The Dickinson press., 1910-06-25

made loose these spaces are made so
large that water will not rise but Ia
held In the soil below the mulch to be
used by crops.
Question-What is humus1
Answer by r. G. Doneghue, assist
ant professor Of agronomy, Agricrl
tural college. North Dakota: IIumu1
% spongy substance which occupies
the small spaces between the soil par.
ticles and Is formed from decayins
vegetable matter. It contains ali Of
the important elements Of plant food
In most soils. and this food is in such
form that it readily becomes available
to crops when the humus decays. It
also increases the soils capacity for
water as 1t has some Of the properties
Of sponge.
Question-What is the best kind Of
corn cultivator for North Dakota?
Answer by r. M. Dolve, assistant
professor Of agricultural engineering.
Agricultural college, North Dakota:
Experiments conducted at the North
Dakota experiment station show that
shallow cultivation by means of
blade cultivator gives the best results,
The cultivator should be arranged so
that blades or shovels may be used in.
terchangeably.
Question-Give the main difference
between the stubble plow and prairie
breaker?
Answer by R. M. Dolve, assistant
professor of agricultural engineering,
Agricultural college, North Dakota:
The breaker is used merely to cut
and invert the furrow 30 that the sod
Will decay. The gentler the turn Of
the moldboard the easier will this be
done; hence its shape. The stubble
plow is designed, not only for cut.
ting and turning the furrow, balt also
for pulverizing It; hence the mold.
board Is made steep. The sleeper the
moldboard the greater will be the
pulverizing action, but the draft will
also increase proportionately.
Question-What is the best kind Of
machine oil?
Answer by R. M. Dolve, assistant
professor Of agricultural engineering
Agricultural college, North Dakota:
The answer to this question depends
upon what kind of machine the oil
Is to be used. A light bearing run.
ming at high speed should have thin
OIL, while heavy slow moving bear.
ing needs heavy oil or grease,
Where the oil is subjected to high
temperature as in steam or gas engine
cylinders mineral oil that will
stand the temperature without losina
It's lubricating properties should b1
used.
Question-What is the object Of the
extension department?
Answer by G.. w. Randlette, director
OF college extension, Agricultural col.
lege, North Dakota: TO furnish
short articles to all newspapers Of
the state so far as desired on agri.
culture. horticulture, home economies.
etc.; to cooperate with county super
lntendents In organizing and maintain.
Ing corn, potato and strawberry grow.
ing contests; to assist high schools In
teaching agriculture, to encourage and
assist farmers clubs, to assist in axri.
cultural exhibits at fairs; I'm short, to
extend the various phases Of work
done at the college to all parts Of the
state.
Question-~-What are mites?
Answer by o. w. Dynes, instructor
In animal husbandry. Agricultural
college, North Dakota: Mites are
parasites much smaller than the
ordinary hen louise. and may be
distinguished from the louise BY
their size. habits and color. On.
less present in large numbers they do
not remain on the bodies Of the fowls
during the day, but congresate under
the roosts and in crevices. coming out
during the night to attack the birds.
Mites suck the blood of the fowl,
while lice feed on the feathers and
dead ekn: When the mite is filled
With blood It appears as q dark red
spsok: otherwise they are Of a white
or yellowish cast. A good indication
OF the presence Of m1tes 10 their ex.
erement, small grayish patches. like
hy specks, appearing on the roosts..
(They are the chickens bedbus.-|
Hditor.)
Question-Is separator cream harA
or to churn than that skinned in the
old way?
Answer by g. L. Martin. professor
pf dairying. Agricultural college. North
Dakota: That would depend largely
upon the thickness of the cream.
Thin cream might churn moro didi-
Guilty. for the separator has q ten
dency to break the fat slobules into
small divisions, making them harder
to gather. In case the cream 10 quite
thick, as Is often the case with hand
separator cream, no unusual difnculty
would likely result.
Question-What is the best dairy
breed for North Dakotaf
Answer by q. L. Martin, professor
Of dairying, Agricultural college.