Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1902-07-31
attack civilized plants the same as an.
disease attacks people.
POTSONOTvS uEMTOCK

dlldCk civilized pldnUS Ille Same DIS any
disease attacks people.
POISONOUS HEA1LOCk.
An interesting subject to those who
raise stock was the sample OF water
hemlock or wild parsnip shown and
the facts disclosed about it's poisonous
qualities. Many farmers in the state
have lost sheep and cattle from some
cause not fully understood at the time.
The stock would show the symptoms
Of poisoning. Wild parsnip is a plant
that grows in low places and along
streams in many parts of the state.
1t has a large tleshy root and is sup
posed to be the plant from which Soc
rates got his deadly medicine. a col
lege bulletin has been issued about it.
In the early spring stock eat it and in
the summer its seeds fall in the man
ger or are scattered in hay cast on the
ground. Horses and sheep are less
affected than cattle. Keep stock warm
and moving about when sick. The
most danger is in spring when the
plant is coming up, and young cattle
are the easiest affected, although stock
may eat it any time, both the seeds
and the plant
SELECTION OF SEED.
Some remarks on the selection Of
seed were given by Mr.. Shollander of
this county. ''AS ye SOW so shall ye
reap In this state settlers from
many parts of the country have
brought many varieties Of seed, in
Guiding weed seeds. The idea that
seed runs out or degenerates after
being continuously soWn on the same
soil is erroneous. The trouble of re-
duced yield is mostly due to poor seed
other conditions being suitable. Most
farmers do not take sufficient care to
get sound good seed. They sell the
best and SOW what is left. The fan
ming mill is the best paying machine
on the farm if used enough. The seed
l
or four times and a coarse sieve used.
There is a difference whether small
orslarge seed are sowed, in the yield
and in the weight and quality. 1t is
easily seen that, with an increase in
the yield of bu. per acre, which could
be accomplished il the largest and
best seed were Sowed, an increase Of
10 million bushels Of wheat in the
state could be had from the present
acreage. Keep the best seed you have
separate, and save the best year after
year. A large quantity of seed can be
had in short time, from the products
Of a few stalks. In the selection of
the best wheat seed from one plant,
Minnesota takes the lead. and Mime
sofa No. l63 is known as fine variety
of wheat produced from one kernel
within few years. OF this variety
5000 bushels have been sold for seed in
this state and 163, 900 bushels in Min
nesota. The results of selection in
other crops are equally wonderful. In
six years variety Of flax perfectly
adapted for the fibre, was produced in
the Minnesota station and by proper
selection in the same time, variety
was raised that produced the most
seed. 1t was shown that the increase
in sugar in beets could be made 100
per cent and in corn 20 per cent in the
yield, by careful selection. After you
once get good quality keep it.
In the selection of corn for seed take
ears that are largest with the kernels
set close together, and the tips well
filed. Corn absorbs much moisture
which destroys the germ of growth.
Keep the seed dry by hanging in a
garrett or other dry place. A seed test
by sprouting seed between two layers
of flannel was good test. Place the
flannel over plate with water on the
outside and seed between the strips of
cloth.
In answer to a question Prof. Shep-
pard said that disc plOWs were not en-.
tirely satisfactory but the manufac-
turers were constantly improving on
them. With land in ordinary condi-
tion the mould board principle was
the best.
1t was stated that three or four
crops Of hay could be obtained from
bronze grass after which the roots
would thicken and get sod-bound, the
land being only good then for pasture.
Bronze grass seed can be saved by
threshing in a machine. Run through
the oats sieve and shut off the wind
close. There will be blades and straw
which can be cleaned in a tanning
mill.
At the Indian Head station in Man
itOba some alkall spots on the farm
have been rescued by manuring and
seeding the same with bronze grass.
The amount of wheat seed was dis
cuSSed and Prof. Sheppard stated that
81 pecks to the acre gave the best re-