The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1906-07-19
EXPERIMENTAL FARMS.

Iron River. Wis, July when
the North Wisconsin Farmers AS
ISOLATION was organized, two years
ago last spring, it reconized the
fact that in addition to getting set
tiers into the country, it was of the
utmost Importance that farmers in
this section should be given instruc-
ton along the lines of the latest
scientific discoveries in the matter
of handling the soils peculiar to this
part of the state. With this object
in view, the association secured
through the last legislature the
location in the lake shore counties
of four demonstration farms under
the direction of the state school of
agriculture. These farms were
opened this spring and already SUI
fcientlv advanced to warrant some
thing of description.
SCOPE OF THE EXPERIMENTS.
The agricultural department of
the university determined upon
three special lines of work in expert
menting in North Wisconsin, to-wit.
AgrOnomy, Soils and Horticulture.
The professors of the chairs of these
branches of the state school, Prof.
Moore of agonomv, Prof Whitson of
soils and Prof. Sandsten of horti-
culture, were given charge of their
respective lines of work. These
gentlemen early in the spring help
ed to select the sites for the farms.
mapped out their plans for work
and have since given, and will con-
tinue to give attention to the farms
by personal visits. For superinten-
dent of these farms E. J. Delwiche.
a graduate of the state school, Was
chosen. Mr.. Delwiche was early on
the ground and with his family re-
sides at Iron River, the central one
Of these experimental stations.
From this point he personally di-
reefs the other three stations, one
at Superior one at Ashland and
one at Bayfield,.
THE SUPERIOR FARM.
Douglas county leased to the state
free of charge part of its county
farm site where red clay could be
experimental with. At present
the state has thirty-two acres under
cultivation. The crops in are corn,
barley, oats, timothy and clover.
A speciality is being made of clover,
as it is at this farm that clover
demons tration is to be made next
fall, with a view of commercial re-
suits in the way of clover seed.
Thus far in North Wisconsin we
know of no attempts at hulling clio
yer. The price and demand for
seed and the immence yields of clo-
harvesting our own clover seed.
One of the most important expert
ments at the Superior farm relates
to tile draining. Some of the tile
in operation was laid last fall and
results are watched with interest
It is believed that the correct me-
thod of drying out this naturally
heavy and water holding soil will be
ascertained, The problem largely
is as to the depth that tile should
be laid.
The crops on this farm look well,
Here, as at the other farms, careful
records are kept as to planting,
growth and cultivation.
THE IRON RIVER FARM.
Some twenty-five acres of the
typical red sand soil are here urder
experiment. Dent corn, potatoes,
soy beans, sugar beets, barley,
swedish oats, clover and alfalfa are
found growing finely An acre of
strawberries have been planted but
conditions we're so unfavorable to
make good showing this year. A
fruit orchard will be added next
year and one will also be started on
the Superior farm. The most in
teresting feature of the Iron River
farm and the experiments with ordi-
nary fertilizers. Potatoes and