The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1922-03-02
ARTICLES OF INTEREST TO FARMERS
Edited by Huntmer County Agent Melrose Minnesota
County Agent Cost Less Than Half

County Agent Cost Less Than Half
Cent An Acre-The cost of the coun-
ty agent service to counties of the
state of Minnesota amounts to less
than oneh alf of cent TN acre on
the basis of a total acreage in
farms, according to Frank E.. Balm
er, state leader of county agents.
This, he explained, is on the basis
census of 1920 and the Minnesota
tax commissioners report for 1920
and takes into consideration the pro-
portion of taxes paid by towns or
rural property only. Asserting that
the gain from the service greatly
exceeds the cost, he declares tnat the
cost per acre of toal land in farms
for the total general taxes payable
in 1921 amounted to $1.32 an acre.
One half of a cent out of $1.32 an
acre doesn't add very materially to
the cost of government, hit says.
County agents as well as others
connected with the work are glad to
have the value of the service ques-
toned, fdr it must be worth more
than its cost else it is not worth
maintaining, "Mr. -Balmer says.
NATURALLY the record of achieve
ment in each county must answer
that question. For the state at large
it can be quickly proved that the
gain from the service greatly ex-
ceeds the COST"
Cow Testing Groups Increase
From 20 To 35-Since the National
Dairy show was held in the Twin
Cities last October the number If
cow testing associations in Mime
sofa has almost doubled, according
to E.. A. Hanson of University
Farm. in charge of field work for
such associations. Fifteen new as
sociations hive been formed, making
a total of 35 in the state at this
time. The largest numbtr in active
operation at any time before this
date was 26 says, M. Hanson. The
new associations are in Anoka,
Carlton, Kanabec, Meeker, Mower,
Nicollet, Olmsttad, Ottertail, Pen
nington, Pine, Renville, Wabashao
Washington and Winona counties.
Mr.. Hanson says the monthly re-
ports from the association show a
growing tendency towards better
feeding methods. An outstanding
record for grades was made by a
grade Holstein cow in the Blue
Earth county association. This COW
produced $50 pounds of butter in a
year or three times a day milking.
Boys and Girls Short Course
Dates April 3-7-An Minnesota boys
and girls from II to 10 years OF age
inclusive are qualified to attend the
boys and girls short course whi"h
will be held at University farm
April 3 to 7 inclusive. In recent
years attendance at this course Las
been lifted to clug boys and girls.
The change undoubtedly means a
large increase in the enrolment.
During the course the forenoons will
be given to class work, the after
moons to sightseeing tours about the
two cities, and the evenings to NOV
ing picture shows and other enter
tainment in the big assembly room
at the farm campus.
BOokeepers Going to Short
Course In May-The year, 1922 is
young yet, but already two new
short courses hive been provided by
the department of agriculture of that
state university. The first, three
weeks course for horticulturists, is
now in full swing at University
Farm. The second new course will
be given for bookkeepsr of the state
on May %, "a, 25 and 26. Expert
instruction will be provided both in
technical phases and Impractical
demonstrations of bookkeeping. DR.
A. v. Storm, director of short
courses, sssyyss the university will
furnish such courses whenever the
demand Is sufficient to warrant them
Governor ProcIaims Bred Poultry
Week-Urging poultry breeders, Of
ficers and members of poultry as
sociations and instructors in agri-
cultural schools and colleges to give
special attention to the improve
msnt Of Minnesota focks by the in
PRODUCTION of standard bred stock
Governor ]. A. o. Preus this weel
issued a proclamation designating
the week of March 13 to 18 al