Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 72, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 December 1919 — The Neighborhood Corner [ARTICLE]

The Neighborhood Corner

Department of Farm Welfare Conducted by County Agent Stewart Learning.

Potash Versus Acid Phosphate. That potash, even at last spring’s prices, is essential to profitable corn production on some of the best soils in Jasper county is illustrated in a striking manner by a soils test just completed on a farm in Marion township. Last spring an old pasture was selected for the test. It was plowed in May and planted to corn late in the month. Part of the field re-

ceived an application of acid phosphate at the rate of 125 pounds per acre and another part received potash, in a ten per cent mixture, at the same rate. . The acid phosphate plot yielded at the rate of 66.2 bushels of com per acre and the potash plot at the rate of 80 bushels, a difference of 13.8 bushels in favor of the potash. The cost of the phosphate was $1.75 per acre and the potash $3.75. There is a reason to think that potash will be. cheaper next spring than last and every farmer having land inclined to be “bogus” will do well to make arrangements with his fertilizer dealer for a supply of this material before the season advances. Last year many supplies of potash arrived too late for use on the com and attention to the matter now will prevent a re-occurrence of thia trouble. , , , Breeders’ Meeting Next Wednesday Evening. All producers of pure-bred livestock have been invited by Frank Alter, president of the local Livestock Breeders* association, to meet at the court house next Wednesday evening, December 10 th, to discuss the proposed livestock show and sales pavilion. Members of the organization who have been investigating various angles of the matter will make their reports and an attempt will be made to reach some decision on the question of building. President Will Award Cup. Jesse Snyder, president of the County Poultry and Com association, has announced that he will donate a silver loving cup to the association to be awarded for the best display of birds at the annual poultry show, which will be held at the armory at Rensselaer January Sth to 10th. Catalogues for the show have been issued and the 'officers of the association predict one of the best exhibitions of birds ever held under the auspices . of the organization. The associaiton has been fortunate in securing one of the best judges in the United States to make the awards and plans to make the show entirely educational as -reasons will be given for all placings. • The com committee reports that classes have been arranged for all varieties of com and every farmer who exhibits ten ears and single ear samples will have his com passed upon by competent judges. Egg Laying Contest to Ba Held. On March Ist, the Indiana Farm Egg Laying contest will be launched by the poultry department of Purdue university.* It is claimed that

this is the largest egg laying contest ever attempted in the United States and probably the largest ever held in any part of the world. The object will be to develop on Indiana farms a system of poultry raising which will result in high egg production in the farm flocks ana make poultry keeping even more profitable than at the present time. Premiums will be awarded for merit. As Jasper county has many poultry keepers of unusual merit, it is hoped that many of these will enter the contest and take the leading premiums for this section of the state. Further information may be obtained from the county agent’s office. International Well Attended. Large delegations of farmers from Jasper county have been attending the International Livestock show this week. All report a good time and come back more determined than ever to make a success of the livestock business.