The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-12-25

s. Thompson of walhalla, J. H. Matt
hews of Larimore and S. Thorwaldsen.
Wooden silos, or patent silos have been
erected by w. C. Andrews OF Walhalla,
Carl Fisher of Grafton, III. Lykken OF
Grafton. Thomas Dixon and Frank Gil
lam of Forest River. John Starry Of
Conway has constructed a concrete
block silo all through the sentiment
created by federal representatives.
Eight other silos are already planned
for 1912.
improve Barns Also.
The expert also is interesting farm
ers in the Improvement of their barns
and in the erection of modern sanitary
structures for housing cattle. The de-
partment that is maintained at Wash
ington has designed a special two-story
barn suited to North Dakota climatic
conditions, but there are fifteen to
twenty various other barn plans on file
in Mr.. Merrilps office, and which, with
notifications, are suited to the needs
and circumstances OF any farmer. Not |
only does the federal government sup |
ply the farmer with the plans, but he /
also provides a bill OF material, and
blue prints for fittings. To the farmer
this all means considerable saving. |
Maintain Dairy Herds.
In the work Of creating interest in
the maintenance of dairy herds great
progress has been made. Ninety head
of pure bred cattle shipped from Wis
consin, have been sold TO the farmers
Of the district, and the expert makes
bi-weekly visits to each farmer who
has obtained much pure bred cattle for
the purpose of helping them in the
solution of any problems which may
arise from time to time in connection
with taking care of such cattle. This
step is taken in order to keep the farm
er from becoming discouraged or dis
satisfied with his investment, for there
are many farmers who are not entirely
fitted to properly care for the pure
breds.
Start With a Few Pure BREEDS.
The expert is not advocating the es-
Enlistment of entirely pure bred herds
but believes the transition should be
gradual Pure bred sires are insisted
upon, and in order that such a condi-
ton may be brought about, organiza-
ton of breeding associations is urged,
such associations to maintain pure
bred sires. Already one such associa-
ton has been organized at Mandt, while
two others will be organized very soon
one being at lakewood and the other
near Grafton.
A movement that Is designed to show
the farmers in dollars and cents what
dairy COWS mean is that in favor of
keeping records of cows and herds. In
one instance, at the Haggren Bros
farm near Grafton, such a record has
revealed the fact that for every dollar
invested in feed, labor, ETC., three are
returned by the COW.
Farmers Attend School.
The third feature in this remarkable
work of the federal government is the
educational, and that is the department
which will keen the expert busy during
the winter months. Already he has
two schools for farmers which are
working out to excellent advantage, one
of these being Of a particularly inter
esting nature.
Every Saturday night, in the dis
trict school of Mandt township, eight
miles from Grafton, Mr.. Merrill con-
ducts session or lone man institute"
as he is pleased to term it. From
fifty to seventy five farmers attend this
institute every Saturday night, and the
discussions continue from o'clock un-
til, as has been the case on several oc-
casions, o'clock Sunday morning. The
| farmers are unwilling to come out dur
ing the day time, but Saturday night is
sacred to the institute, as against all
other things.
This school is conducted in a free
and easy manner. 1t is opened by a
half hour address by Mr.. Merrill and
then the session is opened to general
discussion. From the seats which their
children occupy during the day time,
the farmers study agricultural ques-
lions. Various subjects are taken up
from time to time. Corn, for instance,
was the topic at three meetings, the
farmers, staying by the question until
| 1t was thoroughly discussed.
The semi weekly night school in the
city Of Grafton is newer venture, and
1t is growing rapidly with indications
that the enrolment will be very high.
One of the encouraging features in con-
nection with both schools is found in
the fact that the young farmers are
showing particularly deep interest.
To Hold Several Meetings.
Another feature of the educational
campaign will be the holding OF twelve
| two-day dairy schools In January.
Superintendent Risser will be present
and veterinarian from the department
at washington, and Commissioner r.
r. Flint of North Dakota, will parti-
cipate In those sessions. Forest River
Grafton, Park River Pembina.
i Cavalier, St. Thomas Neche, Walhalla,
Drayton. Adams. Hamilton and Bath
gate are the cities in which these i'm
i stitutes will be held.
i In reports which have been made "a
Expert Merrill the farmers are show
il ing receipts Of 375k cents a pound for
butter fat. while one farmer shows s1i
as the price received by him for an
eight gallon can OF cream.
i Expert Well Qualified.
Expert Merrill is exceptionally well
qualified to carry on this work. He
worked for many years with his father
in the famous Cash valley OF Utah. q
district in which Ave condensed cream
factories are operated. He has had ex-
perience in agricultural college teach
ING, iii high school teaching and In ths
practical work, and il thoroughly con-
versant with every detail OF the dairy
] ing industry.
4 Mr. Merrill was brought to the state
through the activities Of Commissioners