Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-08-02

my yard 7" "What trees Will be success
ful ?" There are multitudes of varieties,
some of which succeed, and some do not,
Experiment in that line is not merely Il
question of planting. Only by clear OBJ.
servat!on of all the data that bear upon
that subject--iust how to plant, to till and
develop them, in different parts of the
state-can the question of which varieties
are the best be determined
The same statement is true, of course,
OF varieties of stock. In every land there
are questions asked about the right varie-
ties. A fey years ago, gentleman in this
state wrote me, asking this questions
"Can | raise pigs here that at the age of
six months will weigh $50 pounds If 50,
what kind of pigs, on what kind of corn ~
| replied that the answer TO that question
depended very much on the man raising
the pigs, suggesting that thore was amul.
titude of data to be investigated with ref
erenoe to the particular case no had in
view; that l could recommend to him n
half dozen different kinds of hogs with
which he might do well; that | could
recommend dozen different kinds of
corn that he might feed to advantages but
what kind of a man was going to handle
these hogs and this corn was quite an inn
portant element in the consideration.
The same fact is seen in reference to
every experiment in varieties and every
test of Breeds Many results must yet be
attained before anybody can answer
broadly, that this breed or that breed will
do more or less well than some other breed.
Once, walking with my brother through his
flock of colts, we were accompanied by Il
pauper of the town-the only one who lived
in our town for years and years--and my
brother, being township trustee, had the
care of this old man. Trembling along
beside us, admiring the young colts in
their development No we went through the
flock, he said, at pears to me your breath
must agree with horses" Now, good
deal depends upon the attention, the de-
tailed attention, which each man gives to
each test; and without careful, expert
record of such tests in varieties, there is
but little possibility of establishing prin-
ciples and data for any particular locality
Methods of IiLtGge and Handling farm
crops, orchards, garden crops, etc, etc,
servation of experts in each particular line
of growth Not one of you would think
for a moment of putting in charge of a
greenhouse man of no experience with
greenhouse plants. Not one of you would
think of putting in charge of an orange
orchard man whose life had no develop
ment in connection with an orange Or
chard. Study with attention is absolutely
essential to growth in power of observa-
ton. will not dwell upon the subject,
because you have seen, time and time again,
that your observations have changed from
year to year, upon apparently the same
dCta, because growth is made by men as
well as by plants observed.
Methods of Seeding' I have never at
tended farmers institute in this state or
anywhere else that l was not asked how
best to seed wheat. elbow do you secure
the best results?" Now, the seeding in
wheat is perhaps one of tho Oldest arts in
that direction, and yet the best method OF
seeding is still unsettled. There are a
thousand questions to be answered, all of
which require long experience and expert
knowledge.
Fertilizing Processes Every agricultur-
list is, to certain extent, an experimenter
in the use of fertilizers in this country
but, after all, the actual study of facts and
data that can be used by all must come
from the expert student. Fertilizing proc
esses include all tests of manures of every
variety; of better methods of application
of manures to the plants. By certain ex-
periments in bacteriOlogy, think, it has
been demonstrated beyond doubt that
the growth of certain plants now depends
upon the development of minute bacteria
such as you have recently heard about.
believe it is beyond dispute among ex-
perts, that the clover plant finds its growth
secured by the development of bacteria in
connection with its roots, and that fields
have actually been sown with these bac-
terra, where the land was what is called
clover sick, for the renovation of the land
for clover production. Now, on this line,
we must have chemists and bacteriologists
who are experts, and, more than that, an
expert observer upon each line of tests.
Seed Testing: We have yet to make an
enormous growth in ability to decide upon
properties, their purity, their longevity,
action under stimulants, favorable condi-
tions for growth, and endurance of fungi
cides. A gentleman last week asked me
for definite information upon the actual
longevity of different kinds of seeds.
There is but little information available
on that point, and but little, compare
lively, secured. l venture the statement
here that nobody knows just how long
the seeds which he plants year after year
would be available for the next year 8
crops. He does not feel it safe to try any
but fresh seeds, and he does not know that
very frequently seeds will endure for years,
How long will they endure and be vital?
1t is a matter of careful observation with
a long series of tests. The few tables pub
lished are of uncertain merit, and few peo-
pie will give the years of observation
needed. All sorts of seeds are subject to
stimuli, which can be applied directly or
indirectly. The conditions of growth,
with reference to moisture and contact
with soil, are variable, and endurance
under fungi, which may prevent the growth
or kill the plant, is important. These
fungi in the beginning, are apparently
invisible, but may be seen when our eyes
are clear enough, and are as destructive
as the big weeds which grow in our corn
fields. We must try to devise something
to overcome this evil. We have only re-
Gently discovered the possibility of actu-
ally meeting this evil in it's beginning by
applying to the seed something that shall
destroy the fungi-the spores that are
crowded around til before the develop
ment of these spores shall check the growth
of the plant. Hot water has saved for the
oat crop fully 20 per cent. by destroying