Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 90, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 February 1918 — The Neighborhood Corner [ARTICLE]

The Neighborhood Corner

Department of Farm Welfare Conductsd by County Agent Stewart Learning.

Club Work Started. Applications are being received at the county agent’s office for membership in the Jasper County Industrial clubs for the coming season. In addition to the shorthorn club, now being conducted, the boys of the county will have an opportunity to join the Corn and Poultry clubs. According to the reports of those who finished these were the most profitable lines of club work carried on last year. Membership in these clubs give a higher appreciation of farm life, increases production of Ifood materials and affords profitable employment to the members. The girls of the county will have an opportunity to join the Poultry, Canning and Cornbread Making clubs. These three clubs fit in with the United- States Department of Agriculture’s food program. The production of more poultry will release more red meat for export, an interest in canning means the home preservation of valuable food material and the Cornbread Making club encourages the saving of wheat flour. All boys and girls of the county between the ages of ten and eighteen are invited to join one or more of these clubs. The Seed Situation, The Seed Stocks and Labor committee, in the survey of the county just being completed, has locate several stocks of desirable seed corn which was heretofore unknown. In one instance a farmer was found to be feeding corn suitable Ifor seed to Ills hogs, and in several instances seed was found which was not being appreciated by the owner. The results of the survey are being tabulated and by the end of the week the county leader will be able to put farmers needing seed in touch wiith those who can supply it. The next big task for the Seed Stocks committee is to see that every ear of corn to be (planted is given the germination test. Early attention to this matter is highly desirable. ■ - , .

Morel Wheat Needed.

The following v letter from the United States Food Administration will be of interest to farmers who have not yet marketed their wheat: In order that a steady supply of wheat may be available for ship-' ment abroad to meet the needs of our army and that of our allies as shipping tonnage increases, it is highly desirable that special efforts be made to urge the farmers in your state who have considerable quantities of wheat still in their hands to market the same Without* delay. The basal price of $2.20 Chicago market will, of course, be maintained for the 1917 crop. It will therefore follow that no particular advantage can accrue by holding wheat in reserve in excess of seeding needs. The car situation is now gradually improving and consequently freer movement to the seaboard obtains. Through' the medium of a concerted campaign carried out by the State Food Administrators, especial* ly if same be handled in connection with the State Agricultural colleges and the county agents of the extension service of these colleges, it is hoped that the supply now in the hands of the farmers can be moved into the regular channels of trade. Special efforts should be directed to secure this movement before wagon and sleigh transportation is interfered with by seasonal changes. * Keep the Brood Sows. A prominent hog raiser calls attention to the fact that many farmers are marketing brood sows at this time and remarks that with the great need for pork products the practice should be stopped at once. Three things stand out prominently in the hog situation at the present time. 1. There is a decrease in the number of hogs In this cgunty. Our exports have increased froth $55,000,000 in 1914 to $175,000,000 in 1917. The total net. decrease in Europe has been more than 32,000,000 head. The big meat problem of this county is quick production. 2. There is an increase in grain feeds. It is estimated that the corn yield is 627,000,000 bushels above normal. Most of this must be fed and corn will probably be lower in price. 3. There is a strong demand for pork products and this is constantly increasing. It is extremely undesirable to dispose of brood sows. Such a practice will further decrease the meat supply at a time when it will be most needed.

Farm Hands Want Work. The United States Department of Labor has sent out the following information: At the present time we are receiving applications for employment from experienced farm hands, also from men who have had some experience in farm work. If you can do so, we believe it would be to your advantage to employ the needed help as early in the season as possible. Among these applications are a number of married men who left the farm for the city, but now express a desire to- 'return to farm work. Many of these should prove excellent farm hands. In some instances they have children old enough to be of considerable help, while others have no children at all. Later in the season we expect applications for farm work from high school boys, college men and office workers who wish to spend their vacation on the farm. These are largely actuated by the feeling that this Is their patriotic duty, hence will do their best to render good service. fHdndreds of these went to farms last year with excellent results, and will no doubt wish to return this season. Applications from farmers who desire help 'for the season will be handled through the Better Farming association office. Demands for More Shee-p. The Better Farming association will assist farmers in the purchase of another carload of breeding sheep this spring. Several requests are already in and any farmer desiring a dozen or more sheep should make his wants known at an early date. As soon as enough requests are in to make up a carload, the men will be called together to make the purchase. Get Ready for Seed Com Testing. “Test every ear of seed corn” must be the motto of every farmer if we are to produce a normal crop of corn this year. From the reports that come in from all parts of the county even the best of seed must be given the individual ear test. If this is postponed until spring work has started, it is more likely to be neglected. “Forewarned is fore-armed.” It is not too late to insure a good stand of corn. Ear testing is the only way to do it. Annual Meeting March 2. On March 2 the annual meeting of the Jasper County Better Farming association will be held in the east court room. The morning session will be devoted to the reading of reports on all lines off work undertaken in the past year. In the afternoon a program of work for 1918-19 will be drawn up. Some of the best speakers on agricultural subjects that the state affords will give addresses. Everybody Is invited to attend and make thia the big agricultural meeting of the year.