The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1921-10-28
TELLS WHAT UPSET FARMERS
BUSINESS.

Factors which brought about the
slump in the farmers business anC
methods for their relief were out
lined recently by Sydney Anderson
of Minnesota, chairman of the joint
| Congressional Committee of Agricul
tural Inquiry, in a statement antici
pating the results of the committed.
work. Michigan county farm bureau:
held community hearings on the
subject last July and presented thei,
finding to the American Farm Blu
reau Federation for presentation to
the Congressional Committee. Coun
ty farm bureaus in other states die
likewise. Mr.. Anderson's report
follows closely the points brought
out by the farm bureaus. He said:
"The causes which brought about
the recent agricultural crisis, the
principal phenomena of which was
the almost perpendicular drop OF
farm prices, can be reduced to four
factors. These factors, in the order
in which | believe they affect the
situation, are as follows:
list. The falling off of exports,
particularly in beef and beef pro-
ducts, pork and pork products, and
cotton.
"2nd. The very marked decline
in domestic consumption, in which
the so-called buyers strike was a
factor as was also the general in
dustrial depression.
"3rd. The increase in freight
rates.
cath. The pressure of limita-
tions of credit and discount rates.
The relief of the present situation,
said Mr.. Anderson, lies in the i'm
provement of the export situation,
the return of the industrial situa-
ton to normal and the extension of
liberal credit to agriculture. In his
repart there is one ray of sunshie,
where Mr.. Anderson declares his be-
lief that the farmers situation has
reached a turning and is improving.
]. Carruthers at Newberg is test
ing Red Rock, Egyptian, and Michi-
gan Amber.
Mr.. j. Shippee, south of Benning-
certified Red Rock which he intends
to have certified for seed purposes.
From these foundations it is ex-
pected that we will be able to Sc
cure good seed wheat at home.
Various kinds of fertilizers are
being tried on separate strips by
some of these men in order to de-
termine which feltilizer is best
adapted to their needs.
Curing and Storing Seed Corn
Good seed corn can only be Sc
cured by thoroughly drying careful
ly selected ears before being ex-
posed to freezing weather. In late
September and during October, corn
as it comes from the field contains
from thirty to forty per cent mois-
ture. In this condition it is easily
damaged by moulding and freezing
In handling seed corn properly, it
is important to dry it quickly to pre-
vent mould because mold kills the
germ. If corn is frozen when moist,
it kills the germ rendering it unfit
for seed.
Immediately after harvest, corn
for seed should be placed where it
will receive free ventilation in order
to dry rapidly. When rom is dry
it contains about II per cent mois-
ture. When seed corn is drying, no
two cars should be allowed to touch.
Many excellent devices for drying
and curing seed corn are in COM
mon use. The ears may be strung
on binder Irvine and hung from a
rafter. Wire racks on which the
ears are impaled may be made from
woven wire fences or may be pur-
chased. Racks may be easily con-
structed from two by four and laths
on which the ears may be laid. These
racks should be stored in the attic
or spare room in the house, or in
the tool house. A well-ventilated
room is necessary. A cellar without
a furnace is, as a rule, poor place
to store seed corn. During the early
period of drying, all windows should
be open, so as to remove excess mois-
ture.
Corn properly dried will not be
greatly damaged by freezing, but it
is best to store it where it will not
be exposed to extreme cold.
Where large amounts of seed are
to be handled, special corn-drying
houses are desirable, equipped with
numerous windows or panels which
will give free circulation of air, and
a stove to furnish artificial heat to
hasten drying and prevent freezing.