Rocky Ford enterprise., 1904-02-05

JAMES WILSON,
Secretary.
Washington, ID. C. Jan. l6. 1904.
Mr.. Philo X. Blinn.
Field Agent, State Experiment Sta
tlon.
Rocky Ford. Colo.
Dear Sir:
Yours of December 90. in which you
invite the Honorable Secretary of Az.
riculture to address the farmers insti-
tue TO be held at Rocky Ford on Jan.
uary 2l-23, has been referred to this
Office with a request that l draw up
u statement of the forage problem In
your immediate section OF country. as
II Is seen from our point OF view.
The Secretary Is very greatly inter.
cstcd In the problems which are pre-.
sentcd to your farmers. Two Of these
problems seem to be OF outstanding
Importance. There is also n third
which Is OF much importance.
The first one IN the proper utilixn.
tion Of sugar beet pulp. The Depart.
mcnt hopes In the near future TO be
able to undertake some cooperative
work with your state authorities
along this line. We have recently
learned that In experiments In ontar.
10. Canada. the feeding Of dried beet
pulp and beet molasscs has proven
very satisfactory. We think II would
be Q good thing II We could arrange
10 make q test Of feeding tho beet
pulp. both In the dried state and In
the form Of siiaGc. More Information
Ia needed regarding tho paiatability
OF the pulp to livestock OF different
kinds. the amount which may pront'
ably be fed. ami the results that may
be obtained from feeding Il.
Another subject which 10 perhaps
OF more Importance to the state ~ q
whole In that Of forage for finishing
OF beef cattle grown upon your
ranges. Most Of tho cattle sold as
tho highest price on tho great mar
kcts are finished Oh In the eensfa,
states. whcrc corn IL abundant and
cheap: and large number OF ihs
cattle produced and reared on the
ranges Of Colorado arc shipped to the
central states. where they are led
corn In preparation for slaughter. Ias
question IL worth answering whether
these cattle cannot be finished In she
stai~a where they arc produced. and
thus add to the pront OF the farmer
While ~c arc not ready to answer
this. question af.srmailsciy without
qualification. ~a think Il Ia possible
,ha, proper forage plants for anishins
these cattle may be grown In your
section. We hope TO be In position
in tho near future TO take up this
question with your state experiment
station. and determine what crops can
bc grown for this purpose. their ysr'a
per acre. and the value Of their pro
ducts for tho object In view.
A third forage problem which is os
vital Importance to many parts OF the
state 4. to secure hay and pasture
srassrs that can be grown on the up
lands without irrigation. We mud .
number OF such grasses growing al.
ready In such situations. They arc o'
course sparsciy scattered. but ~c
want To determine what they will do
when the land il plowcd up and civ.
on proper cultivation and the sect!
of these grasses scattered by hand
We are now engaged In gathering
sced Of some half dozen OF the most
promising Of these Wild grasses: and
during the coming year wc shall be-
gin experimentation in their doues,
ticstion. 4, is too early yet TO pre-
diet results. but ~c hope tha, with the
aid Of your state Experiment Station
and the Intelligent farmers OF Colo
raao we shall be able TO learn some.
thing tha, will add TO the agricultural
resources OF your state.
Very respectfully yours.
". J. sPtLLMAS.
The directors Of the Rocky Ford Melon
Growers association held a meeting Jan.
2s 10 authorize The president and seefc.
,ary 10 sign the contract with Lyon q
Corrins. Al the same neeunsth resiE-
nation Of J. p. Pollock. director. was ae-
eepssd and ]. r. Roth elected TO hll ths
vacancy. The directors will hold anoshef
meeting tomorrow TO canvass the ou;ioet
tor The coming season and make plan