The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-07
MADISON IS BUSY.
Investigating Grain Question al
Adapted to Western Kansas.

Washington, Feb. with the view
to furtf1ering the advantages of west
ern Kansas farmers. Representative
e. H Madison has taken up with the
department of agriculture the ques-
ton of judicious distribution of ce-
reals and grains peculiarly adapted to
that region; and also the question of
good roads in the sandhilI country.
Judge Madison visited the depart
ment and studied the different kinds
of demonstrations and reports in
grains and grasses just as soon as he
could do So after settling down to the
winters work here. He believed that
there must be, in all the various
branches of effort in the department
of agriculture, some certain kinds Of
products that would thrive and pro-
duce good results in the western Kan
| sas country. He has been very sue
cessful in his efforts. and is now pre-
pairing to get experiments out in that
section in the coming spring.
Perhaps the thing that interested
the new seventh Kansas member most
| of all was dry-land alfalfa This is a
species of that wonderful plant that is
now developing SO fast in Kansas,
that will Withstand almost any alti-
tude in the western part of the state,
i and will do nearly as we'll as its fell
low does along the river valleys.
Judge Madison has talked with the
alfalfa expert of the department, and
| Will put out number of samples for
trials in western Kansas this spring.
/ M. A. Carleton is the cerealist of
the department. He is a Kansan, and
a graduate of the Kansas State Ag-
ricultural college. He has been all
around the world getting rare and
useful plants for trial in this country.
He knows western Kansas very well,
n OraIx oot ar
| He fell in very readily with Judge
Madison's plans. and agreed to dis
tribute these experiments in keeping
with Judge Madisons recommends
ton.
Judge Madison has written farmers
and ranchmen throughout the Sew
enth district, suggesting that he
would like the written consent of at
least two f1rstc1ass farmers in each
county who will make the expert
ments. and will abide strictly by the
suggestions and directions of the de-
partments. Among other products,
aside from alfalfa, are species of
corn, wheat and miller.
Judge Madison is also correspond
ing with Commercial clubs in the
Seventh district stating to them that
the office of good roads of the depart
ment of agriculture will send out its
expert where desired, to advise and
consult with the local people concern
ing road improvements in the sand
hill country. OF course all material
will have to be furnished by the COM
munity, but the advice of the expert
from the department Is Invaluable.
It was in his early congressional
service ten years ago that Senator
Long introduced durum, or macaront
wheat, in western Kansas, much by
the same methods as now employed
by Judge Madison This wheat may
now be found anywhere in western
Kansas. and its value Is indisputed
Various forage crops, like cowpeas
forms of kaffir, rape and vetch, were
!: also introduced in various sections by
the department after Senator Long
had secured the promise of farmers
in different localities to abide by the
] direction and instruction Of the de.
| partment.
The department of agriculture IL
i rapidly becoming an institution O.
scientific research. AS Judge Madison
says in one of his letters, it ran.
] sacks the earth for grains. grasses
] and forage plants that can be intro
I duced with profit in the various sec
I tons of our country"
Representative Scott, chairman O
] the house committee on agriculture
is also doing some good work in call
/ ing attention of farmers in his sec
ton to this great institution.