News

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- "To love and cherish in sickness and in health" may be the promise, but no one wants a single day of sickness, especially on their wedding day or honeymoon.

Some illnesses are beyond human control, but several healthy practices can reduce the number of days lost to sickness and lengthen years with loved ones.

Peggy Walker, a Mississippi State University Extension Service nutrition and food safety area agent based in Panola County, said stress in the weeks before a wedding can take a toll on a person's health.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Shopping for a wedding dress is a much bigger ordeal than heading out with a budget in mind and an idea of favorite styles, said one Mississippi State University fashion expert.

Phyllis Miller, an associate professor of apparel, textiles and merchandising in MSU's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, explained why brides-to-be should allow a year to find the right dress.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A trip to the dressing room with an armload of the same size clothes proves that size is not the most important factor when choosing an outfit.

The style and cut of any item of clothing determines how well it looks on a person. Wedding dresses are no exception, and it takes a careful shopper to choose the most flattering style for this highly photographed day.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- When it comes to honeymoons, a couple's interests and personalities should determine location, preparation and any other details.

Patsilu Reeves, a family life education specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said when couples relax and focus on having fun together, they can develop a stronger emotional bond.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Couples appreciate every thoughtful gift, but some items still end up unused and in storage for years.

Friends can improve a present's chances of immediate use by consulting registries, shower hostesses and others who know the couple well.

Bobbie Shaffett, associate professor of family resource management with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said gift registries help givers select gifts couples need or want. Registries also can let friends know what others have already purchased and help avoid some duplication.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Family time or adult occasion? Opinions differ on the subject of children at weddings, but experts agree including them lends an element of uncertainty, for better or worse.

Louise Davis, child and family development specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said couples should consider their expectations of the wedding day when deciding whether or not to invite children.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

There is so much to enjoy and see in the winter garden once trees and shrubs have been stripped bare of foliage. The dormant season reveals whether or not we planned for form and structure in our gardens.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

The All-American Daylily Selection Council recently announced the 2005 additions to its growing family of winners. Red Volunteer, a striking crimson, is the 2005 winner in the exhibition category. Miss Mary Mary, a petite gold, won in the landscape category.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- 4-H'ers trying to gain educational extracurricular experience while in high school have the opportunity in March to work in Mississippi government.

The Mississippi State University Extension Service 4-H program and the Center for Governmental Training and Technology are recruiting four youth to serve as legislative pages March 14-18. The youth will serve either in the state Senate or House of Representatives, or in the governor, lieutenant governor or other executive branch offices.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Once sold to promote the use of tractors, farm toys are popular collectibles for young and old alike. An upcoming farm toy show in Starkville will attract people with recent experience and others with fond memories of treasured possessions from long ago.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Most households with children have a new pile of toys from the holidays, but specialists warn that not all toys are good for kids.

Louise Davis, child and family development specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said ideally, toys entertain and promote creative, non-violent play in youth. The commercialization of play has moved the toy industry from putting children first to promoting items because of their ability to generate revenues.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A new antibiotic has the potential to treat one of the most costly diseases in Mississippi's $287 million catfish industry.

Pat Gaunt, a veterinary toxicologist with Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, began studying the use of florfenicol to treat enteric septicemia, or ESC, in U.S. catfish more than five years ago. That process is nearing an end as the Food and Drug Administration considers final approval of the drug.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

At the Midsouth Greenhouse Growers Conference, a speaker told of a recent rose introduction that was surprising everyone with its non-stop blooming and apparent tolerance, if not resistance, to the cursed black spot. What was this knock-out rose? It was Knock Out, a 2000 All-America Rose Selections winner.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

When choosing plants for borders this spring, strive to vary heights and leaf textures, and don't overlook plants with gray foliage.

In a gardening world dominated by a sea of green, well-placed pockets of plants with silver and gray leaves is ever so striking. We have choices here from perennials, herbs and even shrubs.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

I recently attended a meeting in Lucedale at one of the nurseries that produce woody ornamentals. As I was walking across the field, I noticed some beautiful conifers with glowing golden foliage.

These gold, Christmas tree-shaped plants are known botanically as Chamaecyparis obtusa, or false cypress. The variety that is becoming more popular in the southeast is Crippsii.

By Bonnie Coblentz

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Four major Mississippi crops set production records in 2004, but it took the strength of poultry's $2 billion year to push the state's estimated agriculture value to a record $5.5 billion.

The state's overall value of production is expected to rise 3 percent from the record $5.3 billion set in 2003. Poultry was the big winner, gaining nearly 26 percent to post its new record.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Poultry topped the $2 billion mark in 2004 as record prices combined with higher production for the state's No. 1 commodity.

Poultry set a new record for the estimated value of production, increasing by nearly 26 percent - more than $400 million - to $2.01 billion. Broilers saw a 30 percent increase and chickens a 27 percent increase, but eggs dropped 8 percent in estimated farm-gate value.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- A wet summer kept loggers out of the woods and helped the 2004 timber harvest increase in value for the second consecutive year.

The state's No. 2 agricultural commodity is expected to have a 2004 value of production of about $1.1 billion, up 1.5 percent from last year's value. Poultry and timber have retained their No. 1 and 2 spots since the mid-1990s.

Debbie Gaddis, a forestry specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said heavy rains in June, July and August contributed to increased timber prices.

MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Superior varieties, few pests and cooperative weather helped the 2004 cotton crop exceed last year's record-setting yields.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts the 2004 state average yield to be 1,000 pounds of lint per acre, up from 932 pounds per acre in 2003. Mississippi producers planted 1.1 million acres of cotton in 2004 and harvested 1.09 million acres.

By Norman Winter
MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

Any mention of champions at this time of the year and everyone thinks about the Orange Bowl or some other football game. But the All-America Rose Selections Committee names champions every year, and they are not determined on a football field in Miami or even Pasadena.

The nonprofit All-America Rose Selections Committee looks for roses with traits like striking color, a profuse bloom, unparalleled disease resistance or an unbelievably sweet fragrance.