Morris tribune., 1912-12-20
agricultural departments, except th
agricultural college. :
BUILDING UP THE SOIL.

BUILDING UP THE SOIL.
Prof. F. r. Crane, agricultural ex-
tension agent of the Great Northern
railroad, gave one of the most inter-
esting addresses OF the day on the
work of his department in soil ferti.
lization along the line of his road.
He called attention to the census re-
turns showing marked decrease in the
number of cattle, hogs and sheep in
this country fronm 1900 to 1910. and
called attention to the fact that only
through the rearing of live stock can
farmers ever hope to maintain the
fertility of the soil.
Burning straw in the stack as is
practiced by many farmers in this
state and Dakota, was strongly con-
demned by Prof. Crane. He said that
with every ton of straw thus burned
more than So. SO worth of potash is
destroyed; that every ton of barn yard
manure had a value of $2.96 when
applied directly to the land, and that
every animal kept on the farm a year
produced fertilizer worth $25.
Mr.. Ball tnen gave short talk
urging that all the efforts for farm
betterment be harmonized. He also
gave 'baccaIaureate sermon" to
the county agents telling them to get
in touch with the successful farmers
of their counties.
Enthusiasm ran high when Presi.
dent F. W. Murphy gave his address
on the work which the association haC
to do and how it was to be done. He
stated that the first great work of the
association was to be for the man who
is now on the ground. and that the
bringing in OF new settlers will take
care of itself. He closed by inviting
all to join the association.
The following committees were ap
pointed, those on organization anC
ways and means to report at thu
Graceville meeting Feb. 18th
Organizations. c. Thornton
Benson; F. F. Marshall, Wheaton
and j. Fl. Sherlock, Graceville.
Ways and Means-F. L. Stone
Benson; j. H. Erickson. Clinton; j
H. Devenney, Morris; C r. Wright
Fergus Falls; A, L. McCarger, Mon
tevideo.
Resolutions E. j. Jones. Morris
w.. E. Anderson, Wheaton; L. Q
Thorpe. Willmar; Charles Phinney
Herman. and J. S. Ulland, FeEgu
Falls.
WORK OF COUNTY MEN.
Saturday morning F. F. Marshall
agricultural agent for Traverse coun
ty, spoke of his experiences in th'
field and the organization of socia
centers in the country districts.
A. B. Lathrop, agent for Big Ston
county, spoke on the proposed estsb
lishment of county farm bureaus will
departments for live stock, corn an,
Igrass. high wages, fruits and forestr.
and of plans for rural schools an
farm women.
A. B. Kaercher. of Ortonville
Ispoke of the relations of land men an
bankers to development. Thomas Boyl
of Holloway. told of the rousing Com
mercial club in that village Of 3O'
which has adopted the slogan. "Holl
oway Hustles.
Louis Bender. county road builde
for Traverse county, who has the re
Iputation of making good earth road
for less money than anyone else i
the state. described his methods an
was given close hearing.
! F. c. Thornton of Benson. read
lpaper on "More People, C I
Mosher, secretary of the State FEEDER
alton of Commercial clubs. said tn
greatest graveyard of all was that G
forgotten resolutions which had bee
battled for and carried at meetings G
this kind and then permitted to lapse
He urged the cooperation of stat
interests by some central organizatio
which could bring the unite1 pressul
of all for legislation.
His address brought out some stil
ring remarks from W. F. Shilling
who said that the conservation cor
gress had cost SIS, 600 while tn
meeting hadn't cost 5000, aut that
all the development meetings he hs
attended, this was the first real ont
RESOLUTIONS.
Resolutions were adopted by the al
sociation asking the governor to al
point as regent a man identified wit
the advancement of agricultural pul
suits. The association also comment
ed the work of the state highwsy con
!, mission and urged upon congress
enlarCn tba fI1nc+ionS &c +ho TIn;t<