The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-09-30
A PLEA FOR FARMERS.
he Editor Of the Eagle.

To the Editor of the Eagle.
Finding it impossible to be in attend
ance at the State Fair. ! thought to put
in a part of my views as intended to ex-
press them ON the fair grounds.
Is not our state paying for the main
tenanoe of the state board Of agriculture
and experiment station at Manhattan
about $1,000 per year? While Manhattan
receives an additional fifteen thousand
from Washington. as appropriated by con-
gress.
I ask any and all men what benefits does
the people at large of our state receive for
this great sum we pay yearly? Have they
in thirty-four years gone by ever said to
you when to SOW grass seeds and plant
trees 50 as to have the benefit OF rainfall
to help out? Have they ever said to you
that such a year would be productive Of
corn, oats and grass? Have they ever
warned you as to the coming drouth years
beforehand? When cold winters would
be your lot as well as mild ones?
But I will tell you what they have done
and done 1t willfully and successfully.
They have stood between you from jan
uary, 1889, to date to prevent you from
obtaining such knowledge I stood be-
fore the board January II, 1889, for the
purpose of giving the people Of the state
the forecast OF the great corn crop OF
1889, and what to do IN order that the pro-
ducers might get the benefit OF the crop in
80, as the crop would be failure in 80.
But the board refused me a hearing, ex-
cept five minutes And they and each
governor, except Humphrey. back. includ-
70 al
tendon to this all important matter to
you.
I will ask your readers II 1t would not be
to their persotlal interest to see their rep
resentative and have him to look after
this matter when it comes up at the ses-
sion, and If 1t can be made clear that peo-
pie can know beforehand when these
changes will come to us. why not secure
such knowledge7 Are we not paying
largely for something OF but little or 10
value? While on the other hand an in
vestigation would cost but little. Pay
for something that's sure and reliable
The editor of the Eagle and scores OF
others, with a man here and there over
the United States, has secured this in
formation, studied and practiced the
same; has satisfied himself that it's clear
" possible to learn what the seasons viii
be for years ahead.
Such being the fact, no farmer ne-d
fail TO grow each year all the feed needed
TO carry all the stock that - kept on a
farm of forty or more acres. Twenty
years and over have I been near here
There has been no year during that period
but some crop would have been a sue
cess.
To know is the question 1nvestga-
ton and experiences VIII settle all. have
offered repeatedly to discuss this matter
with the members OF the state board, or
any party they may elesct. No. Just
hsre will again make the charge against
the board that they are ignorant OF their
own work or hopelessly dishonest ! VIII
use nothing but their own reports 70 prove
II, If It comes up for proof. The people
viii not prove true to their own interest
If they refuse to act Should you COM
pei the legislature or the board TO secure
this information and heed II, each one
viii thank his stars. IL not his God. that
he did so. By the close OF 1910 we are
just now at a period that al should begin
to make ready for our next general drouth
years. II you get this knowledge II VIII
cuure n complete shape 10 you lor eacn
year 50 long as life lasts
1 low make the following Offer: First
to members of the state board OF egTicui-
ture. then % others. / VIII psefge my
honor TO pay 70 anyone OF the parties first
coming with proof il2sputable that
Shaw's forecast as TO any seasons or crops
stree the same has been In print. for the
past fifteen years. IS wrong. the sum of
fifty dollars for the same. Local drou;As
covering small areas = all that can be
cLszmes and very few 50 that
The forecast 81 part Is out fo- 1877. ed
/ again ask you 20 plant but little II any
small varieties OF corn Pant late var
setsss parting thin and la.e n the sea-
son. Corn, cats and INLET should Be
your crops wherever the same has been
g s1ccess N the pas But DO Tot vzit
70 see II che foccuest for y proves true
hefc-e getting coreczzs cor other years.
II you % YOU VII be hs<t sure.
N-. Eater hopE< nat y-oa win Be kind
enough 20 give tbs epace for others as
wen as myself and that ycu may be able |
CO get X Il touzo-roE,s ssyue. ard THAT /
your sales OF extra copies win Be satts- |
racoo-y, I an yours for the welfare OF |
re pcupse q our state am not able 20 /
% up but attia- thank you and The /
e=ssoaz alton for hono-s rssd r@
c. H SWAMI.
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