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About The Alliance herald. (Alliance, Box Butte County, Neb.) 1902-1922 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 3, 1916)
Agricultural Edition Herald 16 Pages READ BY EVERY MEMBER NEBRASKA STOCK GROWERS ASSOCIATION. ALL THE NEWS OP ALLIANCE AND WESTERN NEBRASKA OFFICIAL ORGAN NEBRASKA VOLUNTEER FIREMEN'S ASSOCIATION. IT REACHES HEADQUARTERS FOR 15,000 FIREMEN VOLUME XXIII ALLIANCE, BOX BUTTE COUNTY, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1916 NUMBER 9 Farm Demonstration Report For Year of 1915 The Allianc INTRODUCTION (Bv The Herald Editor) The Box Butte County Farm Management Association was organ ized in February, 1915, by farmers of the county who realized the need of a farm demonstrator. From among several applicants, F. M. Seidell of Chadron, a graduate o fthe Chadron high school and of the Iowa Agricultural College of Ames, Iowa, was selected. Mr. Seidell had lived in western Nebraska since 1907 and it was believed that he ,'would be better posted than anyone coming from a section where the climate and soil were different. County agent work was started in Box Butte county as in most every other place. Many people had one idea of its nature and ob ject, while others had other ideas. Some were for it and others against it. As long as human nature remains the same, farm demon stration work will meet more or less opposition. The work of the county agent is always difficult, for he has on kim the eyes of the federal department, the state college of agricul ture, the county organization, the private individuals and opposition onstantly watching for success or failure. Many farmers do not realize that the farm demonstrator is not sent to them but that he omes by invitation and that his work is to assist. During the past year Mr. Seidell has made it his aim to do such work as was in line with the needs of the county and would tend to ward general agricultural improvement. Something that would not be of benefit to the individual alone, but to the general farming inter ests of the county. He believes that a small good to many is better than much good to a single individual. His aim has been to base his ; work on the weather and economic conditions in Box Butte county and to make the best of those conditions. The office of the county agent in the court house is always open to visitors, who are welcomed by Mr. Seidell in a way that makes them feel at home. He is always ready to give a word of advice or help, and on his frequent trips throughout the county he is welcomed by those who realize that his work is for the betterment of the farm er. The officers of the Box Butte County Farm Management Associa tion are to be commended for their spirit of hearty co-operation and helpfulness shown during the past year. The following report shows not only what has been accomplished during the year 1915 but it gives an idea of the great agricultural fu ture in store for Box Butte county. With only a small portion of the available farm land in the county under cultivation, there is room kere for thousands of additional farmers and there is room for im provement among the farmers who will profit by the experience of the county agent. We believe that Box Butte county is to become one of the great agricultural producing districts of the state. Our kogs topped the South Omaha market last week and our cattle fre quently bring the highest prices. County Agent Report for Year 1915: Work Done In Reiatloa to the Prop! Directly by Ageat ar on his Aacfftwtioa different farmers visited on their farms 184 Total number of farm visits made 474 Calls on agent at office relating to county agent work 754 Meetings held under auspices of farm bureau or agent 64 Total of all meetings addressed by agent 69 Total attendance at such meetings 1729 Membership in farm bureau or county organisation (Dec. 31, 1916). . 298 Boys' and girls' clubs organised (1915) 6 Total membership in such clubs organized in 1915 39 Agricultural articles written by agent published in local papers 49 Local circulars and circular letters mailed under the frank 5781 Copies of United States bulletins distributed 60 Copies of State bulletins distributed 288 Letters mailed under frank 2882 Letters mailed on which postage was paid 327 Days devoted by agent to short course or extension school work 3 Total from county attending short course or farmers' week at college 2 School visits made by agent 3 Schools assisted in developing agricultural instruction 1 Agricultural observation parties conducted (automobile, etc.) 2 Total number of persons in such parties 87 Meetings or demonstrations held at which assistance was rendered by specialists from the college or U. S. Department 46 Per cent of agent's time spent In office 46 What portion of time spent in office was devoted to (a) Answering correspondence? 25 (b) Conference with farmers? . . . 25 (c) Miscellaneous office work? 50 Per cent of agent's time spent in field work 54 What portion of agent's time in field was spent in (a) Arranging and supervising demonstrations? 72 (b) Caring for miscellaneous farm visits? 10 (c) Attending meetings, short courses, etc? 18 Work Done In JU-tation to Crops On MiggeMioii of Agent or under his directions during 101A Farms selecting seed corn in fall 10 Farms treating seed oats for smut 16 Farms on which the agent knows that potatoes were grown following his suggestions 6 Resultant increased potato yield per acre on 6 farms where yield was determined , 29.97 Farms on which the agent knows that alfalfa was sown following his suggestions 11 Farms on which the agent knows that the .eed or soil for alfalfa was inoculated 10 Work Done In Itelation to Live Stock On suggestion of Agent during 191ft Registered bulls which the agent knows were secured on his suggestion 3 Cows tested for milk production through associations 1 Cows tested for milk production by Individuals on suggestion of agent 6 Farms on which balanced rations figured by county agent are known to have been adopted . 1 Animals treated for blackleg by agent or on his suggestion 45 Work Done in Itelation to Farm Huslneea On Advice of Agent or under Ma direction during ltlS Farm analysis records taken by county agent 44 Farmers induced by the agent to keep farm accounts, partial or com plete SO Farmers' eichanges organised in 1915 1 Value of business done through such exchanges organised In 1915 . . .1905 Farms supplied with laborers through exchanges or otherwise I Total value of all business done In 1115 by all associations organised by agent or on his suggestion 11497 Rcjtort of Crop and Noll Demonstrations When Number began demonstra tions, 1915 Oat smut control April 1 16 Miscellaneous: Potato scab control April 1 6 Potato dry rot eontrol April 1 5 Farm Management Survey June 1 (6 Boys' and girls' club work Mar. II S9 members Forage, Crop, alfalfa Inoculation. (Signed) F. M. SEIDELL, U. 8. Dept. of Agriculture. L. J. 8C1IILL, Pres. Box Butte Farmers' Assn. Date mailed to state leader: December 31, 1915. Lines of Work In Which Box Butte Fanners' Association Bars Baaa Active 1915 Potato disease campaign. Oat Smut campaign. Bettering organisation and fostering co-operative spirit. , Cooperated in selection of agricultural dlsplayt. v Cooperated in good-roads movement. Conducted a silo campaign. Cooperated in securing Burlington live stosk special. Advocated field selection of seed corn. Conducted a farmers' exchange Cooperated with farmers' clubs. Maintained an Information bureau on markets aad assisted la Market ing and bettering market conditions. Conducted Junior agricultural observation ton. Boys' and Girls' Club work. County-wide farmers' Institute. Farm management survey work. Prog reus Report of Potato Disease DemonetraUoas suad Marketing of Pota toes In Box Butte County Officers Box Butte County Farmers' Association L. J. SCHILL, Alliance,' Presklent A. S. ENYKART, neminglord; Vice President. A. II. GROVE, Alliance, Secretary. W, P. PATTERSON, Alliance, Treasurer. ( Directors F. A. TRABERT, Alliance, Boyd Precinct WM. DAVIDSON, Alliance, Lake precinct. P. II. NASON, Alliance, Box Butt eprecmet. JOHN JELINEK, Heminpiord, Running Water preeinet. ANTON UHR1G, Hemingford, Dorsey precinct. E. F. ABLKY, Ileminirford, Nonpareil precinct. F. McCOY, Alliance, Wright precinct. F. CRAWFORD, Alliance, Snake precinct. .NEILS PETERSON, fanlon, Liberty precinct. No director in Lawn precinct. County Agent work was started in Box Butte county March 1, 1915 Box Butte county lies in the western part of Nebraska and is comprised chiefly of level table land. The rainfall is limited, amounting to about sev enteen inches of rainfall per year. Through years of experience, the farm ers have come to recognise the potato as their big each crop and consequent ly this has developed into an extensive potato section. As in any district where a special line of farming is carried on such as the potato industry, disease gradually creeps in. and with no efforts being made to suppress the diseases, the losses hare grown greater every year. The county as a result was fast losing its reputation as a producer of good potatoes, due to the poor quality, lack of grading, scab, and losses of dry rot in storage. The local organisation and the Extension department, Nebraska College of Agriculture, realized that thi was a very important line of work in wblcb to start and carry on demonstrations. As a consequence a great deal of the county agents time has been devoted to this line of work with the ultimate aim of chiefly securing figures that would be a force in making the growers of this county realize the Importance of proper seed selection, proper seed treatment and standardization, thereby hoping to make all these a common practice. Active work In the stamping out of potato diseases in Box Butte county started on April 5, by a circular letter and posters announcing tbe potato disease meetings to be held throughout tbe county during the week of April 12-17 inclusive. Seven meetings were held with an attendance of eighty five farmers. This was tbe first time that any meetings of this special na ture were ever held in the county. Many farmers were found at this time who said that they would give It a trial, while many others were skeptical. Some claimed that they had tried tbe treating for diseases or at least their neighbors had, and not received satisfactory results. However, many men were given their first Impression of whst potato diseases really were, and the causes and proper methods of eradication. Following these meetings personal visits were msde by the county agent to the farmer members of the association where proper seed selection, and seed treatment, was discussed. In addition to this all members who were not reached by meetings and personal visits re ceived directions for the treatment of the different diseases both through the local press,. and by means of letters sent out by the county agent In line with the, policy that Is followed In county agent work in Nebr aska a project agreement Was drawn up for the potato demonstration work, and adopted by the county association. By this the coaaty association agreed to permit the county agent to give sufficient of bin state to carry this work on to the best advantage during the potato growln Nonaon. An ex pression of thanks Is due the officers of the organization far tbe good will they had in allowing so much time to be given over to that particular work. The first potato disease project was work in the potato dry rot and wilt control. The purpose of this demonstration fro mthe roauty agent's view point was to answer the question that is many times askoas whether seed affected with dry rot can be planted, and what effect would ft have upon tha production, etc. Another object was to show that with this disease that tt would be Impossible to control it by hand selection aloae without proper seed treatment. Another thing shown by this demonstration was that tha seed affected with dry rot gave a very unsatisfactory stand. Five co-operators were secured In this work. The second potato disease project was to show that tbe disease scab could be controlled by proper seed treatment, and to detonates tha relative efficiency of the different treatments. Five co-operator wwe secured la this work. The dry rot project stated that observations should h nade at regu lar Intervals of two weeks; first, as to the nmuber of tube falling to pro duce plants, and the number showing wilt due to dry ret rsBJams. In all cases one hundred potatoes were planted In each row, and aat of a possible five hundred potatoes in row A, 68 failed to produce plana; saw B, 82 fail ed to produce plants; row C, 1 failed to produee plants; aad tew D, 8 fail ed to produce plants. This showed conclusively that in asdei to secure a good stand, It was necessary to discard all potatoes affeeied with dry rot. Observations during the summer showed that in row A, 49 stems showed wilt; row B, 26; row C, 31; and row D, 40. Thus wUhan seed treatment all showed the results of the dry rot organism through wiMftag of the stems. The potatoes from the different potato plots were dag by hand, and weighed by the county agent with the assistance of the cosferators who can verify all figures secured In these demonstrations. A defatted report giving the summary tabulation is enclosed In this report. Under the dry rot project (difference In yield, that to an average be tween the seed affected with dry rot, and clean seed) the eleaa ed gave an average yield of 188.97 bushels per acre, while the seed aSteted with dry rot gave a yield of 112.09 bushels per acre, or a difference af 76.88 bushels In favor of the clean seed. The difference in yield at 3S per bushel glvea an Increase of $26.90 per acre. In the matter of 'treatment for soab In which the seed Item rows A. B and C were identical with the exception that B and C wer treated. It shows that the average yield from rows B and C was 162.70 banket per ' acre, while the yield of row A, which was untreated and the saaae sort of seed, gave a yield or 132.73 bushels per acre. This gives us a difference In fav or of the treated potatoes of 29.97 bushels per acre. This Increased yield at 35c per bushel gives us a net difference of 110.48 per are. Twelve of the leading farmers of Box Butte county who treated either the greater part or all of their potatoes have made the personal report to the county agent that they felt In placing their estimates very law that they had received an Increase of at least ten bushels more of good marketable potatoes besides Increasing the quality of all the others through these meth ods of proper seed selection and seed treatrant. The average acreage growa by eacb of these men wss about 30 acres. This at the price of 35e per bush el to these twelve men would Increase their returns by $195 apiece. ., Practically all of their neighbors have seen the difference la yields with their own eyes, and many have told these men that they will practice tha same methods next year. Marketing Publicity was given Box Butte county potatoes through the different Btate papers, produce Journals, etc., telling of the efforts that were being made in Box Butte county to eradicate potato diseases, and to increase and better the quality of her potatoes. Approximately three unu sed letters have been sent from the county agent's office to different potato dealers, buyers, county agents, and purchasers, throughout the central United States. As a result of this work the officers of tbe association agree that never before were there as many potato buyers brought into the county as this year. This has made competition strong, and prices very good. In fKct, prices are belter in this county than they have been in other counties in western Nebraska unorganized, und making an effort to better the qual ity of their production. To show further that the proper seed treatment and selection of pota toes not only increase the yield which also Increases the profits, but that in addition our local buyers have offered these men who have cooperated in seed selection, and seed treatment, prices ranging iroin two to ten cents per bushel higher, depending upon the quality, more than they were able to pay others, and to take the risk of handling potatoes of uncertain and unknown quality. Tbe buyers were furnished with a list of car lot potato growers. Thus all were able to get In touch with the different grower, and conse quently it has given a certain stimulus to the market within this county. No potato growers' association exists here at the present time, but simply due to the work of the local organization requests for approximately 70 cars of potatoes at prices ranging from two to ten cents per tunnel higher than local dealers and buyers were able to pay have come to this office. Farmers themselves stated that It made them feel rather confident that they would be able to secure a little better price than the average if they had good quality potatoes, and as a result of local buyer payiirg to these better prices for this quality of product the organization wae unable to sup ply all demands for the potatoes wanted. Only three cars of potatoes were sold snd shipped through the organization, but these three care netted tha owners a total of $142 more than could have been received from local dealers. The directors of the association in their last meeting held November 30, agreed that the association bad done good work through tbelr organised effort to eradicate potato diseases, to better tbe quality vt potatoes, and through publicity secured an increased price of five cents per bushel on ap proximately 600,000 bushels of potatoes, or a gain of $30,0"tt tc Box Butta potato growers. FA KM M A X A t KM IvNT KIKVKY WORK IN IJOX lir'PTK tMM'fc'TY Pr greet Iteport to December 31, IMIO Farm Management Survey work was first Introduced into Box Butte county at a meeting on May 8, 1915. H. F. William. In charye of Farm Management Extension work in Nebraska, presented the work. There were a small number of the directors present at this time, and it was decid ed to not vote on the adoption of the Farm Management Survey work as one of the projects for 1915, but that a later meeting should be held and this question come up at that time. On May 31, R. R. Spafford. assistant in charge of Farm Management Extension work, presented the subject or Fa rat Manage stent Burvey Work to a meeting of the director who adopted this line of work an one of the projects for this year. Purine part of the following week Mr. Spafford and the county agent spent some time in going over the principals' of taking farm records snd taking of several records In the field. At a later date Mr. Wll turned, and he and the county agent spent some time in going over tha Ideas of Farm Management demonstrations, and some field records were taken at this time. On June 30. twenty-six farm records bad been taken In Box Butte county; thirteen of which were taken by county agent, and thirteen by Mr. Hams returned, and be and tbe county agent spent some time in going over