Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1910-03-31
ONE GRANGE FARMER
Science and Practice In Farming.
Methods Described.

An Interview With Mr.. George T. Pow.
oil Concerning Newer Methods Of
Farming Employed at His Orchard
Farm at Ghent, N. Y.
BY J. w. BARROW.
A striking Illustration Of the value
of scientific knowledge and its appli-
cation is to be found at Orchard farm.
a tract Of close to 300 acres. owned
by George 7. Powell, a member Of
Chatham IN. " grange, which lies
In the foothills Of the Berkshires and
In the valley Of the Hudson. In a
recent visit to this farm the following
facts were obtained in a general In
terview In connection with extended
observations Of the scientific methods
that are inaugurated and adopted:
what. in your opinion. is the greatest
present need In farmingT' Mr.. Powell
was asked.
more knowledge of the business and It's
right application. There is altogether too
limited knowledge OF the soil on the part
of those who are dependent for support
from 1t. In some of the older parts of the
world after more than 1000 years of cul-
ture and production the soil is increasing
in its yield of crops, while in our country
in less than 100 years II is run out or fails
to support those who have been living off
of 1t, when many leave their farms and
go to the village or city to find employ
ment 1t Is these farms that can now be
bought at prices varying from $40 to $&
an acre that look so attractive to the city
man with family who finds the present
high cost of living. with no prospective
"a to-. .1n.x ,.tx lie
couraging."
What have been the steps taken in the
Improvement of the soil Of Orchard farm
More than twenty years ago we began
to plant the present orchards of apple
trees and have since continued until we
now have 100 acres covered with about
10000 trees We soon discovered that the
trees were not making satisfactory growth
and that there was too much fruit of In
ferior quality. systematic study of the
soil was made, and 1t was believed to be
poor in its physical condition, was def
cient In vegetable matter humus, and
steps were taken to change this condi-
ton. We began by giving the soil more
| tillage and by sowing crimson clover,
which variety was selected because after
| cultivating the soil up to July crimson
clover, being an annual plant, would
| make much more rapid growth the bal
ance of the season than the common red
|
| the clover to grow was a failure. but the
next year the seed was sown again. and
| the growth while better, was far from
| satisfactory. About this time a chemist
| in Germany was working upon methods
| for producing artificial bacteria to intro
duce into the soil for the greater nourish-
ment of clover and other leguminous
plants that are capable of taking the
| free nitrogen of the atmosphere and by
the aid of the soil bacteria build up
nodules freely upon their roots, which In
| their decomposition enrich the soil with
the most important but most costly plant
| food element to purchase. The United
| States department took up the investiga-
ton and sent out the manufactured bac-
| terra in cultures that could be diluted
| with which the seed Is mostened and the
soil thereby inoculated with the same tc
aid In getting a stronger and more rapid
| growth OF clover. This principle has beer
| extensively used. and as the result will
| much more thorough tillage an important
essential, the soil has become SO thor
oughly filled with these essential bacterif
that everywhere the most luxurian
growth of clover Is now obtained Thi!
Is plowed In annually, and the soil hal
been steadily regaining its lost humul
| and Is now producing the most luxuriOu
growth of trees that can be desired ant
fruit that equals in size that OF the irri
gated sections Of the west. We conside
that in twelve years of clover culture ant
tillage the soil has been improved 100 pc
cent.
What fertilizer do you use and In wha
quantities?
According to the ages of the trees w
are applying from FIVE pounds to forty
five pounds of nitrate of soda, Thomas
phosphate powder tbasic slag) and sui
phate Of potash per tree in rows extend
ing across an entire field, with checl
1 G1.4 A., - a
son. All other conditions--the clover. till
age, spraying and pruning-are the same
"Can the eastern farmers successfully
compete with the west In the raising o
farm crops, live stock and fruit?"
yes. II they will grow alfalfa and rails
their own grain and keep well bred cat
tie, sheep and hogs. 1t will pay to rails
ent high value for good horses. At Or
chard farm we are growing alfalfa wit
J great success. We clean the land frs
of weeds. lime and fertilize the soil. In
oculate the seed and get pure seed, all G
which costs thought and effort to do. bu
1t pays. The west has made great stride
In apple culture and has steadily take
possession of the fancy apple trade In on
eastern markets. At Orchard farm "
have for years been propagattng trees &c
special selection of scions and buds frol
, typical trees of known quality for pre-
/, | QuCtlOn. we are just COMING uitO ~
suits which are most promising We al
producing Jonathan apples as large an
r fine, with equally beautiful color. as thos
from Oregon and other varieties equal
, large as those Of the irrigated states
the west. With thorough tillage and eli
T yer culture for cover crops to be plowe
E In we can grow beautiful fruit that r
I drought will seriously injure. There al
. thousands Of acres in New York and Ne
England that can be bought for $40 to
: an acre that will produce as fine lookir
: and better apples than are grown on Il
land In the west costing $500 an acre 4
unimproved and 5000 to 5000 for bearii
: orchards"
Have you carried on any experiment
with a view to improving color OF a
. ples?"
I'VE are experimenting with basic sla
e believing that we can bring out high
8 color in apples from its use. Practical
/. all eaatern soil will be benefited by q