The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-11-03
By w. M. HAYS,
Assistant ec'tary u. S. Department Of Agricutu,

times as high az $3.50 or $3.50 per
ton. The sales arc for cash and the
farmer is separated from his money
before he has an opportunity to test
out the ration In actual demonstra-
ton.
What does he find when the feeding
period draws to close? That his cat
tie have. perhaps. fattened TO about
the same proportion as when lie used
| bis own materials. grown on his farm
and possibly supplemented by ground
feed from the local mill or feed store.
These balanced rations are often
found, by analysis. to consist OF the
"tailings'' of mills. elevators and brew
cries mixed with molasses and salt to
make the compound palatable to the
cattle.
And one of the largest stock food
companies is said to use fine sawdust
finely ground to cheaply bring up the
weight of his product. Instead OF
buying superior and expensive bal
anced ration" containing high fatten-
ling qualities and acting as n tonic. he
| has paid high price for feed con-
tanning, along with ordinary grains,
finely ground alfalfa hay. and other
common food stuff worth So to $50. per
ton, high percentage of refuse and
non-nutritious matter some OF which
may be positively dangerous to the
health of his stock
Naturally the question is asked by
tho farmer: How may detect any or
1 all OF these fakes when they are of
lfered to me? In the first place, bear In
mind that the department OF asricu!-
ture and experiment stations are very
chary OF giving Endorsements which
may In any manner be used to tho
commercial advantage Of any person.
firm or corporation. These depart-
ments are conducted for the benefit
| OF the people as a whole, and great
care Is taken to prevent their author
lty or influence from being subyerted
to the special advantage of any per-
ison or individual enterprise. There
fore, when the seller of selected or
| "pedigreed" seed grains. OF remedy
For hog cholera or of a balanced ra.
| ton" for the quick fattening of cattls
claims that his wares have the in-
dorsement OF department of agri-
culture or a State station. 1t is safe to
assume that he is swlndler
| At any rate. there Is only one safe
rule to follow: DO not buy until you
have written to the department or sta-
ton from which II Is claimed that the
| indoEsement comes. You will get
prompt answer--and / believe that
your inquiry. will generally save you
from being swindled. In the matter
| oI5 NpuSlIls 4CIlolCea Seeu BEdluS \ WpuiN
add this suggestion: y our safest course
| is to buy only of those firms that
you know to have large tracts of lands
specially devoted to the scientific cul-
| tlyatlon OF grains for seedin g--gr rains
(which have made record for strong
VITALITY and large dependable produce
Itivehess, There are plenty OF these
great seed farms which are scientiic-
lnll ~ And honestly conducted by men OF
| cppabillty and established reputation.
still smother, suggestion. which applies
| to all the cardinal interests of tho
farmer, is to read the bulletins and res
ports ofssthe agriculture departmental
and State stations Systematically and
icarefnlly. This will do much to protect
lyol, from imposition. on the part Of
swindlers who base their hopes of sur-
cess on the enlightened sentiment for
progressive farming awakened by thu
4 national and State departments. for II
will give you actual knowledge as ia
what Is and what is not commended by y
i those authorities. 4,is4 3sf