The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1911-07-14
OFFER ADVICE
TO exhibitors
State Fair Association Sending
Out Circulars On Prepar-
alton Of Samples

preparing circulars which will be sent
broadcast throughout the state in pam
phlet form. These pamphlets are very
valuable as thew we're compiled by Profess
sor Afford Atkinson Of the Montana Agri-
cultural college at Bozeman. and other
professors who have spent their efforts on |
the study of scientific agriculture. The |
information contained in the pamphlets on |
the latest improved methods of raising |
grain. is as follows:
First-The grain is cut few days before
it would be ready to harvest with binder
We 90 into the field with sickle. and from
the best portions of the standing grain cut
of the amount we need. cutting the straw
of right at the ground. so as to get full
length. II the grain is cut with the binder
and tied. portion of the length is lost in
the stubble. and the straws are broken by
the band which goes around the sheaf We
are careful in handling the samples to see
that the straw is not broken. We then
spread IT out thinly on boards or on the
floor some place where it can be exposed
to the sun. In case OF rain. we see that il
is protected so that it never gets wet after
il has been cut.
We allow il to bleach until all OF the
green color is gone and the straw is per
fsctly dry. The early cntting prevents
loss OF grain in Smelling In case the sam
piles which are not very large are to be pro-
cured. method which we sometimes fol-
low is to spread boards along and put glass
over the grain. much as you would arrange
hot bed. This of course, makes for ex-
cessive neat on the grain and bleaches it
out to very bright color.
Second After the straw and grain is all
perfectly ripened by lying in the sun. we
have the leaves peeled off of each stalk by
itself This TAKES considerable time but
seems to be necessary in getting good show
samples. With the leaves pulled off. the
straw appears bright and nice and the
whole sheai looks we'll
Third-ln tying the samples, We usually
use strips OF cloth or some material which
will not cut the straw. and tie them in
three or four plsces-once right below the
head, once near the lower end and once OF
D twice between the two ends. A common
mistake which the inexperienced exhibitors
! make rs to tie their samples up too tightly
c before they are thoroughly dry. This &C
i counts for the many nice sheaves whlcl
L are ruined by rotting IN the center. Tn,
= thorough drying discussed in the first par
= asraph Is absolutely essential. After the
sheaves have been tied up the proper size
which is usually four to six inches in dia
meter, just below the head, we hang then
up by string at the butt end. allowing th'
head To hang down. This keeps the straw
nice and straight. and by leaving them il
70 that position for at times they will holt
E their shape when put in place in an exhibit
E. In the matter of preparing threshe'
samples, western exhibitors must exercis
some care and not work with their sample
too much. The grains are plump to tn
end and If they are handled too much the
. present the appearance which clipped graf
Il presents. For shows in the east and Ger
trail west, western exhibitors ought to b
q careful to not have the ends Of the kerne
. too badly banged up OF course the di
elimination on account OF this is who'll
due to lack of appreciation Of the real qua
= NY oil western grain by men who do th
judging in the eastern sections. Howeye
= the effect is the same in placing the prize
al We usually procure our exhibit sampl,
= from the threshed bin Of grain, or bett,
still select an acre OF so from the hell
= where the grain is especially good. TIRE:
Q il separately. and from this clean Of
. enough for the exhibit sample. We mer
ly remove all of the grain mixtures al
Z weed seeds and put the exhibit up in III
. way. In case the weather is rainy or u
= certain, il is sometimes the paIl of wisdo
to pick out a number OF sheaves and p
n th-m where they will not be discolored
n the rain when dry. This insures brig
y exhibi, samples, but is very often unnece
= sary IN this country.
Q Select the most leaiy types to be foul
. IN the field Get the best and most dire
individual specimens obtsinable. c
p them as close to the ground as possipl
Q Put in a loose bundle not more than 10
y or five inches in diameter and loose
wrapping IN newspaper. or better sti
= cheese cloth. Hang in the dark to cur
. To retain its proper color forage must
dried OF cured in the dark, away from d
sun. with plenty Of air, and when w
= cured. select the individual stems tn
Q have retained the best leaves with the
= leaf color. and make up exhibit in bundl
four to six inches in diameter. Do q
. strip a single leaf or branchlet from Il
. stem since we are to show the forage val'
and want to retain all the leaves possibl
- Timothy. bronze grass. orchard grass. m
. let and other grass samples are spoiled {