The Greeley tribune., 1908-05-07

There are three cardinal themes
which appeal to the interest-the sell
interest--of the farmer Crops, hoss
and cattle Anything which relates di'
rectly to any OF these vital topics is
sure to command the willing ear OF
the man OF the soil II is not strange,
therefore. that the professional swind'
Ter who makes business OF cheating
the farmer has recognized this fact
and made the most OF IT
For many years the Improved seed
swindle has been one of the most sue
essfu and is taking hundreds OF thou
sands of dollars from the pockets OF
the farmers Besides taking money
for something worthless - or next
to worthless-it does the direct
damage OF planting hundreds OF
delds with seed inferior in germinat-
lng power or lacking in value per acre
Of the crop and Of undermining pop
ular confidence in the practical value
If progressive work done by the agri-
ultural departments of the national
nd state governments-for too often
The seed swindlers claim an endorse
nent by some department or some
person connected Herewith. There is
not an agricultural department which.
aas not placed the emphasis of its
message to the farmer upon the great
gain in results TO be had from the
careful selection of seed-whether in
corn, in the smaller grains. in cotton
Or in grasses, clovers and the forage
crops. There are few, If any, lines OF
recent experiment and research along
which such immense and significant
progress has been made by the agri-
cultural scientists as in the matter of
seed breeding; improving standard
varieties and making new varieties.
In this one particular the work of the
national and state experiment stations
has made new chapter in the agri-
cultural history OF this country and
las worked potential revolution in
1roductiveness of the tillable acres of
he United States.
The men actually in charge of these
experiments are so much the best,
safest and most disinterested authori-
les on the new varieties of field, or
,hard and garden crops worthy of pur
,hase. that their advice should be
sought. Since their salaries are paid
oy the nation and states. part of their
recognized work is TO give informa
lion. and nowhere in the world is
here body of men more courteous
or ready to be useful to those for
whom they work-the American farm
ar. They will nearly always advise
farmers to secure standard seeds.
.rees and plants already used in the
aeighborhood or if new kinds are to
be chosen these men will advise
which of many new candidates for
.avor they should risk on their high.
priced lands instead Of kinds known
% give good crops.
In the light of four years later +;
an who would grossly overstate th'
prospective yields of a billion. .dolla
grass" not only securing the farmer
money. but inducing him to plant hi
land to a crop less productive Of valu'
than the crop he would otherwise con
tinue to grow, is a business pirate.
The experiment stations and stat
and United States departments of az
riculture, state horticulture societies
Aeld crop breeders societies, tn
American Breeders association, an
similar organizations, are rapidly de
veloping the testing of standard, new
ly introduced and newly bred varit
ties, SO that they are able to advis
farmers which varieties to use in thei
regular business planting and whlc
are valuable to experiment with In
small way.
The tree agent who induced the pI,
neer farmer to purchase from larg
fruit pictures orchard trees in whic
the family long hoped. but whic
numbered the ground until the pi,
neer mother had brought up her fan
lily and had gone TO her reward, has
mighty black spot in his record
deeds done. The seed firm which sol
my friend Clark Red top seed in whic
Kentucky blue grass seed was mike
for permanent hay meadow IL
north. made we'll nigh worthless lars
areas OF peaty land situated where
could not be pastured. but would ha,
permanently produced fine crops
timothy. The dealer was criminal
ignorant. because he was asked Il
seed for a specific purpose. and l
put in the blue grass. which grows t.
short to NOW for hay. but crowds o.
the variety suited 10 cut for hay.