South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-08-27
Motor Train Carries Progress
sive Growers to Station
Near Wanatah.
BY JAMES HINES,
Farm Editor.

from St. Joseph, LaPorte, Marshall
Porter and Lake counties had an
enjoyable and profitable field day
meeting at Finney-Purdue expert
mental farm near Wanatah yester-
day. Some Of them found out they
were using correct soil treatment in
crop production and others at once
realized they were on the wrong
track to obtain larger yield per acre
at lower cost of production.
Theories and speculative opinions
were cast aside and the tangible evil
dence of actual results formed the
basis OF discussion. Farmers were
invited to the fields and shown by
comparison just what one variety Of
planting would do under proper cul-
tivation and soil treatment against
that which was not given the bene-
fit of scientific research
FrOf. A. f. Wiancke, head Of the
soils and crop department Cf Pur-
due. explained what proportion and
variety Of fertilizers had given the
best results on specific crops He
also pointed out that since agricul-
ture was the only thing that created
new wealth each year, it was highly
essential the principles of produc-
ton should be closely studied. The
great problem, he asserted, was how
much can an acre be made 10 yield
per man. This would not only serve
to lessen cost of production, but
automatically increase acreage and
do considerable to settle the ques-
ton Of farm labor, he said.
Taking "a plot of oats to demon
strate the unquestiOned value OF soil
treatment, it was shown that a given
acreage without treatment of any
kind yielded IFS bushels per acre.
However. with the application of
/ four tons of limestone, the same
acreage produced 23.7 bushels.
while the maximum production was
attained by the use Of calcium sill
cate, when the identical plot yielded
/ 40.6 bushels per acre. Similar dem
constructions followed with corn. hay
and alfalfa. Explicit rules were laid
down concerning crop varieties and
their adaptability to specific soils.
The results obtained, il was ex-
I planned. cover a period Of two years
and confirm the views held by ex-
perts that soil Of an acid. peaty ma
ture on which the experiments were
made, will return big production and
/ corresponding revenue if methods
beyond the experimental stage are
/ vigorously and unfalteringly ap-
piled. There are thousands of acret
/ of similar land in northern Indiana
which is not doing its full duty and
which will never increase produc-
| ton unless old theories are supplant-
ed with the new. IT was declared
! NJ This farm. comprising 469 acres
ia divided into two tracts One If
400 acres is two miles west of Wan
atah. and the other of 60 acres lies
two miles east of the homestead OF
/ William Finney, who donated ;ne
land 10 the state. 1t is operated by
/ the agricultural faculty of Purdue
The gift ia the first Of its kind in the
country it was declared, and would
possibly set precedent that other
large land owners might do well to
follow in the interest OF wide AMI
I far reaching community benefits
The plan OF donating the proper
" was developed through the work
OF O. p. Kinsey. of Valparaiso COL
klege. and life long friend OF Mr.. Fin
ney. The success of the experiments
I created such a furore OF interest
that the visitors were anxious to
know more Of its history Form
Nng a large circle around Mr.. Kin
sey. the enthusiasts wanted him TO
tell the story. Kinsey reviewed the
work which he had undertaken at
the farm as head OF a class OF ag-
ricultural instruction OF the Val
paraiso institution. The plan was
bgoing well until the war terminated
It's activities and students Joined the
military service. Realizing the mag
nitude OF the future advantages -
he gained by the state as reflecte /
in the success OF Kinsey. Mr.. Fin
pey. together with hts daughter
/ conveyed the property 70 Purdue TO
be developed In the interest of az
Ariculture. from which not only In
diana would profit. but the country
as we'll
/, Praising the unique memorial Gre
ated by the donor. Kinsey declared
Nthat IL was a step which any man or
woman might feel a pardonable
Epride. He spoke OF endowments Of
various kinds. but said. so far as
\ known. this was the first instance
where a large tract OF land had been
given outright for the purposes now
used. He expressed the hope that
others would follow the lead OF Fin
ney and recognize agriculture as the
one thing which primarily underlies
all human life and prC---ess
In order TO remove any doubt
which might have existed IN the
minds OF some OF the visitors con-
! ~e~uirr the rasuits obtained static