Cottonwood report. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1893-1901, 1895-09-27
IHE OREGON FRUIT GROWERS
4atersstTig Calculations Regarding
Day's Flowing Always Select
40 Best of Seeds.

49,
"scientific farming is becoming bet
ter understood in Montana every year.
said Frank W. Traphagen. who-occu-
pies the chair of chemistry and physics
inthe agricultural college, to Helena
Jndependent reporter. the other day
Tits Importance can not be overestl-
mated, especially in this comparatively
new country where the conditions are
different from sections where long ex-
perience has taught farmers the most
successful methods. The agricultural
industry of this state is comparatively
new. OF course, there are old-time
farmers who have titled the soil here
for 80 years or more. but the majority
come to Montana in a comparative
ly recent period. To a certain extent
these get the benefit of the old farmers
experience, but the progress made is
naturally slow. Science in few years
will have performed great things for
the farmers. Careful, earnest investi-
cation will demonstrate what are right
methods and emphasize the Importance
of following them. Scientific, DIVERSE
fed farming will some day make this
most ancient pursuit second If not first
among the industries of Montana.
"Of the lines of investigation being
pursued at the station farm perhaps
the most important are the experiments
with varieties of grain and grasses.
There are several hundred varieties of
grain being raised on the farm this
year; each particular XII is grown on
small plot of ground an. a record kept
of what would seem to ,-nany the most
trivial matters concerning is growth.
At the close of the seasol Director EN-
cry or Professor Foster. IF the station,
can tell exactly what the yield of each
plot has been and under exactly what
conditions 1t has been grown. By COM
parison with the other plots or variet-
les of grain that have been grown in
different soils or in generally different
conditions much of value to the practic-
al farmer can be learned.
Through chemical analysis the rela-
tive value of grains for domestic use,
feed for stock or any other purpose,
Is determined. 1t Is by such expert
ments that our department acts in
conjunction with the station.
Another line Of investigation we
have taken up is the comparative study
of the soils of the state. This work
has practically only just begun. TWEEN
ty samples from the experiment sta
ton farm have been analysed prelimin-
airy to the general examination which
will include analysis Of soil from every
section Of the state. The purpose of
this work will be to find the chemical
1 composition Of the soils in order to
suggest methods of improving those
that are found deficient in any of the
elements needed for plant growth.
This is a practical study for, in a
great many instances where soil is
poor, the lacking elements can be cas-
lily and cheaply supplied.
1.-THE station has issued a circular to
y farmers requesting then to send in sam
pies of grass that grow in their sec
lions. 1t is our purpose to show their
relative values and make comparison
with those having the same character
in other states There is a general i'm
preston that Montana grasses are
more nutritious than those of other
states, and we wish to scientifically de-
termine this If possible. Our purpose
is to find those grasses most valuable
q to stockmen and farmers, and If they
are not generally cultivated, to extend
their growth as much as we can.
"a couple of collectors representing
the department of agriculture, who
were at Bozeman recently said they
had found a greater variety of grasses
in Montana than in any other state
# One Of these botanists, who was ia
miliar with and could call by name 20
kinds of grasses, said that he had found
many varieties in Montana that he ha(
never heard of before. He considered
this the best field for the scientific grass
collector in the country.
W 1.-THE so-called loco weed is receiv
Ing its share of attention. A chemica
analysis is being made of each variet.
Of these supposed poisonous plants
and as soon as proper stables are pro
vided for experiment, the loco will b
fed farm animals for the purpose o
verifying the contradictory common
reports of it's dangerous character.
IT wouldn't be surprised" added tn
doctor, 'If an investigation demon
strated that the trouble is caused by
poisonous fungi-a toad stool-and nc
by the so-called loco at all. 1t Is we
known that 'locoed' animals becom
bloated when first affected, and ths
the trouble Is noticed generally as OF
curring after rain storms. This woul
seem to indicate that the poisonou
!. toad stools which spring up in gree
Numbers after every rain are at til
bottom of the trouble. However, "
will know more about the matter afte
The investigation has ended"