Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 144, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 June 1919 — THE NEIGHBORHOOD CORNER [ARTICLE]

THE NEIGHBORHOOD CORNER

1 A DEPARTMENT* OF FARM WELFARE CONDUCTED BY COUNTY AGENT LEAMING. Wheat Stnut Puzzles Many. “We treated our seed wheat with formaldehyde last fall, but still our fields are filled with black, smutted heads,” is a remark frequently heard among wheat growers these days. As there is so much confusion in regard' to the different smuts, a short explanation -may not be amiss. There are two kinds of wheat smut: The loose smut, which causes the blackened heads, and the stinking smut, or “bunt,” which renders wheat unfit for milling. _ The loose smut develops within the kernel from infection from the smutted heads at flowering time, when the spores are blown from plant to plant by the wind. * The infected kernels do not reveal the presence of the smuth within, and as the spores cannot be reached by chemicals, the only practical method of destroying them is by the application of heat ih the “hot water method.” Bunt usually is noticed first at threshing time by the disagreeable odor of the grain and by the presence of short, thick, soft kernels, filled with a mass of black spores. As these infected grains cannot be removed from the sound wheat, a small percentage of bunt renders wheat worthless for milling. The formaldehyde destroys this, the more important smut. Do not give up the formaldehyde treatment because there are black heads in your wheat.

Livestock Tour Is Next Thursday. Arrangements are complete for the Jasper county livestock tour, which will start from the court house at 9 o’clock sharp next Thursday morning, June 26th, according to the members of the sub-committee of the County Betterment association, which has the matter in charge. Oral and written invitations have been sent to leading breeders and merchants and a large number have indicated their intention of making the trip. A route ha 6 been selected which will enablq .the tourists to see the greatest number of good animals in the least time. Breeders along the way have been notified to have their stock in such shape that it may be readily inspected. A number of speakers have been secured and a fine program, including stock judging, has been arranged after the noon hour. “Take a day and see what we have” is the invitation of the livestock breeders of the county, and every person who can rustle up a car to take his family is cordially invited to make the trip. Farmers’ Clubs. . ' A meeting of the Jordan Township Community club will be held at the Union school house on the evening of June 24th. The program of the evening will include an address by W. A. Ostrander, of Purdue university, and talks by officers of the County Betterment association. The matter of reorganization will also be discussed. The Milroy Country club will hold its regular meeting at the Milroy church on the evening of June 27th. President Roy Gish reports that the program committee ■'has arranged an interesting program and urges that a full attendance be present. Hereford Men to Picnic on June 29th. Hereford breeders of this and adjoining counties will picnic on the Quality Stock farm, near Parr, Sunday afternoon, June 29th, according to 0. S. Bell, one of the proprietors and vicespresident of the Indiana Polled Hereford association. An attractive list of speakers has-been announced, including S. S. Davis, county agent of Newton county, who is also a Polled Hereford breeder. Everyone interested in good stock is invited to attend this event. Mr. Bell has spared no trouble or expense in providing for this event and promises entertainment for all who attend. Army Worm* Give Trouble. At least a dozen outbreaks of the army worm are reported from various sections of the state. These range all the way from mild annoyance to depredations causing losses of hundreds of acres of crops. The main method of defense seems to be to recognize their presence quickly and call on the neighbors to assist in surrounding them with dusty furrows and confining them to a limited area. A careful watch on the part of our farmers may prevent a general outbreak, in our county. Army Worm Causing Damage—Destructive Insect Injuring Crops of Locality. The army worm has made its appearance in the county and is causing considerable damage in the grass And corn of many sections of this locality, according to County Agent Learning. In Barkley township several acres of corn have been completely destroyed and a 'pasture has been entirely cut off. In Hanging Grove towrtship an army of these insects | has destroyed a pasture and is making inroads upon the adjoining corn, timothy and oats fields. As the presence of this pest is reported generally over northern Indiana, it is believed that injury may be going on

unnoticed in other localities. So far the work of the army worm las been confined to limited areas so that the spread has been stopped >y throwing up furrows around the fields and the insects are being poisoned by the use of poison bran mash. This mash is made up of twenty-five pounds of bran and one pound of i s aris green, which are mixed dry. One gallon of molasses, one gallon df water, a little salt and the juice of four lemons are added to the mixture which is sown broadcast in front of ■the advancing worms. Good results are being reported, but a warning has been issued urging prompt action to prevent the pests from spreading. Past visitations of the army worm have caused heavy financial losses in various parts of the state and farmers are being advised to nip the present outbreak in the bud.