The Lamar register., 1916-01-05
FARMERS WEEK

81 to 26 will be intensely practical be-
cause they will put over against the
theories of the college team the dis
cussions of the practical farmers in
this section of the state. Each of
these factions can learn something
from the other. Colorado Agricultur-
al College will send trained team of
institute workers who will be in La
mar during the entire week. AS US
ual, most of the program will con-
sist of discussions by local farmers.
This makes an ideal combination. W.
A. Mcpherson, one of the most sue
cessful farmers of the north side gives
some fine suggestions for Farmers
Week program in this issue.
Supt Momyer:
You request suggestions for u prac-
teal program for the Farmers meet
ing. | suppose you mean by "practi-
cal" that which will add to the Farm
ers' material wealth.
1t is conceded that, if properly man
aged, there is not an irrigated acre
in Prowers county that will not pro-
duce tons of nay, 45 bushels of
wheat or 10 tons of sugar beets. This
is rot the maximum by any means,
but fair estimate. The actual pro-
duction is much below this estimate
Why?
Let us make a trip north of the
river and look about US. Here is
farm that used to average 40 bushels
of wheat. This year it produced Is
bushels. 1t is old alfalfa land. Why
only Is bushels this year? Ask the
renter. He tells us he plowed and
narrowed and irrigated just as he al
ways did; but there was too much
rain. Ask the wheat seed. The seed
answers, Il need prosperous, potash,
and nitrogen to produce good wheat
crop. This man won't cooperate with
me. Pm willing to do my part but the
material need TO produce the maxi
mum number of grains is not furnish
ed me-"
The renters alfalfa fields returned
this year from one and a half to two
tons of hay per acre, much of it grass.
Ask him why. Again the answer,
too much rain. Ask the alfalfa. 1t
answers, Lack Of cooperation. My
stand has become thin through years
and the grass grew up and choked
me. i have exhausted my food sup
ply near the surface and must go
deeper. This man will not cooperate
with me and furnish me food readily
available.
The renters beets averaged 10 tons.
Why? THE land isn't rich enough"
Ask the beet seed. Eyes, the renter
is right, am capable of producing 25
tons Of beets to the acre but must
have material to work with. The rent
err won't cooperate with me. There is
plenty of food for me on this place
but it is not available. He burns it
up or allows it to go to waste"
Take a look at the fences and the
buildings. A visitor once said to me,
What God-forsaken looking coun-
try" Why? Too many tenants, too
many absentee landlords. This is true
to degree, but in many instances it
is again lack of cooperation of land
lord and tenant. From the shiftless
tenant or the shiftless landlord there
is no hope The Germans have a wise
saying, Against stupidity the very
gods strive in vain"
Renters will tell you, however, that
there has been no material supplied
them for years and no interest taken
by the landlord of his agent in the
building Of fences. Also most of the
farms are for sale and there can be
little expected from tenant whose
lease runs from year to year.
Our communal relations need i'm
proving. The farmers hold the selling
power of their products in the hollow
Of their hands; but they will not CO.
operate, however, it is unfair to ask
the producer to be also the seller. He
comes wearied with labor, bringing
his garnered products. He has done
his duty, here is the wealth evidencing
it. A community is band Of CO.
workers. What is the duty Of those
who have not produced the wealth?
Tbav in handling these products are