Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 61, Number 12, Decatur, Adams County, 15 January 1963 — Page 6

PAGE SIX

New Purdue Book Includes Adams County Farm History And Story Os Extension

In the new book, “A History of Fifty Years of Cooperative Extension Service in Indiana,” Adams county is given as a “typical example,” with five pages of local history given in the 159-page book, it was learned today. Written by Dave O. Thompson, Sr., with a preface by L. Martin Busche, former assistant director of the agricultural extension service, and native of Adams county, the book is now ready for distribution. A sample copy has been sent to Leo N. Seltenright, Adams county agent. 3 History Phases In Indiana there are three welldefined periods in county agent work: • 1. First came the awakening to the needs for adult education in “book farming—through farmer’s institutes and com shows, and realization that a “professional” was needed in each county permanently. 2. The second phase began with the need to explain about federal adjustment programs, like the “Triple A,” and other action programs. 3. The third phase started shortly after the 1937 Indiana legislature passed the act which divorced the extension service from the school systems and attached it to Purdlue university with full and final state authority. All interested organizations within the county were brought together in the county extension committee. To illustrate these three periods, Adams county’s history was chosen. The hook reads as follows: Adams Tops List "Adams county tops the list of names of all the counties when arranged alphabetically, so some brief details of Adams county will be given byway of illustration. “Here, in the year 1915 which has center stage in this part of the 50-year history, organization requirements had been completed, petitions had been signed,\ssoo raised, county appropration made, and the county agent was to start work in September. ■This had been hard to accomplish. From personal talks with some of the early leaders in Farmer s Institute work, including C. DSpuller of route 5, Decatur, and E. W. Busche, route one, Monroe, county agen L. E. Archbold was able to record some of the early facts. First Farmer* Institute “Farmers’ Institutes had been started in 1899, and these annual meetings in a few townships had opened some windows looking into the world of agricultural science. “In 1914, it was recalled, Maurice Douglas, a farmer at Flat Rock, Ind , one of Professor Latta’s earliest supporters (organizer of farmer’s institutes was W. C. T atta) and speakers, was chief speaker in Adams county. “(Parenthetically it might be said that Douglas had persimmon trees on his farm, and in the fall he took great delight in in-

* I saved money 1 C’ .. and rve beer / right from the saving even more start with my every year with LAND BANK LOAN!” ner V —y y - w < Vll © <*! <•' x FARMERS AGREE: YOU SAVE FROM THE FIRST DAY WITH A LAND BANK LOAN SEE THOMAS E. WILLIAMS, MGR. 216 S. 2nd St. — Decatur — Phone 3-3784 Owned By Farmers For Farmers. .

Adams County Farmers’ Corner

troducing them to visitors who were not wise to the puckering effect of half-ripe persimmons when bitten. Douglas was one of a great group across Indiana active in founding the Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc., and in guiding its early work. As might be expected of a Douglas he had a good herd of Shorthorn cattle.) First Corn Show “A brief mention in the Decatur Daily Democrat states: The Franklin county, living temporarily in LaPorte as county agricultural agent under the new law, who came here to judge the corn show. He came from Indianapolis where he had just been elected to the State Board of Agriculture. John Heller, owner and editor of the Decatur Daily Democrat, said that the paper was very quiet because of opposition within Adams County to employing a county agent. Farmer* Against Agents “ ‘Promotion of the idea,’ said Mr. Heller, ‘together with getting signers to the petition, raising the SSOO, and so on, was carried on by word of mouth, converting an individual here and an official or a candidate there. The less said in the paper the better, as the opposition would be less vocal.’ “In this manner, then the law was complied with the County Agent A. J. Hutckins (whose report was printed last week) started the work September 1, 1915. Test Plots, Cattle Improvements “The early needs seem simple when viewed in the light of all the complex farm management problems of 1961. In agronomy, the first need was to be sure of having seed corn that would grow. Farmers were used to replanting, using an entire com field for their germination test plot. Little was known about pre-testing with rag doll testers or by other methods. “Animal husbandry and dairy required teaching about balanced rations for cattle that had been used to grazing public lands in the summer and eating off the sheltered side of the straw stack in the winter. It was ‘root hog or die’ with many pigs, which were grown until finally fattened on allcom ration and marketed at about one year of age. Children Worked “In the house there was much hard work and drudgery lightened mostly by the help of many children in the family. “Because of the ever-changing political pattern and because it was not always possible for the county agent to establish a personal following strong enough to see him through election years, there was considerable turn-over in county agents in Adams County, as there was in other counties in those days. Adams County Agents Listed “The Adams County list of early county agents and terms served follow: A. J. Hutchins, September 1915 to August 1916. M. H. Overton, December 1916

to August 1919. F. W. Gray, January 1920 to October 1920. L. M. Busche, November 1920 to September 1928. F. E. Christen, February 1928 to December 1929. L. E. Archbold, January 1930 to December 1954. L. N. Seltenright, January 1955 to date. “During the early period, reports showed that these county agents, each in his time, spent much effort in malting personal contacts in order to get acquainted and to establish a personal following. Individual, farm visits took a lot of time, and, if his help proved o) a money-making value, or if the family liked him, he had made a friend who later helped him in various projects which called,for active compaigns. The very educational adult campaigns in Adams county were much like those in other counties. The county agent found troubles in crops and livestock production and taught scientific ways of eliminating many of them. 21 County Compaigns “Adams county agents worked on some 21 campaigns and probably on many more: 1. Treatment of seed oats with farmaldehyde to prevent smut. 2. Treatment of seed wheat by hot water method to prevent loose smut. 3. Tours to study sugar beet growing. 4. Field selection of seed com. 5. 4-H com club boys, instructing and checking’results. 6. Proper methods of drying seed com. 7. Ear-to-row com planting and harvesting for comparisons. 8. Fertilizer treatment for sugar beets. 9. Fertilizer treatment for wheat. 10. Dairy tours for men. 11. 4-H calf club tours. 12. Studying dairy herd sires, visiting dairy bull train. 13. Indiana’s first bull pen project on farm of David F. Mazelin. 14. Good sires in horse production. 15. Good sires in swine improvement. • 16. Swine tours and ton litter clubs. , ~ 17. Poultry housing and feeding for egg production. 18. Pruning fruit trees. 19. Spraying fruit trees. 20. Fighting chinch bugs. 21. Getting together just for fun and play at local or county picnics. “In all of these it was in the individual leadership of the county agent that brought results. Disastrous Depression “During and after World War I, when debts incurred to expand food production were called by lending agencies, and prices were way down to rock bottom, the Republican Farm Board and the Democrat New Deal called for numerous new activities. It was necessary to organize leadership that had developed into many committees, to study new laws and rules and to help set up strange administrative offices, with county and township committees and administrators. "Os this period, County Agent L. E. Archbold wrote: “‘Those years covered by the Farm Board seem more or less like a nightmare. The beginning of the New Deal not only introduced a new philosophy, but forced a change in teaching methods and procedure upon the Extension force.’ Committee Work “Within the decade after the big

FARMERS! WE SPECIALIZE IN FARM INCOME TAX RETURNS! • Call Today For Appointment • Farmers State Returns due Jan. 31, 1963 • Serving Adams County Farmers For 20 Years. G. Remy Bierly, Inc. Abstractors — Tax Consultants 107 S. 2nd St. Phene 3-4104

THE DECATUR DATUY DEMOCRAT, DECATUR, INDIANA

County Agent’s Corner

D. H. I. A. November Report: The teh high herds for the last testing periods are: Ben and Noah Mazelin, 1.8 lbs. of butterfat per cow per day; Arnold Scheumann, 1.8; Rolandes Liechty, 1.7; Kenneth Beer and Sons, 1.6; Albert Ewel, 1.6; Harry Wulliman and Son, 1.6; Eli Schwartz, 1.5; L. Reuben Schwartz, 1.5; Franklin Steury, 15; and Yager and Lehman, 1.5. High cows for the month were: Martin Habegger and Son, 115 B. F. per month; L. Reuben Schwartz and Son, 108 lb.; Jesse Blume and Sons, 105 lb., and 102 lb.; Arnold Scheumann, 101 lb.; Norman

economic “Bust” in 1929, this change to committee guidance of county agent work was advanced so that by 1939 the system was well installed in Adams County. “Where there had been very few organized activities in Adams County in 1899, 40 years later the following persons representing organizations formed a splendid working committee for planning the work in advance not only for one year but projecting plans into the future for the welfare of their county. More than that, committee men and women accepted definite project assignments. .Here in Adpmi eounty, ,as: in others in the state, leadership responsibilities were established for all parts in the Agricultural Extension pattern. “This, then, is the list of those Adams County people who were growing in leadership as they worked on the Adams County Extension Committee. Adams County Extension Committee (1939) President, George M. Krick, Decatur; president of 4-H Cliub committee. Vice-president, E. W. Busche, Monroe; agricultural planning committee and Decatur Rotary chib. Secretary, Roy Price, Decatur; Purdue Agricultural Alumni head and Decatur Lions Club. Directors, Benj. D. Mazelin, Berne: Adams County Crop Improvement Association, and Victor Bleeke, Decatur; Farmer’s Institute. Members: C. E. Striker, Decatur, county superintendent o f schools; Jerry Liechty, Berne, Farm Bureau; Victor Stucky, Berne, Farmer’s Equity; Winfred Gerke, Decatur, Soil Conservation Association; H. P. Schmitt, Decatur, Street Fair Association; Frank Liniger, Decatur, county commissioners; H. L. Dehner, Decatur, county council; T. F. Graliker, Decatur, Banker’s Association; Elmer Baumgartner, Berne, Banker’s Association; Mrs. E. W. Busche, Monroe. Home Economics Club; Elmer Nussbaum, Monroe, Older Youth Organization; Peter B. Lehman, Decatur, Guernsey Cattle Club; Rudolph Kolter, Decatur, Holstein Cattle Club; Henry Aschliman, Berne, Ayrshire Breeders Association; Edwin Neuhauser, Monroe, Horse Association; Dale D. Moses, Decatur; Dairy Herd Improvement Association; James D. Briggs, Geneva, Lions Club. “This, then is a good example which shows the pattern of work in counties in Indiana. It shows quite well how the extension service came to all other counties during the next two decades.”

Becher, 100 lb.; Koenemann and Lower, 97 lb.; Norman Becher, 96 lb.; and Martin Habegger and Son, 96 ib. Farm Science Days This Week: Dr. Damon V. Catron, international authority on animal nutrition, and outstanding corn belt swine raisers will speak at Purdue University’s farm science days session, Wednesday. A graduate of and former staff member of Purdue University, Catron is vice president in charge of research and development for the Walnut Grove Products Co., Atlanta, la. He will speak at an i afternoon session in Fowler hall of Memorial Center. Designated as “High Hat Hog Housing—Profits and Problems," the session will open at 9:30 a.m. in Fowler hall. L. L. Stewart, who operates the largest purebred swine farm in the county near Frankfort, will be chairman. A trip of commercial hog raisers will explain their operations. Leading off will be Paul Keffaber, resident manager of Fuller Farms, Shelbyville. Fuller Farms’ swine program is centered around ■a"o6nfinement growing and finishing system. Albert Gehlback, a pioneer in utilization of slotted floors for swine, then will relate his experiences on his large volume operation near Lincoln, 81. Then Bernard Collins, Clarion, la., will describe his operation — producing market hogs on pasture. Collins, a large scale operator, will describe both confinement and pasture systems, pointing out advantages and disadvantages. A. G. Mueller, University of Illinois agricultural economist, will conclude the morning session: with a discussion of economic characteristics of selected swine producing systems. Catron, who is a native of Howard county, will open the afternoon program discussing the future of the hog business. Then Dr. E. O. Haelterman of Purdue's school of veterinary science and medicine will talk about TGE and confinement hog production. D. G. Jedele, associate professor of agriculture engineering at the University of Illinois, will conclude the speaking program with a discussion of slatted floors and their installation lagoons, ventilation, temperature control and housing. ...

Persons attending the sessions then will have a chance to ask questions of the day’s speakers. A college opportunity meeting also will be held Wednesday morning. Dr. Earl L. Butz, Purdue’s dean of agriculture, will discuss professional opportunities in agriculture, and V. C. Freeman, associate dean of the school of agriculture and director of resident instruction, will talk about “Parents, Students and Purdue—Partners in Preparation.” Freeman, members of a counseling staff and outstanding students then will confer with parents of Purdue students. Assistant dean D. C. Pfendler will hold a concurrent session with parents of prospective Purdue students. Indiana Wheat Acreage Up 13 Per Cent: Indiana farmers seeded 1,333,000 acres in wheat last fall, report state-federal agriculture statisticians at Purdue University. This is 13 per cent more than the 1,180,000 acres seeded in the fall of 1961. Increases in the 1962 fall seedings reflect slightly larger allotments than in the previous year, when a 10 per cent mandatory reduction was required by the wheat stabilization program. The statisticians forcast a 1963 Indiana wheat crop of- 42,656,000 bushels, up nearly 10 per cent from the 1962 output and 11 per cent larger than average. This forecast is based on the Dec. 1 condition of winter wheat and other factors exerting influence on the size of the final crop. Early fall planting conditions were nearly Ideal and growth of the crop was good. However, layed harvest operations in some central and eastern Indiana counties postponed seeding of wheat until late in the fall. This resulted in limited growth before the

beginning of winter in these areas. Sheep Shearing School: The twenty-fourth annual state sheep shearing school will be held Jan. 28-29 at the Madison county fairgrounds at Alexandria, according to Henry Mayo, Purdue University extension animal scientist. The school will start at 8:30 a.m. The first day is reserved for beginners and amateurs and the second day for beginners and professionals. Each person enrolled will have a chance to shear several sheep under supervision. E. A. Warner, agricultural representative of tiie Sunbeam Corporation, Chicago, will give shearing instructions and demonstrate sharpening of blades and care of equipment. There is no registration fee for the school. Reservations should be made with Harold Beery, Madison county extension agent, Anderson. BABY PIGS NEED HEAT: Infrared heat lamps represent one of the oldest and easiest ways to supply heat in farrowing quarters, points out Bruce McKenzie, Purdue University agricultural engineer. And, observing a few safety rules in using. these lamps keeps down cost and insures safety. Supplemental heat is necessary; in farrowing quarters since the temperature of a newborn pig essentially follows the building temperature. That is, if a pig is born in a cold house he will be chilled. Infrared lamps should always be used with porcelain sockets, McKenzie asserts. The bulb base gets too hot for rubber, bakelite or brass with paper insulation. The lamps should be well supported, preferably on a chain, for easy height adjustment and rugged suspension. You can further supplement safety precautions by planning the installation. The engineer suggests that an electric outlet be installed at a uniform height over every point of use. All lamp sets can then be the same length with the cord length sweh that 4he lamp can’t be plugged in and lie on the litter at the same time. One lamp may not be enough during farrowing. Chilling danger starts around 400°F, and for each 15° temperature drop in the house, another 250 watt lamp should be added. Suspend the lamp 6 inches

BEND I B M 7 Above ore the route, of the new Werjtote HI B hwoy» ttheduled for Indiana ■■ Trucks make up 16 per cent of all the motor vehicles registered in the U. S. They are the source, however, for taxes , l«H|| which amount to 36 per cent of the cost of the new Interstate Defense Network highway system now in various stages of construction in the nation. Therefore, truck owners —including those Bs|| in Indiana—are paying for more than one mile of every three miles being built in this new highway system. Indiana Motor Track Association, Inc. B Ihe State’s Organized Trucking Induriry 2905 N. Meridian Street • Indianapolis 8, Indiana || James E. Nicholas, General Manager,

above the sows’ back. Twelve to 24 hours after farrowing, move one lamp to a pig creep in one corner of the pen and suspend the lamp 24 inches above the litter. Make sure that the corner panel is rugged so the sow can’t tear it down and get to the lamp cord. Under floor heating systems or heated portable mats are also available for use at farrowing. Most of these units are designed to supply 25 watts per square foot of heated area, or about 80-90 BTU—sq. ft. THE BEST SHRUBS FOR YOU: Winter is a good time to order shrubs for spring planting, according to Purdue University extension horticulturists. It pays to plan and order now—while you have time —so nurseries will have what you * want, when you want it. The question is, which shrubs to order? The horticulturists say evergreens seem to fill the bill for most homeowners. Spreading yews and spreading or creeping junipers are popular and desirable and blend well with most of today’s homes. However, for a special accent, deciduous shrubs —those that lose their leaves in the winter—stand out. The fragrant viburnum is beautiful when it's in full bloom in the spring. The dwarf winged euonymus 1 makes beautiful accent shrubs in the fall. Its beautiful fall leaf color gives it the nickname "burning bush.” For winter color, the “king of shrubs” is the red twigged dogwood. It has beautiful bright red twigs in the winter and is eye catching when growing next to evergreens. , AG ALUMNI SCIENCE FORECAST, Fish Fry: Four outstanding Hoosiers will be honored at the Purdue ag alumni fish fry, Jan. 18, in Purdue University’s armory. Special guest will be U. S. Senator Birch Bayh, a 1951 graduate of Purdue’s school of agriculture. The fish fry will follow the fish fry science forecast, starting at M a. m., in Loeb playhouse of Memorial Center. Purdue scientists and, administrators will discuss “Changing Times in American Agriculture.” Dr. Earl L. Butz, Purdue’s dean of agriculture. wjU moderate the discussions. Participants will be Dr. Byron Blair, agronomist; Dr.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1963

John Osmun, head of the entomology department; Dr. Harold Amstutz, school of veterinary science and medicine; D. k C. Pfendler, assistant dean of the school of agriculture; Dr. Howard G. Diesslin, director of the co-opera-tive extension service, and Dr. Den Paarlberg, agricultural economist. Timothy Hays, Missouri humorist, will report on “the corn situation” at the fish fry. Certificates of distinction will go to four Hoosiers and portraits of nine Purdue ags will be hung in the agricultural hall of fame. Meanwhile, the Indiana Christmas tree growers association will meet in the afternoon and hold its annual banquet that night. Dean F. Berkey, director of field services at Indiana University, will speak at the banquet. LIVESTOCK, CROPS CHAMPS TO BE HONORED: Hoosier crops and livestock champions of 1962 will be honored at Purdue University’s farm science days, Thursday. Crops winners will be recognized at noon at the annual banquet of the Indiana crop improvement association. Outstanding livestock leaders and breeders will be honored that night at the Indiana livestock breeders association banquet. Dr. Harold E. Myers, dean of the college of agriculture at th? University of Arizona, will be principal speaker at the noon banquet. Awards to champion corn and soybean producers will also ’ be made. Livestock producers will hear Dr. Doyle Chambers, associate director of the Oklahoma University ' agricultural experiment station, at their banquet. Trophy awards and portraits of Hoosier breeders and leaders will be announced and presented. Purdue’s agricultural engineering and agronomy departments : will collaborate on a day-long program dealing with weather in . agriculture. Speakers in the morning will in- . elude Bill Crawford, Indianapolis . television weather man, and Dr. l j b Peterson, head of Purdue’s agronomy department. The afternoon program will deal with trac- ■ tor power and equipment problems. Speakers will include Pur- . due agricultural engineers S. J. Clark, Wayne Gruben and Bruce Liljedahl. ■ Continued <«■ Page Eight)