New-York tribune., 1906-12-26

described in "The News" and II Is not necessary
to explain them. The farmers becoming
more and more interested in them and are re-
ouesting THAI their sections be favored with one.
The department is doing everything possible to
further the progressive work among the farmers
and are succeeding TO a wonderful degree.
'DiveTsiflcation seems to be the watchword OF
DR. Knapp and, judging from the reports from
the farmers who were present at the meeting
the slogan Is becoming popular among them as
well. They are learning the methods Of pro-
ducing. preserving and marketing other farm
products bes:1es the great cotton crop and are
making smaller acreage pay better than the
larger plantations in proportion. The subject Of
fertilization received considerable attention and
the question is being rapidly picked up by the
farmers. Scientific agriculture has been demon
strated TO be the salvation OF soil which is
worked the year round. 1t Is being proved to
be profitable and, having these two commenda-
bic advantages. the farmers are falling into line
and extending every possible assistance to the
department and adopting the suggestions and
innovations whenever the opportunity is pre-
sented
Another plant which Dr. Knapp is convinced
may be successfully cultivated in the South is
the plant from which Japanese mating is man
ufactured. There is every reason TO believe that
this plant may be grown wherever rice culture is
possible Indeed, it grows here wild already
but not IN sufficient quantities quite the
proper quality to employ for the making Of
mating. But he considers that when the seed
which the department is securing is furnished
and when the eXperimenters become familiar
with its cultivation, there will spring into ex-
istence industry which will furnish employ
ment TO hundreds OF people and which will re-
suit IN the saving of the IS 100000 which is an
nually expended abroad for straw mating
There is hardly a doubt that this plant will
prove a success. and the Japanese are endeavor-
ing to prevent the secret from being known
elsewhere, but a supply Of the seed will soon
arrive for distribution. II is intended to make
the first experiments in the swampy sections Of
the Carolinas, but there many portions of
the lower coast country OF Texas which from
the descriptions OF its culture in Japan. are
favorable to its growth.
The department is also experimenting with
the camphor tree and with excellent prospects
OF favorable results. according to the depart
ment experts. If successful the products OF the
tree will prove valuable asset to the growers
in this country. the products are something
making. The supply Of this product is obtained
from abroad. which means the expenditure of
millions Of dollars annually, and apparently It
Is unnecessary
"A species Of Russian wheat which Is esps-
cially adapted to the semi-arid regions Of West
Texas. has been experimental with and proved
10 be wonderful success About fifty thousand
bushels of this wheat will be raised this year
IN Texas. and hereafter the acreage will greatly
increase"
After the adjournment Of the Waco meeting
another was convened at Carthage with the
farmers and demonstrators present The in
strucuve discussions participated In by every
one aroused great interest and the farmers are
becoming enthusiastic over the efforts OF the de-
partment workers in Texas Mr.. Bert Hershey
attended the Carthage meeting also IN order
mat the Industrial department OF the Santa Fs
might have the benefit Of every particle of In
formation with which the work Of the line In
fexas might be furthered.-Galveston News.