The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1920-08-05
farm BUREAU TOUR
PROVES SUCCESSFUL
Two Hundred People Enjoy Trip And
Benefit Prom Demonstrations
and Talks-visit Many In-
teresting Fields

Tho frat annual farm bureau tour
In Malhour County occurred on Fri
day. July 80. Tho procession form
cd at tho Cairo grange hall at 0:30
and moved In a southcriy direction
as far as Big Bend grovo whore
lunch was taken. thence easterly 20
tho Roswell section and then North
through Parma and Nyasa.
The purpose OF tho trip was TO see
what " being done along farming
lines In the different parts OF the
Snake River Valley. Particularly
tho posslbiiities for improving the
cropping methods and the handling
tations for maintaining fertility re-
oeived attention.
The first demonstrations examined
we're fields affected with alkali. The
first field was one which produced
exceptionally heavy crops OF alfalfa
hay a few years ago but has been go
Ing downhill by reason OF tho accum'
ulation OF alkall until Il now producer
but half a crop and VIII soon become
useless until drained. The second
field was ono which had once been
highly productive. then had become
totally unproductiye because OF al
kali accumulation, but now. after
having been drained for several years
Ia gradually coming back into pro
duction again,
The caravan stopped at many de-
monstratlons OF crops which are be
ing grown on the farms OF the eoun'
~. crops which are proven substi-
tutea for much OF the alfalfa now he.
ing grown when the time comes TO
plow up the alfalfa. A glimpse OF
what the country will look like when
diversified farming takes it's place
was had from the bank OF the owy-
hee canal southwest from the kSD
ranch. Here the production OF corn.
grain and potatoes has reached an
extent where II In evident that fully
fifty per cent OF the alfalfa fields
have given way 10 these crops.
Al the Tensen-RAy corner a short
time was devoted to the examination
OF three possibilities TO take the
place OF some OF the alfalfa. These
were ensilage corn. irrigated pasture
and red clover. Al the Gibson-Groo'
ranehesy ensilage corn came In for
further attention and a discussion
field OF Mr.. Groot's place. Then fur
ther substitutes were examined on
the Gibson farm IN the shape OF po-
tatoes and onions and production
methods discussed. Along the road
the many fields OF barley and wheat
and corn for grain and seed we're
TO be seen. suggesting sttll further
for diversified farming.
The best OF the expedition took
place at the wonderfully fine grove
owned by the Big Bend community |
where the party stopped for lunch |
and TO rest in tho shade OF the trees |
Here a fine field OF Red clover wac |
examined and meeting held al
which the possibilities OF red clover |
was discussed under the able leader |
ship OF Messrs. Fry and Brumback
Great interest was manifested In the |
,rop for II offers the best founda-
lion for a profitable and short rota- |
ton for diversified farming that can
be- had. Mr.. Fry told OF his LONG |
experience in growing the crop and
discussed It's value from the stand
point OF increased fertility OF the soil
md its place In the rotation. He
old OF production methods from
Ieeding the harvest. Mr.. Brumback
rave figures on Yields OF hay and
eed which proved that the crop has
,esn far moro profitable than alfalfa
o those who have grown Il intelli-
,ently.
Several important announcements
we're made by members OF the party.
lfter which the sulphur on alfalfa
on the John Boswell
arm was inspected. wonderful
ield OF yellow dent corn being grown
or seed by f. II. Brumbaek was ex-
mined. and the effect OF clover on
crop OF wheat following was shown
" examination OF a field near Ros-
veil, The party then proceeded to-
sard home. everyone pronouncing
he first Crop and Soil Improvement
our a grand success.