Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-07-30
State Experts Agree That Mois-
ture Gan Be Conserved.
STIRRING THE SOIL Is BENEFICIENT
Hon. John cownie and Wesley Greene
Issue Circular to the Heads of
State Institutions-They Also Talk
About Corn Culture in Iowa.

With the beginning of the farming
season this year the state board of con-
troll inaugurated new system of hav-
ing regular reports from the institu-
tions on farming operations. Plats
were filed with the board with each
field numbered and the reports are
made with regard to the numbers. One
Of these reports was received yester-
day from Glenwood. The report COM
planned that the corn is not growing
or filling out in the fields, and is suf.
ering greatly from drouth. But | OBJ
served one thing" said John Crownie,
referring to the report, and that was
that they report the water melon patch
as in fine condition. The report shows
that the boys have cultivated that field
often, have hoed the ground and kill
ed. the foxtail and weeds, and where
that has been done the melon vines
are getting along all right. Those poor,
halfwitted boys are intelligent enough
to know that if they don't get out and
cultivate their melon field they won't
have any melons,"
Mr. CroWnie's Circular.
The circular sent out by Mr. Crownie
TO the heads of the state institutions
with reference to cultivation of the
crops of the state farms created a ia
worable impression among all who
have considered : the subject. Mr..
Crownie said for himself: This idea
of the cultivation of the corn and 9th
er crops is the right one. There is no
question about it. My own experience
has taught me the value of frequent
shallow cultivation and constant work
to keep back the weeds and keep the
surface of the soil in the right condi-
ton Where the Iowa soil has been
stirred deep and the plants well root
ed, where there has been cultivation
frequent enough to keep the upper soil
loose and soft so as to form a dust
mulch or blanket over the deeper soil
and where the crop. has been kept free
from weeds, there will be crop. Now
I do not blame the Iowa farmers for
not having done this. They have too
much to do / havesbeen up and down
the state visiting these various insti
buttons, and have seen the farmers on
in their fields blowing at o'clock, and
they have stayed until dark. But in
seasons like this they must keep at il
continually. IF the fields grow uI
Iowa. in the fall, after blowing is
stopped the corn will be hurt. Reports
from the state institution farms show
that where there has been good cult
walton the crops are fair
Secretary Greene Talks.
Secretary Greene, of the Horticul
tural Society, when asked in regard tc
the application. of the theory of plow
ing often to conserve the moisture
said: 81 am not. aware that the prin
ciple is being used much in Iowa.
have long been an advocate of cultiva
ton of orchards. There are men prom
ly opposed to it,. They contend thai
The custom is to cultivate the orchard
for few years until the trees gel
started, then to seed the orchard dowr
used the harm is not so great, but blue
grass is the very worst thing for an or
chard. The opponents of orchard cul
tivation pointed out that some year:
ago the orchards that were bare o
grass were killed. But / have beer
cultivating my orchard with good re
suits. believe that we will come tt
1t some time in Iowa. see that in thu
east Prof. Bailey is advocating OF
chard cultivation and he is becomins
great authority. l am glad that Mr.
Cownie has sent out his circular call
Ing attention to the value of cultiva
ton in conserving moisture, and tina
the newspapers have published it."
Corn Crop Two-Thirds.
II do not think that thus far tn,