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December 9, 2002 - Filed Under: Wildlife, White-Tailed Deer

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Deer hunters across the country are becoming concerned about Chronic Wasting Disease, and while Mississippi deer appear to be disease-free, hunters are urged to take precautions to see that it stays that way.

Chronic Wasting Disease, or CWD, attacks the central nervous system of members of the deer family, particularly deer and elk. It belongs to the class of communicable diseases that includes mad cow disease and scrapie. CWD causes long-term degeneration of the brain, resulting in abnormal behavior, loss of bodily functions and death.

December 2, 2002 - Filed Under: Wildlife

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Outdoors enthusiasts can take great strides in understanding the Southeast's wildlife through an intense seven-week short course beginning in February.

December 2, 2002 - Filed Under: Crops

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Rains that dashed many producers' hopes of a decent crop are still causing heartache as growers try to complete the harvest and repair fields damaged in the process.

Rains began in late September and stopped harvest statewide for most of the row crops. The delay caused many crop losses in the fields and reduced the quality of what remained. In between showers, growers did their best to harvest from the soaked fields. The result was thousands of acres of severely rutted fields, and some of the state's crops were still in the field at the end of November.

Christmas cactus
December 2, 2002 - Filed Under: Cut Flowers and Houseplants

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

If you want a Christmas or holiday plant that will easily re-bloom every year, then the Christmas cactus is unbeatable.

The cacti in my office are living and blooming proof. Although I have had them for several years, they are abandoned for weeks on end during the spring and fall garden season. If they get water or any other light sitting in a north window, they are lucky.

November 25, 2002 - Filed Under: Farm Safety

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Gas heaters that don't work well aren't just a cold annoyance, they can also be a health hazard.

Herb Willcutt, safety specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said malfunctioning gas heaters can kill an entire household by releasing deadly amounts of carbon monoxide. What could be prevented by regular maintenance usually takes several lives across the country each year.

November 25, 2002 - Filed Under: Cotton

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Cotton growers can get the latest in production recommendations and technology application from top agricultural specialists, researchers and fellow farmers at the annual Mississippi State University Extension Service's Cotton Short Course, Dec. 4 through 6.

November 25, 2002

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- More than 80 poinsettia varieties will be on display during Mississippi State University's annual horticulture Christmas open house from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Dec. 6.

The free event will take place in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences' greenhouses behind Dorman Hall. In addition to the poinsettias, the open house will feature educational seminars, displays and door prizes.

November 18, 2002 - Filed Under: Cut Flowers and Houseplants

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The holidays would not be the same without colorful poinsettias decking the halls and rooms across this country.

A native of Mexico, poinsettias were first brought to the United States by Joel Poinsett, an ambassador to Mexico in 1825. Once known as Flores de Noche Buena (Flowers of the Holy Night), most people know them by color, not variety. The colorful parts of the poinsettias are modified leaves known as bracts. The true flowers are the small yellow buttons in the centers of the bracts.

November 18, 2002 - Filed Under: Trees

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

As we get closer to the holiday season, we hear words like fir, Scotch pine and spruce mentioned in association with Christmas trees. But I want you also to think about spruce as one of the most beautiful native pines for the landscape.

November 18, 2002 - Filed Under: Farm Safety

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- As if farmers need one more thing to worry about after struggling to harvest much of the state's crops in wet conditions, they now need to be extra cautious when drying their grain in bins.

Herb Willcutt, safety specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said burners intended to dry grain in bins can cause fires when not maintained or used properly. He said Arkansas reported three bin fires in three weeks as farmers tried to dry their crops.

November 11, 2002 - Filed Under: Farm Safety

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Winter's chill sends people scurrying for the thermostats and space heaters to stay warm, but these comfort items can turn deadly if not operating properly.

Nearly every winter brings stories of individuals or families killed or sickened by overnight carbon monoxide poisoning in closed spaces. In these situations, even those who attempt to rescue them can become ill or die unless the area is ventilated before they enter.

November 11, 2002 - Filed Under: Food

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- When another roasted turkey doesn't sound appetizing for Thanksgiving, many adventuresome cooks in recent years have turned to frying.

The goal is not a greasy dish similar to the Southern delicacy of breaded, fried chicken. This kind of frying is an outdoor venture that uses a large kettle of hot oil over an open flame to cook a whole turkey to a golden brown.

Melissa Mixon, food safety specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said frying works if the turkey is completely thawed and is not stuffed.

November 11, 2002 - Filed Under: Trees

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- For all the hype about "right conditions" to yield the best fall foliage, the key to outstanding tree color is likely the species itself.

Mississippi trees often enter the fall after experiencing a dry season and that means relatively cloud-free days as well. These conditions typically bring vibrant colors. However, this year's weather situation has been drastically different after two tropical storms and days of overcast and rainy conditions.

November 4, 2002 - Filed Under: Rural Health

By John Hawkins

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Rural health care providers in Mississippi are getting assistance from a state program that emphasizes the economic importance of local health care.

November 4, 2002 - Filed Under: Commercial Horticulture, Fruit

 MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Fruit and vegetable growers will converge on Biloxi Dec. 4 through 6 to learn the tricks of the trade to make them better producers in the future.

The Deep South Fruit and Vegetable Conference will take place at the convention center in the President Broadwater Towers Hotel on Beach Boulevard. Conference participants from Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi will attend with an expected crowd of 500 people.

November 4, 2002 - Filed Under: Health

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Not enough Mississippians give blood to save the lives of people in need, but even fewer have committed to giving their organs and tissue to save someone's life after their own has passed.

The Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency is the federally designated organ procurement organization for most of the state. They report that more than 75,000 people nationwide need organ transplants, and 16 of these die each day waiting for the organ that will save their lives.

Dwarf Montego snapdragons and yellow pansies create a mixed container that would brighten any porch, patio or deck.
November 4, 2002 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

The snapdragon is one of the most beautiful plants for cool season color, and it thrives through winter until late spring or early summer heat arrives. Snapdragons love temperatures in the low 40s at night and low 70s by day, which make them ideally situated for fall in the South.

Fall and winter landscapes will be more beautiful if they include this camellia sasanqua, Shishi Gashira, recently named a 2002 Mississippi Medallion award winner for the fall. Their waxy, leather leaves coupled with blooms that are as pretty as roses reveal that these camellias are not only good as shrubs but also for use as foundation plantings.
November 4, 2002 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Shishi Gashira is without a doubt the finest landscape camellia on the market, and it has been chosen as a 2002 Mississippi Medallion award winner for the fall. These drop-dead gorgeous camellia sasanquas are waiting for you now at your local garden center.

Their waxy, leather leaves coupled with blooms that are as pretty as roses reveal that these camellias are not only good as shrubs but also for use as foundation plantings.

November 1, 2002 - Filed Under: Christmas Trees

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- State Christmas tree growers had an excellent growing season this year and have high hopes for a happy holiday.

Steve Dicke, Christmas tree specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said the trees were able to use nearly all the heavy rains that came throughout the year.

"We hope it dries out sometime so the customers can get out in the fields and cut their own trees, but until harvest, we're not really concerned about it," Dicke said.

Bouquet Purple dianthus is the perfect companion to petunias, Dusty Miller and Sweet Alyssum.
October 28, 2002 - Filed Under: Flower Gardens

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

As you shop for daffodils and pansies, pick up a flat or two of dianthus. The new hybrid pink dianthus offers months of cool-season color for the landscape. They would be a worthy purchase even if they are annuals, but many gardeners find these newer varieties will give three, four or more seasons of bloom.

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