The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1897-02-26
SCIENTIFIC FARMING.
The Burlington Route Going Into
Agricultural Pursuits.
IilIi.15yUI

Wil Conduct Experimental Farms.
Notice Of sale Of village Bonds.
The Burlington route has arranged to con-
duct next year some seven model farms
on It's line at ,McCook, Alma. Oberlin,
Curtis, Holdredge, Hastings and Broken
Bow in Nebraska. At each point arrange
ments have been made with a resident far
mer. selected with reference to his fitness
for the work, to take charge OF the Bur
lington farm. The farmsswil b supplied
with the special machinery manufactured
for the purpose Of preventing In large
degree the evaporation Of moisture from
the soil according to the VanpbeA
Method"
The conservation Of soil moisture IL ona
Of the most important problems presented
70 the farmer. Hardly season passes tn
which some important crop Is not LARGELY
reduced IN yield because Of lack Of sufhcient
moisture to bring 1t to maturity. Al other
conditions may have been favorable for
full crop. but the result was failure on &C
count Of deficient supply Of moisture. The
lack Of moisture, as rule, 10 not The result
Of insufficient rainfall, but that 1t has been
allowed to escape largely BY evaporation.
With proper preparation OF the soil and
methods Of tillage. bountiful crop Is az.
sured, even in years when hot winds and
lack Of rains during critical periods OF the
growing season mean failure OF crops
titled according to ordinary methods.
The Importance Of proper preparation Of
the ground and Of thorough culture to con-
serve moisture Is SO great that, Il Its value
was fully realized. we would experience
but little trouble from drouths. Far better
IL season with deficiency Of rainfall, II
continuous surface cultivation Is given, than
q season Of abundant rain with little cul-
ture.
Following are some hints on lew to ap-
ply the Campbell Methods"
Seven or eight-inch plowing IL best done
With sixteen or eighteen-inch sulky plow.
you have the. depth. Measure IT.; don't
guess at 1t. Follow az close to the plow a
possible with the surface packer. Make 1t
your rule 70 pack al your land The same
day It IL plowed.
The soil mulch or dust blanket. Il best
obtained by the use Of spring. tooth har.
row or cultivator, with points Of teeth d.
rected forward-not perpendicular or slant
Ing, but set fat, with the points directed
forward and downward, 20 az to cut under
the surface soil.
Small grain and fax must be drilled and
cultivated. The drills Of such crops should
be from eighteen to twenty-five inches
apart Tools are In the market fer doing
1ch work.
The Burlington route will have man on
the road during Its growing season next
year to visit the various stations at least
once week and see that the plans are be.
ing carried out and make reports as to the
progress. Samples Of the soil will be for.
warded every day from each Of the sta.
lions to the State University Of Nebraska.
and tests made to determine the per cent
Of moisture. A feature will also be keeping
the matter before the farmers, and at the
conclusion Of the experiment a complete
and exhaustive report will be published.
The Burlington route Is ever alert in the
interest Of the agricultural classes, for it,
with characteristic foresight, realizes that
whatever our success may be, 1t must have
lfa starting mint with Tho farnnae