Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 238, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 October 1917 — THE NEIGHBORHOOD CORNER [ARTICLE]

THE NEIGHBORHOOD CORNER

A DEPARTMENT OF FARM WELFARE CONDUCTED BY CO. AGENT LEAMING. Alfalfa Doe* Well. Russell Van Hook, proprietor of Riveredge Dairy and owner of a fine pure bred Jersey herd, believes that alfalfa is one of the most profitable crops that the dairyman can grow. During the past summer he has been keeping a record of the amount of hay produced by his -three and onehalf acre field. His report is as follows: Ist cutting June 20th 7 tons 2nd cutting, July 20th ..... 5 tons 3rd cutting, August 24th....4 tons 4th cutting, October 15th..2% tons Total, 4 cuttings ......18% tons Alfalfa is now’ quoted at $32.50 a ton in Chicago and at this rate Mr. Van Hook’s field has produced over S6OO worth of feed this year. There can be no doubt but that alfalfa is a splendid crop where it can be grown. Most of the failures with the crop in this county can be traced to one or more of three causes: wrong varieties, lack of drainage, and sour soil. Grimm alfalfa,is undoubtedly the best adapted to our conditions and its use is to be highly recommended. As many southern grown and Turkestan strains find their way to our markets, our growers should make sure that they receive northern grown seed. The. value to liming and drainage is too well known to need discussion. More alfalfa fields and more care in starting them will help solve the feed problem on many farms; —o — A New Hereford Herd. Thomas Cain, of Marion township, is the latest recruit to the company of pure bred livestock breeders of the county. Last week he went to Pulaski county and purchased the foundation animals for a registered Hereford herd. “I have been raising a few cattle every year and have fed them out each winter without making much profit and I just decided that I could do better by keeping fewer animals and selling them for a little more money,” is the reason Mr. Cain gives for starting his herd.

—o — The Boy*’ Corn Club. Arrangements are being made to measure the yields of corn secured by the boys who are members of the Jasper County Corn Club. This work will start October 29th, and must be finished by November 30th. On the whole, the 50 members have taken a great deal of interest in their work this summer and deserve a great deal Of credit for what they have done. Due to the fact that some of the members have dropped out on account of the unfavorable weather conditions, each boy wishing his yield measured must notify the county agent not lator than October 29th. Ample prizes have been provided and the rivalry is expected to be keen. —o•— The Farm Poultry. An average of over $3 per hen in eggs sold from the farm flock has been secured by Hennan DeFries, of Keener township, this year. “In order to make the farm flock give best results,” says Mr. DeFries, “it must be given care and attention. A man cannot expect to abuse a dairy cow and have her produce a good flow of milk. Neither can he neglect his chickens and expect them to lay. The selection of an egg breed, simple housing, the use of plenty of oyster shell, bone and meat, scraps, together with ample littei* in the scratching sheds are considered essentials by Mr. DeFries. Experiments conducted at Purdue over a period of three years show that birds receiving neither meat scraps, fish scraps nor skim milk (no protein ration) were kept at a loss, while those receiving one of these protein feeds produced reasonable profits. There is every indication of an egg shortage this winter. The up-to-date farmer or poultryman should begin to make plans for heavy production as soon as the moulting season is over. JS. ..3

o Farmer*’ Club*. The regular meeting of the Bowling Green Farmers’ Club will be held at the school house Tuesday evening, Oct. 30th. President John Zimmer promises a good program for the evening. X . , ... The Parr Community Club will hold its regular meeting at the Parr school Thursday evening, Nov. 4. The North Union dub will meet at Virgie Saturday evening, Nov. 3. Miss Esther Wiseman, of the program committee, reports an interesting program. — o — Motor School. Plans for a gasoline motor school under the direction of the Jasper County Better Farming Association some time this winter are being formulated. , . Through the courtesy of local dealers, manufacturers will send engine experts. Mr. H. P. Kinsman, of the rural engineering department of Purdue, will be in the county next week to assist in making the proper arrangements for the school. Such a school at Madison, Ind., was a decided success last year and it is hoped that this one will be of service. —o — County Agent Conference. The twenty-fifth annual conference

of state extension workers is held at Lafayette this week. Several members of the Jasper County Better Farrtiing Association will be in attendance. ", 1 "-“• ■■ ■;' ■ _______ ■ —o — Shorthorn Association. Don’t forget the Shorthorn Breeders’ meeting at the court house, Friday afternoon, Oct. 26th. Will Johnson, of Fort Wayne, expects to be presdwf and has a message for all.