Arizona republican., 1918-10-04
FARIN BUREAU FIELD
 DAY AT MESA, UT. 5
Written for the Republican
 By N. C. Heard Maricops County Agricultural Agent

Realizing the necessity for we'll balanced and constantly improving agricultural industry in the United states the government years ago es uhiishcd chain of agricultural ex- pertinent stations throughout the en- tiro United States. Greater efficiency resulted from the dissemination of knowledge gained by the experiment stations. through special agricultural extension workers and an extension service was organized. It soon be- came evident that agricultural eXten- sion could be materially facilitated through the medium of an organized farm industry To supplement and unifv the vast number of farm or Fanizations. the farm bureau was ere Rfcd. This organization is the medium for consideration of all problems of agriculture and through which the agricultural extension forces of the government may operate. The govern mcnt in cooperation with states, pro- vidca funds for the maintenance of county agricultural work in every county of tho United States. It is very evident that the efficiency of county work is multiplied by close CO., operation with the farm bureau.
 Actual demonstration on farms is
 
 scmnation Of new and improved az ricultural methods crops and imple- ments. Arizona has been no exception io this rule. as was Illustrated at the Field day meeting held on the state experiment farm at Mesa in May at which time requests for an early repe- fition of tle event were very numer- ous.
 Several phases of farm bureau work iN be demonstrated at the Field day meeting at the experimental farm one mile west of Mesa. Saturday, october X For the housewives, Miss Amy l.. ninsmore. Maricopa county home demons tration agent, will demonstrate methods of conserving sugar in various kinds of cookery. Mir. F. E. Oxley Maricoua county club leader. will sup crVisc demonstration by the COW testing club of Alma school The Bab- cock test for butter fat in milk will be explained at this time.
 A number of crops at present grow Ing on the experimental farm will be discussed with all visitors interested. Particular interest in summer legumes has been manifested by Salt River val Icy farmers Regardless of how rich a virgin soil may be, it is soon de- nlcted by continuous cropping unless due provisions are made to maintain fertility. one of the most effective means of keeping up the productivity or soil is growing legumes. which have the ability to increase soil nitro- gen. The best known legume in the west is. of course, alfalfa. and it's soil building qualities are well understood but it is none too practical for short rotations. To supply the demand for lecumcs requiring but a few months Tor growth, particular interest has been centored about cowpeas. soy beans. common beans, velvet beans and peanuts. In some cases excellent results have been obtained, while ir others the returns have been light. due partly Co an unwise choice of variety For two years extensive variety tests of soy-beans and cowpeas have beer carried on at the Mesa experiment farm with interesting and important results. Cultural practices have beer improved to the point where enormous yields have been obtained. During tho present season studies of velvet beans peanuts and common beans are also being made. with most interesting re- suits. At tho present time these crops arc in the most interesting stage anC will be profitably examined by visitors tt inc Mesa farm next Saturday.
 \ fairly extensive variety test of corn will also prove interesting since inc present demand for both silage and grain types of corn necessitates 2 search for more varieties than are al present acclimatized. A few plots o' -orn have soy-beans and COW peas growing in the rows a practice com mon in some regions but rather new fo tho Salt River valley.
 of late considerable interest has entered around sweet sorghums fol forage. ensilage and syrup makins purposes. Small, early maturing var lctics will he demonstrated as well a, Inc larger. heavier yielding types. IT grain sorghum fields, milo has for sev.
 ral years been most popular due {, ts ability to withstand rough treat. ncnt. its largo yield of grain. and it.