Pueblo chieftain., 1921-10-24
THIS WEEKS NOTES ON THE FARM

Biggest farm news OF the week
came the last thing on the last day.
right in the thick of the strike bullo-
tins. Effects OF it may prove to be
meager, as is the usual fruitage OF
anticipation verses realization, but any
way it is encouraging, or at least 1T ID
encouraging to the farmer. 1t was a
decree from Washington making re-
duction in freight rates of 16 per cent
on grain. grain products and hay.
This ought surely to help out the west
to considerable degree In tho move
mcnt of thousands of carloads or
wheat, corn, flour and feed. provided
the threatened strike does not block
everything. But tho help to the west
will BIO not SO much in any increase
of shipments. since the railroads can
not move half the stuff anyhow: the
benefit will be in getting It hauled
without paying it all out on trans
portation. There may be Il little
As to hay. the reduction will be of
more benefit to Colorado than to any
other state. affecting both the eastern
and the western portion on their two
unlike kinds of hay. Down In the
lower ARKANSAS Nallcy one OF Two VI
the alfalfa mills had already quit
grinding meal and the alfalfa was
being baled. In hope of something
turning up that would allow shipment
to Kansas City the worlds greatest
hay market This something evident
ly has now turned up. In western
Colorado there are alfalfa stacks that
have stood untouched for three years
and Montrosc county is swamped in
alfalfa. having vast quantities it does
not know what to do with. But the
most pleasing point from the new
rate will be to the cutters of the
regular mountain hay. there being the
largest and finest crop ever KNOWN
best hay in the world.
Who can tell us anything about
Fort Smith? Who can give informa-
ton about tho condition, habits and
floating abilities of the Arkansas
river thcrcabout? In other words
what In the hiChest-up point of navi-
CATION? II Is the threatened railroad
strike that gives rise to this question.
altho only n week or two ago this
column was harping on its pet idea OF
making Colorado great Independent
commercial and industrial empire.
We couldn't help but notice during
the past week that none OF the strike
plans had any mention of the Colo
RADIO Southern railroad If all the
other lines were shut off and Colo
RADIO could still keep In touch with
Houston the strike would be grand
thing for this tri-state empire. 1t
would develop us as real inland
community. far more self sustaining
and self controlling than ever thought
possible. But now II. in addition to
the traffic outlet to Houston, VIC had
one to New Orleans. 1t would be still
better. Tho barge lines from St Louis
r,I ~
day down the river II the railroads
close up. If We could rig up "A barge
line from tho nearest accessible
stcamboatlng point on tho Arkansas
river. and then with Uncle Sans aid
force an opening to that point from
Colorado Il would look pretty good.
At least this is an interesting propo-
sition.
Colorado is certainly standing on its
own legs to better purpose than usual.
Just now. If the railroads tic up we
will neither freeze or starvo. The
farmers are taking utmost advantage
OF tho long dry spell OF good weather,
and they should be given fair notice
that n wet storm is due now any day.
The moro wheat that can be put in
before 1t comes, the better.
But prices are not any more en-
fainting spell the last hour Saturday
but tho freight rate news may cause
the corpse to wigglc this morning.
Here at homo butter and eggs arc kit
ing but livestock and meats very weak.
They can not go any lower, apparent
~, and the railroad men arguing Cor
high wages have their tables piled high
with l. cont beef steak, . cent potatoes
and cent bread.
Rock Island railroad makes quito
speciality OF encouraging farm interests
out ON its far-wcst branches. AgriCul-
tural rallies were going on last week
with a special farm train making an
imposing tour. Largo and enthusiastic
crowds had "a big time especially at
Idmon and Genoa. n any Pueblo rail-
road were asked to get up such n
stunt "a that 1t would think IT was
killed.
Colorado Springs papers give details
OF large immigrat ton of farming FAINT
lies this year, filling up great extent
of prairie on east slope Of the divide,
adding several hundreds to population
OF plainsmcr.
Nnt a, d