Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1910-08-26
WISCONSIN LEADS
N SEED BREEDING
o,rTv OF AGRlCULTURlSTS
MAKES STATE FOREMOST
IN PRODUCTION.
PROF. MOORs GREAT WORK
uo,izafion to Disseminate Pure
bred Grains and Grasses. Ef-
fected by Him.

The development of seed breeding
- state of perfection which rivals
tho most scientific practice of stock
o,,1trra is the task which has been
occomDlished by the Wisconsin
AGRICULTURAL Experiment association.
rbrouqh this organization, which is
wonderfully systematized and wide
.nroad in it's influence, the culture of
nnre bred grain seeds and grasses,
and theilr dissemination in great
nuentities has been made possible.
An existence of only 10 years has,
according to the eighth annual re-
mort lust issued, brought forth re-
rarkable progress in the distribution
of nedigreed grain, and has wide
cnread influence in the determination
nj the rough and less profitable spe-
cips formerly cultivated by Wisconsin
farmers. It's mission, in fact, is to
make Wisconsin the greatest seed
producing state in the union. The
membership, too, although compare
lively exclusive, has increased mate
rally. and the enrolment of Is char
Ter members has been sWelled to
1000 skilled agriculturists.
Several years ago university pro-
fpssor began to theorize. His theor-
ism, however, was practical, and with
mis- willingness to stay right next to
mother earth and work, he has
brOUght about wonderful realiZa-
tioD of mans dream. This professor
was r. A. Moore, professor of agrOno-
nv and in charge OF that department
at the state agricultural college, and
his dream was the development of the
seed breeding industry to the same
degree of perfection which is prac-
ticed among stock and swine breed
ers. II that could be accomplished,
and it has been done by him, Wiscon-
sin would have the start and could
take the lead Ill producing seeds.
The matter OF distribution, how
ever, loOmed up as serious diff
Guilty, and Professor Moore began to
speculate as to the most practical
method of disseminating the seeds.
Another ingenious idea occurred to
him, anG as a result the Wisconsin
agricultural experiment association
was launched forth.
Professor Moore has organized
and brought into existence an aSSO-
citation Of men on the farms, who,
together with the agricultural alum
nj, assist in the distribution of seed
products. The object of the associa-
ton is to carry on experiments and
investigations along various lines so
as to make Wisconsin seed the best
seed to be obtained.
Following the organization, the So
ciety felt justified, in view of the
popular nature of its work, in solicit
ing financial support from the legis-
iatdre. This was done, and it met
with success. The state agreed to
subscribe annually an appropriation
of $4,000 for the financing of the eX-
perlmental and extension work, and,
IN addition, arranged to publish the
annual report of the association, a
work which costs about $500 per
year.
The value of the association's work
IS apparent when the results of diff
Ierent seed exhibits ale reported. In
all that have been held in recent
years, the Wisconsin product, en-
Outraged by the experimental society,
has led. Competition among men,
OerS is keen, too. After winning in
county and state fairs, and in nation
al exhibits, the members assemble
eacl year at the annual seed show in
astronomy hall. Here is found some
OF the closest competition possible.
CIood prizes are offered as additional
i,n0ocement for entries, although
iIItle effort is necessary to arouse
enthusiasm.
The work of the association, it
may be seen, has been valuable; but
tne extent to which it promises to
Ve'elop is even more remarkable.
AsncuIturists have found that it is
poSSloIe to increase materially their
ptOnls by raising pure grain, and
everywhere they are accepting the
SUGGESTIONS, and assisting with the
WORK OF the association.