El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-08-23

has found its development in the
county farm bureau, which includes
in its scope Of operations active work
designed to better farm home and liv-
ing conditions as wen as the economic
features involved in the agriculture
OF the district This organization now
I boasts q monthly publication, and is
preparing strenuous campaigns in
attacking problems Of community and
county wide interest.
The farm children have not been
overlooked in the program. Thus far
developed active clubs composed Of
both boys and girls have been organ
lied Their activities include fatten-
ing OF pork, raising Of poultry. cult
nary arts and sewing. A number Of
prizes have been arranged for, which
VIII be awarded the children after the
work has been completed. Il IS an
ticipated that much more similar
WORK viii be done during the coming
season since the present work has
made apparent many advantages in
working with the young people.
The program relating to the con-
troll OF insect pes.s and plant disease
has been particularly stressed during
the last year. The state department
OF agriculture has furnished an in
spector, who has devoted his entire
time 10 the control Of orchard dis
eases and insect pests. For a short
time the county employed a specialist,
who assisted the state inspector dur
ing the height Of the work. IN addi-
ton 10 This strictly field work, much
work has been done Identifying
both insect pests and plant diseases
for the farmers and city residents as
well with communications as to
most effective means Of control.
It has been stated b. pear growers
associations that the work done in
Tr Il
resulted in a considerable increase in
production both by the application
Of a timely spraying program and
diligent work in controlling diseases
The district as a whole is more free
from losses Of this nature than the
state OF Texas in general. since eli
matte conditions are not favorable to
the development Of many sources Of
trouble common in other parts Of the
state.
AIlzaIi Areas Surveyed.
Since the drainage development has
become defective considerable atten-
tiou has been devoted to a survey Of
the alkaH areas OF the project, with
the idea OF advising individual
farmers as to the proper course Of
treatment to be pursued In freeing
their lands Of this trouble. A labora-
tory established has handled a large
number Of individual. requests for in
formation and assistance.
The exact nature Of the alkali Is
determined. its location with refer
ence to concentration Of different
depths Is found, and the. farmers given
the necessary authority TO use water
at reduced rates for teaching pur-
poses The United States reclamation
service recognizing alkai as one Of
the important problems, has granted
a rate Of 10 cents per acre foot Of
Nnanhaw- #e
from the land. Investigation thus far
indicates that there is no black alkali
present in substantial quantities on
the project, and sucn salts as do exist
can be eliminated through the drain
age system now being completed. In
addition a number OF waters have
been examined for their desirability
for domestic use. The farmers are
availing themselves Of this service
in testing out their sources Of supply
OF domestic water.
The engineering service offered has
been taken advantage OF in a number
Of instances. Farm surveys involved
in the leveling OF farms have been
made and ditch courses have been
run It is rapidly beng recognized
that careful leveling OF lands is neces-
sary to insure maximum production.
and this feature OF the work offered
IS being realized as more and more
the kindRess Of the United States
reclamation service, this service IS
offered to the farms gratis.
Conservation Of Foods.
The nome economics department.
while but recently organized. is max
ing rapid strides in the conservation
Of foods, and is developing programs
Of interest to housewives The worl
with farm girls comes directly undei
the supervision OF this department
Complete affiliation Of interest amon-
the various women's organizations O.
the county has been accomplished.
with result that these organizations
are working in unison for the fulfill
ment Of their ideals To adequately
stress this work a community kitchen
has been provided in the chamber OF
commerce building. Weekly demon
STATIONS are being carried on and in
the interval many are availlng them
selves OF the opportunity to use the
equipment to can such products as
they may desire.
The activities OF the organization
have largely been developed and CEN
tered about the requirements Of the
local people, as far as could be de-
termined- A certain flexibility makes
possible an arrangement to fulfill the
service needs as they become appar-
enL AS experience is gained II be-
comes more and more apparent that
the work directly uith the farm peo-
nle is becoming the paramount issue,
for the reason that communities are
in a large measure successful in d.
rect proportion to the individual
energies, which may be stfmuias ad
Influences, which may be brought to
hear