Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-07-01
From the Goodlnd Republic,
Little Rain Needed.

AVW"t Vn0 VAlbAhhVOA VI bu0 luuUuF
talked'ot Campbell method OF farm.
ing, 10 experimenting an experiment
farm for the Burlington system, at
Bird City, Kansas. Though much
has been said in the papers recently
in favor of this method OF tilling the
arid lands Of the west, Mr.. Campbell
finds that the farmers look with dis
credit upon the scheme, merely, 60
he thinks, because IL is new and they
know practically nothing about the
principles aud theory upon which
Mr., Campbell bases his methed.
At present he and soN, W. H., are
supervising twelve OF these model
farms along the Burlington system
in western Kansas and Nebraska.
They are conducted for the purpose
of demonstrating TO the farmers that
good crops may be grown under
scientific tlllage when the ordinary
methods would bring practically
nothing. Each Of these farms 10
under the local management Of some
practical farmer who works entirely
under the direction OF Mr. Campbell
and is under contract TO continue the
came work on the same ground for
three consecutive years. Tt is claim
ed that the second crop is always bet
ter than the first and the third better
than the second, and Che fact is being
proved this year, as there is several
Of these farms on the Northern Pa.
Ci6c In North Dakota that are receiv-
ing their second and third years
treatment this year There are also
two or three in Nebraska, the results
in all Of which are said to be super.
Tor to any OF those that are now re-
Ceiving their first treatment,
Although it seems rather inCreds
lble, Mr.. Campbell is enthusiastically
certain that the time is not far of
when all this level prairie country,
a sample of which is seen in Che
Bird City plant, will be as desirable
and profitable farming land as any
part Of this country He claims that
this western country getting less
rainfall than Illinois is an sotuAl I'D.
vantage and that irrigation is not
necessary to successfully farm IL.
His process is, first, thoroughly TO
pulverze three or four inches Of the
top surface with a disk harrow; then
to pillow about eight inches deep,
turning this finely pulverized soil
to the bottom; then to follow with
what 10 known as "subsuriace
packer" a tool that resembles some
what the rear portion OF q Havana
press drill except that the wheels are
wedge.fseed instead OF Aat. The
tool packs firmly the lower stratum
of the furrow slice, leaving the top
three inches loose
This work is done immediately
after the pillow and is followed with
a fine smoothing drag. It should be-
done in the fall as soon as possible
after the crop is removed in order to
get the best results. However, the
most Of these twelve model stations
are spring fitted because the question
Of establishing them was not settled
early enough to begin last fall.
In case Of fall preparation tho first
work in the spring is to harrow the sur
face and loosen the top two inches
early TO check evaporation. This holds
the moisture but it is too early to seed.
The soil must be gotten into fine shape
and the grain planted or sown when
the season is advanced far enough for
quick termination and growth. The
corn ia planted with the ordinary check
rover and all small grain, wheat, ostsy
ETC., is drilled in rows 20 inches apart,
using only about one quarter thsssed
that is commonly sown. Then all
crops are handled alike, cultivated 90
often Ss once a week not over two
inches deep. This shallow cultivation
forms q soil mulch Of fue dirt whlCh
must be kept loose aAd dry. The cHl-
tivating and 6rming Of the root bod
increases the moisture ne@ tho seed
and causes prolific growth Of roots.
The soil mulch prevents the loss Of
water by evaporation, thus holding
steadily ample moisture at the rOotA
Mr.. Oampbelps experiments have
been so successful that he has induced
several railroad companies to back the
expense Of establishing these model