Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 104, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 March 1919 — The Neighborhood Corner [ARTICLE]

The Neighborhood Corner

Department of Farm Welfare Conducted by County Agent Stewart Learning.

Wheat Variety Trial Under Way. Gladden, a variety of wheat introduced into the state last fall has come through the winter better than any other of the three varieties being tested out on the Kunrie land one and one-half miles northwest; of Rensselaer this season. Last fall th.s variety was sown between Turkey Red and Gypsy, considered the most hardy varieties of this section of the state. The new variety has come through in fine shape and has made a good start, the Gypsy coming second, and the Turkey Red coming at bhe foot with a comparatively thin stand and with plants of apparently lower vitality. Turkey Red is usually slow to start in the spring and harvest time may show entirely different results. , Now is the tune to check up on the winter resistance of the numerous varieties of wheat grown in the county. While time of seeding and fertility of soil have much to do with the appearance of wheat at the time of the year, general observations of value can be made by anyone, who will watch different fields as he travels through the country. Winter resistance being one of the essentials of good variety of wheat for the locality, too much attention cannot be given to this matter at this time. Potash Experiment* to Be Located. With a view of establishing some fertilizer experiments to compare the more important of our domestic potash materials with German potash, the Indiana Experiment Station has asked bhe writer to locate some black

sandy loam soil which is deficient m potash. Four or five acres of soil at uniform composition that can toe leased on a cash basis are required. It must not have had treatmen with manure, straw or potash fertiliser* to any extent in recent years. The state officials desire to take exclusive control of the field, and harvest the crop. As heavy applications of potash are to be applied ts many of the experimental plot, the field will undoubtedly returned io the farmer in a much better condition than when the work is started. Any farmers who have such sod conditions and desire to lease it to the experiment station should report the fact to the county agent at once. The question of the values of different kinds of potash is one that comes up frequently and any data throwing light on the subject will be welcomed by our farmers. Stock Feeder* Save Money. About sl4 per ton was saved on a carload of tankage unloaded by the livestock committee of the County Betterment Association last week. At the Annual Meeting early in the month, the point was raised that hog feeders were having difficulty in purchasing tankage when they needed it. Members of the committee took the matter up with a local feed firm which agreed to let the committe purchase any brand of tankage it dj sired and to furnish a man to heli, unload the car, make collections and handle all details for $1.25 per ton. The committee selected a well known brand of 60 percent goods goods which cost the farmer $101.5Q per ton. It is probable that the committee will continue to take care of the tankage situation. Serious Corn Insect in U. 5. Professore James Troop, Entomologist of the State Experiment Station has sent out a warning for farmers to be on the lookout for a serious corn insect known as the European Corn Borer, which has been introduced into New York and some of the other eastern states. According to Prof. Troop this incest is liable to find its way west and in case it does make its appearance in the corn belt of the middle west, is likely to do very serious damage to the crop. Ohio has already taken action along this line and farmers are urged to keep a careful watch and if anything in the way of borers should make ita appearance in their fields to send in specimen as soon as possible. Should the borer become introduced it would cause a very serious damage to the corn crop. Prompt attention may be able to stamp it out.