Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 159, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 July 1920 — JASPER COUNTY AGRICULTURAL NEWS [ARTICLE]

JASPER COUNTY AGRICULTURAL NEWS

InspectrOlV. Trip to Purdue. There was between seventy and eighty men, women and children that participated in the inspection trip to Purdue last Monday, June 28. ’ Ulis number was a good representation of Jasper county, there being farmers from nearly every section ip the county. The fourists, clad in dust and somewfiht weary frbm the long, warm and dusty ride, arrived at the East Purdue farm shortly after 10:00 A. M. We were met there by Messrs. Wiancho, Ostander, Frier and Walker, all from Purdue, who piloted us over the 120 acre farm which is given over entirely to experimental plats. The demonstrations in order of inspection were, the different .crop rotations, fertilizer trials with and without lime, on wheat and timothy. The variety tests of wheat, rye, barley and oats, and last the demonstration of wheat sown at the rate of 4,5, 6, 7 and 8 pecks to the acre. All of the experiments showed up fine and were very instructive. One courtesy which was shown the women was the excellent talk given them by Miss Garven, of Purdue, while the men were inspecting the experimental plats. She talked on the subject of making dress forms. During the noon hour those, that took their dinners ate and enjoyed a social hour just north of Ladies’ hall, while the others ate over in the city. * . In the afternoon we inspected the poultry farm, noting the way in which Purdue feeds and cares for the young chickens, and the types and styles of their house, both for ithe young and old chickens. Many labor saving methods were observed and much time and work would be saved if many of them would be put into practice. The men were taken to the wooded pasture west of Purdue to take the “once over” of the beef cattle. The beef breeds shown were the Shorthorns, Herefords and Angus. They were in excellent condition considering that all they were getting was grass. While the women were inspecting the dairy building the men were going through the different barns looking at the horses, dairy cattle, sheep and hogs. Especial attention was given to the young stock that was being prepared for the live stock show this fall.

The hour was beginning to grow late in the afternoon, but those that did not have to hurry home tarried a few minutes to go through . the new armory and gymnasium. 'While in the armory we got to see one of the six-inch guns that had seen service at Verdun. Mr. Frier gave a very short talk to us in the gymnasium, telling us of its grand features and its role in the developing of a future men while attending the University. Many of the men wished that they had longer time to see more of Purdue as they had just arrived at the most important things which they wished to see most, namely the dairy building, serum plant, green houses and the agriculutral hall. Even though we were tired arfd weary we wanted to see more. Mr. Frier expressed his opinion that as the day was so warm he didn’t think that the women especially received a fair showing. He also said that there was too much to see at Purdue, all in one day, and he wished that we could plan on coming down some time in the near future, making a picnic out of it and limiting our visits to a few things with a more thorough and careful inspection. Home Canning Necessary This Year To Beat Old H. C. L. Home canning—of utmost importance during the war—will be just as important this year, according to present indications as they are viewed. by the United States Department of Agriculture. The shortage of labor on the farms make it necessary for the canneries to pay high prices for the commodities that will be canned later in the season. Labor in the canning factories is expensive and difficult to obtain. Everything, from cans to cartage costs, has increased in price, and transportation is slow and more Expensive than it was m war times. All this increase must be paid by the ultimate consumer; and there is not even assurance that there will be enough canned products to go around. The . solution is home canning. That sugar is higher in. price than it has been hitherto is advanced by some as a reason for canning either less fruit or nothing but vegetables; but unless one intends to give Up sweets altogether there is some reason for not using canned fruit on account of high-priced sugar. There are a few desserts that do not take from onehalf to one cup of sugar, and no dessert is more healthful than fruit. It its not necessary to use such thick syrup as was used in the days of plenty. A 10 per cent syrup made of 1 part sugar and 9 parts water will make palatable any of the acid fruits. Such fruits as apples, pineapples, and the like can be canned without sugar. In fact, ordinary glucose or corn syrup may be substituted for sugar in making the syrup. A palatable syrup is made b ymiving H cup sugar, 1 cup glucose and 8 cups of water. It requires about 7 ounces of sugar for a pint jar. One cup of sugar will make 10 cups of syrup. A. pound of sugar will make 20 cws. This last amount will be sufficient for 20 pints of canned fruit. Where 10 per cent syrup is used the coat of the sugar to can a pint jar is 1% cents with sugar at 30 cents a pound. It is not so expensive after all. Bulletins on Canning. Bulletins on the cold pack meth-

od for home canning can be had by - writing to the county agent’s office for them. A time table for sterilizing each vegetable is ’printed on the back of each bulletin. The Army Worm Again. It is reported to this office that the army worm has made its appearance in nearly every county in Illinois. When it is that bad in Illinois we should keep a close watch for it here. It is up to us to keep it out of Jasper county.