Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 62, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 November 1919 — The Neighborhood Corner [ARTICLE]

The Neighborhood Corner

Department of Farm Welfare Conducted by County Agent Stewart Learning.

Home Curing of Meat* Arouse* Inquiry. Due to the widespread difference between the price of cattle and hogs on hoof and retail prices of meats, a great many inquiries have been received in regard to methods of curing pork and bfeef on the farm. The home curing of meats, when once understood, is simple enough, so that it should give the average farmer no difficulty. Under present conditions it is entirely practical and is the most economical source of meat that we have. Very accurate and readable directions for the process have been prepared by the U. S. department of agriculture and many of the state experiment stations and these may be had for the asking. Among the better circulars on the subject sref “Dressing and Curing Meats on the Farfh,” bulletin 14, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minn. “Killing Hogs and Curing Pork,” farmers’ bulletin 913, U. S. department of agriculture, Washington. “Meats,” farmers’ bulletin 34, Washington. “Market Classes and Grades of Meats,” bulletin 147, University of Illinois, Urbana, 111. A little study at this time of the year will enable the farmer to secure an ample supply of meat. Corn Club Member* Make Good Yield*. Good yields were made this year by the members of the Jasper County Boys’ Corn club, in spite of the dry weather which cut the early prospects. Last spring each member put out an acre or more of corn and the yields were checked up last week. The five highest yields per acre are as follows: Theodore Amsler, Marion township, 70.6 bushels.

Charles Wortley, Jordan township, 68.7 bushels. Charles Waling, Newton township, 67.9 bushels. William Daugherty, Barkley township, 63.4 bushels. Carl Wortley, Jordan township, 59.7/bushels. As the awards of prizes are based upon samples of corn exhibited at the show and the ability of the members to select good seed coni, the competition promises to be quite keen before the contest closes. Boost for the Corn Show, January Sth to 10th. Within a short time the crops committee of the County Betterment association will launch a drive for exhibits in the corn show to be held January sth to 10th and the suggestion is made that the selection of the samples be made during husking time rather than after the corn is in the crib. By observing the ears as they are husked practically any field of com may furnish a few good ears while hunting them out of a crib is another story. The committee is working on the idea that every farmer should select and show a sample at the show and then take the corn home and plant it on one side of the field, using this plot as a place to gather seed corn for another year. This policy, if continued, will increase the general quality of the corn of the locality more -rapidly than by any other known way of practical adaption. -The com show is becoming an educational institution of no mean value in developing an interest in good corn and the farmers who patronize it are the ones who reap the biggest benefits from it.

Livestock Association Flourishing. The affairs of the Jasper County Livestock Breeders’ association are in* the best shape that they have

been since its organization, according to the report of the retiring secretary-treasurer at the annual meeting held last week. The books of the association show a small sur* plus after all the bills of the recent show have been paid, in contrast . •with a material deficit from last ' year. At the annual election the following officers were chosen: President, O. S. Bell; vicfe-president, Frank Alter; secretary-treasurer, E. P. Lane; executive board, Joseph Kolhoff, W. H. Pullin, Ernest Smith, / Lawson Bruce, Russell Van Hook, W. H. Wortley, P. H. Hauter, J. W. Chamberlain and S. C. Robinson. Secretary Van Hook has since reported that Mr. Bell has been unable to accept the presidency because he expects to be on the state fair circuit his cattle next fall and felt that he could not do justice to the position. The association plans an aggressive campaign of livestock improvement and intends to give every breeder a part to play.