The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.


The Wisdom Of Barnyard Bruke: "THESE RAINS ARE REAL LOG-ROLLER'N TOAD-CHOKERS!"

Greetings to everyone in western Illinois,

Everyone is talk'n about the weather and all this rain we are have'n. Last week was a real log-roller "n toad-choker to say the least.

Some folk claim they had right nigh nine inches rain in just a couple hours. Around some parts of western Illinois folk reported three inches rain.

Whatever the situation was in your particular area, you don't have to go to far north and/or east to find much less rainfall.

Northern Iowa farmers are a work'n in the field today while most of my neighbors have large lakes where not too long ago they had corn a grow'n.

Cornelius sez we needs to find out the feller who is make'n change in the collection plate and convince him to stop it before we all gets drowned out.

"Well, in the first place it's not all that late," Buster Jigs sez. He remembers years ago when only a fool would start plant'n before May 15, even if'n the hedge leaves was large as squirrel ears.

If'n field work was all ready to plant before May 15, a farmer would mend fence, trim hedge, go fish'n, or find something to do until the calendar gave him permission to plant his corn.

Think of how much fun that was back in those days a stretch'n your wire, make'n a good seed bed for the weeds, harrowing right behind the planter, and basically practice'n organic farming.

Bill Jones sez all those practices had its day in the sunshine, but yields back in those days would hardly pay real estate taxes today. Back then instead of GPS satellite systems to guide your tractor, they had planter wire with knobs on it to be moved at each end of the field. Couldn't get in much of a hurry with those extra duties, even if'n you wanted to.

Some folk are blame'n all this rain on today's farmers plant'n corn to thick. Now if'n that don't "git your bowels inna uproar," I don't know what will.

Those fellers think'n along those lines "cud' go to th' ocean an' not find water."

It reminds me of a while back when I ran across a man named Fred Holl at a farm sale, a way up north. His theory was farmers was a plant'n too much plastic tile and cause'n a drought or something like that. I was with Bill Jones at the time and he got so excited arguing with Fred on the matter, a wave'n his hands to make a point, that he bought a box of junk off'n the hay rack from Van Adkisson cry'n the sale, without intend'n to.

Now, as for me self, I don't know if'n Fred's point had any resemblance of credibility or he was just enjoy'n stir'n ole Bill up.

On this I know for sure right now, a mighty large number of folk would give a fancy price to have a heap more drainage plastic buried in their fields.

As for that over educated adviser a lay'n all this rain on the farmer plant'n his corn too thick, I gots one piece of advice, "Don't argue with "em."

When you've bested a fool, what have you gained, you're smarter than a fool?! And, per chance should he out maneuver you in the debate, look what you've lost, to your discredit-"I was out talked by a fool?! Not a good situation to find yourself in, in either case.

Well, hang in there because whatever is causin'n all this rain, it is bound to change. Chances are when it does, the trees will be a chase'n the dogs around a look'n for a drink.

By the way, I was in Burlington a while back and an ambulance chased everyone to a stop and went on ahead to run a red stop light. In short order he shut the noise of the siren off and all the lights and went about normal driving and his own business.

It makes me wonder how often that joke is played on law abide'n citizenry? I'm a hope'n not too often, but even once is too much. Most of them folk is pretty serious about their business. They know cry'n wolf ultimately leads to problems.

In the mean time keep your umbrella handy, a light jacket nearby, and the oil changed in your tractor. As time goes on you'll need them all by and by.

Keep on Smile'n

Catch ya later

Barnyard Bruke