Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-12-28
RURAL HIGHWAYS BARE OF CORN
WAGONS USUALLY SEEN AT
THIS SEASON.
FARMERS NEED EVERY
HUsHEL FOR STOCK
Cattle and Hogs Harvest Much Of Crop
in Wrishf county-Land Owners
Who Contracted For Crop Rental
Losers Thi. Ys.r-Man Occupying
Own Farm on Easy Street.

! Special 10 Times-fsepubiican
Clarion, Dee. 2s.--It is different this
year. In other years hauling corn to
market was the job that occupied the:
time Of the farmer at this season. The
roads leading to Clarion, Holmes, Flor
ence and other nearby stations were
worn deep and smooth by the hundreds
of wagons that travelled to and from
the market points every working day
of the week. There were long delays
in the matter Of unloading "in turn"
and longer ones sometimes for the ele-
vator men because of shortage OF cars.
Some disappointments, too, on the
farms because the shelter failed to ar
rive on the promised date. But it IS
all changed this year. The cribs are
empty and SO are the elevators, and no
huge piles of cobs in the farm yards
tell why. II planted 115 acres of corn
last spring." said one farmers; in
October l turned in 240 head of hogs
and twenty steers. 1t is all eaten up
now, didn't crib an ear Cases sim
liar to this are numerous. Manager
Fletcher, Of the elevator at Florence
said: II shipped car Of corn last
September to Minnesota. That was the
last and there is not the faintest pros,
pect of any further proceedings Of the
kind here this year. The man who
owned the corn wishes now he hadn't
sent it out Of the country for it would
have been more profitable to sell 1t at
home" Most Of the tenant farmers In
his section have been operating on the
share rent plan and the share has been
half. Landowners have in conse-
quence been receiving big returns even
on high priced land, for it is high
| priced III this part Of tho country but
this year that too is different. Instead
of hauling the landlords share to the
station the tenant in most cases has
bought it by the acre, paying from
81 to S. therefor. So that instead OF
taking in the proceeds Of half of fifty
bushel yields sold at SO cents per
bushel or from $40 to SIS per acre, the
owner of the land must pay taxes and
repairs, possibly some interest, from
his so cents to $3.50 per acre, leaving
out the question Of income entirely.
AS is usual in all emergencies of this
nature the man that owns farm and
operates it himself is least concerned
about conditions. One Of these re-
marked. II haven't been hit so very
hard after all. My stock has saved
me. I have sold more than $500
worth this year and have as much left
as had a year ago. and enough feed
to bring it thru to crop time n next
year" !. n s $-
t.o, = ,,n,,or, "a -, %bo Of
feet Of this partial corn crop failure on
the young men who have only recent
" started farming for themselves"
said one OF the men quoted above, and
continued, But very few of these will
be put out Of the farming business by
what has happened. Most Of the young
fellows OF these days who begin have
the backing of a father or father-in-
law who will not see the youngsters
in distress brought about thru no fault
OF their own. Practically all Of them
will have another chance with the
coming Of another year.
The problem Of next years seed corn
supply has been the subject of much
consideration andtappears to have been
very generally solved by the selection
of material from last years crop.
There Is little confidence in the power
of seed saved from immature corn to
Withstand possible unfavorable weather
following the planting season and there
are still enough men actively engaged
in farming who remember what hap
pened when we sent to Kansas and
Nebraska for seed to prevent such
thing occurring again while they are
able to recollect the consequences OF
such performance. It is a safe asser-
ton that more seed from old corn will
be planted next spring than has been
the case in any previous year In
northern Iowa corn raising.
Only those posted on the matter
realize to any extent the trials that
beset county supervisor at a ditch
hearing. Men who exhibit every evil
dence OF honesty and fair-mind edness
on other subjects fail to measure up to
reasonable expectations where the sub
iect of farm drainage is concerned.
One Of the county boards in north
Iowa recently started In to listen to a
speech delivered by a man who talked
German and English in about equal
proportions. Finally one Of the super
visors despairing Of getting the drift of
the vehement speaker remarks began
asking questions. do you think your
assessment is too high?" he In
quired. NO. answered the other.
''Then what do you want" asked the
perplexed official II want my neigh
boris assessment raised" shouted the
speaker. ''ae isn't paying his share.
The supervisors troubles were for the
moment over. The remedy was avail
able. G. Z. WILSON.
PLANNING NORWAY WORK.
Much Permanent Improk ernsnt to Be
Made in Story County.
Special to Times Republican. &s
Nevada, Dec. 2S.-There are some
important permanent improvements to
he done on the story county section o.