The Dickinson press., 1911-07-01
institute
WAS A GREAT SUCCESS

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attendance. Some came over 80 miles.
but al Supt. Hoverstad said it is not
distance that counts but the time it
takes to 60.
Supt. Hoverstad in his opening talk
spoke of grain growing and the impor-
lance Of it to this section. That this
state and parts of adjoining states are
favored in that they can grow the hard
spring wheat. He also stated that the
quickest way to kill wheat growing is
grow wheat continuously on the same
land. That the crops should be rotated
and that they can be here since the
crops that make for rotation can: be
grown here such as corn, grasses and
alfalfa. Then again he emphasized the
importance of handling the soil accord
ing to the principles that govern the soil
moisture. That as the crops are rotated
it will be easier to do that, as humus
will be added to the soil, weeds will be
kept down and the draft on the soil fer
tility will not be so great.
MI. Hoverstad introduced Prof. Palmer
of the Agricultural college to speak on
soil moisture. He illustrated how the
moisture moves through a compact sub
stance. He used loaf sugar dipping it
in ink which passed up through it
quickly. He then put some powdered
sugar on top of a lump of sugar and the
ink went through the lump but stopped
when it came to the loose sugar. He
explained that when the particles are
packed together the moisture can move
through it because the thin film that
creeps up over the grain c reach to
the next one. When the soil or SUGAR
grains lay loosely the moisture film can
not reach aross so the moisture has to
stop. That is the reason why the soil
mulch is so effective, the moisture just
can not pass up through it so it has to
stay in the soil. He regretted that so
many of the fields that he had passed
that morning did not have a mulch OH
them as the wheat was suffering for the
moisture that had evaporated into the
air. He also advocated deep blowing
and showed that the plants feeds in the
soil turned with the pillow so that, the
more plowed soil the plant has, the
larger growth it will make. He also
showed that the rain soaks into the
deep plowed soil faster SO that more of
it is saved. With the right care Of the
moisture the crops should not be suffer-
ing for moisture so soon after such a
heavy rain as had fallen a few days
before.
L. r. Waldron. superintendent of the
Dickinson sub-station, was present and
gave an interesting account of the
experiments that are being carried on
under his direction in the narrowing of
grain after it is up. For a while it
seemed as though the narrowed plots
did not do as we'll as those not touched,
but since the dry weather has come the
narrowed plots are showing up the best.
He also gave an address on corn. He
said that it was a crop that should be
grown every few years. The c%ultiva-
tion given it moisture and Kills
weeds that it is a very important crop
make use of it in dry farming. 1t also
produces a good grain crop and fine
fodder. He claimed that the corn could
be used to a good advantage in feeding
the horses as we'll as in feeding it to
stock of the various kinds. He advo-
Gated planting it as early as the 10th to
the 5th of May. Even if it does
freeze back it will come again and not
appear to be much The worse for it. In
case there is not frost after that time,
and there will likely not be any. then
the early planted corn has a good start
and a LONGER season in which to make
its growth. In answer to questions. in
regard to the depth to pillow, Supt. How
erstad gave this rule-plow two inches
deeper than your neighbor. In response
as to the depth to pillow Supt. Waldron
said that the land should be plowed
when there is a good moisture content
in it. If this could be had in the fall
then that was the best time. Several
dave their experiences in regard to
deep blowing and narrowing grain, the
consensus of opinion held that this was
the best practise.
A farmers club was organized with
P. H. Rumble as president and j. K.
Broad as secretary. E. A. Peterson
was selected as secretary for, a club at
Purcell. There are many in the COM
munity who have been successful in
different lines so that there is a good
deal of material right at home that
they will be able to avail themselves
now that they have an organization
for getting together.
After the evening session of the farm
er's institute a grand ball was held
that las.ed well into the night.
Never leave home on a ionrney without