Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 151, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 June 1919 — JASPER COUNTY LIVESTOCK TOUR [ARTICLE]

JASPER COUNTY LIVESTOCK TOUR

MANY ENJOY A MOST DELIGHTFUL AND INSTRUCTIVE DAY. More than one hundred and v fifty people, thirty-five automobile loads, participated in the annual Jasper county livestock tour. At 9 ;3g o’clock Thursday ipornjng' the' start was made from £he court house square in this city and the first' stop was at the James Amsler farm, but a short distance southeast of Rensselaer. Mr. Amsler has a splendid 'herd of Shorthorn cows and calves. This herd is so anxious to prove to Mr. Amsler that they are a good investment that one of the cows presented him with a pair of twins. ' The second stop was made with Jasper county’s most enthusiastic bachelor agriculturist, Percy Hauter. Mr. Hauter has a good herd of Spotted Poland China hogs and is starting in the Shorthorn cattle business. The drive was then made to the John R. Lewis farm, where all enjoyed the inspection of one of the best and also most widely known herds of Hampshire hogs. Mr. Lewis has a very large number of hogs, including some of the very best individuals to be found anywhere. The next stop was made to inspect the stock at the John R. Parkison farm. The main attraction here was the nineteen hundred pound Shorthorn bull, possibly one of the very best animals in that breed of cattle. The next stop was made at the farm of County Auditdr-Elect Schuyler C. Robinson, in Gillam township. Mr. Robinson has a lot of prize winning Hampshire hogs. Another attraction at this place was a fine new hog house just erected

by Mr. Robinson. - From the Robinson- home the drive was made to the Selmer brothers’ farm, where were seen some of the very best Shorthorn cows to be found anywhere. At this place all enjoyed a basket dinner in the beautiful grove in front of the John Selmer home. The next stop was made at the Guild and Prevo farm, near the Independence church in Gillam township. Here were a fine lot of Herefords of which the owners have reason to feel mighty proud. At the Smith brothers’ farm, just north of the Guild and Prevo farm, were found some of the very best Herefords we have ever seen. They were splendid animals and had been given the very best of care. From here the A drive was made to the William Hershman farm in Walker township. Mr. Hershman is a Shorthorn breeder and possibly the very best animal of any breed seen during the entire tbur was found here. John William Schwab, of the animal husbandry department of Purdue university, who had made a splendid address at the noon hour, gave a most interesting talk in judging Mr. Hershman’s $5,000 bull. Professor Schwab pronounced him to be one of the very best of his breed. From here all hit the trail for the James N. Leatherm a n farm ip Barkley township, where a large number of prize winning Hampshire hogs were seen. The next farm visited was the Quality Farm of Thompson & Bell, of Union township. They have a splendid herd of Polled Herefords. At the Floyd Amsler farm, near Surrey, was seen one of the very best as well as largest herds of Shorthorns to be found in the county. ' ; The last stop was made at the Fred Phillips farm just west of this city. He has a fine lot of Herefords that do honor to the breed. Here ended one- of the most delightful tri pi by a jolly crowd and well may it be called the end of a perfect day. After making this tour it is not

hard to believe Professor Schwab’s assertion that the livestock breeders of this couijty are putting Jasper on the map. The progressive farmers of this county are meeting with the success which they so richly deserve. They are not only breeding the very best livestock, but by efficient farming they are getting from mother earth a most bounteous yield of grain and other crops. Few trips could be made that would present such a promising harvest, 1 the large acreage *of wheat which iis just becoming golden now assures a heavy yield peracre. Corn, ■ which will average knee high, never ; looked better. Oats, while a little I short, will be a good crop. . Meadows are heavy and rye is above the average. I One, who left the farm thirty years ago, is struck with the wonderful change in the farm home. , The road wagon has given way -to the automobile. The gasoline engine makes possible the washing machine, the cream separator, the electric lights, the abundant supply of water, and relieves the backaches

caused by long, tiresome turning of the grindstone to sharpen axes, scythes and sickles. A seat with a shade over it has been <>ut upon almost every farm implement. finproved roads, making possible daily rurAl mail delivery, the automobile and the telephone, make the farm environment most delightful and the splendid reward Jasper county soil gives for efficient effort most prosperous.