Box Butte County
r. m. stiatu.
Destessirafor
Association
I OAT SMUT PUKVKNTIOII
The average annual losses from smut In oata are greater than those
wased by any other preventable cereal disease in the United States. Treat
tag tbe seed with hot water or with formaldehyde solution before sowing Is
mm easy, cheap, and effective way of preventing this disease. Tbe latter
saethod, which la the one most available for general use. Is here briefly sum
marised. Both methods are described In detail In Farmers' Bulletin 507,
vfeich will be sent free on application to the Secretary of Agriculture, Wash
ington, D. C.
Mix the formalin (a commercial preparation which la 37 per cent for
maldehyde by weight) with water at the rate of 1 pound (a little less than
a pint) to 40 gallons of water. The grain may be either LOOSELY inclosed
la sacks or put loose Into a tub or vat with the solution. Agitate the sacks
mt stir tbe loose grain occasionally so that the entire surface of every grain
will be thoroughly wet. Instead of being Immersed the seed oats may be
spread on a clean floor or canvas an dsprinkled with the solution and shov
eled over during the process so that they will be wet evenly aa tn the other
Method. Not over a gallon of solution will be needed for every bushel of
4xj grain. After sprinkling, shovel the seed Into a pile, cover it with sacks
wet with the solution, and allow It to stand for at least two hours before
spreading It out to dry.
Precautions: The oats may be seeded as soon as dry enough to run
tfcrough the drill. If the seed Is still moist, however, tbe drill must be set
to sow more to the acre than if It is dry. The quantity which should bo
mvd may be determined by measuring a given bul kbefore and after treat
ment and figuring the proportion of Increase. After treating do not expose
tike seed to freezing until it is thoroughly dry.
Do not allow the treated seed to come into contact with old sacks, bins
r machinery in which there may be smut spores. If such must be used,
said them or wash them first with the formaldehyde solution.
COPIES OP COKKKHTONDnNCK
Alliance, Nebraska. January 21, 1916.
Ifr. Charles J. Brand,
Chief of Markets and Rural Organizations,
Wsshlngton, D. C.
Dear Mr. Brand: We have a condition existing in Box Butte county
ad western Nebraska with regard to potatoes, that your department can
ao doubt assist us very materially in straightening out.
County Agent work was started in Box Butte county, March 1, 1915.
A good deal of the past year has been spent In working with the different
potato diseases, and some miscellaneous marketing by individuals was car
ried on. in co-operation with this office. Figures were secured as demon
strations that should have an Influence upon the care exercised in seed sel
ection, and seed treatment for all seed potatoes planted in this area. The
total production of this county alone was estimated at approximately 750,
0 bushels.
It is the opinion of many in our county organization that with the facts
regarding the production of potatoes quite well in hand, that the marketing
auld be looked after by the establishment of a potato growers' association,
uch an organization was started some yearn ago. The result was a fail
ure. The main reasons were that some were for it; some were against it;
tome did not understand regarding the purpose, and furthermore it was not
a purely co-operative association.
There are three kinds of potatoes grown in this region, chiefly Early
Ohlos with also a large acreage of Red or Bliss Triumphs, and a small acre
age of White Eurekas. The commercial demand for Early Ohlos has been
suite steady, but the demands for the white potatoes have varied from year
to year. This is very true of the Red or Bliss Triumphs, for in 1914, men
raising this type of potato could hardly give them away, while in 1915 a
premium was paid for this kind of potato. In fact, one large commercial
tnn built four large storage cellars in this county for the purpose of stor
ing the Red Triumph potatoes for Texas and southern seed. These pota
toes are being shipped dally from these storage cellars to southern points.
When some buyers were paying as low as 22c for Early Ohlos this fall, the
(rowers were receiving 40c per bushel for the Bliss or Red Triumphs. It
is tbe opinion of the majority of potato growers and business men of this
ection that a firm like this, buying potatoes at the price of 40c per bushel,
and storing them in the county until the demand for seed comes, will reap
a big harvest due to the enormous price they will possibly receive for these
.potatoes when they reach the southern trade.
I am very much of the opinion that if the Department of Markets
would send a man, or men, to make investigations following the potatoes
from the time they were produced, to storage, and on to tbe buyers of the
south, that figures could be secured that would be of value to the Depart
ment of Markets. Furthermore, If the Department of Markets should see
lit to co-operate in organizing the potato growing interest of this county,
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f gures secured hy such an investigation would be the easiest means of
bringing about such an organization. 1 believe that this potato growing re
gion offers an excellent chance for the Department of Markets to carry on
such a demonstration as outlined above.
The County Organization have asked that I devote considerable time
to thought and study on marketing problems since this is a very important
factor, especially where the different cash crops are considered. I have
read with a great deal of interest the articles written in the 1914 Year
Look about the work that has been done by your department, and trust that
the 1916 Year Dook will contain a repetition of the success along different
lines undertaken.
Any information you can give me such as the names of successful pota
to growers' associations along with their constitution and by-laws, etc., and
any pointers on the marketing of potatoes in a general way will be very
much appreciated.
I would like to hear from the department regarding this matter at its
earliest convenience. I would also hope that the department will see tit to
send some man, or men, to make investigations along the line of marketing
potatoes from this section.
Yours very truly,
F. M. SEIDELL.
County Agricultural Agent
V. 8. Dept. of Agriculture.
Washington, I). C, February 4, 1916.
Mr. F. M. Seidell, County Agricultural Agent,
Alliance, Nebraska.
Dear Mr. Seidell: Your letter of January 21 relative to the market
ing of potatoes from your county and a desire for help in organizing tlie
growers, has been held in the hope that some definite arrangements might
be made for a representative of this office to visit your section to see what
action might be taken.
A representative of this office will be in the Pacific Northwest this
month, and it is possible that upon his return he may be able to come by
wpy of Alliance to meet you and go over the situation. The matter will be
kept in mind and you will be informed of the date of this visit in case it Is
possible to make one.
Very truly yours,
(Signed) CHARLES J. BRAND, Chief.
Alliance, Nebraska, February 7, 1916.
Mr. Charles J. Brand, v
Chief of Markets and Rural Organizations,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. Brand: Your letter of February 4 has been received.
. I note that a representative of the department will be in the northwest
part of the country this month and I sincerely trust that he may be able to
come by way of Alliance.
Thanking you for any later information, I am
Yours very truly,
F. M. SEIDELL,
County Agricultural Agent
U. S. Dept. of Agriculture.
Washington, D. C, February 11, 1916.
Mr. F. M. Seidell,
County Agricultural Agent,
Alliance, Nebraska.
Dear Sir: In accordance with the correspondence recently had with you
I am planning to stop at Alliance early in March upon my return trip from
the Pacific Northwest, and will give you several days notice of the exact
time of my arrival. I shall be glad to meet as many of your growers as pos
sible to talk over their work with the idea of trying to offer some sugges
tions that will be of assistance.
Should any occasion arise to write me within the next ten days you
may address me at General Delivery, North Yakima, Washington.
Very truly yours,
(Signed) C. E. BASSETT,
Specialist in Cooperative Organization.
Alliance, Nebraska, February ir, 1916.
Mr. C. E. Bassett.
Specialist in Cooperative Organization,
North Yakima, Washington.
Dear Sir: Your letter of February 11 has been received.
I note that you are planning on stopping at Alliance early in March on
your return trip from the Pacific Northwest. You stated that you would
bo glad to meet with as many of our growers as possible to talk over work
with the idea of offering iuggestions that would be of assistance in market
ing. I take it that you would come from the northwest by way of Billings,
Montana, on your trip in this direction.
Hemingford Is the largest market for potatoes in the state of Nebras
ka. If you could plan on stopping in Hemingford we could hold a good
meeting, getting as many of the potato growers of that region, as well as
the potato buyers to attend the meeting, then proceeding from there to Al
liance where a meeting could be held in the forenoon, or afternoon, depend
ing upon your schedule. While Alliance is not as large a potato market as
Hemingford, I am particularly anxious to get the cooperation and support
of the commercial organization. The Commercial Club of this town is a
power in this county. I will guarantee to have representative growers,
leaders of the industry, and buyers out for this meeting. I will endeavor
to have as much information as to the present methods of marketing and
prices where the potatoes are marketed as can be secured by that time.
As soon as you can decide definitely upon your schedule I would like
to hear from you, stating when you will arrive and tbe amount of time you
can spend in this county so that I can make early arrangements to best util
ize your service.
Yours very truly,
F. M. SEIDELL,
County Agricultural Agent
U. S. Dept. of Agriculture.
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P-U-N EAT
COMFORT FOR LAYERS
Building Constructed After Years
of Careful Planning.
In Ids of House Is Whitewashed and
Is Cozy During Severe Weather In
Winter Hens Happy In Pleas
ant Surroundings.
We have Just completed a new hen
house that we are sure will be very
convenient in caring for winter layers
This house was not built on the spur
of the moment, but after three or four
years of careful planning, says a
writer in Missouri Valley Farmer. We
studied farmers' bulletins, agricultural
reports, farm papers, in fact, every
thing we could find which explained
the building of good poultry houses.
We also visited several chicken farms,
and studied the buildings that have
proved satisfactory there. We believe
that our new house Is better suited
to our present needs than anything
else that we could have built.
The house is 60 feet long by 10 feet
wide. It is 7 feet high in front and
4 feet at the back. It faces the
south, and Is sunny and warm. The
house is divided into five rooms, 10
Henhouse Warm and Sunny.
feet square. The partitions are board
ed only 3 feet from the back. The
rest of the partitions and the inside
doors are of poultry netting. On ex
tremely cold nights a burlap curtain
Is dropped in front of the roosts.
When this is down the hens are in
closed in a tiny room, 10 by 3 feet,
ai.d yet have an abundance of fresh
air.
The windows are covered with one
inch poultry netting to keep the spar
rows out. There is a drop-curtain of
irulap for every window. These cur
tain are on frames which cau be lad-tr?nt-I
hack against the roof, where
.iiry are out of tho way, during the
ir.ty. The dropping beard, which Is
three feet wide, extends the iull
length of the building. It is at the
extreme back.
On the south of the house are pens
made of six-foot netting. The3e pens
re 10 by 30 feet. Straw, about a foot
In depth, is kept in these pens. Into
this straw I scatter the grain, so that
the hens will be obliged to work for
their living.
In each of these pens 1 have 20
White Leghorn pullets. The hens en-
Floor Plan of Henhouse.
ter the house through a small door
under the window. There are only
two large doors in the henhouse. The
one at tho west end of the building
fastens on the inside, and we keep
the one at the east end locked. We
believe that thieves cannot easily
disturb ocr flock.
The Inside of this building is white
washed, and It certainly looks cozy
and comfortable on a winter day. Un
der the dropping hoards I have nail
kegs facing the back, so that the hens
can have dark nests. The feed and
?,iit hoppers are inside the house
The pans for milk and water also arc
For Dry Mash, Charcoal and Grit.
kit inside so that they will he ire;
nun! litter and will not freeze.
I his house is warm and sunny, ami
biddy shows that she is happy in her
pleasant surroundings by the merry
f.oi:E eho nings as she goes about tier
work. So many poultry raisers seen)
to think Toed is the all-lmporiaut
thing. Too little attention is paid to
shelter.
FOR CHICKEN-EATING SOWS
Half-Pint of Cider Vinegar in Slop
Has Proved Gratifying Pallia
tive In Many Cases.
When taken off pasture and con
fined to a dry ration the chicken-eating
sow will likely resume her old
practice of having a chicken dinner
every now and then.
Such sows should not be retained,
but if for any reasons they must be
kept, and kept together with poultry,
then feed the sow a half-pint of
cider vinegar in her slop two or three
times a week.
This may not entirely do away with
the trouble, but it has proved a grati
fying palliative in many cases.
Feed for the Calf.
Feed tbe calf a little less than It
wants.
frlrrl?5? l c I H
II BIB "BIB "38 B:B
- -
Mil
TURNING SILAGE INTO BEEF
It Cannot Be Considered ss &ubstl
tute for Other Necessary Materi
als In Animal's Ration.
The word "silage" at one time sug
gested only brimming milk palls and
big milk checks. Nowadays it is as
well a big factor in putting the fin
ishing touches on choice sirloin beet.
Silos are common in the beef feed
ing sections of Wisconsin. The mala
reason for feeding silage to beef cat
tle is economy of production. It caa
not be considered as a substitute for
other necessary materials in the ra
tion, according to J. L. Tormey, Col
lege of Agriculture, University of Wis
consin, who gives a few suggestions
as to the feeding of silage for beet
production nnder local conditions.
"Clover or alfalfa hay should be
fed along with tbe silage in the win
ter. If clover or alfalfa hay Is not
obtainable, use timothy or mixed hay.
In addition to tbe corn silage and hay
allowance, about three or four pounds
of cottonseed meal for each 1,001
pounds of live weight of the anlsaal
should be fed daily.
"Two-year-old steers weighing about
1,000 pounds may be started on about
20 to 25 pounds of silage, 6 to 8 pounds
of clover or alfalfa hay, and 6 to I
pounds of a mixture consisting of six
parts of corn to one part cottonseed
meal by weight daily. In a period
of two weeks the cattle may be
brought up to full rations, if care
fully watched. At this time they will
eat about 15 to 20 pounds of silage,
5 to 6 pounds of hay and IS to A
pounds of grain mixture daily.
"As cottonseed meal is rather high
priced this year, wheat bran or gift
ten feed may be used Instead wit al
most as good results and at a Sevang
In cost of production."
OIL ON THE TROUBLED HOG
Solution of Dipping Problem Solved
Much Added to the General Health
of the Animals.
Oiling hogs when and where the
hog desires has been found to be taa
proper solution of the dipping preb
lem and adds much to the general,
health of the bog. We hare preseatei '
several of these devices for oiling
bogs to our readers, all of which
Automatic Hog Oiler.
being manufactured in inereaelag
numbers to meet the popular demand
for something of the kind. Here li
one that works on a little different
principle than the others. As Use
hog routes the barrel of the cylindri
cal stem the knobs hit the trip and a
little oil is released to run dowa to
the hog's hide. The slope of and angle
at which the "post" stands makes ft,
possible for the hog to get oil on assy
part of its body top, bottom, sides er
ends. Farming Business.
BUILDING D0G-PR00F FENCE
Most Economically Constructed ay
Setting Posts Ten Feet Apart
Put Barbed Wire Firet.
A dog-proof fence can be economis
ally built In tbe following manner:
Posts are set ten to twelve feet apart
and a barbed wire is first stapled te
them right on the surface of the
ground. Three inches above this ts
placed a panel of close-woven wire, 3f
Inches high, and about this twe
strands of ordinary barbed wire. Care
should be taken to see that there are
no openings between the ground and
the lowest barbed wire. An lnclosure
made in this manner, into which sheep
may be turned at night, is inexpensive,
and dogs will not go through It Most
of the damage by dogs Is done at
night. New Feed for ' Stock,
The stock melon, which Is a cross
between . citron and watermelon, ftj
being fed to stock in the Kansas and
Oklahoma experiment stations for ex
perimental purposes. The fruit hae
somewhat the appearance of a water
melon. The flesh is solid an-.i lacks -sweetness.
Prevention Is Cheapest.
Have little bedding in the pen at
farrowing. Wait until the pigs get
large enough to take care of them
selves before bedding heavily. Have
the pen dry and clean and keep It
thus. Make liberal use of the well
known disinfectants. Prevention la,
cheaper than cure.
