The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1911-12-28
tis$ Of pension legislation. The

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troversy as granting sufficient appro-
iprations. The Director asked for a
million dollars, but got only a por-
ton of the amount. The disposition
to play politics" crept out in many
ways, the most striking illustration
from the Washington viewpoint being
the manner in which political capital
was manufactured in the matter Of
~abrogating the treaty with Russia.
All parts of the country are deluging
Washington with inquiries as to what
Congress proposes to do with many
phases of legislation, and the answer
invariably Is that no m here knows.
There is intense interest in the peace
treaties, and it will not be at all
strange if the demand of the country
would be sufficient to back up, and
take the long step foreward that has
been proposed in the matter of uni
versal peace.
At the Agricultural Department the
experiments being conducted in va
rious portions of the country under
the direction of the agricultural col
leges of different states, in farming
with dynamite" are being watched
with great interest. A preliminary
report has just issued from the Cen
sus Department showing that there
are $50 great fertilizing producing
concerns in the country, and that in
1909 the value Of their products was
$103, $50, 000. If the theory attached
to the use of dynamite in a%gricultur-
al pursuits is found to be correct,
and the Du Pont Company is evident
ly SO sure of it that they are spending
large sums to prove their claims, then
all this great outlay for fertilizers
will be unnecessary. 1t is pointed
out that in ordinary blowing the same
old soil is merely turning over a few
inches from the surface year after
year, and a decrease in crops in only
prevented by rotation or expensive
fertilizing. The theory of farming
with dynamite is that by planting
sticks Of dynamite at regular inter-
walls of space, and exploding them,
that the underlying soil is disturbed
to a depth of several feet, making it
porous and capable of absorbing
plenty Of water in rainy weather, and
this water, which is the principal
plant food is drawn to tho top by
the roots of the plant as needed for
its growth, carrying with it not only
moisture but necessary soluble fer
tilizing elements. In the cotton fields
of the south, production has been
multiplied several times over by plow-
ing with dynamite, while increases of
from corn fields. Melon patches also
show remarkably increased yields. j.
II. HAT, lIc SltdL OlNIdluiSL llOIl
Connecticut, has become a convert to
the scheme, and has planted thou
sands of trees with dynamite, with
surprising results. Illustrations have
been received here showing how the
use of dynamite permits the roots
of fruit trees to take their natural
downward course into the lower
stratas Of soil in which plenty of
plant food elements are available, and
the development of the trees planted
with dynamite, and without, in the
same orchards demonstrate more
than anything else the success of
the experiment. Cornell University
is authority for the statement that
trees properly planted can absorb 60
per cent of the moisture surrounding
them, and where the underlying soil
is especially prepared by dynamite
look fully 100 per cent more healthy,
and are much more productive in
three or four years, than the trees
set out in plots where cramped roots
prevent healthy growth. In the
wooded sections OF the country the
settlers discovered for themselves
many years ago that a few sticks
Of dynamite could beat all the patent
stump pullers in the universe. The
Agricultural Department was the last
to be convinced, but Mr.. Wilson's
bureau has finally acknowledged that
there is no question about this-just
as they are going to wake up to the
more wonderful discovery Of the
practicability of farming with dyna-
mite when there is no longer any
question about it.
Out Of the ENHANCEMENT of political
conditions within both of the old po-
litical parties a few things are be-
ginning to show that look like real