Smyrna times., 1921-08-17
KENT FARMERS INSPECT
ALFALFA AND OTHER CROPS
COUNTY AGENT COBB AND KENT
FARMERS MAKING TOUR
Left Dover Green at S.45 Yesterday
Morning. Was Arrang-
ed at Wild Flower Tea House

N0 at w AAO Il AOVNA ACd
Yesterday, August 16, was alfalfa
Day" for farmers of Kent County.
County Agent A. D. Cobb arranged an
automobile tour of the county to give
opportunity for an inspection of
fields of alfalfa, soy beans, and Jap
anese Glover. A number of these
fields have been used by the county
agent for year or more as demon
stration fields, for the purpose of
showing some new practice in the cul-
tivation of these crops, or the use of
better seed, and utilization of the crop
when grown. In other words this trip
was like a visit to an experimental
station, only the crops are being grown
under actual farm conditions and for
practical purposes. An inspection of
these fields showed both failure and
success in the above named crops, and
the reason was explained. Two years
ago very few Kent county farmers
had ever heard of Lespedeza or Jap
anese Clover. Not one in a hundred
knew whether or not it would grow
in Kent county. Last year County
Agent Cobb secured enough seed for
two small plots, which did well. This
year twelve farmers purchased seed
on the strength of the demonstrations
of the year before. The crop has
withstood the drought and is making
good. What is Japanese Clover good
for Fall pasture. The very thing
that Kent county lacks to make it the
leading dairy center of the Peninsula.
A few years ago many COW peas
were grown in Kent county. Some
farmers tried soy beans with indiffer-
ent success. Nothing much was known
about the crop, and the wrong varie-
ties were used and often without in
oculation. The crop was condemned
as failure. The Experiment Station
at Newark studied the crop, tried out
varieties and decided that the Wilson
soy bean was best adapted to Della
ware condition. This information
was passed on the County Agents and
other extension workers who urged
farmers to use more soy beans. Last
year County Agent Cobb secured seed
enough grown for grain, hay, silage,
pasture and hogging down. Perhaps
these demonstrations had something
to do with the fact that this year it Is
impossible to drive down a road in
Kent county and not see soy beans.
1t is one crop that has not been hit
by adverse seasonal conditions.
Some folks were having trouble in
getting alfalfa to grow. Poor SEED
was one of the factors. Through the
conuty agents Office over two tons OF
hardy alfalfa seed were introduced
into Kent county within the last two
years. Local dealers have realizec
the difference as wellas farmers anC
the seed today can be purchased al
home. Some old fields have been Civ,
en- new life by cultivation and fertiliZ
alton without injuring the stand of al
falfa.
These things have been going OF
right here in Kent, and in order tina
everyone must have opportunity Il
see the results both good and bad tina
they may follow them up on their owl
farms the tour was arranged.
Arrangements were made to hav
box lunches prepared by the Misse
Richardson at the Wildhower Te
House at a nominal cost. The moo
hour was spent at the farm of s. +
Derby near Woodside where a sho1
program was carried out.