Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-01-13
Crop Improvement il,
Io,Da Stimulated by
Contests and Tools

Ames. jan 12.-Some years ago
alarm was occasioned~ by men OF ma
tional prominence who announced that
unless there was reimbursement OF
rural and city populations the farming
districts Of the United States in the
course Of another century or loss
tlon's demand for food. This appre-
hension was based on the fact that
there is constantly decreasing farm
population with "a corresponding in
crease Of city population. It was be-
lieved that the real solution to the
problem lay thru increased productiv-
lily by populating the great agricul-
tural tracts of the west and northwest
with farmers.
Experiments Of one form and an
other which are being carried out in
Iowa and other great grain raising
states invite the conclusion that the
solution Of the problem. il it exists.
lies not In numbers but in better farm
err, and 1t is in the production Of bet
ter farmers that scientific interest Is
1.
That these experiment are bearing
fruit was shown in the first county
corn show ever staged in Iowa. just
brought to. a successful close The
Polk county corn show which was con-
Quoted by the Commercial League Of
1Des Moines will be repeated next year
upon more elaborate scale and 1t is
expected that county shows devoted
al ~ ho VII IF
corn and grains grown In the county
will be put on by other counties Of the
state.
Boy 10 Decorated.
During the show Raymond McDer-
mott, school boy Of Walnut, Iowa,
was decorated by Gov. George w.
Clarke OF Iowa with a gold medal won
at the Panama-Pacific international
exposition for raising the most corn
on a single acre Of ground. Young
McDermott carried off the grand
sweepstakes at the state fair in Des
Moines last year by raising 154 bush
els and AZ pounds Of corn on single
acre Of ground. Some conception may
be gained of the feat when it Is un-
derstood that even on the rich grain
soils of Iowa thirty-dve bushels to the
acre is considered big average yield,
while forty bushels Is regarded out Of
the ordinary where intensive forming
is not carried on. McDermott had to
replant part Of his crop after it was
up because the squirrels had dug up
some OF the grain.
Some twenty-five youngsters won
prizes in the corn show for ears OF.
perfect or nearly perfect corn that
would have brought them in sharp
competition with their elders could
they have entered in the adult class.
Many more boys, some Of them under
Is, won honorable mention and lost
the chance Of . prize thru some APP
parently minor defect. Those in the
adult class who won prizes were farm
ers who could not be classed as being
In the professional class Of exhibitors
A few years ago show Of this kind
would not have been possible. Iowa
raised plenty of corn, but 1t did not
raise the sort Of corn that goes from
forty to sixty bushels to the acre, and
only professionals pretended to raise
corn that could win prizes alta nation
al corn show.
Times Are Changing.
The difference between a few years
ago ond now is in the education Of the
farmer and the Introduction Of various
educational methods, One Of these
methods Is the organization Of farm
ers' clubs. Last year the Farm Inn
proyement League Of Iowa was organ
lied In this state for the purpose Of
bringing to the attention Of the farm
er more advanced methods of seed Sc
lection, soil treatment, farm equip
ment and other points, including seed
testing and rotation Of crops that
would result In improved products both
with regard to quality and increased
acreage. A. p. Dawson. president Of
the First National Bank Of Davenport.
Is the president Of the organization.
For several years the Iowa Bank
ers' Association has conducted an ac-
tive campaign Of education in corn
production among farmers. The inn
portance Of corn tests for seed was
urged upon farmers and they were in
structed thru literature and by other
means how to combat adverse condi-
lions. This resulted in the adoption OF
berer seed and the growth of more
corn to the acre. The great transcon-;
tinental railroads some years ago in
troduced extension courses, by running
corn specials thru the corn belt under
the direction Of the Ames Iowa. Az,
ricultural College and which supplied
experts to lecture at each station. This
work brought Its results in increased
crops. -
The state some years ago authorized
counties upon vote Of the people to
create a fund to cover the expenses OF
one or more county agents or crop ex-
perts-graduates Of agricultural coll
leges. They brought the sciences Of
the agricultural colleges to the very
doors of the farmer. Soils were an
alysed for him to and what IL any,
elements were lacking. how to supply
the lack and where to get It,
Gave Demonstrations.
He was given practical demonstra-
lions at his home, he was taught how
to test seed, how to select seed. how
TO plant and get the best results. He
was taught crop rotation, marketing
and other things he did not UNDER
stand. II brought results. Not only
has the growth Of corn and other
grains received marvellous stimulus,
hut 1by treat ting oats and other suscep-
( til,ie seed for smut the acreage Of these
grains has been increased.
Cured HisRUP' TURE:'.
rswas badly ruptured while lifting q