Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 86, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 January 1918 — The Neighborhood Corner [ARTICLE]

The Neighborhood Corner

Department of Farm Welfare Conductsd by County Agent Stewart Learning.

Mangels for Poultry. “There is no better source of succulent food for poultry during the winter time than a liberal supply of mangels or cow beets,” said Mr. J. M. Sauser, one of the most prominent poultrymen of the county. “No one can be successful in securing eggs without green food. Steamed alfalfa or sprouted oats supply the need but they are neither as cheap nor as convenient as mangels. “The first year that I was in the poultry business I had no green feed and procured only a few eggs, since that time, however, I have always raised mangels and have done as well as anyone with winter egg production. “Ten cents worth of yellow tankard seed which may be procured from any grocer or seed house will produce a good wagon load of beets. I plant in May or June and give the same attention an ordinary garden beets. They are relished all through the winter.” “I want to take this occasion to urge all farmers to hatch their chickens early in the spring. I hatch mine in March and find they stand the hot weather much better. They begin laying in the fall while late will not lay until spring. With* ’high prices for feed ■they are hardly profitable.” A trip to “Mr. Sauser’s plant is enough to convince anyone that he knows whereof he speaks and these suggestions should be heeded by all who desire maximum returns from poultry. -

Hog Feeding Figures Not eVery farmer has had the good fortune to produce pork at $3.48 per hundred and sell it at $15.85, These are the figures submitted by Charles Porter, north of Rensselaer, upon his hog feeding operations lest winter. In November he purchased 39 hogs at eight cents per pound. On November 12 he turned them into a seven-acre corn field aud. left them until the corn was cleaned up. Then he turned them into his feed lots to follow the cattle, supplementing their ration. with middlings and tankage. On April 19 he sold the lot at $15.85. His account of the venture is as follows: Nov’ 10, 39 hogs, 3960 lbs, at 8c $316.80 12, 7 acres corn hogged off 140.00 16, 100 lbs. middlings. .. . 2.00 27, 200,1b5. middlings. .. . 4.00 660 lbs. coal 2.40 29, Kreso dip, middlings. . 2.75 Dec. 2, 1 ton middlings.... 36.00 14, 1240 lbs. coal 4.50 Coal 2.30 Jan. 23, 1 ton middlings... 30.00 1065 lbs. coal ...... 4.15 Hog drugs 5.50 Coal, tankage ...... 6.42 500 lbs. tankage ... 12.52 Labor, hauling to town 3.00 April 19, shipping and com. 45.37 Profit $1170.10 $1787.88 Receipts April 19, 11,280 lbs. *

hogs at $15.85 ....... $1,787.88 As will be seen from statement, these hogs were fed under very unusual conditions, being bought at SB.OO and sold at $15.85. K they had cost twice as much, however, the profit would still have been $853.39. It will be noticed also that no charge is made for feed picked up from cattle yards and cattle feeders often find it impossible to show a profit without taking this into consideration. After making all deduction, 'however, this is a very good shoeing and illustrates the fact that the hogging. off of corn and the use olf tankage and other protein supplements are practices to be recommended. More Data on time “Lime may be used to special advantage this year. It is best used on Soils well supplied with organic matter. It puts soils in good condition and makes their fertilizing constituents more available. Place orders and get a supply before the spring rush, is the gist of a communication from Milton pSVhitney, chief of the Bureaii of |>oils, U. S. Department of Agriculture. This message should appeal to; the farmers on the sour soils of this county. With an abundance of lime near at hand and the shortage of fertilizers our farmers should begin at once to secure all the limestone that they can haul. While the world is clamoring for food products, high production is not only patriotic but profitable.

Maintaining Breeding Herds One of the best things at the short course at Lafayette last week was an address by Prof. Rusk off the University of Illinois on the “Maintenance of Beef Herds.” On high priced lands Prof. Rusk stated a summer ration of half pasture and half silage proved cheaper than all pasture. Sweet clover sown in land previously in corn produced much more feed than any other method. For winter feeding excellent results are being secured this season by using stover silage; the corn plant with ears removed. The University of Illinois built six silos last fall to utilize this material, and although has no definite data for publication at this time commends the material highly for its economy in the ration. It is to he understood that the rations were used fbr maintainance only and not for meat production. With the establishment of many breeding herds in this county economical rations will be of interest to our cattlemen. Woodbury on Soil Improvement C. G. Woodbury, director of Purdue experiment station, writes, “Do you realize that at present crop prices manure will produce crop increases with from $4.00 to $9.00 per ton olf manure applied? “That liming acid soils will, produce crop increases worth from

$5.00' to $15.00 per acre? “That legumes in the rotation increase the value of the subsequent grain crops $15.00 to $25.00 per acre? “That tile-draining wet lands will increase crop returns from SIO.OO to $20.00 per acre? “That approximately three-fourths of the farm land in Indiana needs limestone and phosphorus before a high state of fertility can be reached or maintained?”