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VOL. 15 NO. 9

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 27 TO MARCH 4.1980

PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY BY THE SEAWAVE CORPORATION. P.O. BOX 0. AVALON. N J 08203

Improved S.J. Rail Service Eyed

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ATLANTIC CITY — Congressman Bill Hughes has called upon Amtrak to begin studying the feasibility of upgrading and improving the passenger rail system

throughout South Jersey.

Speaking at a recent field hearing here of the House Subcommittee on Transportation and Commerce. Mr. Hughes said the existing transportation network in South Jersey isn’t capable of keeping up with the rising energy costs and growing tran-

sportation demands of the region.

''J strongly believe that the economic future of South Jersey depends largely on the establishment of modem rail service in our area,” he stated. "Rising energy costs, coupled with the tremendous increase in population and visitors to our region, have made our previously poor transportation

network a potential disaster.

"I feel the ultimate solution to this problem rests with the railroads.” he continued. “They are energy efficient, and can serve our transportation needs without the traffic congestion and pollution of automobiles. If we let this opportunity pass, I’m afraid we will simply lock ourselves into the same transportation infrastructure which has created all of our present

problems," he said.

The Ocean City Congressman said he is in favor of having Amtrak acquire and upgrade the Fennsylvania-Reading Seashore Line, and incorporate it into one of its Northeast Corridor routes. He said the PRSL, which currently serves Atlantic City,

Cape May and other shore points, has the potential to serve at least 17.000 visitors a

day by 1990.

Together with improvements along other rail links, such as the former Wildwood spur and the feeder lines into Vineland and Toms River, he said the potential for new rider-

ship in South Jersey is endless.

Mr. Hughes and fellow New Jersey Democrat Rep. James Florio, who chairs the Transportation Subcommittee, are currently working on a proposal to have Amtrak study the feasibility of taking over

the PRSL.

During his opening remarks. Mr. Hughes pointed out that improving the rail system in South Jersey has always been one of his top priorities in Congress. He has worked with, other members of the New Jersey Congressional Delegation over the years to include operating subsidies for many local rail lines in the Conrail appropriations bill. In addition, he has waged a vigorous campaign to retain commuter service along

the PRSL

“Now, I think it is time for us to elevate these efforts to a higher level." he stated. “We must begin to focus not only on maintaining our existing rail service, but also on upgrading the tracks and equipment. and improving the overall rail system in South Jersey. "I realize that this is a major undertaking, and it is not likely to happen overnight. Nonetheless. I hope this hearing will get us started in that direction." Mr Hughes concluded.

THE WILDWOOD spur is non-existent, the tracks having been taken up excrai for the rails holding this derelict car. Get R eady For Spring Gardening

TAKING ADVANTAGE of the recent warm weather. ( hristopher Reina of Cape May gets an early start turning over the family garden while the scarecrow, still In its Christmas regalia, looks on approvingly.

COURT HOUSE - Even though it seems to have been a relatively mild winter with fewer gloomy days than normal iknock on wood), there are few whaaren’t looking forward to spring right about now . With unseasonably warm weather a few weeks ago. many of the spring (julbs put in a premature ap pea ranee; their flowering fate is anxioasly ^Waited over the next few weeks The maple sap has been dripping Birds are chirping springtime songs Easter is early this year. There are only a few more days of February Spring is officially only three weeks away; there is already a rekindling of that primal urge to sow and

plant .

For • those itching to return to the soil, here is some timely gardening advice from Cape May County Agricultural Agent Larry Newbold •Don’t plow or spade when the soil is wet. It will form hard clods which will interfere with cultivation during the growing season •Start vegetable and flower plants only six weeks before they are to be set in the garden Started too early, they will become

spindly;

•Plant y#ur flower and vegetable gardens ac cording to the hardiness of the species and varieties selected. The hardy ones may be planted about three weeks before the average date of the last frost

(around mid-April) Sow seeds of hardy types about one week before the last frost date Tender jjpecics shouldn’t be planted until one week after the average last frost dale mThere are some nurserymen, however, who caution against putting out tomato plants before Mother's Day ) •Fertilize the perennial flower border with three pounds of 5*10-5 per 100 sq ft., broadcasting evenly around the plants and scratching it into the mulch or top inch of soil Water liberally if the ground is dry •Clean out the weeds and renew the mulch in the perennial border and around shrubs It’s just about gardening time, when many of us — Energy — Show--No CAPE MAY - Too few exhibitors have forced cancellation of the Energy Conservation Home Improvement Show scheduled for Feb. 29 and March 1 in convention hall The .sponsoring Cape May County Chapter of Commerce has tentatively rescheduled the show for early fall. The Chamber had hoped for between 25 and 50 participating area businesses!? signed up.

start a season long aefivity that ends when we discover the best, most productive and Satisfying vegetable patches are those which have been planned The planning should Ik* completed bcforejthe first spade full of earth jhas been turned in the spring Start with a sketch of the plot on a piece of paper And in making the sketch, con sider the number of people in the family airing with their vegetable peijference It's also .wise to consider how much time each will be able to devote to the garden work throughout the season. ON THE plan include the kinds and varieties that will be produced and the planting time for each Figure out row spacing and how much of each variety to plant l^>ng rows are better than short rows They're easier Ur cultivate and waste less space While planning the garden take into con sideration the location of the plot, whether it’s shaded by trees, i| it will get the moisture it needs and if it’s close enpugh to make gardening eaRy Use seed catalogs and other publications as aids] Plan a balanced garden Include the three main types of groups. root crops, leafy vegetables and fruit crops And if your plot ift small, be careful about using too much space for melons, pumpkins and other crops that ne<*d large areas (Page 3 Please)