The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1915-07-02
II. J. Wagon Has Been On Trip
Over the Territory
from Thursdays Daily.

winona, June 23-Soil conditions
could not be improved. all small grains
are hardy and hold great promise, and
corn, while IL Is backward, has an ex-
cellent chance to recover. especially
IL the summer season is prolonged.
| Fl. ]. Wagon, general agent for the
Minnesota and Dakota divisions OF
the Northwestern road. returned yes
| terday from a tour OF the territory
tributary TO the lines stretching west
| from here. While Mr.. Wagon natur-
ally Is an optimist. he brought back
the views OF hundreds of farmers and
grain men who have an intimate
knowledge of conditions and none OF
them were discouraged. On the other
hand there was great confidence I'm
the ability of the corn crop to redeem
the reputation of this belt I'm spite of
the fact that the season is far or
schedule, insofar as this particular
crop Is concerned.
In the west are many students OF
the climate conditions who predict an
unusually long summer with great
growing weather. II their predictions
are borne out. there remains little
question that the corn yields will not
be materially reduced At any rate.
according to Mr.. Wagon. there Is no
occasion for alarm.
The soil conditions never have
been better" said Mr.. Wagon. THE
rainfall and the cool weather has not
been detrimental to small grain. There
has been a splendid root development
which promises much for the 1915
crop I'm this territory. The corn Is
backward but there is yet time TO
overcome that handicap"
Mr.. Wagon. accompanied by G.. T.
Dixie, general superintendent of the
Minnesota and Dakota division, and
II. T.. Dickinson. superintendent Of
the Dakota division, travelled over
scores of the fields I'm the entire dis
trict and they were impressed with
the promise. Farmers everywhere.
they found. were I'm the best spirits
with the prospects. The great need
Of course. is good growing weather
but the gradual turn to warmer now
being experienced over the southern
part or this state and in South Da-
kOta could not be improved. II Is
claimed
Rode in Unique Conveyance.
While II had no direct bearing on
the condition of the crops. a peculiar
conveyance enabled the crop in
spectors TO travel rapidly and at the
same time under conditions that
spread before them at every minute
vast expanses of plowed and green
fields. No. 4. the officials inspection
train, ran on passenger train time and
on train orders. No. known among
the railroad men rs the F-4-consist-
on OF Ford, five passenger automo-
bile. the wheels OF which had been
removed and substituted with regular
coach wheels which III the track.
While the farmers everywhere
gazed In utter amazement at the lat
est use of the Ford. the device proved
OF great value TO the officials. VIII
HIM 3. Carroll, trainmaster on the
Dakota division. acted as engineer.
while Mr.. Dickinson was the con-
duCtor and Massrs. Wagon and Dixie
were the dead-head passengers. In
the comfortable and open seats they
sped over the track I'm this Ford for
nearly 300 miles while they viewed
the crops.
Under this Ford contraption was q
furntable. Where the party desired
to turn around. jacks lifted the ma
chine and Il Is rapidly headed I'm an
opposite direction.
Through South Dakota during the
trip. according to information re-
ceiyed here. Mr.. Wagon and the party
In the unique car attracted great at
tention.