Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 167, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 July 1918 — THE NEIGHBORHOOD CORNER [ARTICLE]

THE NEIGHBORHOOD CORNER

4 DEPARTMENT OF FARM WEL FARE CONDUCTED BY CO. AGENT LEAMING Pure Seed To Be Promoted. A few- farmers in each county will have an opportunity to sow absolutely disease-free seed wheat this fall, according the plans of the department of botany. This department is working on a project to standardize varieties of small grains and enaible the farmer who desires -to secure pure seed of any given variety, to do so with the least difficulty. An expert in disease control will be sent to a few farms in each county, upon which pure strains of wheat are being produced. The expert will personally treat enough seed to sow a seed plot of a few acres. The grain raised on these plots will next year be available as supplies of pure and diseased-free seed. / This procedure is made necessary by the fact that all wheat diseases do not yield to the common formaldehyde treatment and their control depends upon the hot-water treatment which requires expert service. Farmers desiring to secure such service will be supplied without cost, may do so through the better farming office. o'■■■'O Cost of Raising Wheat Estimated. It costs $20.60 per acre, exclusive of land rental, to produce a 20 bushel wheat crop in Jasper county, according to figures compiled from estimates furnished by a number of leading farmers this season. Exclusive of rent, the figures run from $19.52 per acre for a 14 bushel crop, to $24.00 per acre for a 40 bushel crop. The same figures show that the man who owns his own farm, but charges himself $lO rent and pays $2 taxes per acre begins to make a profit; $1.24 per acre when a yield of 16 bushels per acre is reached. At 20 bushels the indicated profit is $8.80; at 30 bushels $27.90; and at 40 bushels $46.80. When the tenant gives 1-3 of the crop for rent, he begins to make a profit; SI.OO per acre at 15 bushels; $6.00 at 20 bushels; $19.20 at 30 bushels, and $31.20 at 40 bushels. Under this method of renting the landlord receives $10.35 per acre rent at 15 bushels; $13.80 at 20 bushels; $20.70 at 30 bushels, and $27.60 at 40 bushels. Where the tenant gives 2-5 the grain as rent, he begins to make a profit? $1.05 per acre at 17 bushels. At 20 bushels the profit. is $4.25; 30 bushels $13.07, and 40 bushels $25.92. At 17 bushels the landlord receives $14.07 per acre rent; at 20 bushels $16.56; at 30 bushels $24.84, and at 40 bushels $33.12. Where the ..farmer gives 1-2 the grain as rent, he makes but 10 cents per arce profit on a 20 bushel crop; $9.85 on a 30 bushel crop, and $21.40 on a4O bushel crop. Under this form of tenure, the landowner receives $20.70 per acre rent at 20 bushels; $31.05 at 30 bushels, and $41.40 at 40 bushels. Several successful farmers, when shown the cost figures, have stated that they are above the actual cost of production and that wheat can be produced much cheaper than the figures indicated. One prominent farmer, a renter giving one-half the crop, states that the record on 00 acres of wheat will show that he will begin to make a profit at 14 bushels per acre. He is expecting 20 bushels yield. While threshing reports indicate that in general wheat yields are going to be high enough to give a profit to both the landlord and tenant, the above figures indicate that a readjustment of rents would in many cases result in a more equitable division of this profit among the landlord and tenant.

Lime Shews Up. H. G. Bollinger, of Hanging Grove, has a field which he limed three years ago, -leaving a check strip on one side. This year he has the field in wheat. On the liiped side the straw is extremely heavy and the shocks thick, in contract with the sparse growth on the unlimed portion. Mr. Bolliger states that he will not be able to thresh the two parts separator ly, but he estimates that the lime has increased the yield at least 25 per cent. He invited all interested in lime to inspect the work being done on his farm. o—o What Fertiliser? Due to the unsettled conditions of the commercial fertilizer supply, a large majority of the fanners of the -county are trying out different combinations on their farms this year. Varying per centage of potash, a number of combinations of wood and corn cob ashes, different forms of phosphates, lime combinations and numerous mixtures are among those being tried. While it is too,earjy to draw any conclusions as to the results that may be expected with the com crop, a careful study of these different trials for the result of the season will be of value in selecting next year’s fertilizer. o—o'-' Farmers* Clubs. The regular meeting of the Parr Community club will be held in the church, Thursday evening, August

Ist. A good program has been arranged and every one in invited to attend this meeting. The Gillam Township Farmers’ club will hold their regular meeting on August 7th, et the Independence church. ’ The following program has been arranged: Opening song Chorus ReportsC m Recitation Esther Webb Song Anna Leonard Recitation Evelyn Houston Recitation ....... Genevieve Webb Talk Mrs. Gwin Song Anna Leonard Talk *, Mr. Learning Talk Percy Hauter Closing song. \.' -