The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1921-12-16
FARM BUREAU
RECORD FOR 1921
Potato Improvement

Me0tings were neid throughout
the county last spring in connection
with the potato work. It was felt
necessary TO put on thorough
campaign in order II control the
disease which is spr cading so rapid
ly in the county. At these meetings
2OS men signed up to raise seed
plc'ts. Letters were sent to all Of
these men with instructions as to
inspecting the potatoes and roug-
ing out the diseceed plants and
those not true to type. The fields
were visited personally as far as
the county agents time would per-
nit. Before digging time the best
hills were staked off, and these
hills were dug separately TO use in
similar seed plots next year. The
rest of the potatoes from the plots
will be used for seed in commercial
fields.
The final reports turned in by the
farmers showed that the average
yield per acre was seventy-five
sacks per acre above the average
yield on the commercial fields. A
majority of the farmers signing up
completed the work and we're very
satisfied with the results obtained
AS a result of this extensive po-
tato work we have in the county
about 5000 sacks of potatoes which
are eligible for certification and
| 10000 sacks of potatoes which will
be recommended to those who can
not afford to buy the certified seed.
These recommendations are based
on yield, freedom from disease and
type.
A potato excursion was held on
August 8, when thirty-five Bingham
County farmers went in cars to St.
Anthony to inspect the famous po-
tato fields in that section. They
were met by County Agent White
| and the Commercial club of St. An
thony and received a hearty well
come as we'll as some important in
formation.
Grain improvement
Many grain fields were inspected
with view to certifica,tion, and to
give suggestions to improve the
crops. The following will probably
be certified: 5000 bushels of
Dicklow wheat, $50 bushels of Kan
red wheat, 1900 bushels of Idamine
oats and a small amount of Trebi
Barley. 400 bushels of Early Barte
wheat has been approved.
Rodent Control
Seven demonstrations were held
in Aberdeen to instruct the farmers
in poisoning gophers. A great deal
of damage is being done in that Sec
ton along the canal banks. Mr.. |
John Finley, State Biological AS
sistant, gave the instructions at the
demonstrations.
About 5000 acre sof land has
been poisoned for squirrels. This
work has been done by individual
farmers who purchased their stry-
chime through the County Agents
office. The county pays half the
cost of this strychnine.
Several rabbit drives were held
during the winter months and many
of these pests driven to their death.
Rabbit poisoning campaigns were
also carried on in Pingree, SPRING
field and Sterling.
Insect Control
The Grimm alfalfa seed growers
in this county bought ten spraying
machines comparatively to use in
combating the alfalfa weevil. Mr..
Claude Wakeland, State Entomoli-
gist, made several trips into the
county to assist in this work, and
carried on eight demonstrations to
determine whether it is profitable
to spray twice in one season on al
falfa raised for seed purposes.
The spraying proved very salts
factory and will be continued next
year. 1900 pounds of Calcium Ar
senate was used in spraying, which
was bought comparatively at IL
cents per pound +. 70. b. Midvale,
Utah.
Livestock
| Abaut twenty cars of corn was
purchased comparatively and ship
ped in from Kearney, Nebraska, to
use in fattening hogs and cattle.
This made it possible to fit the
stock for market at much lower
cost.
200 head of cattle were tested
for tuberculosis by DR.. Shipley, with
two re-actOrs. IT'S head have been
vaccinated for blackleg.
Dairying
Many of the farmers in Bingham
County are very DESTROYS of keep
ing few dairy cows on the farms
to insure steady income. Several
meetings have been held for the pur-
pose of promoting dairying and the
farmers are now ready to ship in a
few cars of dairy cattle If finances
can be obtained. Up to date it has
been impossible to get the needed
credit for this project but the coun-