The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-03-02
PLAN WOULD
AID FARMERS
Leo N. Geismar Advocates Exper-
iments on County Farms

TO use the county poor farm for
agricultural experimental stations is
the latest idea of Leo NJ. Geismar in
charge of the upper peninsula extern
sion work Of the Michigan Agricultur-
al college 10 aid in the development
Of the agricultural resources of the
region. He has already made an ex-
cenent start in bringing this about,
In general the work would bee idon-
teal with that of the state expert
mental stations, except that It would
necessarily have To be limited. Mr..
Grismar is backed by the state de-
partment and the college in his ef-
forts, and all proposed experimental
farms would be strictly under his SUI
pervision There would Dee no addi-
tional expense, except in cases where
il would Ice necessary TO engage eX-
perts Mr. GeiSmer says that in or
der 20 carry on experimental work
successfully men who are absolutely
competent must be employed ON the
other hand, the earnings of the farms
would be Increased. even if it is pro-
posed 90 ciye away seed from pure
bred plants and grasses in furthering
the propagation OF acclimated soil
products.
Mr.. Giesmar win prepare ten eXper-
imcnts from which one or more can be
chosen for each farm, according TO
adaptbity of IT'S soil These viii no.
only include crop raising, but the
breeding and rearing of pure-bred cat
tie. II has been demonstrated that 4
pedigreed animal can be kept at tho
same cost az scrubs" and with better
results. one drawback 10 the agricu!-
tural development of the peninsula is
The large number of aliens who tin the
soil in "a primitive sort of way, ana
who are incapable Of improving their
condition because Of lack of capital
Mr. Giesmar's idea is To make tho
county experimental farms a benefit
10 this large class, by bringing the
center Of development and experiment
nearer To- them. He has talked 10 many
farmers in Strengthened circumstanr-
rs. often asking them why they did
not make an effort to keep puro-braI
cattle They have replied that 500
FOR a single animal is more than they
could pay The county experimental
stations could breed pedigreed cattle
however. without additional cost AMI
sell them at profit for $2j a head. The
bad feature in upper peninsula farm
ing is the fact that too many persons
have started wrong, says Mr.. Giesmar,
and II requires years Of time and
thousands OF dollars 10 correst them.
Hearty Approval Everywhere.
Since the first OF the year, Mr..
German has been in an parts Of tho
peninsula, talking up the subject Of
County experimental farms, in addi-
lion 20 It's other work. In all places
his plan has met with the heartiest
approval. and one superintendent of "a
county farm told him that he was
ready without especial Instructions
from his board 90 enter into any eN-
detrimental work Mr.. Geismar could
devise for him, as no realized there
could Doe no added expense 10 the
county and the farmers Of the district
would derive much benefit
Mr.. Geismar has been active In or
sanizing clubs among farmers for The
propagation Of pure grains and cattle
and has met with enthusiastic coop
Grafton. ON his last trip Mr. Geismar
organized several potato clubs among
farmer boys His entire occupation
is go bring tho advancement ina agri-
culture promu.sated boy the state col
logt closer Co the farmers and that ne
is achieving success is proved hy the
fact that his periodical visits To- the
various localities are eagerly looked
forward to nl his suggestions are
enthusiastically received and acted
upon whrIr 'lrm,rly, and not many
years ago. thcr. was skeptclsm aue
nogEvruuess among the farmers iu
their occepian,r of scientific megos-
tuus