Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 64, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 April 1904 — WORLD’S MODEL FARM. [ARTICLE]

WORLD’S MODEL FARM.

Wonderful Transformation of Fifteen Non-Productive Acres. There is a recommendation before the Secretary of Agriculture that $2,000 a year be paid to J. D. Dietrich, who lives near Philadelphia, to enable him to run his little farm as- a sort of government show place. It is estimated by officials that a full knowledge of his management and methods would be worth $40,000,000 to the dairy interests of the country. Under the plan of the Agricultural Department agents, Mr. Dietrich would have the profits of the place, as usual, and the extra money would compensate him for the time required to explain everything to visiting farmers. •

This farm is the most wonderful agricultural area in the country. It consists of 15 acres and when Dietrich came into possession of it by inheritance about 20 years ago it was so unproductive that he had to buy hay for his horse and two cows and garden stuff for the family. Dietrinch exhausted all sources of information about fertilizers and then applied his knowledge in the best way to suit his case. To-day there is no richer tract in the country. Three crops of fodder are raised every year and, there being no pasturage, the cows are foddered in the stalls and barnyard. The quality and condition of the cows wouhl make them conspicuous at any State fair. There are 35 of them the year round and their milk is pure and rich, bringing the highest price. All the'agricultural papers are talking about him and he cannot supply the demand for him as a speaker at farmers’ institutes. Dietrich is a clergyman and is capable of giving intelligible explanation of his work. His place is overrun with visitors.