Rocky Ford enterprise., 1905-06-30
PRIZES TO BOYS and GIRLS IN
PATTERSON SEED Competition

Colorado during the next two
years through one OF the most novel
and interesting contests ever inaugu'
rated in this country. II Is To be
known as ''The Patterson Seed Compe-
tition." having been named after sena-
tor 7. N. Patterson. who has agreed
to provide the money for the prizes.
The competition IL to be open to every
boy and girl In Colorado under eight
cen years of age. and continues for
three years. with an annual reward OF
prizes and general award At the end
Of the three years.
IL is announced in the Denver News
as follows:
The contest In to see who can pro-
ducc the best wheat. oats and barley
by seed selection and Improvement
during the three years trial. and each
contestant is required to grow each
year an acre Of grain from which is
selected 100 heads. TO be Judged In
competition by the experts at III. col
lege. There will be ten prizes award
ed annually for each grain. fall wheat.
spring wheat. oats and barley. forty
prizes In all each year. and an add
tionai forty prizes for the general COM
petition nj the end Of the third year.
As far nv known no such compeu'
tion was ever before held In this coun'
try. and IL will attract widespread Mt
tention. not only in Colorado. but all
over the country. Professor Olin's
idea IL to encourage the breeding OF
seed for use In this state and else
where. He maintains that the seed
brought from eastern states for plant
Ing here Is not acclimatcd. and that by
Careful selection and growing In three
years he can produce n seed that VIII
very materially increase the output OF
Colorado farms. He has selected the
young folks to do the work because he
believes that II will be easier TO inter
est them In the work. but the experts
from the experiment stations Will lend
every assistance and advise and in
struct those contcsting.
II have been greatly impressed with
the agricultural possibilities OF Colo
rrdo." said Professor Olin yesterday.
but when md the farmers OF east
crn Colorado planting seed that came
from the wcttcsts part OF the Missir-
sippi valley and the gardeners of the
high mountain district using seed from
Alabama and other points Mt sea level.
I feel positive that we could get far
greater returns by breeding and grow
Ing our own seed. II we only ndd Ave
bushels TO the acre In our average out.
put of grain II will mean millions.
Another point In that while grain
brought from low attitudes to high al
,itudcs for planting dctcrioratcs. grain
taken from high altitude to low ai-
titudc does not lose It's strength. II Is
the same way with animals. You bring
cattle here from southern Texas and
for the first year or so they do not do
well. but animals grown In this climate
will do well anywhere. II our compc.
tition proves successful. therefore. IL
will mean the building OF n new indus
try. that OF growing seed for use In
other sections Of the country. and as
seed grains always bring much higher
prices than ordinary grain. II Is pay
ing proposition"
Professor Olin already has assur-
Rnces of numerous contestants for the
prizes from various portions Of the
state. and expects that the enthusiasm
Of the young folks will spur up the In.
terest OF the older farmers. and Mt the
same time the contest will interest
many of the boys and girls OF the state
In practical farming.
I'VE have had this plan In mind for
some time" said Professor Olin. but
unfortunately the agricultural college
was hampered for funds to carry II out.
The matter was placed before Senator
Patterson. who at once saw the i'm
mense possibilities In such a contest.
and he has agreed TO provide the
funds. The whole contest will be un-
der the direction OF the agricultural
college and experiment station. how
ever. and we will do everything posi-.
BILE to assist those who enter the con-
hzt nd ht.
matter will be taken up In the schools
in the various farming localities. and
where the children desire they may
form companies and work together as
one competitor. They may have the
assistance of their parents In planting
and cultivating and harvesting, and
may select their seed plot wherever
they please. so that II Is In Colorado.
The competition will be absolutely fair
and by the plan determined upon. The
grain itself governs the contest"
Those entering the contest and do
ing intelligent work will stand n good
chance to make 1t pay them well. 1t
Is possible for young man to win as
high as $500. and all the prizes are
worth striving for. Professor Olin
will very shortly issue bulletin CIV
ing full particulars and instructions.
but in the meanwhile all those who in
tend to enter should be busy making
arrangements to secure seed and for
selecting seed plot for next year.
The preliminary plan decided upon is
as follows:
I. Any boy or girl residing In the
state of Colorado. who has not passed
the eighteenth birthday before the
first day of January, 1906. is eligible,
to compete for the prizes offered.
There will be yearly competition
| in each of the three years. 1906. 1907
and 1908. and there will be a main
competition lasting three years.
Any two or more boys or girls. one
| of whom has entered the competition.
may form themselves into a company