Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 60, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 October 1917 — THE NEIGHBORHOOD CORNER [ARTICLE]

THE NEIGHBORHOOD CORNER

Department of Farm Welfare Conducted by County Agent Stewart Learning.

Alfalfa Does Well Russel 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 3%-acre field. His report is as follows: First cutting, June 20, 7 tons; second, July 20, i tons; third, August 24, 4 tons; fourth, October 15, 2y 2 tons; total, 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 question but that alfalfa is a splendid crop •where it can be grown. Most of the failures with the crop in this •ouinty can be traced to one or more of three causes: wrong varieties, lack of drainage and sour •oil. 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 morthern grown seed. The value of liming and drainage li too well known to need discussion. More alfalfa fields and more •are in starting them will help solve the feed problem on many farms. A New Hereford Herd Thomas Cain of Marion township is the latest recruit to the comtpany 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. The Boys’ Coni 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 29 and must be finished by November 30. On the whole, the fifty 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, due to the unfavorable weather conditions, each boy wishing his yield in ensured must notify the county agent not later than October 29. Ample prizes have been provided and the rivalry is expected to be keen.

The Farm Poultry An average of over $3 per hen in eggs sold from the farm flock has been secured by Herman 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 litter 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. \ —i— ■ . 'I Farmers’ Clubs The regular meeting of the Bowling Green Farmers’ club will be 'held at the school house Tuesday evening, October 30. President John Zimmer promises a good program for the evening. The Parr Community club will hold its regular meeting at the school Thursday evening, November 1. The program will be up to the usual high standard of the club. The North Union Farmers’ club %ill meet at Virgie Saturday eve-

ning, November 3. Miss Esther Wiseman of the program committee reports an interesting program. Gasoline 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. 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, Indiana, was a decided success last year and it is hoped that this one will be of service. 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 Farming association were in attendance.