Newark post., 1914-02-25
RURAL SCHOOLS
RECEIVE ATTENTION
Institutes Throughout The
County A Success

The program being given at the
Farmers Institutes held in the
various towns Of New Castle coun-
" last week was one Of interest
and profit. The plan proved d
highly successful one. and a large
attendance marked every session.
Newark was not included in the
itinerary. since the location OF the
State College and Farm makes it
possible for our farmers TO come in
contact with discussions and Observ-
atoms which more distant farmers
cannot enjoy. The idea OF carry
ing the knowledge gained by the
wide experience OF the State ex-
perts 10 every town in Delaware. as
planned by the State Board OF Ag-
rlculture, seems 10 have met with
an interest everywhere. The fol-
lowing account OF the Institute al
Middletown taken from the Mid
dletOwn Transcript. is similar to
those Of all the other towns. and
contains much Of interest to all
those concerned with agricultural
conditions in Delaware:
The meeting was opened by Prof.
Wesley Webb Of Dover. who dis
cussed soil fertility. This subject
has been discussed at every Insti-
tute. and farmers realize that the
productivity Of the land is basic
matter underlying all successful
and profitable agriculture. Prof.
Harry Hayward discussed this sub
ject at Iiddletown dealing with
tlllage. the making. saving. and US
ing farm manures. the Use of cover
crops, especially the legumes like
crimson clover. vetch. soy beans
and cow peas. Prof. Hayward also
the value of tile draining
and stated that he hopes the Exper-
lment Station will be able 10 pur-
chase a ditch-digging machine. a
sort Of special dredge that digs at
one-half the cost of hand labor
better bitches than can be dug BY
hand. This machine will be used .
to demonstrate the value Of drain
age in different parts of the State.
Prof. I. F. Manns gave in detail
the work that has been done TO de-
-ermine the value OF farm manure
and different forms of phosphate.
By proper mixture of phosphate
rock, either dissolved by sulphuric
acid or undissOlved. with farm
manure is worth more than 81 a
ton, at least it gives crops valued
1t more than 81 and the soil is also
permanently improved. The only
way to use the undissOlved rock is
to mix this rock with manure or
lse it on a heavy clover sod.
The subject Of plant diseases. es-
1ecially of white potatoes. was dis
.ussed. Potato diseases are con-
.rolled by proper spraying and ro-
alton of crops.
Prof. Hayward gave a talk on
1ork-its breeding. growth and sale
He thinks hogs next TO chickens are
he most profitable of all farm an
mails. If it costs six cents per
pound to raise pork which will sell
or ten cents or possibly twelve
ents. it seems to be decidedly TO
he farmer S advantage to raise and
ell hogs.
The afternoon session was open
d with. discussion on white DO
ato growing, Mr.. E. A. Rodgers of
Maine, leading off by giving his ex-
'erience in the Pine Tree State. He
,lows his land deep, nine or ten
inches, harrows it down we'll and
'lants in June. The seed potatoes
re soaked In formaldehyde. cut
nd planted Immediately. He ad-
-ised planting the Irish Cobbler
ariety. This variety turns dark
Ehen exposed to the sun, other va
ieties do not turn dark, so by ap-
lying this test we can have true
rlsh Cobbler potatoes He would
Sc sod ground and apply a 4-s-1O
using about half ton at
lanting time and another half ton