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About The Alliance herald. (Alliance, Box Butte County, Neb.) 1902-1922 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 14, 1921)
CI1Y ATTORNEY KETZ GIVES AH OPINION ON LEGALITY OF ELECTION SBARY FOR POTATOSEASON THE WEATHER Forecast for Alliance and vicinity Fair tonight and probably Saturday. Rising temperature Saturday. OVKR THREE MILKS FROM TUB WELL. A REAL "II HOW IRRIGATION INCREASES THE VALUE OF LANDS (Continued from Pnge 1) uccess of Craft and Edgerton at Grand Island, whose big project is de scribed below. It is very probable that efforts will be made early this com ing spring to install one or more Kelly wells near Alliance for experimental purposes. The Grand Island Daily Independ ent of December 23rd published an il hutrated article entitled "The Trans foration of Poverty Ridge Into Pros perity Row." This article and the pictures are reproduced herewith. It was the privilege of Lloyd Thomas Jnst before the first of the year to visit this locality and although the ground was covered with a heavy blanket of now, a good idea was obtained of the Jsstallation of the irrigation project 5 JBANSFIGURATION OP POVERTY RIDGE INTO i, PROSPERITY ROW From the Grand Island Independent) Am each succeeding year draws to a close the people of a community quite aaturally look back to the accomplish tnents of the year. Especially the larger things, at such times attract As to Grand Island and vicinity one f the biggest things accomplished during the year is the transfiguration f "Poverty Ridge" into "Prosperity Bow." It is not meant to say that this big development was the work of a single year; but it can in truth be said that the year 1920 made the work certain put on it not only the finishing touches but also permanency. Some years ugo two enterprising young lawyers and business men of Aurora, the Messrs. Craft and Edger ton with fa;th in more intensified agri culture when combined wi'h a sure water supply or rainfall, l oked about In this neighboring state for some cheap lands upon which to try Ihelr well thought out plans. The finally secured tqt'oru on s-tveral thou.und acre- iniiev':;;te!y i.or'h" of Grand IbLui,! o.i v..i ha. .or two genera tions been Lnov. n us "Poverty Ridge." There is a good top soil but it is shallow, two feet take you to sand. In the most t'u voted sea. ons it had raised Some crops; bu: in the year-: when the rainfall was ut all deficient, tanning exploits on it wore failures. Came the Kelly well and Craft and Edgerton! Were Told Twas Folly. Men told them it would be folly to Attempt to irrguie because the soil Was so porous that the wuter would go straight down. One could not spread it. There was too much seep age. But one, then two, then a few more Kelly wells were put in. . At first it looked a bit as if the seepage Was going to make trouble, but it was oon ascertained that, after a itw hours, a fine film gathered and cov ered the bottoms and the sides of the ditches. The first year water was led cross the quarter sections. This was la 1919. Moreover, a later tuit was had and efficient labor was scarce. But . iJ 4 t - , v '. . . "V Tfc."- : . it . 1 . -' .... 3' t KELLY WELL Mrs. Barbara Scott of Antioch was la Alliance Wednesday. r ; i. 'r i i ! i.i i . , - -si ' -?"r'i ,,. v W'vr-'. ; . 'r-,- it. '. , - - - v - t the tryout was successful. In the small tracts which had been irrigated in the right time, the yield of corn and of potatoes were greatly increased. Thi year the firm was better pre pared for a more complete test. While the natural rainfall was quite favor able, and the vicinity was not visited by the usual hot and dry spell in August, irrigation was nevertheless applied at the right times and never before has "Poverty Ridge" outclassed better soils and regions in the yield of produce per acre. The seepage prob lem disappeared. One ditch was irri gating a field of corn picely, at a dis tance of over three miles across fields. Additional lands were purchased since the original venture and the Craft-Edgerton farms now comprise a total of 2,740 acres. Twelve Kelly wells equipped with American Well Works turbine pumps and General Electric company motors are now connected to the electric line from the city plant About 1,800 acres are now under the irrigation system. Sixteen Plants. Four additional wells will be con nected with the electric line in the spring. These sixteen wells will irri gate about 2,500 acres. They average from 1,200 to 2,300 gallons per minute. The 1,200 gallon well will irrigate 140 to 160 acres, while the 2,300 gallon well will take care of 280 acres. To install the irrigation ditches is costing from $35 to $50 per acre, de pending on the amount of water the particular well happens to furnish, also depending upon the lay of the land. The crops this year consisted of 300 acres of sugar beets, (i.r0 acres corn 400 acres sweet corn, 400 acres fall wheat, 30 acres beans, 25 acres pota toes, &0 acres alfalfa. Several new houses and barns have been bu'lt. They have been finished or are under construction, a total of fourteen houses and six barns. Most of the buildings are constructed of v'trifiod hollow tile. In add'fon to the four Russian-German families loealed on these lands th.s yc.tr, there wore ten English fam- ! s and oO to V't single hands. Next year there will be twelve English fam- !'? ard sixteen Russian-German fam ilies. I'nder the farm lease already i md; there will be more than N00 acres in sugar beets next year. Form erly only one or two families occup:ed the entire ridge. A new school dis trict will have to be made. See the Certainty. These Russian-German families are from the Scotts Bluff-Bayard county, snd are all experienced beet growers and irrigators. Several of them vis ited the Craft-Edgerton farms during he suniiuer, and kept in touch with the reults had by the four Russian German families handling the sugar beets on the land this year. By the .-lose of August the splendid system grow th of the sugar beets plus the ex cellent working of the irrigation sys tem attracted them greatly, and more of then huve been here to lease land for next near than Craft-Edgerton could supply with farms. V; " i n i i ... ,i,.' .-. -. , ,.. f - w- "'"V .' .... .; n & ITS STREAM, ON "POVERTY The fad of wearing pajamas to tea leaves the breakfast table rather bare, j viAIV- OF WATER Possession was taken in spring of 1019, and since that tune more than $150,000.00 have been expended in the irrigation system and farm improve ments. The sugar beets now being harvest ed will yield from ten to twelve tons per acre. Several weighing 14 pounds each have been picked from the dif ferent fields. Some of the farms have been sup plied with feeding yards and silos a such by-products as beet leaves, bean stalks after threshing, sweet corn stalks, etc., are saved for roughage or put up in silos. To make the system complete some hogs are kept, follow ing the cattle. Every family quarter is also provided with poultry yards, garden plots, etc The bean crop was very successful this year. It is realized that this may never be a specially favorite crop but is added for diversity and sureness. The forage retained after threshing is said to be especially nourishing for cattle. The feed corrals numbered eight this year and probably be increased. Alto gether there will be kept about 500 head of cattle for feeding. Superin tendent Christoffereson was employed this year for general overseer of the work. He is well versed in intensified agriculture and especially in irriga tion. The field corn made from 50 to 65 bushels per acre, the beans 20 bushels per acre, and the potatoes from 100 to 200 bushels per acre. The sweet com made from 2,i to 4 tons per acre. The irrigation ditch system is so constructed that the water from the well on one farm can be carried to some more distant farm, if need be. i For example: water was carried from J a well at the northeast corner of this city to 100 acres of corn in the north- least quarter of 36-12-8, a distance of 'more than 3 miles, thus exploding the formerly often heard statement that the soil was too sandy to carry the j water in d'tches. It is fine black silt in the soil that seems to plaster over the interstices in the soil and enables ' the water to le carried long distances with slight loss. M The Kelly Well. The American Beet Sugar company, : through its local manager, Mr.. Den man, and its field man, Mr. Baker, I have taken great interest in the irriga j tion work and beet growing. They I feel highly pleased over this year's I splendid beet crop, and the large acre- I age arranged for next year. i "The Kelly Well," say Craft and Edgerton, "is responsible for the suc cess of the enterprise." They add that the concrete casing and screen are a complete success, and that they would never have undertaken to develop the irrigation project if they had been obliged to use the metal casing and screen, which from rust and corrosion, is limited to a few years of service, and worst of all cannot compare with the Kelly screen in amount of water it will permit to enter from the gravel strata. But the faith of the two young business men, others observe, back of that good well was alo a mighty big factor in the reclamation. -v .--f V , " . I . .. . ,' V"V - - .' l r ..-v..e ;". re, j. si v' -S.-'.' :.t-: ' . - Is y ' -. . v " . ', ' 7'.' . ... '-, . , . - ' -: I FLATS" Mrs. N. S. Fielding has been ill the past week with tonsilitis. Alliance, Neb., January 14, 1921.- To the Editor of The Herald: You have asked my opinion as to the ef fect of the alleged failure of the notice preliminary to the election upon the udoption of the city manager form of (government to be published during the j full thirty day period. I regret that I have not as yet found time to make a i complete investigation touching the matter. The statutes governing tlie city manager form of government pro vide that the election shall be held in the manner prescribed by the gen eral election laws, except as is other wise prescribed in that act. There is no provision as to notice found in that net. Turning to the general election laws governing muncipal elections we find no requirement whatever as to notice. In connection with national, state and county elections, a twenty day posted notice is prescribed. The statutes provide that the council may by ordinance call special elections. It would seem then that no notice what ever was necessary, but if those who contend that a thirty day printed no tice was necessary are correct, the (election would still seem to be valid for the notice, as I am informed, was published twenty-one days and the de cisions of this state are uniform to the effect that even where the statute pro vides for a notice to be given for a certain length of time the failure to give such notice does not invalidate the election. .. . .-.....,.... I am advised" that some contend that a thirty day notice Was necessary in this instance because such notice is provided by the act establishing the initiative and referendum in cities of this class. A perusal of that act will show that the initiative and referen dum act only applies to cities where it has been adopted by a vote of the people of that city, and such is not the case in Alliance. W. R. METX, City Attorney. SOCIETY KNIGHTS TEMPLAR BANQUET A six-course banquet was given by the Knights Templars at the Palm Room of the Alliance hotel, Wednes day evening. There were twenty-five members present, including the two guests of honor, Grand Commander Arthur C. Stem and Grand Lecturer Charles C. Town. The tables were ar ranged to form the Passion Cross, pink and white carnations being used as decorations. After the banquet they adjourned to the Masonic Temple where the degree work was exempli fied for the visiting officers. BRITHMAN PETERSON - William E. Bruchman of Salt Creek, Wyo., and Mrs. Sophie Peterson of Fort Robinson, Nebr., were married at the Lutheran church Wednesday morn ing. REEVES MARVIN R. B. Reeves of Newcastle, Wyo., and Miss Lusy S. Marvin of Hubbell, Nebr., were married Tuesday by Judge Tash. RAY ELY Thomas J. Ray and Callie Ely, both of Alliance, were married by Judge Tash Tuesday. The members of the M. E. choir enjoyed an elaborate banquet last Wednesday evening at the home of the leader, Mrs. Inice McCorkle-Dun-ning, the affair being the culmination of a contest begun sometime ago. The choir was divided into two divisions, with Miss Edna Benedict captain 6f one and Gaylord Chase of the other, and the side having the smallest per centage of attendance at practice and church was to banquet the entire num ber. A great deal of interest was shown in the contest, the race being very close up to the last. Mr. Chase's division was the winner. About fifty were present to enjoy the spread nd a delightful time is reported. During the course of the evening a beautiful floral offering of carnations was pre sented to Mrs. Dunning, as the occa sion happened to be her birthday. Miss Alta Young gave a miscella eous shower Thursday evening in honor of Miss Alta Dye whose engage ment to Mr. Edwin W. Lundquist of Cedar Rapids, la., has been announced. Guests were the Misses Marie Howe, Elsie Fowler, Esther Zobel, Elsie Simpson, Dora and Dolly White, Nellie Tyree, Thelma Westley, Laura Wa dum, Violet Henry and Alta Dye, Mes- dames H. Campbell, T. A. Cross and E. G. Laing and W. B. Young. The guest of honor received many useful and beautiful gifts. A dainty lunoh was served during the evening. Christian Young People's class held a reception at the Epler home Tues day evening in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Woolndge. A set of silver teaspoons was presented to the couple. Games were played and a musical program was enjoyed by all. Light refresh ments were served by Mrs. Epler. An evening full of pure wholesome fun is yours if you attend the musi cal comedy, "The Minister's Wife's New Bonnet," at the M. E. church, Thursday evening, January 20, at 8 o'clock. Admission, adults 50 cents; children 25 cents. 14-15 Spring styles will soon be out "The Minister'! Wife's New Bonnet" leads them all. 14-15 ! Federal Bureau of Markets Issues Report on the Western Nebraska Crop The western Nebraska white potato section embraces all territory west of Long Pine in the northern, Holdrege in the southern and Ravenna in the cen tral part of the state. Shipments given as from "western Nebraska" do not i include those from the Kearney sec tion, which has a season distince from l western Nebraska and which shipped approximately 325 cars during August and September this year and 250 last J year. I The counties of western Nebraska I raising potatoes on a commercial scale j and their respective acreages in 1920 are : Box Butte, 8,101; Dawes, 3,150; Sheridan, 8 106; Brown, 2,202 and : Kimball, 1,385, in the dry land area; and Morrill, 1,822; Scotts Bluff, 4,736, and Sioux, 4,093, in the irrigated area, j The territory is quite distinctly di- viueu into me itusnvne-uoruon, me Alliance-Hemingford and the Scotts-' bluff-Morrill districts, named for their principal shipping points. After dig ging was completed, it was estimated that the yield averaged 90 bushels per acre in the dry-land area, as compared with 50 last year, and 140' bushels per acre in the irrigated area, as com pared with 120 last year. As there was a decrease in acreage from last year, however, aiiionnting to 20 per cent ifl the dry-land and 14 per cent in the irrigated area, the shipments this year are not expected to total more than 2,500 cars. Because of considerable damage to the 1919 crop from freezes on the 9th and 10th of October (when digging was only half done) the growers this year were anxious to harvest the crop as early as possible, and digging was practically completed by October 10. The damage done by two light freezes in the last week of September was negligible. But because of the haste in digging, much immature stock was put into storage, and the consequent heating resulted in a considerable loss in the Scottsbluff-Morrill district Practically no trouble of this kind was met in the dry-land districts, but some stem-end rot was evident in the Alliance-Hemingford district Western Nebraska potato growers have nothing to contend with in the matter of in sects, but scab, particularly in the dry land districts, shows on a very large part of the crop, varying from prac tically none on potatoes from new land, to deep-pitted scab on potatoes from old, poorly drained fields. This scab and the cuts and bruises caused by rough handling were the chief dis qualifying items which figured in the shipping point inspections ths year. Damage from second growth was not great, as the rainfall was normal dur-. ing the growing season, JJo" frozen stock appeared" al the track except a little during the second week of No vember, caused from hauling in zero weather. Grading Requirements. The grading of potatoes in Nebraska is a recent renuirement. Tn snitp nf the potentially high quality of their product, Nebraska growers probably give their potatoes as rough treat ment and exercise as little care in sorting as do the growers in any other important section of the country. For ; this reason, the state department of agriculture, in July, 1919, adopted "U. I S. Grade No. 1" and "U. S. Grade No. ' 2," as state grades specified as "No. 1" and "No. 2," and now requires that all shipments be inspected at point of origin. No shipments of undergrade stock are permitted, except during sea sons when .owing to abnormal crop or market conditions, the state secretary of agriculture may so authorize. A table showing th'e requirements of these grades and a comparison of the two, will be found on page 5. Seed stock must conform to the require ments of grade No. 1, except with regard to size. To November 13, in clusive, the inspections made by the state were: No. 1, 1,059 cars; No. 2, 394; mived cars, 8; re-inspections, 10. The tabulation of destinations on page 4 shows that most of the west ern Nebraska potatoes are shipped to nearby markets, the bulk of the ship ments being sent to towns within the state itself, and those going outside being mostly destined to points in Mis souri, Iowa, Kansas and South Da kota. An increasing amount each year Is being shipped south for seed ,and tome seed is sent to Colorado. The southern shipments are mostly made in December and January, although it is the custom for buyers to visit the producing districts at digging time and contract stock for later delivery. Nebraska's dry-land product, because of its uniform growing conditions, possesses exceptional vitality as seed. The Bliss Triumph is practically the only variety shipped out of the state for this purpose. The usual basis of sale for western Nebraska potatoes is by wagonloads or carloads cash track. The number of sales made "carloads f. o. b. usual terms," that ia, sales by wire, inspec tion allowed at destination, is increas ing, however, due largely to the stand ardization being effected by the state grading law. Strir gnt money condi tions this season, reducing speculation, made early buying slow. There were very few cash buyers at shipping points before October 20th, and prior to that time practically all shipments were consigned or rolled unsold. The tone of the market at shipping points I in western Nebraska (and in other potato states as well) was weak at the outset of the season, reaching its lowest point during the peak move ment of the crop (October 10 to 20). and showing greatest activity during the week of October 24 to 30. Con siderable seed stock was sold this year for December delivery as follows: sacked Bliss Triumphs, No. 1, $1.C5 cwt; certified, $2.00 cwt (certification involves three inspections, during growing and harvesting, for disease, yield and trueness to type). The only market taking any amount of western Nebraska potatoes from which quotations are available, is Omaha. And it was impossible to get quotations on carlot sales there, be fore October 20th. After that date, until November 3, the prevailing price per hundred for No. 1 Early Ohios was $1.50 to $1.00 in the bulk and $1.75 in sacks. In the first week of November the prices strengthened to $1.75 for bulk and $1.90 to $2.10 for sacked slock. Minnesota and Idaho potatoes sold at a premium of 25 to 50 cents per hundred over Nebraska'a on account of their better grading ant handling. J The bureau of markets operated a field station at Alliance from Septem ber 27 to November 13, inclusive, is suing daily during that time, report showing primary destinations of west ern Nebraska shipments, shipments for the entire United States by states, shipping point conditions and prices in six important sections, and carlot quotations from the four terminal markets most important to Nebraska growers. Reports were mailed to all growers, dealers and other interested persons making application. Conclusion. The 1920 season for western Ne braska white potatoes saw a normal yield on a reduced acreage; as com pared with 1919. Prices were low, and the tone of the potato market, in common with the tone of the produce market generally, was weak, except during the period of October 24 to 30. But the progress which has been made in grading made it possible for a larger number of shipmerts to be handled by wire. There was an in creased demand for dry-land seed for southern shipment, and an increased acreage of seed stock certified by the state specialist. All conditions anH re quirements point toward the necessity xor more care in nandung and grading by the individual grower. -' V , ouus. v.his, ureases and Skirts nt f ace 4U u.ic . r - Mian nail Price, Saturday, Monday and Tuesday. Ilign'iand-llolloway Co. !.',ciH0DIST CHOIR WILL PRESENT MUSICAL COMEDY The members of the M. E. choir, under the direction of Mrs. Inice Me- Corkle-Dunning, will present a musi cal comedy, "The Minister's Wife's New Bonnet," at the church, Thursday evening, January 20, at 8 o'clock. The music is brieht and catchv. the con versation witty, and there is not a dull moment from start to finish. Admission will be fifty cents for adults and twentv-five cents for chil dren. Following is the cast of char acters: Rev. Grundy, the minister, Dr. E. E. jjraice. Hepsiba Grundy, his wife, NeH Acheson. Samantha Slick, president of the sewing circle, Mrs. Floyd Donovan. Nodanna Simpgins, always asleep, Mrs. M. Smith. Penelope Perkins, she's so precise, Mrs. Walker. Agatha Squalls, the blusterer, Mrs. Drake. Cayenne Pepper, who stutters, Mrs. LaMou. . Dephe Hardahear, who is deaf, Mrs. Dunning. Vivian Walker, the city milliner, Janet Grassman. Always Knoxit, as his name implies, Mr. LaMou. Billy Butcher, a good fellow, Mr. Chase. Hugh Howler, the country sport, Mr. Dow. Prof. Highvoice, the choirmaster, Mr. Warker. Other members of the choir, sewing circle and improvement committee: Misses Grassman, Benedict, Graham, Sward, Drake, Mirk, Martin, Dow, Mesdames Acheson, Pate, Deering, Noble, Hugh Smith and Messrs. Cun ningham, Deering, Duncan, Lucas, Donovan and Norman McCorkle at the piano. Winter Suits, Coats, Dresses and Skirts at Less than Half Price, Saturday, Monday and luesday. llighland-Ilolloway Co. DEATHS AND FUNERALS The funeral of Mrs. Catherine Gor man, who died at the home of her sen Thomas Gorman, 923 Big Horn ave., at the age of fifty-two years, was held Friday morning from Holy Rosary church. The causa of -"" UWV matism, with which Mrs. Gorman had been afflicted for twelve years. A sis ter, Mrs. Margaret Conway, of Lead, South Dakota, has been here in Alli ance since August with Mrs. Gorman. 5 Max Feidler will lenv in for Orchard, Nebr.