The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1916-09-07
FARMERS INVITED TO
VISIT EXPERIMENT
FARM NEXT WEEK

Through the courtesy of Manager
Herbert Smith, the News editor was
taken TO the Experiment farm in his
auto, Wednesday and there witnessed
the progress of that station. Mr.
Smith Is proud of the showing he has
made with new crops as well as some
of the old. lie is anxious that every
farmer in Quay county call at the
farm before he harvests the crops, so
that he might show them the results
of his experiments. There is no use
for any farmer to experiment. II is
costly and so long as the government
pays for the experimenting we should
take advantage of the opportunity af-
forded Us and visit the farm often TO
see what can and what can not be
grown here successfully. Of course
wheat cannot be grown upon sandy
land so well as land like that on the
plains, but feed crops can he grown
successfully and this country being a
cattle country will profit by planting
the kinds Of grain best adapted To the
soil. II any farmer desires to visit
the farm Mr.. Smith will gladly show
him what he has accomplished and
which grains he thinks can be grown
with good results.
In the first place the rainfall so far
this year has been 3.33 below normal.
During August J.I3 inches of rain fell
which is about the average for that
month, but there was little precipita-
tion of any consequence since May and
crops were somewhat backward. l72
trees were set out this year and never
watered Only 23 of these have died.
Mr.. Smith prepares the ground in the
fall by discing shallow ditch about
six feet wide. which catches and holds
all moisture of the fall and winter The
trees are set out in the spring i'm
mediately after n good rain and Mr..
Smith says this is much cheaper and
better than dynamiting or any other
process. Five acres are being pre-
pared this fall in which TO set all
kinds OF shade trees as an experiment
so that he can recommend the best
variety for this country. He is now
successfully growing locust, poplar,
elm, willow and cottonwood, but rather
thinks honey locust is the best adapted
although the other named varieties are
doing nicely.
For the benefit of visitors who do
not care to walk over the farm tract
Of land has been planted with sam
pie row of each variety of grain be-
ing tested on the farm There are
scvcnty-three rows in this plot, prop
crly labeled so that visitors need no
guide to explain.
Alfalfa cut in June will be ready TO
cut again next week. II shows most
healthy growth and Mr.. Smith believes
II can he successfully grown.
Twelve varieties of COW peas are
being grown in different parts of the
farm and all show they are the stuff
for New Mexico. They will make
1900 to 1000 pounds OF feed stuff per
acre and this is said TO be aS good "a
alfalfa.
Mlllet made "A good yield
Broom corn is normal and is crop
vel adapted Ia New Mexico soil.
The sorghums are surprisingly fine
some of the plats being above normal
The stalks being better than six feet
in height. Mr.. Smith recommends Red
Amber although about twelve other
,aretes are making an excellent show
ing. Most of the crops were cult
yated three times and can be counted
upon to make good.
Dwarf yellow maize l. making 10
per cent yield this year.
II new varieties of Indian corn were
tried out this year, only one making
any showing. Laguna corn is doing
well and is in II class with Mexican
June which has already proven its
value in this country.
The best piece of dwarf maize is
on piece of ground that was fallow-
ed This will produce about normal
and the heads are of good quality.
Cotton is doing fine and promises
to produce as much this year as has
ever been produced in this county. II
will soon be ready to pick.
Six acres of ground has been laid
out in acre tracts, fenced hog tight,
These tracts will be planted To differ
cnt feeds and hogs of the same age
ana DTeeu VIII De put III lneSe platS
and kept "a certain length Of time in
order to test the food values of the
different crops. This experiment is
to take place this winter.
Farmers throughout the county per-
maps know considerable about what
\ will and what will not grow success
fully in this county but unless you
take day off and visit the experiment
farm you are missing the best oppor-
tunity of your lives. Mr.. Smith Is
not trying to raise better maize than
you. He is tring to find the best va
rieties for you to grow. The govern
ment is paying for this information
and you are TO receive the benefit il
lyou will go out and ask few ques-