Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-02-25
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS.
Events, Intimations and Suggestions
In Progressive Farming.

BY Il. BENJAMIN, Jr.
WaShington.-The bill of Representa-
tive Livingston of Georgia expressing
dissatisfaction with the government
cotton reports, especially the report of
December last, and requesting that all
the data upon which it was founded be
submitted to the house of representa-
tiveS, was unfavorably reported upon
by the house committee on agriculture.
The report of the committee was adopt
ed by the house and Mr. Livingston's
resolution laid on the table by vote of
so TO Il.
The Beet Sugar Output.
Recent statistics of MeSSrS. Willett
and Gray for the season of 1904 indi-
cate a total production of beet sugar in
the United States of 100000 tons l2,240
pounds EACH, being an increase of
$4,000 tons in the preliminary estimate,
all of which is due to the unusually ia
vorable conditions during harvesting.
The largest increase shown in any one
state was Colorado. Last year the total
crops amounted to 20S. 135 tons.
New Wood Seasoning.
The ''powellization' of wood is a new
process reported from England for sea-
soning wood quickly for immediate use
by saturating it with a solution of beet
sugar and then drying it with artificial
heat. The treatment is said also to
greatly increase the strength and the
durability of the wood. The timber so
treated resists dry rot. The wood is no
longer porous and therefore more sani-
tary for such uses as street paving
blocks.
Our Present Wheat Situation.
The present wheat situation in the
United States was the subject of an adj
dress by John G. Williams of Washing
ton before the recent meeting of the
Association For the Advancement of
Science. According to Mr.. Williams, an
increase in the consumption of wheat
has gone steadily forward in this coun-
try since 1901, while the production
has declined, so that at present, tenn
porarily at least, the home consump-
ton and the home supply just about
balance, leaving but little for export.
Roughly stated, the wheat crop of 1904
is 552,O00,000 bushels against 63S,OO0,-
600 in 1908 and 74S,O0O,OO0 in 1901.
NC" IN me1ICOs
a Canadian authority affirms the
strong probability that Mexico will be-
come one of the great wheat producing
, countries within the next few years.
Experiments with different kinds of
wheat show yields of from fifty to six
ty bushels of wheat to the acre from
the turkey red' variety. 1t is stated
that number of syndicates have OBJ
tanned concessions from the govern
ment by which they have the use of
large areas of land for terms of years,
and If il is discovered that large
crops can be raised in Mexico an en-
deavor will be made to place the grain
growing industry on a commercial foot
ing.
insect Injuries to Corn.
Great Is tioSs t',1Iss3I5n corn plant, anS
to 1t IS devoted portion of the annaal
report of the Illinois state entomologist
under the subject of 1.-The More Impor-
tant Insect Injuries to Indian Corn"
The same is also published rs bulletin
No. % of the Illinois experiment sta
ton. Concerning, as it does, one Of the
industries of widest extent throughout
the United States, the information
given touches the interest OF nearly
every region of the country. Every
farmer north, south, east and west
may take an instructive stroll with DR..
Forbes through the entomologic field.
There are few who will not learn some
thing of worth from the practical re-
port, and the Illustrations really illus
trate it in an exceptionally clear and
admirable manner
While the economic feature receives
full attention, the author also takes in
to account the rapidly rising interest in
nature study and makes his report of
material value for this purpose to the
public school teacher and student OF
whatever grade. The study presented
is intended to furnish a clew to the
whole system of insect life of which
the corn plant is the center. 1t thus
stands as in many expects a type or
example of the relations of plant to
its insect visitants.
DR.. Forbes has a pleasing way OF
throwing illuminating side lights on
the statements of familiar facts, to the
increase Of their interest and value.