The Elbert County tribune., 1905-06-29
PRIZES TO BOYS AND GIRLS IN
PATTERSON SEED COMPETITION

$500 in gold among the boys
and girls on the farms in
Colorado during the next two
years through one of the most novel
and interesting contests ever inaugu-
rated in this country. 1t is to be
known as 1.-THE Patterson Seed Compe-
tition," having been named after Sena-
tor T. NJ. Patterson, who has agreed
to provide the money for the prizes.
The competition is 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 a general award at the end
OF the three years.
1t is announced in the Denver News
as follows:
The contest Is to see who can pro-
duce 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 the 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 addi-
tional forty prizes for the general com
petition at the end of the third year.
AS far as known no such competi
ton was ever before held in this coun-
try. and it will attract widespread at
tention, not only in Colorado, but all
over the country. Professor Olin's
idea is 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 acclimated, and that by
Careful selection and growing in three
years he can produce seed that win
very materially increase the output of
Colorado farms. He has selected the
young folks to do the work because he
believes that 1t 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 contesting.
81 have been greatly impressed with
the agricultural possibilities of Colo
rsdo," said Professor DIN yesterday,
but when l find the farmers of east
ern Colorado planting seed that came
from the wettests part of the Missis-
sippi valley and the gardeners of the
high mountain district using seed from
Alabama and other points at sea level,
feel positive that we could get far
greater returns by breeding and grow
ing our own seed. If we only add five
bushels to the acre in our average out
put of grain 1t will mean millions.
Another point is that while grain
brought from low attitudes to high al
titudes for planting deteriorates, grain
taken from high altitude to a low al
titude does not lose its strength. 1t 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. If our compe-
tition proves successful, therefore, it
will mean the building of a 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, it is a pay
ing proposition"
Professor Olin already has assur
ances 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 at the
same time the contest will interest
many vi VIC IVY anu Sill5 Vi the oldtt
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 it 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 I'M
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-
test, both by direction and advice. The
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 1t 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 a good
chance to make it pay them well. 1t
Is possible for young man to win as
high as 500. and all the prizes are
worth striving for. Professor DIN
will very shortly issue a 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 a 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 a yearly competition
in each of the three years, 1906, 1907
and 1908. and there will be a main
competition lasting three years.
Anu fWn or mora ha1r or ri ana