Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1915-04-16

or vegetable matter IS derived from
clover, rye, etc., which is plowed un-
der and this is necessary to good
crops as it holds 333 per cent Of it's
weight in water while sand or clay
hold but a small amount in proper
!tion. Nitrogen, which is contained in
the air, is drawn into the ground and
into the plants by small bacteria on
the roots. However, if the ground con-
|,tains acid it will kill the bacteria and
the nitrogen, which is SO essential to
plant life, cannot be secured. The
Eground should be tested for acid and
IF tits found to contain a great per-
tcentage Of this element, lime should
fbe added to neutralize it. Mr.. Gus
tafson urged crop rotation for improv-
|iag the soil and suggested three or
four year rotations.
Prof. N. E. Chapman Of the extern
sion division of the state university,
gave a very interesting talk on "Co-
operation between the business man
and the farmer.' He stated that
there is some cooperation between
the country and town in Minnesota
but that it is hard to learn just how
much Of it really exists. Surveys have
been made at Northfeld, Braham, Ada
and other places but verv little en-
ightenment was secured. Mr.. Chap
MAJ stated that when he came to Min
nesota, in 1885, the farmers did not
amount to much; they were known as
hayseeds, mossbacks, etc. The lum-
berjack who took up the entire side
walk was the big man at that time.
His innings are gone, however, and al
| though the numbering industry is now
one Of the largest in the state, a few
years hence it will have disappeared.
Mining, manufacturing, etc., are all
good Industries but today farming is
the biggest business in the state Of
Minnesota The farming industry will
continue to grow but if conditions are
to be bettered there must be hearty
cooperation between country and
town. There are four big factors
which are essential to the success OF
the farm. The first is education, the
second the financial relation, the third
the social relation and fourth is reli-
gion. There are great possibilities in
the soil which we may never know,
the speaker said, but the boys should
be educated so that they may ret the
most out Of it. The development OF
the farm means increased business on
the farm and consequently business in
the town. The success of the business
men depends on the education OF the
armer boys who shall take hold OF
the farm when the old folks retire.
Better days are coming, when the boys
get a better knowledge of the value
Of mother earth. Education is the
greatest factor to success and every
one should gladly pay his school tax.
It is the best way in which he can
spend his money.
The country could get along with
less lawyers and doctors, ETC., but can
not get along without more farmers.
There is room for 100000 farmers in
Minnesota at the present time. As
each farm improves and succeeds so
does the business in the town nearby
succeed.
The social relation between the
factor in the success Of both. The
farmers should belong to the town
clubs and vice versa. Also the farm
er boys and girls should enjoy more
conveniences around the home as this
would induce them to stay home in
stead of moving to town when they
are grown up. Labor saving devices
are also needed and shorter hours for
the farmer are necessary.
Religious advantages are also neces-
sary to the success Of the farmer and
without the church place would die
out. Churches also help raise the
price Of land.
In his closing remarks Prof. Chap
man urged the business men to get
acquainted with their patrons, to visit
them and to try and make things con-
venient for them when they come to
their places to buy.