Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-12-11

are equal TO one.third of the value Of
all cereals.
The poultry products are worth
more than the wheat and perhaps as
much as the hay.
The live stock sold from farms and
slaughtered on them is worth nearly
twice as much as the cotton crop.
1t is only by comparison that glim-
mer Of understanding can be given to
such numbers as the foregoing.
Enough is apparent, however. to make
il plain that the farmer of the United
States is in a business that counts
for national welfare by providing the
wherewithal on scale of magnifi.
cence that defes the imagination to
comprehend.
improved Tobacco.
An important result of the past sea-
sons investigations has been the In
PRODUCTION of the new varieties of
tobacco which the Department has
originated. The Brewer and the
Cooley tobaccos have given increased
yields of a better grade OF cigar wrap
per tobacco than the unimproved va
rieties. and many growers are plan
ming to use these varieties exclusively
next season. Improved practical
methods of seed selection and seed
separation have been discovered and
are proving of benefit and practical
value to all tobacco growers.
introduction of New Plants.
During the year an agent OF the De.
partmcnt has explored the little
known regions OF southern Siberia.
the border of Manchuria, the exces-
sively dry mountains west OF Pekin.
and through the fertile country be-
tween Pekin and Hanaku, and has
sent to this country over thousand
living seed and plant specimens for
trial. Another agent ha returned to
this country with seeds OF the yellow
lowered Siberian alfalfa, the results
OF whose trial In the Northwest
where they are nov growing promis-
ingIy. will determine whether We
shall import large quantities of the
seed. Totem clover from Norway,
where it is cultivated for its extreme
hardness. was also secured by the
same agent and is being tested ia the
Dakotas For the r.ce growers of the
South there have been introduced 46
varieties from different parts of the
world. among them the To-day rices--
early sorts which in Japan give
crops when ordinary riees fail. The
departments explorers have also sue
ceede in securing an abundance of
young stock of oriental and Egyp.
tian mating plants, Rlnds which are
essential to the success of the mating
industry In this country. A new vari'
ETY. Of alfalfa, one that win grow
throughout the winter in some OF
our southwestern states, has been In.
troduced from Peru.
Alfalfa and Leaumes.
! In cooperation with state expert
ment stations, about 500 carefully
planued experiments were conducted
with farmers the past season In por.
tions OF the country where alfalfa is
not now a staple crop. OF the alfalfa
tested during the year the Arabian
type is enc Of the most promising
At Mecca, Cal, this alfalfa has yielded
twelve cuttings In the year as against
eight for the ordinary type, and al
Chico, Cal, seven cuttings OF the for
mer as against Ave of the latter. One
OF the most important forage crops Of
the south Is the cowpea. and during
the year extensive Investigations have
been made with view TO securing
cheaper and better seed so as TO bring
about a great increase in cowpea cul
ture. To meet "a long-felt need Of this
rice growers OF Louisiana and Texas
for a legume that might be grown fl
rotation on their rice lands the de
parfmcnt has successfully introduced
a specially adapted variety OF SOY
bean A valuable new early maturing
vetch suitable for the south has re
Gently been discovered.
Road Object Lessons.
In the construction OF ohIectiessoE
roads. in cooperation with local au
thorities, greater attention than here
toioro was given to earth, sand-clay
and gravel roads Local authorities
furnished common labor, materials
teams, and fuel. The engineers rep
resenting the department were in
structed to ascertain the character Of
/ construction best suited TO the local
ity, and under no circumstances tc
recommend any form of construct n
which. though excellent in itself
might be iii suited to the locality OF
too costly TO be continued. Sixteen
roads were completed during the year
with total OF 200,71i square. yards
One maeacam road was built at q
cost Of 1858 cents square yard. ex
elusive OF the assistance given by tbs
department
| Department Finances.
The amount estimated for the tis,
cal year ending June 30. 1909. In the