The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1895-03-28

ILLS NdIiSty uS Was COlIIpSlISu 10 ONSICOluC
a strong prejudice then existing among
the farmers in favor of other wheats
which had been grown there for years.
The nillers were also arrayed against the
eminent professor, as they found there
was less profit in milling the Clawson
than other varities. These theories, how
ever, were combatted by the professor
with statements showing the results of
practical and scientific tests, and in the
course of three years his efforts were
crowned with success. The farmers of
Michigan were almost to man, growing
Clawson wheat, and the benefits result
ing to the state through DIR. Kedzie's
experiments were estimated at a million
and a half of dollars. The people of
Michigan appreciate their agricultural
college They realize that this expert
1nent has alone been worth more to the
state III dollars and cents than it has cost
to maintain the institution from its incep-
ton to date.
Through one of the experiments now
being made by Professor French, Oregon
is likely to reap benefits proportionately
as great as those which have accrued to
Michigan. Five years ago Professor
French received rs grains of new vari-
ETY. of wheat known as No. 10. This was
| sown and carefully harvested. From the
original few kernels, last year crop of
! 200 bushels was produced. It's growth,
yield, milling qualities, etc, have been
faithfully noted. From one bushel of
seed, Richard Irwin, who lives at the
Buttess outh of town, raised thirty bushels
last year and is highly pleased with the
results. The berry is plump, large,
and besides overrunning from two to five
pounds per bushel, the wheat makes an
excellent quality of flour. The prime
merit of No. 10 wheat, however, is not
its superior yielding and milling qualities,
but its early maturity, which makes it of
especial value to the Oregon farmer
Professor French claims that No. 10 will
ripen two weeks earlier than any other
variety of wheat grown in the state; that it
natures sufficiently early to prevent any
perceptible injury from the grain aphis,
which did so much damage last year to
other varieties, and, also that by growing
No. 10, there will be no losses on account
of early rains. In the past, Oregon far
iners have sustained considerable dam
age to crops from both these causes. II
is therefore plainly apparent that the
introduction of this variety of wheat will
be of incalculable benefit to the state.
This experiment, though, is but one OF
many similar ones that are being carried
on at the college. All have for their
object the advancement of the states
welfare Those persons and papers that
claim the college is a benefit only to Cor
wallis are certainly either urinformed as
to the workings of the institution OF
guilty of gross Misrepresentation. Il
is yet in its infancy and later on the
financial results of the work in each
department will be more apparent thar
during the past There is little doub
that Oregon has already received, as {
result of the experiments carried on a
the college, more direct benefit in casf
: than the total amount the state has pait
out in maintaining the Institution. Mr.
French's wheat experiment will alone bt
worth to the state at least $780, 900. Doe
) any sane person presume for minute
that this benefit will accrue wholly tt
: citizens of Corvallis?