The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-12-24
FOSTERING CORN INDUSTRY.

The industry of corn production in
South Dakota ought to have a direct
support from the state. 1t is only
in the past ten years or so that corn
has been given the attention of the
farmers, and in the past three or four
years only has it been given any
prominent attention, that is with
the idea of producing it on a scien-
tific method. Corn schools have
been started in the state at various
points, corn shows in various coun-
ties have been held and many con-
tests have been inaugurated to
create a greater interest in making
two ears Of corn grow where one
grew before. 1t has had it's effect
in many localities.
Out of these smaller contests have
come the state corr show which had
its inception in Mitchell some three
years ago, and is o reaching a
more dignif1ed basis of operation.
But 1t is struggling along with the
support of communities behind it,
and which is not sufficient to make
the thing that its promoters hoped
for it
Next week the state corn SOW will
be held in Sioux Falls, and the city
has contributed some very generous
premiums, together with the agri-
cultural implement houses of the |
country in general. This corr show
is spreading the gospel of corn
breeding all over South Dakota, and
while it seems to be going slow at
the present time, we are sure that
in the few years to come it will en-
gage the attention of every farmer
who grows corn. He cannot help but
notice the difference existing between
two fields of corn where one of the
farmers attend the corn show and
the other does not. One follows the
scientific methods Of producing corn
testing his seed in the winter, and
knowing what percentage of his corn
will grow when planted, and he gets
a good crop. The farmer across the
road works in just the opposite dir
ection. He does not go to the corn
school and follows the same method
of corn production that has been his
way ever since he was a boy. That
man will see the difference quite
plainly when the two fields are grow
ing under the same conditions of
weather and moisture, and the neg
ligent farmer will see his corr out
stripped by the scientific farmer
across the road. He will come to a
realization of what is lacking in his
!, production. knowing that he will
he has the opportunity of attending.
The state ~appropriates money for
several other industries of the COM
monwealth, and The Republican
wants to suggest the idea that this
matter should be presented to the
coming session of the legislature and
t least $1,000, to be utilized wholly
: for the encouragement of the corn
, production Of the state. With this
. amount of money given for the corr
. show and there is no question of the
+ result of a few years. We don't think
the legislature would be justified in
/ turning down an appropriation OF
p this character, for the money would
q be more than returned to the state
a twice owe every year in the way OF
q advertising it's wonderful corn pro
h ducing qualities.
n Something like the same amount
!, is given the horticultural society, anC
n while everybody will endorse the
r propagation of trees yet we are of the
a if the state can afford to spend {
W opinion that the same amount O
money spent in corr production vii
o be of greater benefit to the citizen:
6 of the state and the state itself. Blu
if the state can accord to spend {
a thousand dollars on horticulture i
$ certainly can spend an equal amount
q If not more, on corn.
It We have just received a copy O
e the report of the State H%orticultur,
Society, a book of 500 pages, which
d contains a verbatim statement o
contains verbatim statement o
y everything that occurred at the soc
: iety's meeting. 1t took some none,
e to print a report of that character
O and if the state can afford to pa,
Y out its money in that way, it would
It certainly gain something by approp
8 Rating a thousand dollars for tn,
production of corn.
2, We trust that this matter will bt
II taken up at the coming legislativ.