[AT] Fall Cleanup

[Gene Dotson]

    Been very dry here in western Ohio, so have taken the opportunity to 
spruce up the place a little. Started last month by spending 2 weeks 
clearing out the fence row between my hay field and the next door neighbor's 
lawn. Started by bulldozing the giant ragweed and some of the poison ivy. 
Took out a few small trash trees, then trimmed the limbs from the rest of 
the trees so I could get to the fence line. Took out all of the rusted, 
buried fence and all the rest of the poison ivy. Had poison ivy vines 5 
inches in diameter that grew beyond the tops of 75 foot wild cherry trees. I 
now have a property line that looks like a park and will be able to keep it 
mowed and sprayed along the entire line.
    Next job was trimming all the overhanging limbs along the edge of the 
woods. Now can run the tractor and combine closer to the woods.
    Last 2 weeks I have spent cleaning out the old fence wire and scrap 
metal from a corner of the woods. Hard to believe how much trash and junk 
accumulates in a woods that is used for a dump. Several old washers and 
dryers, parts to an old hay loader, lawnmowers, sheet metal and the 
mandatory bedsprings, I think I have discovered the breeding ground for 
them. Have my third trailer load ready to go to the scrap yard in the 
morning. Still have a lot of rocks and old concrete to move before I can 
finish the job. Probably have to just decide on a place to pile it all and 
just forget it. Too much of it to dig a trench and bury it all. People want 
this stuff for fill, but don't want to pay to have it hauled.
    Been keeping the little Case dozer working, along with a skid loader I 
bought. Was at the scrap yard yesterday and bought a set of forks from a 
fork lift. I mounted them to the bucket of the skid loader and sure worked 
nice for loading the heavy bunches of wire.
    Scrap prices have really fallen. Only getting $80.00 a ton for what I am 
selling, but at least it is off the place and making more than enough to pay 
for my fuel. Sure poor pay for the labor though.
    Got most of the soybeans off and sold before the price started dropping. 
Had to go around some green spots, but they will be ready about the time the 
Cubfest beans are ready.

    Hope everyong is getting along well.

                    Gene