- ? CA '
Conservative.
case , than were those grown under liold
coudifcioiis , yofc the amount of water
used in each case was also voiy much
greater than when expressed in inches
of rain. This year the differences are
as strongly marked as they were last ,
and in the same direction , and tin's
makes it desirable to bring them to
gether for comparison as given below :
With this gnmping it becomes very
apparent that the yield of dry matter
per aero for the three crops is meas
urable proportional to the number of
inches of water consumed during their
growth. Taking the cases of the crops
grown in the cylinders , the nearly equal
yields of corn , and of oats in 1891 and
1892 , are associated with nearly equal
amounts of water used per unit of area ,
but the smaller yields are associated
with the smaller amount of water. In
the case of the barley where the yield in
1892 is nearly double that of 1891 , the
depth of water supplied was also uearly
doubled.
These results point very strongly
toward the conclusion that wo rarely
have enough water in our soils under
natural conditions to realize oven ap
proximate possible returns from our
laud , and that were wo prepared to ir
rigate almost any of our crops at such
times as there is a deficiency of water
iu the soil , very much larger average
yields would be secured.
As everyone Icnows , the kernels oi
corn are utilized in making meal , brow
ers' grits and starch , and iu fatten
ing hogs and cattle. There is only
little waste in the manufacture of corn
into commodities ; but there is on im
meuse waste on the farms of a valuabl
nutrient which is contained in the corn
stover , or , as it is commonly called , corn
stalks.
Careful computations show that fo
every pound of shelled corn there hav <
grown one and one-half pounds of con
stalks. In Nebraska , where 241,2G8,49 (
bushels of corn were produced iu tin
year 1897 at a valuation of moro than 4
millions of dollars , there were therefor
produced likewise 10,188,277 tons o
stover. The value of this stover as a
nutrient is estimated by chemists at $8
per ton. The greatest objection to corn
stalks as a food for cattle has always
been found in the pith of the stalks.
This corn stalk pith , as everyone knows ,
is a great absorbent. Because of its ab
sorbent properties it has been introduced
into the United States navy as a pro
tection to battleships. Henry W. Cramp ,
the great shipbuilder of Philadelphia ,
said in a lecture read before a meeting
of the Society of Naval Architects &
Marine Engineers in Now York :
"By using corn pith , packed in coffer
dams , protection is given to the vitals of
a vessel and great stability is secured.
It does not corrode , but protects the
iron and is non combustible. After ex
haustive tests at the Indian Head proving
grounds on the 10th of June , 1895 , the
superiority of the corn pith was demon-
trated in a striking manner. As a re-
lult , the navy department in its specifi-
ations for the battleships Kentucky and
Kearsnnje and numbers 7 , S and 0 has
nserted a clause requiring the coffer
dams of these battleships to bo packed
ivith corn stalk pith. "
The fact that corn stalk pith or pulp
, vill absorb water so rapidly makes it
very objectionable when it outers into
food for cattle. Every pound of dry
pith will absorb from eighteen to twenty-
five pounds of moisture in the digestive
tract of an animal The animal organ
stu is fattened by the quantity of food it
digests , rather thau by the quantity
which it consumes.
Save Nutrition.
Everyone understands the imuienso
value of the hay crop. All who have
studied the forage plants of the
United States are posted as to the lim
ited uumbfir of such plants cultivated
among the formers. Agriculture in the
United States needs cheap forage and
more of it.
In view of this , there can be no inven
tion of greater value to the corn-growing
region than one which shall properly
conserve in its best form corn stover ,
separated from corn pulp or pith.
Up to this time no perfect machine
for the purpose indicated has been
brought to public notice. It is true that
the Marsdeu company of Philadelphia
organized some years since and estab
lished at Owensboro , Ky. , Rockford ,
111. , and Chester , Pa. , some manufac
tories which wore intended to utilize
this waste product of the corn fields of
the country. The Marsdeu company
proposed to make out of corn stover a
refrigerator lining , tile blocks , water
proofing compounds , gunpowder , leather
enameling and linoleum. Whether or
not that incorporation has succeeded
THE CONSERVATIVE is uuablo to state.
The Main Ob.jfet.
But the main object , or aim , it seems
to THE CONSERVATIVE , in the utilization
of corn stover ought to be to save
its nutrient qualities for the farmer
who raises the corn. A machine which
shall be not too expensive , not too com
plicated and require not too much
power , which shall be compact and not
occupy much space , and which can be
operated successfully by the farmer
himself and which shall properly separ
ate the pulp or pith from the shell of the
stalk , leaving the latter clean and in
proper condition for cattle food , would
be of inestimable value to every corn-
grower and cattle feeder. Such a
machine would make every acre planted
in corn yield at least a ton and a half of
nutritious and easily handled cattle
food.
TUB CONSERVATIVE is almost con
vinced that such a machine has been in
vented , patented , constructed and put
in operation by a citizen of Nebraska.
Prom time to time THE CONSERVATIVE
will continue its investigation of corn
stover and the poasibility of so utilizing
it as to save to Nebraska SO millions of
dollars per annum in wholesome , nutri
tious and fattening fodder.
Till : DK1MOCHATIC 1'AUTY.
Lot us face the facts , let us no longer
deceive ourselves. The democratic party
today is without character and standing
iu the nation. It 1ms lost the confidence ,
if not the respect , of the great body of
intelligent , thoughtful men of this coun
try. What does the party stand for ?
"What arc its principles ? "What man is
there iu this party today who can stand
up with any sort of confidence and de
clare them ? Does democracy stand for
imperialism or expansion ? Bryan answers - ,
swers one way and Jones the other.
Does it stand for free silver or the single
gold standard ? Bryan and Jones an
swer one way ; Crpker and a distin
guished member of the national demo
cratic committee answer another. Does
the party stand for tariff reform or pro
tection ? Nobody knows , for the Chicago
cage platform declared that that ques
tion was retired until the money ques
tion should have been settled.
Where are the party leaders ? Where
are the great men of the past who could
upon any occasion , at any timu of the
day or night , if called upon , stand up
and with accuracy and confidence pro
claim democratic doctrines ? There are
no leaders , there is no man or sot of men
who are recognized today as the mouth
pieces of the party. There was a so-
called loader of the minority forces in
the house of representatives. Ho raised
a constitutional question and called
upon the democrats in the house to
stand by him iu the position that ho
assumed , but when the test came moro
than forty members of his party voted
against him , and ho then and there
resigned.
Alas for the party of Thomas Jeffer
son ! Surely it has fallen upon evil
times. It is paying the penalty of the
folly of 189(5. ( Every prediction that wo
made when it then wont astray has been
fulfilled , or is about to be fulfilled. It
must reorganize upon a true democratic
platform or go to pieces. Gentlemen
may mock at this , as they mocked at it
in 1890 , but it is the truth. Those who -
then forsook the old ship must come < *
back to the little baud of democrats who J
remained to keep the colors flying , or "
be wrecked. Richmond Times.