, 1906-02-27
IOWA CORN GOSPEL TRAIN is
SPREADING IMPROVED METH
obs IN THE CULTiVA-
TON OF THE SOIL.
Results of Experiments Being Carried
Forward by Agricultural College of
hawkeye State Expected to Reach
Farming Regions of Entire West
Program for Comprehensive Sys-
tenn of Agricultural Work.

Inc lOllOW ing from the eullOTldl COi-
umns of the Denver News will be read
with interest here, where farming has
been the talk for years and where it
is growing year by year in its intense
methods and entering more and more
into the discussion of the future of the
semi-arid west:
Iowa was admitted to the union De
cember %, 1916, and is, therefore, thir-
ty years the senior of Colorado as a
Lstar in the flag. Yet Iowa is not tired
of development. 1t believes there is
more in farming than her premium
farming II stockmen have thus far
demonstrated. 1t has converted the
railroads of that state to this view, and
now, in every direction, the seed-corn
specials are making schedule time. The
System starts TO-DAY from Des Moines,
one train following another in point
of time until the entire corn belt is
visited.
Prof. p. G. Holden of the agricultu-
raj college at Ames is the expert in
charge. The professor wi. lecture to
lgroups of farmers at many points, and
is accompanied on his our by the Sec
lretary of the state association of grain
dealers, who help DOT the bills. The
result of experiments carried on at the
Ames school will be presented to the
farmers, and it is expected that the
corn crop this year will show ever a
j. r. Sage, director of the crop and
weather service, will accompany some
of the trips for the purpose of speak
ing at some of the night meetings, as
well as to visit the state in general.
He believes that the work of the corn
gospel trains will be greater in evil
dence when this years crop is gather
ed thar it has in any previous years.
For Scientific Farming.
While this work is going forward the
Iowa legislature at present. in session
at Des Moines, has in hand a measure
which provides for a thorough line of
scientific experiments demanded not
by the agricultural college, but by the
farmers and producers of the state at
large, to the end that the best theories
and the best methods of producing
crops may take the place of the slip
shod and haphazard methods in such
common use heretofore. In other words,
now that land is more valuable
than ever before, and that many of the
younger farmers are going to Mantle.
ba or to the newer states in Americas
west, the time has arrived in Iowa
for scientific and intensive farming
bearing about the same relation
to ordinary farming that 7-cent stand
ards do to artistic French calico al
SO cents per yard. In both cases the
material is the same-American cotton
at 10 and IL cents err pound.
A Comprehensive Program.
The Iowa bill, now pending in each
house, co~ntemplates the appropriation
of 100000 for one year to carry on a
comprehensive system of agricultural
work, to do which the college at Ames
is commissioned. The work shall con,
sist in part of the following:
l. Giving instruction in corn and
stock Judging at agricultural fairs, in
stitutes and clubs.
2. Aiding in conducting short
COURSES of instruction at suitable places
Throughout the state.
3. In lectures and demonstrations
on the growing OF corn and other crops
and fruits.
4. Lectures on stock raising, dairy,