The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-03
NEED new CROPS
Alfalfa a Big Factor Unknown
80 Years Ago.
MOhIer Tells Members of Abb
Iene Merchants Association.

Abilene, Kan, March 81. G. Mob
Ter, secretary of the state board of
agriculture, spoke before a big meet
ing of the Merchants association of
Abilene, here last night. He told
briefly of the crops and methods that
have brought the states agriculture
to it's present development, laying
particular stress upon the influence
the introduction of new crops, as the
grain sorghums azd alfalfa. has had
in contributing to the prosperity OF
the husbandpIen.
Last year. lie pointed out, "the
value of the grain sorghum crop
amounted 20 more than % million Inl-
lars, while alfalfa yielded hay worth
28 million dollars. These two crops
now yield products worth something
more than So million dollars annually.
as against no returns from such
sources thirty years ago" These
plants are also priced because of heir
ability to resist d-y weather and
thereby produce Yields when other
crops may fail These advantages,
together with adaptability to rhe vari-
ant soils and climate in Kansas, end
the fertilizing value of alfalfa, make
them indeed rich acquisitions to our
agriculture
Farm Population Decreased.
While the states agriculture has
been constantly developing, md the
gross returns from the farms are
steadily increasing, the secretary
stated that Investigations revealed
what appeared to be some very ser
ious problems that must be solved ii
our agriculture is to be developed as it
should be developed. Among these
problems were those of the homeseek-
err, the ownership of land, employ
ment of capital, better farming and
the improvement of conditions for
rural life.
AR MoTIaY sbouvad that +,era orr
actually fewer people engaged in eri-
culture in Kansas today than ten years
ago, while the percentage in agricul-
ture as compared with the total ell
gagged in all occupations in he ate
is gradually decreasing. In 1895 OF
those engaged in all occupations So
per cent were in agriculture. in 1905
80 per cent, and in 1916, 46 per cent
The secretary said it was a discour-
aging sign when, in a state like Kan
sas. where agriculture is the over
Swallowing industry, more stead OF
less people were not engaging in it.
The relatively high price of land
the growing tendency of large land
owners to retire to the cities and en-
ploy tenants, lack of social advantages
in the rural districts, shiftless and
consequently Improbable farming
were the reasons given for these con-
ditions.
Cooperation, organization, socia-
eenters, 81 financial system that will
assist the capable man to secure .
farm home, permanent hard-surfacej
roads and better farming, with more
livestock of the improved sorts, were
the remedial measures proposed.
Secretary Mohler said he would like
to see the man who tiIls the farm
own it, believing that tho
one who feels the sense of proprietor
ship is likely to be a more useful citi
zen, take a keener interest in the up
building of his community because hi
permanent home is there, and that h
would naturally adopt the practice,
best calculated to bring maximum re
turns at a minimum cost, and at h,
same time maintain, if not enhance
the fertility of the land.
Short talks were made by c. NJ
Troup, president of the association