The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1895-02-01


comparison with the resources OF th,
state, and he held that The ordinary ia,
payer would hardly be conscious of the
loss, which would amount TO about .:
cents to each, and which was many time.
over lost by wasteful methods and loose
and unintelligent farming.
The next question the Professor said
was OF far more Importance han Taylo
theft, 1t was "How can we prevent
squash and pumpkin blossoms from
failing t % mature?" For an an
swer TO this the professor called upon
Mr.. Irwin Aldrich, who explained the
matter as follows: Blossoms upon
squash vines are OF two kinds One, the
more numerous and that which first ap-
pears, has as Il center-piece, one straight
cylindrical organ looking not much un
like little yellow parasol closed The
upper part of this organ produces a
large number of yellow ranues the
pollen OF the plant. The other kind of
blossom has center piecs which is
round and somewhat wheel-like in it's
appearance. At certain period of
development, it exudes waxy sub.
stance, and if at this time the wind.
wandering insects, or any other cause
brings a few pollen grains 10 it from the
pollen bearing blossoms, it is certified"
and the little squash at its base will live
and grow. If no pollen is brought to it,
however, the little squash Will turn
yellow and drop off. 1t Is
only this latter kind OF blossom
which ever develops into a squash.
The pollen bearing blossom never does
more than to produce the pollen for
fertilizing the squash-producing bios
som. In this country, where humble
bees are scarce, the means for trans
porting the pollen from one flower 10
another is inefficient, hence very few
people grow squashes and pumpkins
successfully unless they live near a little
timber, in which case the pollen carry
ing insects are more numerous. Mr..
Aldrlch has grown plenty Of sluashes
for the past few years by going through
his field about twice il week during the
blossomlng season, carrying a pollen
bearing flower and leaving little pollen
upon such squash-bearlng blossoms as
show by their waxy look that they are
ready to receive it. This year he carried
a few sticks and marked the location OF
each blossom treated, and was success
ful IN about - per cent Of the cases.
Most OF tae failures were due to the
lmmaturity OF some OF the squash bear
ing blossoms treated. The operation is
very easy and simple, any schooboy
can attend to 1t.
"What was caLse of smut in corn and
how PREVENT" Mr.. Aldrich was called
upon to explain this, and SAID that soak
log the seed in weak solution Of blue
stone would Kill the smut.
If farmers generally should 60 into
diversified farming would no, prices on
these products fall below profitable
basis:' The professor explained that
This was not likely to happen, and illus
Irated the fact by showing the difference
~ the consumption OF a quantity Of good
butter and quantity OF poor butter, the
good quality rather making an increased
demand
A general discussion on how to
change from wheat raising to more di.
versited work was then had.
The absence Of Prof. Wheaton. the
iairyman, who was to test samples Of
milk and give talk on dairy subjects.
vas great disappointment 10 many.
The professor had been regularly sched-
lied tor Mi,bank, but the farmers of
Day comfy had persuaded him to re-
urn to Brltton. where they were organ
zing for creamery, and he was there
~ unable 10 reach Milbank in time
For the disappointment which this cir
'umstance hid occasioned Prot. Shepard
said that he would promise that Prof.
Wheaton would make n SPECIAL trip to
Miibank at any time lbe people here
would decide upnn, and fill his engage
nenl with them. Upon vote being
oxen 1t was unanimously decided that
he professor SHOULD come, and Feb.
10Th was fixed upon rs The date, the ses-
'lon TO commence 1T TO- y. IN.
Prot. Phillips gave a short talk on
lalrying and illustrated the improved
,ut,er separator. and The great saying
I made in butter making, and by re-