Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1897-02-20
scIENTiFIC FARMIHa.
The Burlington Route Going Into Agricul
taral Pursuits.
VIII G.aiaos Experimental Farms.

The burlington Route has arranged
TO conduct next year some seven model
farms on its line at McCook. Alma
I Oberiin, Curtis, Hoidrege. Tasting,
and Broken Bow, in Neoraska At
each point arrangements have been
made with resident farmer selected
/ with reference to his fitness for the
work, to take charge OF the isurIino-
! ton farm The farms will be supplied
with Tie special machinery manu-
featured for the purpose of prevent
ing III Il large degree che evaporation
OF moisture from the soil according 70
the Campbell Method.
The conservation of soil moisture is
one OF the most important problems
presented to the farmer Hardly "A
season passes in which some import
ant crop is not largely reduced in
yield because OF lack of sufficient
| moisture to bring il to maturity All
other conditions may have been favor
able for a full crop. but the result was
failure on account OF Il deficient sup
ply OF moisture. The lack of moist
! ure. us 4 rule. is not the result of
| Insufficient rainfall, but that it has
! been allowed to escape largely by
evaporation. With proper prepare
tion OF the soil and methods of till
age, Il bountiful crop is assured, even
| i'll years when hot winds and lack OF
| rain during critical periods of the
| growing season mean a failure OF crops
| titled according to ordinary me6nouS.
| The Importance OF proper prepara-
| ton of the ground and of thorough
culture to conserve moisture is so
great that, if its value was fully re-
allied, we should experience but little
trouble from droutns. Ear better is
Il season with a deficiency OF rainfall,
| If continuous surface cultivation lie
given, than Il season OF abundant rain
| with little culture.
| Following are some hints on how to
apply the Campbell Method"
seven or eighJ-lnch blowing is best
done with sixteen or eIgnUeen-incn
SuIky plow- Good, even -piOwing is
important. BE sure you have the
depth. Measure it; don't guess at 1t.
| Follow as close to the plow dis posi- bic
with the surface packer. make it
your rule to pack all your land the
same day it is ploWed.
The soil mulch, or dust blanket, is
best obtained by The use of Il spring
tooth harrow or cuitIvator, win
points OF the teeth directed forward
mot perpendicular or slanting but
set HAT, With the points directed for
ward and downward So aS 10 cut under
the surface SOIL.
Small grain and flax must be drilled
and cultivated. lne drills OF Sucn
crops should DE from eighteen to
twenty-five Inches apart Tools are
in the market Ior doing such work.
The burlington Route will have a
man on the road during the growing
season next year, TO visit the various
stations at least once a week, and see
J that the plans are being carried out
and make reports as TO the progress.
Samples OF Ine soil will be forwarded
every day from each OF the stations to
the State University of Nebraska,
and tests made to determine the per
cent. OF moisture a feature Will also
EeanInlT hPIOre
farmers, and at the conclusion of the
experiment a complete and exhaust
i've report Will be published.
Inc burlington Route is ever alert
in the interest OF the agricultural
classes, IOr IL, with characteristic
foresight, realizes that Whatever our
success may be, IL must have j is start
ing point with the farmer.