The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1921-01-20

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water on different soils for different
periods OF application. Assistance
was given in soil and a feasibility
survey for one drainge district.
Crop Improvement Progresses
The Bureau assisted in locating
and distributing considerable quanti-
ties OF improved seeds, including po-
tatoes, wheat, barley, alfalfa, clover,
corn, sunflower and other kinds.
Seven fields of potatoes were In
spected for seed certification and
two fields OF wheat. A Crop Inn
provement Tour" was conducted
which was we'll attended, and many
possibilities for better crop practices
we're demonstrated. A set of recon-
mendations for a balanced crop pro-
duction program, with specific stan
dard two-year and three-year rota-
tions we're prepared and presented to
the different community bureaus In
terested in irrigation farming. DEM
onstrations OF Ladlno clover and win
ter vetches we're started last fall.
dations for the control OF
pests and weeds were submitted from
the standpoint OF use OF pure seed
and good rotations as preventatlves.
horticultural Pests
Advantage was taken OF the
coddling moth studies OF Idaho In
vostigators, and Malheur County or
chardists we're kept Informed in re-
gard to the developement OF the
moths during the season and the cor
rect time to spray to avoid wormy
apples. Some OF the foremost Or
chardists of the county found this
service Immensely valuable to them.
Livestock Improvement Progresses
The Bureau conducted Live
stock Improvement Tour" TO arouse
interest in the keeping OF more and
better livestock on the farms. This
tour was exceptionally well attended
and was the start OF O general move
ment of the greatest economic inn
portance to the county. During the
last month OF the year two car loads
OF dairy cattle were secured by the
pooling OF orders and the purchase
from Willamette Valley farmers.
Farm Records Work Done
Tho Bureau assisted officers OF tho
irrigation power users In making a
farm management survey OF 90 irri>
gated farms. The data was OF great
assistance 10 the power users in pre-
senting their case in opposition TO a
proposed Increase IN power rates
which would have been ruinous TO
them. and II also served as basis
for determining cost OF production
for hay and other farm products and
afforded other valuable Information.
A large number OF farm record books
we're placed with the farmers. az well
as crop record sheets, In preparation
for further surveys.
Pests Get Reverse
The county is blessed" with about
all kinds of pests native TO the
Northwest. No systematic attempt
had been made within recent years
TO destroy any OF these pests The
field was a promising one for oper-
ationa. During January and Febru-
AIRY n poisoning campaign, begun by
the County Court In December, at
Vale. was pushed to all parts OF the
county. the assistance OF two repre-
sentatives OF the biological Survey
being employed, This work resulted
In the destruction OF great numbers
OF rabbits. II was brought to a close
by weather conditions before COM
piete. The second pest to receive at
tention was ground squirrels, which
are particularly serious In the more
remote sections. Approximately
four tons OF poison were distributed
This work was highly satisfactory
wherever entered into In an organ
ICED way, A series OF pocket gopher
poisoning demonstrations were given
during the spring In the communities
where these pests are most serious
This was done In response to demand
for a campaign against the pest. the
Bureau having brought the compul'
sorry Rodent Control law to bear or
pocket gophers. Throughout the
summer, gopher poison was kept on
hand In the various communities fol
the benefit OF those who would use
Il.
In response to demand for active
control work In the Nyssa commun
ity. the gophers on two farms were
treated during the summer. During
the fall, arrangements were made
treating a large area in the Malheul
Valley, which the Vale Bureau ha'
desired be given attention. In all
about 5000 acres OF land were GOV