Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-05-21
Difference of Opinion Among
Iowa Farmers, Even OF the
Same Locality
EXPERIMENTS AT STATE coLLEG
Arrangements Being Made For Meet
ing During Short Course in Corn and
Stock Judging, of All Farmers in
State Who Have Assisted in Coop
erative Work of Soils Department.
Special to Times Republican.

special TO I1meS-Republlcan
Anes, May 21.--Iowa farmers are not
unanimous in their opinion regarding
the value of fall and spring blowing.
This difference of opinion exists not
only between communities but also be-
tween individual farmers of the same
locality who cultivate land that is
practically the same in every respect.
Recognizing the widespread need of
information relative to the important
question and realizing that there was
no reliable data now available, the de-
partment of soils of the Iowa ASri-
cultural College, outlined a series of CO.
operative experiments to determine IL
possible, the value of fall blowing VS..
spring blowing, for corn on the var
ious soil types of the state. In connec-
ton with this work some very inter-
esting experiments comparing the eff
feet of different preparations of the
seed bed are being carried out.
The department has long recognized
the fact that experiments carried on
in a small way on the experiment sta
ton grounds, give results which are
applicable to but a small area of the
state, and that these experiments to be
of the greatest value to the largest
number of farmers must be conducted
on the different types of soil and in the
different sections of the state. Further,
to secure from this work results that
would be comparable and reliable, the
department decided that the expert
ments should be under the direct and
personal supervision Of an experienced
experimentalist. Therefore, Mr.. G.. J..
Christie, assistant in soils. was placed
in charge of this cooperative work.
Early last fall Mr.. Christie visited
twelve different counties located in diff
ferent sections of the state and thru
officers Of the farmers institutes sue
ceeded in getting two or three of the
best and most reliable farmers of each
county interested in these experiments
At this time the land for these expert
ments was located and directions were
given for the fall work.
Again this spring Mr.. Christie made
trip thru the state, to plot the ground.
set stakes and give full and definite
information in regard to cultivation.
seeding and care of the crop. Notes
will be taken on the appearance and
conditions of the crops during the sum-
mer and at harvest time competent
man will be sent from the experiment
station to make all the weighings
Arrangements are now being made
for a meeting during the short course
in corn and stock judging at the coli
1eoe Of all of the farmers in the state
who have aided in this cooperative
work with the department of soils. At
this meeting each of the experimenters
will make report on the work carried
on at his farm. In this way the depart
ment of soils hopes to interest the far
mers in this most important and valu-
able work. 1t is also hoped to solve
some of the many soil problems now
confronting the farmers OF this great
agricultural state.