The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1916-10-06
MONTHLY REVIEW OF
WORK COUNTY AGENTS
IN IDAHO

Thirty potato growers of the Deer
Flat section, which is becoming noted
for its fine potatoes, became con-
WINGED that the control of potato dis
eases can be made effectual and
profitable. These men attended a
demonstration meeting August %,
called by County Agent Mccall on the
farm Of Charles Oellion who has been
conducting some very successful dem
onstrations for the county agent.
Here the sections planted with select
ed and treated seed were fine object
lesson, when contrasted with the ad-
poining field, planted in the usual
manner.
Treatment Least Part.
Mr.. Oellion told the farmers of the
methods used, emphasizing that the
treatment with Corrosive Sublimate is
the least part of the program which it
is necessary to follow to have good
potatoes. He urged all growers to
practice hill selection in the fall of
disease free potatoes; to use strong
uniform potatoes; more careful Gull
tural methods; and advised every
grower to have his own seed plot.
Experts" Smile.
Mr.. E. P. Taylor, and his successor,
Mr.. E. H. Bennett, potato specialists,
together with Miss M. Willis, Patho-
logist of the University of Idaho, were
present at the meeting. They did not
have to argue, however, for rational
methods at this meeting. The object
lesson shown by the demonstration
field was worth thousands of argu-
ments. That is one great feature of
the work of the county agent. His
demonstrations do the talking and
really convince the farmers.
Thresher Explosions Prevented.
Wade reports that he held very sue
August 18th, in preventing fires in
threshers. This was made possible
through the cooperation of the Uni
versity of Idaho and the United States
Department of Agriculture. A fire
was generated in a separator, and this
quickly extinguished by the automatic
j fire extinguisher devised by Mr.. Elmer
johnson of the Department
There were about 225 persons pres
ent and of these rs or more were men
who operated threshing outfits of
their own. AS a result several made
arrangements to have the apparatus
installed in their machines, while at a
smaller demonstration held at Mos
COW, orders were given a local firm
for the installation of eight automatic
extinguishers. This demonstration
received great deal of favorable
| commentator.
Can Prevent Large Smut Losses.
Following the demonstration, the
| county agent gave lecture on the
prevention of smut, making the fol-
lowing recommendations
Experience has shown that the
| greatest difficulty in controlling smut
arises because the soil is infected at
harvest time. If this danger is avoided
| by early seeding, the weather con-
ditions later will have little effect, if
properly treated and clean seed is
sown.
Where it is impossible to sow be-
fore harvest, the smut infection can
be prevented in measure by observ-
ing the following:
a. The danger of infection is slight
| if the average temperature at seeding
time is above 90 degrees or under IS.
b. Seeding from four to six weeks
after the fall rains begin will tend to
reduce the danger from infection.
c, Seeding Immediately after fall
blowing will tend to reduce smut.
| d. Disking after the first fall rains
and seeding thereafter within few
days is likely to produce large
amount of smut
| e. By seeding in wet ground from
the middle of September to the middle
of October, the danger from smut is
greatly increased.
As result of the demonstrations
and talks, over 1900 acres of wheat
were sown before harvest this year
in Lewis county.
Franklin County Steps Into Line.
County Agent J. A. Morrison OF
| Franklin county, reports that he is
helping Mr.. John Mcqueen of Pres
ton in the erection of the first silo
built Franklin county 1t is worth
while reporting that this is of solid
concrete, the type most approved by
| farmers of the state
| Since this is county in which the
! dairy industry has been developed to a
| great extent, it may be expected that
this silo will be followed by many
| others, if the experience of other sec
tions of the state may be taken as a
guide. Mr.. Morrison conducted two
| excursions of farmers to farms in the
| adjoining county in Utah where sew
eral concrete silos have been erected.
| Thus the county agent interests farm
ers by showing them actual examples.
County Agent Reaches Young and
Old.
Mr.. Ross McCarty of Rockland,
Power county, heard of the county
agents work in grain Standardization
and improvement, and then asked him
to work with him. promising to de-
vote some of his cleanest land for the
purpose, He will also conduct some
demonstrations in growing disease
free seed potatoes.
At the same time, his son will also
work with County Agent Kjosness.
The boy was given several acres Of
land by his father and is anxious to
improve this, and grow improved