Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 September 1919 — The Neighborhood Corner [ARTICLE]

The Neighborhood Corner

Department of Farm Welfare Conducted by County Agent Stewart Learning.

Plans for Soils Field Meeting Complete. Plans for the county soils field meeting to be 'held at 2 o’clock Tuesday, Sept. 30, on the Charles Doctor farm, 5 miles south of Rensselaer on the Remington-Rens-selaer road, are complete, according to W. H. Pullini, who is chairman of the county soils committee, under whose direction the meeting is to be staged. Prof. S. D. -Conner, a recognized soil expert, is to be the principal speaker and will discuss the results of the soils experiments being conducted on the Doctor farm and speak of the potash needs of the various types of soil in this county and answer any questions "relating to soil fertility. W. - "’A. Ostrander of the crops department is expected to discuss crop production. Word has been' received that C. G. Woodbury, director of the state experiment station, is expecting to be present. .. Mr. Pullin has made up a party which will leave the courthouse square at 1 o’clock on the day of the meeting, and anyone not familiar with the location of the farm is invited to accompany Mr. Pullin and the speakers. It is hoped that this will- be one of the big soils gatherings of the year. Up in the Air. The complete demoralization of the markets of all classes of farm products the last few weeks has obscured the ireal agricultural situation of the world in the minds of many farmers, and by request some of the salient features of the present conditions are presented in this column. _ The Indiana committee on food production takes the following view; “The farmer feels that if prices are to be reduced and conditions are to be unsettled he should wait just a little before determining upon a program of production for the coming year. Since seeding time for fall wheat and rye is at hand, it is necessary that the farmers make immediate decision as to the areas to be planted. The committee urges Indiana farmers to plant this fall the normal acreage of wheat and rye. The wheat crop for 1919 has fallen far short of estimates, made early in the season, showing a decrease of 3 00,000,000. Of tjie wheat crop, but 2.50,000,000 are available for export. There is every evidence that more than this will be required of the United States to feed the hungry people of Europe. For this reason the committee believes tbjat farmers are assured a fair price for the 1920 wheat crop. Farmers should order their fertilizer, prepare the seed bed and arrange to

plant a normal acreage of wheat and in this way do their , part to supply the foodstuffs necessary to supply the people.” It is also pointed out that the declining prices and the agitation against the high cost of Irving is a detriment to t'he country, coming at this time. Such propaganda simply serves to lower production, and as over a period of crop production, prices are governed by the law of supply and demand, higher prices will result next summer than if conditions had been allowed to adjust themselves naturally. Cattle feeders are not taking the cattle that come to the yards and these are being slaughtered at ruinous prices to the consumer, only to cause the market to react the coming season when the shortage of meat will become apparent. Low prices for corn and oats and uncertainty in regard to the 1920 wheat crop are causing the farmer to stop and seriously consider letting down on his farming operations. The logical thing, the committee suggests, is for the farmer to keep his head and conduct his business in a normal way. The farmer who gets ahead is the one who keeps sawing wood. Noted Judge’ Secured. Exhibitors at the third annual Jasper County Livestock show, to be held at Rensselaer/Oct. 16-18, will be pleased to learn that the. services of John W. Schwab have been secured to judge the livestock on exhibition!. Prof. Schwab has judged every show held under the management of the association and he has given general satisfaction. He has also accompanied the tours of the organization and has won many friends in the county by his knowledge of livestock and his impartial manner of awarding the premiums. The committee in charge wishes to announce that classes are provided for all pure-bred livestock and all breeders are invited to exhibit. There is no entry fee and every exhibitor will be cared for in the best possible manner. Beekeepers Plan Fall Rally. “We want every beekeeper in the county to get in touch “with what our association is doing and help develop the 'beekeeping industry to the highest plane found in any locality of the state,” says Frank Foltz, president of the local organization. "One of the best ways for beekeepers to do this is to attend ou» next meeting, which will be held in the courthouse at 2 o’clock Wednesday, Oct. 1. We plan to have a big fall rally at that time and I want to extend a cordial invitation to all beekeepers to be present.” This association has been instrumental in working up a great interest in the bee industry, teaching proper methods of handling bees anid eradicating bee diseases.