Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1913-01-09
A FARM EXPERT
FOR MARSHALL co.
r. C. MATHWiG SUGGESTS MOVE
MENT OF GREAT IMPORTANCE
TO FARMERS AND BUSINESS IN
TEREsTs

The Importance of improving our To-
cal agricultureand thereby increasing
the crop returns from our farms, is
now admitted by evey intelligent far
mer. We are beginning TO understand
that better methods must be applied
to insure more adequate returns on
the labor and investment represented
by the farms of Marshall county. Du-
ring the past few years it has been
amply demonstrated that many acres
of our best lands are not yielding ade-
tifc rotation of crops, selection Of
seed grain and intelligent cultivation,
have been applied to these same
lands, the yields have quickly doubled
and at a very small additional cost for
labor. This subject of improved agri-
culture lies at the very foundation Of
our local prosperity and for that rea-
son, it deserves the unqualified atten-
tion of every farmer and business
man in the county.
1t is now possible for every county
in the state of Minnesota to secure
the services of a trained expert in ag-
riculture This man works in con-
junction with the state and Unite1
States Department of Agriculture but
in order to secure the services of such
an expert, each county must raise
$1,000 per year for that purpose. The
Grain Exchange of Chicago, aided by
other large interests, will donate
$1,000 to every county that meets the
requirements. The federal govern
lnent will extend liberal financial aid
and the state of Minnesota will ex-
pend 5000 each year. Il is estimated
that the total expense cDnnertegf With
the work of such 4an expert is about
$4,000 a year. OF the $1,000 to be
raised in this county, the Board of
County Commissioners can appropri-
ate 5000 and the remaining $500 must
be raised by private subscriptions, at
least the first year.
Such an expert would not come
here for the purpose Of telling each
farmer how to manage his particular
farm. He would, however, bear the
same relation to the agricultural inter.
ests of the county that the superin-
tendent bears to education.
If the farmers Of this county could
have expert assistance and advice, in
cleaning, testing and selecting good
seed grain for the 1919 crop, that
alone would be of great financial ben.
eft. Much of the grain produced in
this county last year is unfit for seed.
The yield was generous but the grade
rather inferior. 1t is very important
this year that all seed grain be tested
to determine it's terminating qualities
which in many cases will be found de.
ficient to an alarming extent.
Such an expert can assist our farm
ers in suggesting a proper rotation OF
crops or the treatment that cetai,
kind Of land may require. He can
test our soils or have them analysed
and then suggest the proper rotation
He can organize cow testing and
breeders associations throughout the
county. He can assist in combating
contagious diseases in our live stock
and damage from insects and disease
in plants and fruit trees and give in
formation that will assist in checking
their ravages.
Several counties in this state have
such an expert and Marshall county
should arrange to procure the services
of one without delay. It is a matte,
of vast local Importance. The time is
opportune and farmers and business
men Of our county should promptly
unite and pledge the necessary finan
cial support. The commercial club o
this city and other towns in the coun
ty can create local interest in the sub
ject and the Marshall County Develop
ment Association might then emplo!
organized effort to arouse interes
throughout the county.
sHEAF IS THE OFFICIAL COUNTY
PAPER