Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-03-09

or lack of the same. 1t was very un-
fortunate that Professor Christie did
not have time at our institute in jan
uary to more fully discuss the last
years trials. He has sent me a COM
plete list of stands and yields and l
will be glad to report to any who may
desire the yield and rank of samples
furnished by them. A good many sam
pies were given reluctantly because
not up to the usual standard of vi
tality and results show that the grow
ers were justified in protesting it could
not be fair competitive trial. For
instance, j. T. Hubbard Of Taylor
township. who moved to Idaho last
week. has made seed corn somewhat OF
speciality, claiming an average yield
of So bushels per acre for six consec-
utive years, and had saved several
hundred bushels for seed. yet refused
to sell any because percentage OF ger
nination was too low. In the test his
"Rural Prolific" had only 49.1 per cent
stand and 525 bushels yield, which at
the same rate. would be 1O7 bushels
per acre, with a perfect stand. ana
would make that variety number B IN
rank instead of 80. On the same basis
the first place would have been taken
by A. C.. Diller, of Taylor township,
with a sample Of Reid's Yellow at 119
bushels per acre; S. w. Myers, of
Washington township, with Myers
Yellow, and the county farm with an
unnamed yellow would have tied on
second at lis bushels; j. II. Wether-
son, Of Taylor township, with "just
common yellow corn" takes third with
ia. bushels, and H. McLain holds
fourth with Triplet at liz bushels.
This last sample, by the way, ranked
fifth in actual yield.
AS to what would really be the
proper allowance to make for the ham
dicap of defective stand. the writer
does not feel competent to decide; but
it seems plain that the trials to be of
any material value should be contin-
ued several years and should include
varieties from several Of the best corn
growers in each township. Then,
when the results are announced at the
institute, the judge-lecturer should
have plenty of time and specimens for
illustration. Such a discussion OF &C
tual results would be far more use
full and interesting than cracking up
the theoretically perfect ear of corn.
l find it interesting to note that the
best stand, 92.5 per cent, was the only
flint or Yankee" corn in the lot,
sample furnished by Estel brothers OF
TAYLOR township, that was grown from
replanting neatly the last of June on
ground where an earlier planting had
been flooded out. That crop was all cut
and made excellent feed. Did not all
mature perfectly; but the seed, selected
with little care from the shock, proved
the most vigorous Of all, and the yield
sixty bushels per acre-ranking
"a in forty-five samples, is not bad
showing for the despised eastern corn.
This is not intended to start a thor
ougt review of last years experiment.
but to suggest that those who wish to
see the tests continued and enlarged
should begin early to communicate
with the supervisors and arrange by
discussion with their neighbors for a
suitable supply of seed. The work
was begun too late last year, and it
seems to me that the hasty resume
above shows that all samples furnished
should be of strong vitality. There are
likely to be enough "horrid examples"
among those believed to be Of superior
merit. WILL II. WILSON.
March Z. 1905.
Notes.
Now that the season IL at hand
when narrowing will begin, the fact
should be remembered that very much
OF the success that will attend the
growing Of swine the following sea-
son depends upon the intelligent
,watchfulness shown on the part of
those who havei the swine in charge.
Usually judicious care will prevent
loss and many ills which would other
wise put in an appearance and give
trouble. Each young pig saved at the
narrowing season means just SO much
added profit when the animals come
to be sold.
The efforts Of the bureau Of animal
industry to control sheep scab have,
on the whole, produced good results.
The labor involved on the inspectors
who have this work in charge will be
realized when, it is mentioned that
during the fiscal year 9,57s,476 sheep
were dipped The number Of cattle
dipped was 157757 and of horses 139.
Many particulars will be given with
reference to the work of the depart
ment in the forthcoming annual to be
issued by 1t.
The question Of protecting farmers
from those engaged in selling stations
thru necessary legislation is again be-
ing discussed. Our mind is clear with
reference to- this question. We look
upon it as an Impossible thing to pass
laws that will adequately furnish such
protection without doing injury to
someone engaged in the business Of
breeding and selling that class of AMI
mails. The farmer should have sense
enough to protect himself. It is a
purely business matter and if he cam
not do this he certainly should be will
ing to abide by the results. One CON
tention is that when a legislature
passes law which forbids selling
stations on the same basis as other
stock or other market products it OPP
presses one class of people in an at
tempt to protect another.
Those appointed by the United
States department of agriculture to
give advice regarding the building Of
roads do not seem to have caught on
to the needs of western farmers. We
refer more particularly to those who
live in prairie sections. The eastern
road maker Is satisfied with nothing
short of the maca damized road. In
many sections of the prairie it is out
of the question to construct such
roads for many years to come. Ad-
vice, therefore, should be given to
show how to make the best Of the
conditions