The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-01-25

Germ to Those Present Presented
by Experts-QuestiOnB Box a Popu-
lar Feature of the Gathering-Scs-
sions of the Next Two Days VIII
BE Largely Attended.
FARGO, N. D., Jan. 24.-(Special.) 1.-The
second day of the convention of the State
Grain Growers saw an increase in at
tendance, and a larger popular interest
in the proceedings. The day was given up
to papers on subjects of interest to grain
growers. A question box has been estab-
lished, all those having questions to ask
placing them, written, into a box, from
which they are taken and discussed. This
feature seems popular with farmers, as
it gives all chance to talk on matters
Of personal interest. All present consider
the convention of valuable interest to the
state in an agricultural and financial
sense, all sections being represented. The
convention will last two days more, and
an attendance even larger than that of
today is expected.
When the convention assembled this
morning President Randall announced
the committee on resolutions as follows:
u
Worst, w. F. T. Bushnell, Thomas L.
Bottom, E. c. Ch.lcott, Condo Hamlin
The first paper read was the history of
wheat raising in the Red river valley,
by George n. Lanphere 1t was along
the same lines as the recent paper before
the Minnesota Historical association by
the same gentleman, and gave a concise
and intelligent sketch of the growth of
the great industry in the land Of No.
hard.
Prof James H. Shepperd, Of the South
Dakota agricultural college, responded to
Wheat in Minnesota and the Two Da-
kotas-Can the Yield Per Acre Be lii
creased?' 1t was his purpose, he said,
to PROFOUND no startling theories, nor
did he hope 10 make a final and complete
answer 1t was his belief that conditions
are unique and that any ameliorations
desired must be sought for among the
peculiar favors Immediately involved
Acting upon this belief he discussed at
some length the considerations involved
in climate, winds, soils, seed wheat, and
soil treatment.
After stating the main factors involved,
the speaker made the following deduc-
tons:
First-Conserve the soil moisture by
thorough tillage, better blowing and by
plentiful supply Of coarse eth hum nnEwer Humus
Second-Guard against blowing py
plentiful supply of coarse humus, and by
the use of the press drill.
Third-Modify, if poss be. the erect OIL
hot winds by conservation of soil mois-
ture and as rapidly as possible by plow-
ing hedge rows and wind breaks.
Fourth-,Proyidee a plentiful supply OF OF
soluble plant food by having an abundant
quantity of decaying humus, rich in
nitrogen. That from green crops plowed
under or fed off on field is, preferred.
stock. Do not raise weeds. If any start,
plow them under green or feed them off
with sheep. Plow the wheat field as soon
as the crop is removed.
Fifth-SOW pure, graded seed wheat.
Remember that like begets like. Do not
SOW weed seeds.
Sixth-Deepen the blowing gradually, in
creasing continually the supply of humus,
nitrifying bacteria. When you can find
pillow better adapted to our soils, buy it.
Seventh-Prepare firm seed bed. mel
low on top. Use the harrow more liberal
ly. Sow with the press drill across the
directions of the prevailing winds.
Eighth-Give due heed to the foregoing
details. Do not expect maximum results
by improving in one or. two particulars
only where so many factors are con-
cerned.
Condo Hamlin, of st. Paul, gave an
interesting address on 1.-THE Relation of
the Newspaper and the Farmer" He put
by the two in opening up the Western
country, and discussed the apparent diff
ference of opinion between the two, urs.
ing closer relations.
One of the interesting papers of the
afternoon was that on Recent Work in
the Improvement of Cereals by Dr.
Herbert j. Webber, in charge of the
plant breeding laboratory of the United
States department of agriculture He
-
the cereals of the United States and the
importation of all to this country from
Europe except corn. The growth of the
wheat industry was discussed from
statistical standpoint, improvement by
selection was gone into scientifically and
the system thoroughly explained and the
history of the success of this work re-.
lated. Improvement by naturalization, Sc
lection of parents, composite crossing
with the improvements, and selection OF
chance varieties were all explained.
Mr. Weber is regarded as one of the
highest authorities on the question In the
United States.
Mayor Johnson introduced resolution
asking the National Farmers congress
to hold it's next annual session In Fargo
1t meets in Denver this year, and he
wants 1t for 1901.
H u Thomas, commissioner of agrl-
culture, enumerated the benefits to be de-
rived from the Tri-State Grain Growers
convention, saying in part:
My experience along the lines OF 1arm-
ing leads me to believe that 1t is abso.
lutely necessary at this day and age or
the world for the farmer and grain grow,
exchange views. We are living in a very
progressive age and the wheels OF prog,
ress are making many revolutions In
single year. and he who fails in Whole or
che md inf himself
the leading topics connected with dis
business, is liable to be turned under and
eventually ground to powder by the car
of progress. 1t is not the educated few
that need to be reached but the masses.
and while the agricultural paper Is doing
a good work, yet many who read cannot
SO fully understand and separate the true
from the false meat contained in an ar
ticle, however well written 1t may be, as
they can by having it brought out by dis
cussion and Interchange of ideas.
We find now and then a farmer VINO
thinks education is not necessary in farm
labor For the benefit of such let US COM
pare the farmers of the United States
with those of some of the European coun-
work with less labor, make more money
with less capital, invested? Why are the
farms of this country the nursery in
which the majority of our great men are
reared? The answer undoubtedly IS that
the farmers of this country are better
educated.
Prof.. BoIley, OF Fargo, spoke on smut
in wheat, giving practical advice by
means of papier mache representations of
the wheat kernel, n1agnified thousands of
times, on the action Of smut on the wheat
germ and plant life.
Prof. Hayes, Of Minnesota, gave a
lengthy address on his European trip and
agricultural matters in the older coun-
tries. He also placed some scenes before
the audience by the use of the stereopti-
MIIMVnMsS cIIhCSNTCE