Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1914-08-08
OF THE
FERTILITY
I. I: LEAGUE IN BOISE
Putting Into Effect Terms of
n the Lever Agricultural
Extension Bill-Idaho Is
Paid Compliment.

Howard H. Gross. president OF the
National Soil Fertility league, interest
ed in putting into effect the terms of
the Lever agricultural extension act,
of great Importance to the farming
centers of the United States and under
which Idaho received a fiat $4,000 APP
preparation with an additional $4,000
available July l. 1915, is in Boise, hav-
ing stopped here on a tour of investi-
cation for the purpose Of looking over
conditions as they exist in Idaho, es-
peoially with reference to the produce
growing rural sections. President
Gross pays Idaho the compliment of
being excelled by only one other state
in the union in the matter OF co-operat-
i've agricultural extension work, tri-
butte that will be appreciated by those
engaged in the work and the farm Ter
producer.
President Gross gave out some stu
pendous figures showing what it may
mean to the United States if farming
becomes more scientific the yield per
acre is Increased over the present yield
by this and the great area of produc-
ing territory of this country is made
TO produce what it should.
Last year the produce Of this coun-
try was worth $4,000 900 COO" said Mr..
Gross IF within the next few years
we can have an increase in our pro-
duce that goes to feed the nation and
the world of so per cent and, just for
the sake of being conservative reduce
the percentage down to- is per cent to
provide for possible lower prices, etc.
we will then have added to our grand
total yield $500, 900, 900 which is great
err by twice than the total capitalization
of our national banks, which would pay
our school taxes for a period of Ave
years and which would build a Pana
ma canal in every so days"
What Act Provides.
The Lever act seeks to accomplish
this increase. according to President
Gross. This act was approved by the
president on May 8 of the present year
and it is claimed that when it went
onto the federal statute books congress
took one of the most important and
notable steps for agricultural advance
ment for a century. Incidentally Presi-
dent Cross was largely instrumental
in securing the passage of the act. His
friends say he was the one man who
accomplished this. He said today
however, he does not claim credit fol
doing so but declares that 1t was
through the cooperative work of all
those interested that 1t was finally
sent to the president and received his
approval.
What Act Provides.
The act must now be accepted by
the RESPECTIVE states. President Gross
has made an analysis or the appropria-
tons with notes and comment. The
act provides appropriations to be uset
for the promotion of agricultural ex.
tension work to consist of giving in.
struction and practical demonstration:
in agricultural and home economics Il
persons not attending or resident il
colleges. The act makes an annua
appropriation of S4sO,OOO. $4,000 o
which shall by act of the legislature as
sent to its provisions, or in absence o
this that Of the governor There Is al
additional 100000 appropriated by thu
act for the fiscal year following that IL
which the s4S0.00o becomes available
and for each year thereafter for sever
years a sum exceeding by 100000 tn