The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1897-02-11
SCIENTIFIC FARMING.
The Darlington Route Going Into Agracul-
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The Burlington Route has arranged
to conduct next year some seven model
farms on it's line at McCook. Alma,
Oberlin, Curtis, Holdredge, Hastings
and Broken Bow, in Nebraska. Ateach
point arrangements have been made
with resident farmer, selected with
reference to his fitness for the work.
to take charge of the Burlington farm.
The farms will be supplied with the
special machinery manufactured for
the purpose of preventing in large
degree the evaporation of moisture
from the soil according to the Camp
bell Method" t.-. esg I.
The conservation of soil moisture is
one of the most Important problems
presented to the farmer. Hardly sea-
son passes in which some important
crop is not largely reduced in yield be-
cause of lack of sufficient moisture to
bring it to maturity. All other condi-
tions may have been favorable for a
full crop. but the result was failure on
account of a deficient supply of mois-
ture. The lack of moisture, as rule,
is not the result of insufficient rainfall,
but that it has been allowed to escape
largely by evaporation. With proper
preparation of the soil and methods of
tillage. a bountiful crop is assured.
even in years when hot winds and lack
of rains during critical periods of the
growing season mean a failure of crops
titled according to ordinary methods.
The Importance of proper prepara-
ton of the ground and of thorough
culture to conserve moisture is so great
that, if it's value was fully realized, we
should experience but little trouble
from droughts. Far better is a season
with a deficiency of rainfall, if contin-
uous surface cultivation is given, than
season of abundant rain with little
culture. Following are some hints on
how to apply the Campbell Methods"
Seven or eight-inch blowing is best
done with a sixteen or eighteen-inch
sulky plow. Good, even blowing is
important. Be sure you have the
depth. Measure it; don't guess at it.
Follow as close to the pillow as possible
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 spring.
tooth harrow or cultivator, with points
Of the teeth directed forward-not per-
pendicular or slanting, but set fat,
with the points directed forward and
| downward, so as to cut under the sur
face soil.
Small grain and fax must be drilled
and cultivated. The drills of such
crops should be from 10 to % inches
apart. Tools are in the market for
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 week, and see
that the plans are being carried out
and make reports as to the progress.
Samples of the 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 be
keeping the matter before the farmers,
and at the conclusion of the expert
ment, a complete and exhaustive re-
port will be published.
The Burlington Route is ever alert in
the interest of the agricultural classes,
for it, with characteristic foresight,
realizes that whatever their success
may be, it must have its starting point
with the farmer.