The Yale expositor., 1916-05-18
Work of County AgricuIturist


The potato growers are fast coming
to realize that methods for the proven
ton of the enormous losses caused by
blight must be adopted if the crop is
TO be proGtably grown in the future,
and the indications are that several
new sprayers will be purchased this
year and that iferent equipment will
be needed for those already owned in
the county. In order to be of the most
service along this line, it was thought
best TO visit some of the men III the
southwestern part of the state who
have been combating the disease sue
cessfully. Accordingly, Monday after
noon was spent with Jason WOOdman,
County Agent of Kalamazoo county
In company with Mr.. Woodman, visits
were made to few of the farms where
potatoes have been grown successfully
OH large scale. lt was found that
these men were all strong advocates of
spraying four to six times with Bor-
deauX mixture and had demonstrated
its value several times by leavinga few
unsprayed rows. They have also equip
ped their sprayers with trailing attach
ments which spray upward thus enab-
ling the spray to reach both the upper
and lower sides of the leaves. The
trailing attachment which sprays up
ward may be attached to any machine,
and this office will be glad to explain it
to all who are interested.
The farmers club meetings were at
tended during the week. Wednesday
was spent with the Starrville Club at
the home of Robert Folkert in Clay
township where the marketing of dairy
produces together with questions re-
gardlng potato growing We're discussed.
A number of those present are plan
ming to plant soy beans with their corn
for the silo, aud requested assistance in
securing seed This is an excellent
method TO follow as soy beans are very
high in protein, containing about 20
per cent and forage of this kind
makes the very best supplement for
corn which is rich in carbohydrates and
comparatively low in protein. AT the
Union Farmers Club, which met at
the home of Mr. and Mrs. Robt. Show
Ter in Berlin township on Thursday, q
talk was gwen OH boys and girls clubs,
and questions suggested by the question
box were discussed. The attendance
at both these meetings was good con-
| sidering the busy time and bad weather.
Some time was also occupied with the
farm home convenience project. This
work which has been in progress dur
ing the past two weeks under the di-
rection of o. +. Robey of the Michigan
Agricultural College was continued and
septic tanks have now been installed
Oh the farms Of Allen and Eugene At
kins, and Alexander Cowan of Clyde
township; and J A. Rowe of Marys-
vile. These with the three located on
the premises of Arthur Hewitt, of Grant
township, Angus Mcintyre, of Burch-
vile, and Frank Werkmeister, of Clyde
last year makes total of six of these
systems that have been ins allied in st.
Clair county. Mr.. Robey expects to
return to the county later in the season
for week or two to complete similar
! work at other residences. Interest in
this undertaking is increasing rapidly
aud it will require at least two more
weeks TO finish all the work that has
been requested.
A trip was also made to the County
Farm at GOodells where questions re-
garding buildings, crops, and other
| farm problems were discussed with
Supt. Cowles.
G. l. Brody, County Agent