The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1920-04-29
Farm Bureau Notes.

Farm Bureau Notes.
The past week has been very back
ward for all farm work all over
southern Iowa, and reports from al
most every county shows so per
cent to 20 per cent acreage of oats
planted at the present time. There
this locality, as most men prefer
crops instead of assuming the risk of
sowing oats SO late. which would
probably yield a light crop. Then,
too, the present high price of seed
oats will keep many from sowing now
on account of the extra risk involved.
The same argument will hold good
from a personal viewpoint on >pota-
toes, but C. " Holsinger, of the Ex-
tension Department, has the follow
ing to say in regard, to the potato
situation. Take it for what it is
worth to you.
WHY PLANT POTATOES FOR
HOME USE.
AT the present time the country is
facing potato famine to greater
extent than ever before. What the
conditions will be next fall are hard
to forecast. The crop last season
G919) was below that of the pre-
ceding year with market value OF
two and one-half times that of last
year. ,.. ..,
To plant an acre of potatoes this
WI re9 q H. an ne outlay scTs for
the seed alone The rental value of
the land plus the cost of cultivation,
etc., will mean that farmers will
have an investment of we'll up to
$4,000 per acre. From present in
dications many of them are planning
to plant to some other crop. 1t GER
Of
courage on the part of the farmers
to plant very heavily under the pre-
sent conditions.
A grower recently reported that
he had been offered 100000 more
than his seed cost him at the time
the seed was put away last fall. He
stated that he was disposed to sell
and plant to other crops this season.
If this stock Of seed would be plant
much difference-but instead OF
this, the bulk of it will find its way
very shortly to the consumers table.
because Of the situation it is fear
ed that the acreage planted this year
will be greatly reduced.
The part of wisdom now would
indicate that everyone should try to
grow potatoes in quantities for their
own use The soil to receive the
seed should receive better prepara-
ton. Seed should be more care
the seed may go farther in planting.
Seed that ordinarily should be used
if good seed is not available.
One can ordinarily expect a ten
fold increase from seed that is plant
ed. planting of from one to four
bushels will not be a great hardship
on anyone. The chances are that
those who do so will find it worth
white. And unless we do this-the
yea" of extremely high prices
Personally I think the money you
invest in seed at $500 to 5000 per
bushel now, will if invested IN COM
mercial potatoes next fall, fill your
cellar for the winter 1t is too late
TO plant potatoes, and seed is too
high at present. IF YOU HAVE
SEED OF YOUR OWN-BY ALL
MEANS PLANT THEM.
A much greater demand for soy
bean seed has sprung up TIL was
anticipated by growers and as re-
suit. seed has gone sky high. So many
inquiries have come to this office,
as to what varieties to plant. that
we are irving below list which we
think would be advisable TO plant,
and which will give best results for
purpose mentioned. For ensilage to
be cut up with the corn. plant-Wil-
early yellow, for hogging down.
plant black eyebrow. medium early
yellow, Ito San, Manchu or elton
the four latter are yellow varieties.
For hay---most any kind will give
good results. except the mammoth
yellow, which is southern bean and
will not mature here. DO not plant
it unless you wish to experiment.
Do not plant soy beans under any
The County Agent has secured con-
tract from Edwards Laboratories
for incubation bacteria. which we
exchange and keep fresh and will
furnish this to any Farm Bureau
IL. ember at cost. We have inocu-
lation for soy beans, clover, sweet
clover and alfalfa.
We had series of sheep and wool
meetings the past week, but owing
bad roads the attendance was poor
at all meetings, except at Garden
Grove, where very large crowd was
out, and a fine program rendered.
Prof Stone. Sheep Specialist of
Ames, Iowa, made the principal adj
dress, followed by Garden Grove
Township Director-Mr. w. S. Nc
structive and pleasing. The Garden
Grove orchestra deserve a vote of
thanks for the fine music rendered
during the afternoon. Mr. Fisher
gave a very pleasing reading that
put the audience in a very pleasing |
humor. his subject being mostly |
Irish"
The summer spraying demonstra- |
ton will be put on in the orchard of
Mr.. M. ]. Porter of Van Vert, next |
week or the week after This |
demonstration will be under the |
of Prof. H. e. Nichols, |
Assistant Extension Professor Of |
of Ames College, and trees |
will he snrayed four times during [