionals at Riverhead Auto and Radiator.
They are equipped to.handle the kinds of things that
could "RUIN YCUR DAY!"
[:]HEATING SYSTEMS ❑ RADIATORS
❑ GAS TANKS ❑ COOLING SYSTEMS
❑ AIR CONDITIONING
I&Pethead
of&tcp 1&dIatepe
COMPLETE AUTO AIR CONDITIONING & RADIATOR SERVICE
1181 E. Main Street, Riverhead 727 -2575