Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 82, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 January 1918 — THE NEIGHBORHOOD CORNER [ARTICLE]

THE NEIGHBORHOOD CORNER

Department of Farm Welfare Conducted by County Agent Stewart Learning,

Seed Horn Again The County Corn show last week served to emphasize the seriousness lof the seed corn situation. Out of all the corn on exhibition, Fred L. Kern, the judge, reported > that almost every ten-ear sample was dead and had mouldy ears. When one remembers that these samples represented the best seed corn stocks ' that the county affords, we wonder | where the seed is coming from to plant this season’s crop. What are we going to do about it? The hope for seed for the 1918 crop lies in the use of a large amount of old corn. In many cases this will be found to be of only fair quality and not of the best type, but this year, if it will grow, it will be necessary for farmers to overlook some '< of these points which have • been considered most important in the past. The amount of old <;orn is limited. It is very desirable, therefore, tot locate every bushel of old corn suitable for seed-

While new corn is in a serious condition, yet there are many who have early seed and by care- ' ful testing can get from this a large amount of good seed. If, with labor and time, 20 to 00 ears can be secured from 100 saved, this is better than discarding the whole lot and taking up something that is new and untried. The U. S. department of agriculture and Purdue will take Immediate steps to locate, seed in other counties and other states. ’'There is no question but that this county must import seed to supplement the local supply. Place your wants with the “Corn Committee’’ of the Better Farming association and they will see that you are supplied. Only early action will save the situation next spring. Cost of Producing Wheat It cost the farmers of Jasper county 94 cents to produce a bushel of wheat last season, according to the reports which were made to the U. S. department of agriculture by a number of farmers. These farmers were asked to fill out a cost sheet including thirtysix items of expense in connection with crop production the past season. The average total labor . cost in this county is given at $45.33 per acre as compared with $11.53 for the average of the states of Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. The total averag ■ cost in the county was given at $19.86 per acre as compared with $28.82 (Tout the district, The yield per acre of the men reporting' from the county was twenty, as compared with twenty-four from the district. The higher yield in the district did not keep pace with the higher cost and the average cost of producing a bushel of wheat in* the three states is given at $1.20 as compared with the 94 cents in this county. Hog Feeding Demonstration Started I. F. Meader of Union township started his tankage feeding trials last week. He has twenty-five fall pigs which weighed at that' time 1,200 pounds, They are being fed corn, skimmed milk and tankage, trie latter in a self-feeder. All feeds are being weighed and accounted for. Mr. Meader will report tne progress of this trial from time to time, 1 His purpose is to show the eTect of protein supplements upon the cost of pork production. Interest in Spring Wheat

An assured price for breadstuff | has created an interest in spring wheat as a crop for,this county. i’nravorable weather conditions, shortage of labor and fertilizers last fall prevented many farmers from sowing as much winter grain as they g e-■ sired. Jasper county was asked to sow . 14,000 acres of wheat and the acreage now in is about 10,400. | Results with spring wheat in the past have indicated that it may not be expected to yield as well as the winter grain. With present prices, j however, it is possible ,that it will, be more profitable than oats on much of the land this spring. There are three distinct types of i spring wheat commonly grown. ! Marquis wheat has been introduced from Canada within the last few years. It is beardless and is characterized by early maturity, stiff straw and plump kernels. It is preferred by millers to all, other varieties. It is especially recommended on black loam soils. - Velvet Chaff is a bearded type ripening somewhat later than the Marquis. It is a high yielder but is not in favor on account of its poor .milking qualities. Bluestem is a later maturing

smooth variety with hard grain and excellent milking qualities. Young Corn Grower Reports As a part of their work, the boys in the Corn club were required to I write short stories of tjieir season’s expediences. These stories were graded by County Superintendent Sterrett, who awarded first, prize to Charles Stevens of Gillam township. The essay follows: How I Raised My Acre of Corn This spring the Superintendent came to school with names of the different clubs, and wanted all the boys and girls to join one of the clubs. 1 thought the matter over and decided to go in. the Corn club. The next step 1 got a plot olf ground nearly two acres. It had oats grown on it last year. The soil was a light loam. I put eight loads of barn-yard manure on the acre just before plowing. I plowed the ground the 12th day of May about eight inches deep. I harrowed the ground twice before- planting it. It was planted the 25th day of Maj’. I planted the corn in hills. The distance between rows was 3 feet, 8 inches. The distance in rows was 3 feet, 6 inches. 1 put 125 lbs. of commercial fertilizer on the acre. When the corn had been planted about five days 1 drug the ground. This loosened the ground so the corn would come through better. I had a very good stand, nearly every hill came. When the corn was coming through the ground I blind plowed it. 1 plowed the corn three times after this, about three inches deep till the last time, which was done with a gopher between one and two inches. The first three times plowing was done with a Dutch Uncle, the fourth with a twobladed gopher. When the corn was too big to plow and the ground began to get hard I hoed it. This was the last I did to the ground. About the15th iof August I saw the first tassel. The corn was not damaged in anylway so no treatment, was used. On the 7th d'ay of November the county agent, Mr. Learning, came up arid measured the plot and husked the corn. When we got the corn husked we weighed it. There was 6,228 lbs. We took 72 pounds to the bushel, which made 86% bushels to the acre. . Expenses. < Plowing (self ami ream) 3%h.5i.00 Planting (self and team) 1 hr .30 Preparing seed bed, 2% hrs. . . .75 Cultivating, 9 hrs 2.70 Hoeing, 10 hrs I .00 (Husking (3c -per bu.) '86% Im. 2.60 Commercial fertilizer 1.50 Seed corn 30 Total ~..510.15 Rent (at $5.00) 5.00 -Grand total $15.15 Farmers’ Chibs The Newton Farmers' club will hold its regular meeting Tuesday evening, January 15. A good program will be given and a large crowd is welcome.

The .Kniman Farmers’ club meeting will be held at the Kniman school, Thursday evening, January | 17. An interesting program has been arranged. The West Carpenter Farmers’ club have changed their meeting night, from now on, to the third Friday evening. The next meeting will be Friday evening, * January 18. Mr. Welch reports the following program: Song, ‘‘Old Glory” Wm. Ott Accompanied by violin. Reading, “How Father Snores”... . “ Barrington Jones Debate—Resolved: “That the tenant should feed his share of crops on the^'farm, while thfe ‘landlord’ sells his on the .market’’ Wm. Ott and H. Jones Reading, “Our Boy Has Gone to War,’' accompanied by the song. “Just Before the Battle Mother.” “Incubated Chickens vs. Hon Hatched Chickens,” Mr. Snyder of Rensselaer. Every one is invited. Remember, January 18. Trip to Purdue for Boys The County Better Farming association and the board of education has arranged for a personally con-j ducted trip to the Purdue Short. .Course, January 14 to 18, for the boys of the county. A special course has been arranged for the boys this ' year and it is of very high value. ! All boys who make the trip will J be given credit for their school work during the week. County Superintenident Sterrett and the county agent will be in charge of the party which | I will take the Monon train arriving |in Lafayette at 12:25 p. m. The ex- ' penses of the trip from Jasper coun|ty will run in the neighborhood of ten dollars. Any boys who care to take the trip are invited to take the train ■ mentioned at their nearest station. Aweek at the Short Course will Ido much'to create an inspiration toward better farming.