Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-01-14
Ridging celery .......... A'''
Harvesting and hauling to market

Toto, .$24.50
Against the cost of the seed should
be credited 1926 for celery and onions
sold during the earlier part OF the
season in two small lots to people VINO
called for them. In addition TO tnls'
about $40 worth of celery was given
away to friends and relatives ana
about half wagon load of green
onions went to the neighbors.
Net Profit Was $310.5o.
"The net result of the whole trans
action shows that Roberts had ABOUT
s3105o to pay for portion of his own
time during the four months ana the
use Of an acre OF land. Mr.. ROBERTS
will tell any inquirer that he did not
actually spend more than one month
on the entire garden. Allowing MIN
$50 a month. which is fair salary lot
farm work, Mr.. Roberts made on MS
trial acre a net profit of $3.50.
Next year he expects to 40 mncn
better. He will not lose nearly nall OF
his celery crop because OF failure OF tne
water supply; neither will ne neglect
the chance to sell the young green
onions in season. In his own "oras'
Next year will 60 at it right
"Yet. this experiment IS all the
more striking because 1t may be dupll.
Gated by any man Of industry ana
average intelligence. Roberts pront
does not reap the returns from long
experiments, acquired skill or special
conditions of any kind. He worked
under every disadvantage that
beginner in any new line could posi-
hly face. None OF his neighbors were
nrenared to offer him experienced
council.
Considered Poor Soil.
"To the men who attempt truck
farming in other states. it will be IN.
terestine to know that the acre on
which Mr.. Roberts made this expert
ment was regarded as bit OF ratner
poor soil. It cid not receive pound
Of fertilizer or particle or staoie
manure to help the crop. the entire
return was nothing more than may
rightfully be expected from any otner
acre of Iowa soil.
"Although the experiment has pro-
duced remarkable result. the most
astonishing part of the whole matter
is the fact that Iowa people themselves
have remained unconscious OF the pos
s,bi1ities of their soil for fifty years.
Land at $500 an acre is cheap when II
will produce a profit of $3.50 an acre
each wear. knowledge OF this sort
travels slowly Farmers are con-
servative men. They will be con-
viaced only by actual demonstration.
They must see such crops grown be-
fore they are willing to believe re-
suit of this kind possible. In Cum
mingsford. however, Roberts neigh
bors are convinced that Iowa land is
particularly adapted to truck farming.
One neighbor will put in five acres
next wear because the trial acre expert
ment has converted him. Roberts
himself ia converted, although he never
would have undertaken the experiment
had not the Greater Des MONIES COM
mittee offered price for the effort.
Opportunities to make $2o0 an
acre from farm land exists all over
central Iowa. If the state would pro-
vide for a trial acre demonstration in
every community in few dozen
counties. the -ltimate result would be
to revolunize Iowa farm lands
handled so as to produce the maxi
mum returns? :,
This story Of actual work will ap-
peal to thousands of men who lack the
capital to buy big farms. but who
would like to live outdoor life. For
such men, Iowa Is a mecca. Climate
and soil combine to insure success"