The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1914-07-10

In feeding cattle under range condi'
tions. These experiments, carried on
for the purpose Of determining the
feeding value OF the crops Of west
ern Kansas, experiments, too, that
have for their object the utilization
OF the wheat straw produced in the
western part Of this state, are worth
while and practical Certainly the
results of these tests clearly prove
the value of ensilage made from the
sorghums and balanced with straw
and very small amount OF alfalfa.
cottonseed cake, linseed meal, as an
economical ration to bring stock cat
tie through the winter. In the past,
our corn and sorghum stover and
straw produced little II any revenue,
because OF unpalatability in the dry
state. Until within the last year or
two, our straw has been burned in
the field and thus entirely wasted,
and our corn and sorghum, after inc
grain has been removed, have been
wasted because Of their unpalatabil-
ity. But through the use of the silo
sorghum crops and corn are convert
ed into a wholesome, succulent feed.
that also makes possible. the use Of
the straw, thus accomplishing the
maintenance of stock cattle and other
live stock on very economical basis.
could go on indefinitely and re-
count the various lines of work that
are under way at the different Kan.
sas stations, all looking to the dis.
covery Of facts, the development Iot
fundamental principles that will en-.
able farmers of Kansas to place their
agriculture ON a basis that will pro-
mote permanency and a larger yield
to the acre.
In sense, every farmer is an ex.
perimenter, and his farm is an ex.
pertinent station. Since all the crops
grown in this state have been intro
duced from other states or countries,
these experiments have always been
going on, but the differences have
been more outstanding in the past
and the relative values Of different
crops, animals, feeds, etc, more easily
observed. We have reached the stage
where the cost Of producing crops has
greatly increased-is more complex
and more difficult to determine. Con.
sequently, while the farmer is going
to continue in a sense to be an ex-
perimenter on his farm, results OF a
far-reaching character and the devel.
opment Of principles that will be fun.
damental in the development OF a
more profitable agriculture in the fu.
ture must be worked out by men who
have been trained scientifically and
who are devoting their lives to such
work. Because Of their expense, such
experiments and investigations are
made possible only through state and
federal support.
Some Of the experiments that are
under way at the experiment stations
today may appear absurd or imprac.
SNSNA w thS lhi uul IL uh9
been from such thorough-going tech.
meal Investigations that we have In
the past obtained and will undoubt.
eddy continue to obtain scientific
truths which are fundamental to pres
ent-day agriculture. Such investiga.
lions must go forward indefinitely, II
we are to maintain permanently the
fertility Of our soils and the present
standard OF our live stock and crops,
and thus produce the foodstuff that
will be demanded to feed the con.
stantly increasing population Of the
country.
Kansas farmers have duty to per.
form; they have a responsibility rest.
Ing upon them by virtue of living
upon and owning rich agricultural
lands from which must be produced a
large share of the food that is going
to be required to feed the teeming
population Of the country. The ex.
pertinent stations are necessary in.
situations, and they must work in
harmony with and abreast of. IL not
In advance of, the farmers them.
selves.