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
