Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-12-31
IOWA FARMS N L[AD.
Hawkeye Soil Most Productive
in Yield of Those of Any
Other State
DAkoTAs RANK CLOSE SECOND
Iowa Also Leads in Mich Cows-Spe-
ciaI Agent Knapp Has Plans for I'm
provement in Work of the Farmer
Of the Middle West - Dakotas Lead
in Horses.


in Horses.
Statistics prepared by the depart
ment of agriculture show that the
farmers of Iowa and the Dakotas are
the most prosperous in the entire
country. North Dakota leads in the
annual income of each farm worker
with total of $755e2, owing to the
unusually large farms of that state
Iowa is second with an annual income
of s61111 for each farm worker anG
South Dakota a close third with
$605.69. Nebraska farm workers carr
an annual income of S554.7S each
The average number of acres worked
by one man in North Dakota is 1874
in South Dakota 1876. In Nebras-
ka ninety eight acres, and in Iowa
only eighty acres. Thus, considering
the number of acres worked, the Iowa
farms are the most productive in the
United States.
The average value of buildings on
each Iowa farm is $S1s.S7, which is
the highest mark for farm improve
ments of any state in the union except
the older eastern commemorative
South Dakota buildings average
s412.03 for each farm, North Dakota
s426 and Nebraska s5S6.O1 Value of
implements and machinery on each
farm in these states averages as fol-
lows: Iowa. s1s655; South Dakota
$203.14 North Dakota, $23S.S4; Ne
braska, s164.11.
Dakotas Lead in Horses.
North and South Dakota lead in the
average number of horses to each
farm laborer, averaging six each,
while Iowa has four and Nebraska
five. Iowa outranks all except the
eastern states in number of milch
cows and value of poultry on each
farm. averaging seven each Of the
former, and poultry worth $1,000.
South Dakota farms have an average
of six mich cows EACH North Dakota
four and Nebraska five. The value
of poultry on each farm In these
states averages as follows: South
Dakota, $40; North Dakota, SIG; Ne
braska $21.SO.
In percentage Of farms, worked by
tenants in each state Illinois is at the
head OF the middle western states with
a percentage of 1913 Iowa has a ten
ant percentage of 34.9; South Dakota,
o1.s; Nebraska, sos, and North Da-
kota only s5.
Southern Farmer Back Number.
These statistics demonstrating the
success of the middle western farmers
are being cited to the farmers of the
south by the farmers co-opera tive
demonstration workers of the agricul-
ture department to inspire them to
more effective methods. For instance,
it is pointed out to the Alabama farm
laborer who owns on an average only
three f1fths of mule and earns only
$14S.98 year from the fifteen acres
he works that the Iowa farm laborer
has four horses and earns an average
of s611.11 "a year from the eighty
acres he tills.
This farmers cooperative demon
work under the direction of
the department of agriculture already
Is putting into practice some of the
plans for improvements of farm condi
tons, especially In the south, that the
country life commission
probably will propose. AS organized
under the bureau Of plant industry
the farmers demonstration working
forces consists of one director with as
ten state agents and 1873 dis
trict and local agents. The local
agents are required to be practical
farmers and receive thorough instruc-
ton in their duties from the state and
district agents.
Knapp Outlines His Plans.
OF the plans for this farm demon
stration work Special Agent s. A.
Knapp, who is in charge of it, says:
''The aim of the farmers co-opera
tive demonstration work is to place a
practical object lesson before the farm
illustrating the best and most
profitable methods of producing the
farm crops and to secure
such active participa ton in the dem
,nstrations as to prove that the aver
age farmer can produce better re-
suits.
This work also shows that there
is no necessity for the general de-
.erioration of farms and the too COM
non poverty Of the rural masses.
When these facts have been demon
strated the first step in the improve
nent of rural conditions has been
aiken.
"The campaigns for the ensuing
year are planned in September, and
active work commences in October by
FALLING meetings in every district to
oe worked at which is shown the
sreat advantage to all the people Of
Increasing the crop yield two, three
Ind four fold, and 1t is made clear
hat this can be done by adopting bet
er methods. In country, villages the
banker, the merchant and the editor
DIN with the leading farmers of the
section in indorsing the progressive
Jlans Of the demonstration work;
armers agree to follow instructions.
md demonstration plots of one or1
more acres are located so as to place
sample of the best farming in each
of a country or district.
rhe necessary work on the plot must
,e done by the farmer and not by a
government agent, because the whole
,bject Lesson is thereby brought closer
o the people.
"This is truly National work, and
wherever put in operation with suffi-
lent intensity to Influence public opin-
On these results have rapidly fol-
owed: Increased yield per acre the