The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1914-01-30
TRIPLE MEET ENDED
WITH FOLK PLEASED
From Mondays Daily.

and the corn show, the triple con
vention OF the Southern Minnesota
Development league. the Minnesota
Field Crop Breeders association and
the Blue Earth County Pure Seed
association was brought to a close
late Saturday afternoon.
Before the meeting closed John
d. Deets called attention TO the big
prizes that were to be given for the
best seeds at the next annual meet.
The convention is counted a great
success in every way. The attend
ance at every session was satisfac-
tory and was from all parts OF
Southern Minnesota, and the ad.
dresses GIVEN were of an exception
ally practical and interesting nature.
At the Saturday afternoon session
John ID. Deets, secretary OF the
Development league, addressed the
gathering a few minutes and urged
that they keep in mind the corn
show of next year so that they,
could have their best products to
enter for premiums. He assured
them that even bigger prizes would
be awarded than were given this
year
The meetings tended to bring the
farmers Of this section closer to.
gether and TO awaken their inter
est I'm each others activities. This
was one of the objects of bringing
them together so the people who
had the convention in charge feel
we'll satisfied with the result The
convention was well managed anu
much credit is due Mr.. Deets. and
the others who had the matter In
hand.
Talked on Corn.
c. l.. Bowman, editor OF Corn. Of
Waterloo. Iowa. gave the principal
address of the closing session of
the convention.
The fertility OF the soil Is the
hank account of the farm. 1t takes
more than good seed corn to grow
crop. We have to have a good
soil. We have to put something
back In the soil in order to keep
IL productive. II the farms are ne5-
lected and the soil robbed the young
men will not stay On them. they will
go away and get new farms.
Il often wonder why we don't
have more silos. ! expect to see
the time when farmers not having
si'os will be the exception.
Then we should use the feTtili-
ger we have, and use II while II Is
Of the most benefit, before the rains
and the sun has had a chance at H.
We will rotate our crops too
There Is a great deal OF nitrogen in
the air which is the best thing for
no SOL. But wheat. nor oats nor
corn don't use IL. Alfalfa and clover
do use 1t. The ped growing plants
are the only ones which put a sup
ply OF nitrogen back in the ground.
A crop of clover will put into an
acre of ground more nitrogen than
you could buy for $50.
The best thing that we can grow
70 invigorate the soil is alfalfa. In
spite Of the fact that a lot OF
farmers say that alfalfa can't be
grown, II is here and II is here TO
stay. You can't afford not to
raise IT,
Purpose Of League.
One purpose of the Southern
Minnesota Improvement league, ac-
cordipg to President T. G. Bonnallie
of Tracy and Secretary John ID.
Deets OF Mankato. will be to obtain
legislation assisting In the develop
ment Of southern Minnesota. In
county agent work, an effort will be
made to obtain a state soil survey,
state aid for good roads work. for
district schools putting IN agrieultur-
al courses and other important -sgis-
lation pertaining TO the betterment
of conditions.
One OF the principal reforms
needed In all parts of the state"
said President Bonnallie, "is tie
introduction of agriculture and do
nestle science courses in the rural
schools. II II is right to put In
agricultural courses in the city high
schools, IL is right to put elemen-
tary courses In agriculture in the
country schools. Most of the boys
and girls who attend the country
schools remain In the country.
Since farming Is to be their bust
ness. II is necessary for them to
know something about the business
of farming. We will do all we can
TO obtain such legislation.
Good Roads Movement.
Another reform needed is organic.
ed work In the construction OF
good roads throughout the state.
The economic loss suffered by Min.
nesota because OF poor highways
is enormous. Some organized at
tempt should be made to systema-
tize the making of roads so that
different parts OF the state may
corelate their work. II is wrong
and wastefui to build few miles
of road here snd few miles there
without any collation. to each other.
The first sdsds to ~ built should
be trunk lines. with feeders radi-
ating out where needed. in that
way good roads can be obtained
at much less cost than at present. "