The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1911-02-21
RAISE BIGGER CROPS
Question of Scientific Soil Culture
attracts Inquiry.
increase In Nebraska Yields Can Be
Traced to Application Of Prin-
cipIes and Persistent Dis
cusslon Of Subject.

This Is the day and age in the his
tory Of agriculture when the farmers
of this country are seeking to know
how to make practical application of
those principles which have been
shown by the best proof to get results
and to make investigations for them
selves that will enable them to make
the most out of their opportunities,
says the American Homestead.
One of the subjects that Is attract
Ing more than ordinary attention is
the question Of scientific soil culture
In the past crop rotation and drought
resisting plants have been considered
the main key to increased crops BY
the workers In most states until the
past two or three years, but the splen-
did results being secured by careful
scientific soil culture Is causing a
widespread inquiry into this subject.
In Nebraska, where this system has
perhaps been more widely introduced
than in almost any state in the union,
the results are really astounding in
their nature. According to the last
report of the department of agricul-
ture, Nebraska shows a gain in the
average yield of wheat of 3.3 bushels,
or an average of 1911 bushels per acre
1909 inclusive. The average for the
five years preceding was 1873 bushels
per acre. In the face of this fact Kan
sas showed an average yield Of 14.6
| bushels from 1900 to 1904. and 1874
bushels per acre for the last five
years, 1905 to 1909, or net loss In the
average of IL bushels per acre. This
means that with an average acreage
of over six million per year, and based
on the average farm price Of 80 cents,
as shown by the government reports,
the farmers of Kansas lost large
amount Of money they might other
wise have had. Had Kansas made the
same average gain shown by Nebras-
ka, her farmers would have received
$112, 100000 more money during the
1--WE year period, from 1905 to 1909. Ne
braska farmers. by increasing the av-
erage yield 3.3 bushels per acre. added
about $32,0OO,00O to the wealth Of the
state during the same period.
From these figures 1t can be seen
what 1t means to a state when 1t can
by a better system of farming, In
crease its average yields even very
small per cent, and what the future
holds In store when these averages
can be more than doubled by scientific
soil culture.
The increase shown In Nebraska
can no doubt be traced to the applica
ton. at least in part Of the principles
of scientific soil culture and the per
sistent discussion of this subjec
throughout this state, which canno
: be said of other states. Prof. E. A
Burnett, dean of the Nebraska agricul
tural college, became intensely inter
, ested in this subject ten years age
= and while he was director OF institute
work In this state, engaged lecturer
to talk on scientific tillage at the farm
, ers' Institutes, with the result tina
A there has been a fairly good applics
:. ton of the principles on many farms
> On the state experiment farm a
North Platte scientific soil culture
= being tried out in a manner to cha
lenge the attention Of the world. 4
, yield of 62 bushels of wheat to tn
acre In 1907 and of CT bushels to tn
acre last year Is a fact not to b
! passed over lightly 1t is freely Pre-
!, dicted that within the next five year
!. Nebraska will show another increas
y in the average yield.