Imperial Valley press., 1920-12-30
FARMERS ARE
ADVISED To
IN IMPROVE
METHODS
Stirring Meetings Held Yes
terday and Today; Large
Numbers Of Ranchers
Listen to Dairy Experts
from i. of c.. II

Detailing methods whereby the
Imperial Valley can again "get
back on it's feet financially and
agriculturally," as quoted by
Farm Advisor E. L. Garthwaite, s
in the opening address of the eve-
ming, CalifOrnia's leading author
tiles on dairying and mOdernized
farming addressed a large gath
ering of Ell CentrO business men,
bankers and farmers at the Cen
trail Union high school last eve
ming in the only address they will
deliver to the residence of this
city, and which formed a part of
the series of demonstrations they
are conducting throughout the
valley. Today yesterdays sue
cessful meetings we:e repeated.
The problems which were taken up
by the speakers last night are those
which vitally concern every person in
the valley and they in no small way
partially, if not wholly answered the
ever present question of the Imperial
Valley, "What shall we do?"
In substance the theme of every
speaker dwindled down to the point
VI d SySlcIlllZeu 10TH OF
agriculture, a question that has for
years been before the farmers and
one that the United States govern
ment has taken hand I'm and en-
deavored to inculate by literature and
other means.
Professor c. M. Hoyt, of the de-
partment of agriculture, of the Uni
versity of California told in figures
and statistics the vol,inI> of the dairy
ing industry in this state. He sug-
gested that some system be devised
where in the industry can be brought
to the attention of the people at large
in California. The raeson, he said
was that as a whole, the industry was
not appreciated in the Giles especially
where they do not understand the
problems and needs of the dairyrnen
Dean H. E. Van Norman, president
of Davis Agriculture college, one of
the leading colleges of it's kind in the
United States, was one of the most
forceful speakers of the evening. In
part he said, "The improved methods
of agriculture have made it possible
for the country population to support
the ever increasing population of the
NieASS" HC illtSi OI lNe
farmer and the city resident was dis
cussed. "Only as the dairymen get
together and study their own prob
lens, and then get together with the
city man can readjustment of con-
ditions be brought about effectively.
The dairy business must be made
stable to bring benefits to the valley"
he said. ''In order for this to oc-
cur, the farmers must take an active
interest in their herds. must want to
remain permanently in the valley and
must learn to Judge dairy cattle prop
erly, in order that their herds may
be improved steadily" he concluded
The question of speculative farm
ing and its determiments was brought
out by Professor r. l.. Adams, head
of the division of farm management
at the University of California. "Spec-
ulative farming ruined the Imperial
Valley the last year and caused the
farmers to lose hundreds of thousands
of dollars" he said "The Imperial
Valley is strictly farming commun-
ity and without agriculture the cities
could not exist. Therefore, it is
highly important that the valley
ie'i dRFl-
cultural industry here"
He suggested the raising of alfalfa
jointly with stock. Beef, cattle, hogs
and sheep can be raised successfully
in the Imperial Valley, he said. The
main difficulty found, he pointed out
was the land problem. Where there
are nonresident land owners, as there
are in the Imperial Valley, this sit
uation is acute. Leases should be
made out for a long period, thus as
surfing protection to the farmer of
small means and also to the land
owner, who knows that his tenant is
located, and this best efforts will be
put forward"
nhe meeting as it was given last
evening, will be repeated again this
evening at the Brawley high school
for the interest of the farmers in the
north end of the valley.