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August 5, 2002 - Filed Under: Cotton

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- With zero boll weevils in 98 percent of Mississippi's cotton fields, growers appear eager to continue the eradication program that has brought them this far.

The burgundy wine-colored flowers of the Salvia van houttei are not only beautiful but prove to be a delicacy for ruby-throated hummingbirds.
August 5, 2002 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

They say, "seeing is believing," but in the case of Salvia van houttei, seeing is wanting, whether you are a hungry hummingbird or a gardener with an eye for color.

August 2, 2002 - Filed Under: Turfgrass and Lawn Management

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Weather conditions in 2002 may be much better than in recent years for Mississippi's sod producers, but the market challenges are not getting any easier.

Wayne Wells, turfgrass specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said reasonable amounts of rain have reduced irrigation expenses and some of the management challenges this year.

July 29, 2002 - Filed Under: Forest Ecology, Forestry

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi avoided an epidemic of southern pine beetles last year, but a recent survey found epidemic numbers of the beetles in national forests in south Mississippi.

July 29, 2002 - Filed Under: 4-H

JACKSON -- Mississippi is one step closer to having one of the nation's premier exhibitions of 4-H memorabilia and interactive programs after the July 20 groundbreaking for the Pete Frierson Mississippi 4-H Museum in Jackson.

The silky, hair-like blossoms of the Mexican feather grass move gracefully with the gentle breeze.
July 29, 2002 - Filed Under: Lawn and Garden

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Fountain, maiden and muhly grasses are among the most popular ornamental grasses, but watch for the new kid on the block, Mexican feather grass. The Mexican feather grass, known botanically as Stipa tenuissima, will bring an entirely new look to the garden.

July 26, 2002 - Filed Under: Cotton

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi's 2002 cotton crop may not be experiencing the drought challenges of past years, but the variable conditions are not making this an easy crop to predict either.

"The state's crop is at a varied stage of development due to an extended planting season," said Will McCarty, cotton specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service.

"Instead of the normal five to seven weeks of planting, it took eight to nine weeks. That's longer than we would like to see."

July 22, 2002 - Filed Under: Equine

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Eight girls from a group home in West Point spent a week with horses as part of a therapy program hoped to be the first of many offered around the state.

Mississippi State University's Horse Park hosted FOCUS, a day camp from July 15 to 19 designed for girls age 12 to 17 for "Finding Out about Communicating, Understanding and Succeeding."

The Outback Sunset lysimachia with its yellow and green variegated foliage and yellow-orange, bell-shaped flowers is a spreading ground cover that combines wonderfully with plants like New Wonder scaevola.
July 22, 2002 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

The Outback Sunset lysimachia has surpassed my greatest expectations. Although several people predicted problems from Mississippi's afternoon summer sun, I had the perfect location that afforded shade after 2 in the afternoon.

July 22, 2002 - Filed Under: Watermelon Cantaloupe and Cucumber, Watermelons

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Researchers at Mississippi State University are betting that one day state producers will want to grow seedless watermelons, and when they do, MSU will be ready to help them grow the best ones possible.

July 19, 2002

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi's livestock producers are looking forward to adequate pasture grass and hay supplies going into the fall, leaving only one thing to worry about: cattle prices.

John Anderson, agricultural economist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said Mississippi livestock producers pastures are better than normal for this time of the year, unlike their counterparts' pastures in major cattle producing states such as Texas and New Mexico.

July 15, 2002 - Filed Under: Food Safety

By Charmain Tan Courcelle

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- That raw oyster appetizer might sound tempting, but you may want to consider eating it later in a meal.

Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station food microbiologist Douglas Marshall has found eating raw oysters on an empty stomach can increase the risk of food poisoning. And taking an antacid beforehand could make the situation even worse.

The castor bean with its large palante leaves looks exotic and tropical in this garden with cannas, lantana and buddleia.
July 15, 2002 - Filed Under: Lawn and Garden

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

The castor bean, one of the South's best old-fashioned plants, really starts to attract attention this time of the year. The castor bean is undergoing a revival of sorts -- not only showing up in the rural cottage gardens but also in places like Northpark Mall in Jackson.

The castor bean has been grown in the United States for a long time but comes from northeast Africa. It is in the Euphorbia family, making it related to poinsettias and copper plants.

July 15, 2002 - Filed Under: Food

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Robert Rogers, Mississippi State University professor, recently served as an editor and author of "Meat Science and Applications," a professional reference guide for government, industry and academia.

July 15, 2002 - Filed Under: 4-H

JACKSON -- Mississippi 4-Hers will culminate their organization's year-long centennial celebration from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. on July 20 at the Agriculture and Forestry Museum in Jackson.

July 12, 2002 - Filed Under: Crops

By Eva Ann Dorris

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi's estimated planted acreage for 2002 reveals some significant swings between cotton and soybean acreage, but those changes appear more the result of weather, commodity prices and available financing than the new Farm Bill.

July 12, 2002 - Filed Under: Farm Safety, Children and Parenting

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The open road beckons many teen drivers to throw caution to the wind, making the summer months the most deadly time of the year for these youth.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 16-year-old drivers are at the most risk of dying in traffic accidents. Speeding, alcohol use, multiple passengers and driving between midnight and 3 a.m. represents the deadliest combination of risk factors for these young drivers.

The cigar or firecracker cuphea has beautiful fluted flowers that are exotically unique and a delight to the ruby-throated humminbird.
July 8, 2002 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

The popularity of Mexican Heather exploded in the 1980s, and this plant, also known as false heather, is still an excellent choice. Other species and varieties from Mexico are tough, good looking and unique enough to possibly interest your children or grandchildren in gardening.

July 5, 2002 - Filed Under: Soybeans

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- With most of Mississippi's soybean crop in bloom, it's time for farmers to think about making late-season management decisions.

Alan Blaine, soybean specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said growers need to check to see if fields need late-season insecticide or fungicide applications.

July 1, 2002 - Filed Under: About Extension

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Changes in clientele needs, technological advances and tighter budgets are prompting a major restructuring of the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

Joe McGilberry, director of the MSU Extension Service, said in-depth plans for restructuring have been developing for more than a year. The plans will enable the Extension Service to continue to deliver quality educational programs and assistance throughout the state.

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