El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-06-10
URGES NECESSITY
Of EXPERIMENTAL
FARM IN VALLEY
J. E. Edmondson, of Agricul-
tural Department, Makes
Talk to Farmers.


That FL Paso valley farmers should
make the effort TO have the govern
ment send demonstration 10 esIaollsn
an governmental farm was the most
important topic brought up BY J. Il,
Edmondson, of the state agricultural
Geuartment. in an address given 10
she valley farmers at the chamber OF
commerce. Tuesday afternoon SAr,
EEuoudson's idea was that on a tract
Of two or three acres the demonstra-
tor might conduct such experiments as
the farmers themselves would not have
time to do. and these would help 10
solve the problems that confront the
farmers of this section Ihcl upon
each Of the valley farms an acre VI
so could be set aside for cooperative
experiments conducted by the farmers
themselves. under the weekly super
vision Of the demonstration
Problems Are Many
Theer are many problems peculiar
N mis- section with which the farmers
have TO contend and which VIII arise
when the water from the dam VIII no
longer bring down the rlch SIT lhal
has enriched the soil These problems
viii necessitate artificial means 70
keen the necessary plant FOODS IN the
soil rom being exhausted.
M FdmondsOn also urged that a
ALLEGATION Of farmers from this dls-
trfct be sent TO the annual FARMERS IN
stitute and Farmers congress at C ol-
vision Of a recently enacted Jaw me
railways will provid3 free rranspoE "a "a
tion for duly credited farmers TO TINS
convention, provided that they are not
holders Of any public office-
In distressing soil and soil manage
rneHt which was the topic OF M ~
mondson's talk to the FaAey laTIne -
he warned the farmers TO Watch lie
-o15iffor Of their soil by the result
=. 81 liant II the stalk Of the plant
r-ov-u well, but II does not fruit wen,
@Le soil needs phOsphorescence, ouI
~ the stalk does not grow Wen II
rroves that the soil needs nitrogen
ua smoke OF the difficulties some
ss--7a-s have when the land is dead
ened" BY too much irrigation 1nefe
nav he other reasons, he said, and ne
reiterated the necessity OF crop rota-
ton to allow the soil to rest, ana also
70 r7se the growing plants TO replen-
Fsb the soil properties. In soil that
has become "deadened' from TOO mueh
flooding the reason IS due 10 the WalST
killing out the bacterial lie IN the sol
upon which the plant depends Ior nouI-
ishment To repIenish this humus IN
the soil, Mr.. Edmondson advocated inc
blowing under OF green crops
Fungus Is Dangerous
Thu lecturer cautioned the farmers
against mistaking alkah IN the son
o. fu0auS the fungus having an
eo17aIl- had effect. but needing dlf1er-
emf treatment for its eradication ne
most simple method for curing son OF
FUNGUS is the planting Of grams; s Icn
as milo maize, kaffir corn and DaIIeS
and cereals. a.. ,,,7-
+fvation of humus in the soil Tor It's
General benefit to the soil, as land that
Contains q big percentage Of humus
--711 retain a much greater amount OF
vyarer for a longer period tnan soil IN
which this property is absent. II also
prevents the soil from packing
Lecture of Great Interest.
The lecture was Of much interest 70
the farmers and it IS probable that
some action will be taken upon both
Of his suggestions. In regard TO the
EXPERIMENTAL station Mr. Edmondson
sefd that the government would sena
the man for his expenses ana wouLu
60ubIe whatever sum the valley farm
g. or ri Pasoans might raise. He
sid he believed that 500 raised by
the farmers would be sufficient TO
bring such a demonstration and expert
mental station here for several years
re also urged the farmers to consult
the university Of Texas and the state
2 agricultural department about any OF
their difficulties
George LeBaron, chairman OF me
land committee OF the chamber OF
commerce, presided at the meeting and
introduced the speaker At the close,
MT IeBaron commented upon both OF
MI Edmondson's suggestions, and said
that he thought the sending Of dele
cate to the Farmers institute at Col
iege station might be Of benefit in
q giTertisfne this section Of the state