Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1902-03-15
FARM AND GARDEN.
MATTERS OF INTEREST TO AGRI-
CUITURtSTS
Some Up-to-Date Hints About cuies-
vation of tho Soil and Yields
Observation-Disclosures viticuiturs and
fIoricuIture-
Wisconsin Agricultural Convention


During the last week a number OF
agricultural conventions were held at
the state capitol. Madison, Wis. In
some cases the sessions were joint
ones, general topics being discussed.
The agricultural mass meeting, as
1T was called, under the supervision
of the state board of agriculture, was
very poorly attended, in the main,
though the last session was improved
in this respect by the presence OF
large number of Short Course students
and live stock breeders. At some OF
the sessions the number In attendance
did not exceed twenty-five. This is to
be regretted, as the program was a
very good one and would have been
very profitable to the farmers of the
state. AS Professor Henry said.
There should be a thousand farmers
here" One reason for the slim at
tendance perhaps was the fact that
this is really the first agricultural con-
ventfon for years. The old Agricultu-
raj Society used to hold these annual
gatherings, and they were well atten-
ded. The discontinuance of such meet
ings has doubtless resulted in getting
the farmers into the habit of non-at-
tendance
pers was one by A F. Postel. on the
beet sugar industry in Wisconsin. AS
Mr.. Postel is an expert connected with
the only beet sugar factory in Wiscon-
sin, he brought out some points yalua-
BILE to growers. We will have more
to say on this paper next week.
Another subject that should not have
been missed by Wisconsin farmers was
the one on the treatment of oats for
smut a subject of immense interest
to Wisconsin farmers where the loss
from oat smut runs up into the mill
lions. Prof. R A. Moore told of the
best methods of treatment which are
with solutions of formaldehyde.
The Association of Agricultural Stu
dents for Experimental Work also held
several sessions, at which reports were
made on the work being carried on
Rape and sofa beans received the bulk
of the attention. Alfalfa had been
tried by some, but little progress was
made with it except at the Agricultural
college farm. Cow peas had also not
been successfully grown except at the
station named. Several. however, had
grown sofa beans with perfect success,
and great interest was shown in this
forage plant. which is a great food for
hogs. Rape had also been experimep
ted with successfully.
During one OF the joint sessions
Professor Henry spoke of his observa-
tions while in Holland and Denmark.
The very interesting address will ap-
pear in full in the Farmers Review.
wisconsin horticultural Convention
The annual meeting of the Wiscon-
sin State Horticultural Society was
held at Madison February 8 to 6. The
meeting was well attended and much
enthusiasm was manifest. The fruit
show was good, though not large.
Some of the apples that are primarily
Wisconsin apples were In prime shape
and the whole exhibit was a credit to
the society, especially as this year has
been a short apple crop year in Wis
consin.
Many of the papers read were ex-
cellent, and the program was well car
ried out. Among the speakers from
out of the state was Professor Web
ster of Ohio. He read a paper on
spraying. which he considers necessary
for good results in fruit growing Be
ing asked as to the best spray pumps
ON the market, he said that there were
no poor ones, as the manufacturers
had found out that 1t was impossible
to sell anything that was not effective
when in use. He. however, believes
that there is as yet no ideal spraying
pump made. and that it may be some
time before such a pump appears.
c. E. Bassett. secretary of the Mich
igan State Horticultural Society. ere
ated a good deal OF enthusiasm by his
address on cooperation in fruit sell
ing. He related the history OF the as
sociation OF which he is member. and
said that it had been a powerful fac
tor in improving the conditions undel
which their fruit is sold.
Prof. ]. c. Blair OF the University o
Illinois was present with models ans
charts Of the university coid storag
house located at Neoga. Ill His mod
and construction In the case of th'
cold storage house at Neoga the insu
lation is SO perfect that the tempera
ture is kept uniform all the time, IRE
spective of what the temperature out
side may be. Immense possibilities ar
thus opened up in the storage OF frui
for winter use.
Pear growing was d'scussed. the sub
Ject being opened by a paper from N
J. Moyle- He said that pear growin
in Wisconsin has been looked on as
venture, but that he had made q sue
cess OF it This last season especiall
when the appie crnp failed the pea