Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-06-17
New Model Farming.

ment OF the farming conditions in tn,
west is going on along the northern
line Of this state and in the southerl
part OF Nebraska. 1t is based on tn,
Campbell system Of agriculture tina
includes no hint Of irrigation, ye
which the promoters are sure viii
prove the salvation Of the semi-ariC
region. Especially where the supply
OF artificial water is limited, it is be-
lieved that there is. far better work to
be done than by irrigation. H. W.
Campbell, Of Sioux City, Iowa, the
originator Of the system, is personally
looking after the promotion Of the
plans, and with his son, IS trying to
overcome the prejudices Of the farm.
ers who think there is no way Nike
the old one. To convince them, there
have been started twelve model farms
along the Burlington system of rail
way In this state and Nebraska. They
are run on the new system and are
conducted for the purpose OF demon
strating to the farmers that good
crops may be produced by the right
kind Of work, when without this
scientific tillage they would get moth
ing. Each of these farms is under
the management of an experienced
farmer who works along the lines laid
down as il he were the manager of a
loom and working to pattern. They
are under contract to continue the
plan for at least three years consecu-
lively. This is for the purpose Of
having the farmers see that there is
nothing mysterious or dependent on
luck in the process. 1t is claimed
that the second crop is better than the
first, and the third is best OF all. The
fact is being proved this year In North
Dakota where there are farms that
have been worked along this line by
the orders Of the Northern Pacific for
three years, and the results are all
that we're claimed for it. There are
also two or three in Nebraska that
have made the same kind Of reports,
and they have given the farmers Of
their vicinities an impetus toward bet
ter work in the caring for their farms.
The largest Of the Kansas dozen is
at Bird City, and it is very carefully
managed. 1t has been so successful
this year that there are many who
think that II the Kansas Legislature
had given half the money that 1t spent
On the irrigation experiments to this
development Of the better use of the
talents that they have in this section
u the state, there would be more to
show for it. The immigrants that
,ame to the state and then left might
hen all be there to swell the census
eports as of old.
The process is, first, thoroughly to
the top three or four inches
With disk harrow; then to pillow
bout eight inches deep, turning this
nelly pulverized soil to the bottom;
hen to follow with what is known as
"subsurface packer" tool that
esembles somewhat the rear portion
Havana press drill except that
be wheels are wedge faced instead Of
at. This tool packs firmly the lower
tratum OF the furrow slice, leaving
ne top three inches loose.
This work is done Immediately after
ne pillow and is followed with fine
nothing drag. 1t should be done
the fall as soon as possible after the
'op is removed in order to get the
est results. However, the most Of
lese twelve model stations are spring
tied because the question Of estab.
shing them were not settled early
rough to begin last fall.
In case Of fall preparation the first
ork in the spring is to harrow the
lrface and loosen the top two inches
'rly to check evaporation. This
dds the moisture but it is too early
seed. The soil must be gotten /
to fine shape and the grain planted
sown when the season is advanced
r enough for quick termination and
'owth. The corn is planted with
e ordinary check rover and all small
ain, wheat, oats, etc., is drilled in
ws twenty inches apart, using only
out one-quarter Of the seed that is ,
scwn. Then all crops are !,
lndled alike, cultivated as often as
ice a week not over two inches deep.
nc sbollou cultivation farms a soil