The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1923-08-17
FARM NEWS FROM
STATE UNIVERSITY
ASSOCIATED Press Dispatch

st. Paul, August 13.-Still another
weed, what is known as buffalo burr
or richly nightshade, Is becoming
troublesome In Minnesota, accord
ing to A. H. Larson, SEED ana weed
analyst at University Farm here.
From to IL specimens Of weeds
for Identification are received at the
university seed laboratory every day
during the growing season and be-
cause 1t Is rather new and STANCE
specimens of the buffalo burr show
up in number more than any other
weed received at the laboratory.
Mr.. Larson hnds that the plant was
probably introduced into Hinnesota
from seed brought in with chicken
feed from Kansas and other states
south. In its maturity the plant Is
large and roomy, often reaching a
height Of four feet and having large
leaves. 1t is protected with an ar
NOR OF stin sharp spines and on that
account Is avoided by all farm ami
mails.
Reports received at University
farm show that the plant has gain
ed a foothold in all parts Of Min
nesota. AS 1t comes annually II
can be controlled, Mr.. Larson de-
clared, by cultivation and by cut
ting it down before 1t can produce
seed when 1t appears In waste
places and in yards. When given q
free hand, as in certain Kansas
districts. is spreads rapidly.
Nearly thirty boy scout masters
and other executives have register.
ed for the University Of Mime
sofas short course in forestry,
woodcraft and scouting which be :
gins at Itasca State Park next week
and continues for two weeks.
Among scout officials taking the
course will be R. e. Hodgson, su-
perintendent of the Uniyersity's ex-
pertinent station at Waseca and Dr..
J. w. Andrist Of Owatonna. Two
scout leaders from North Dakota
and one from Wisconsin have regis
tered; the remainder from Mime
sofa.
The purpose Of the short course
is to furnish a broader and yet more
intimate knowledge forestry and
woodcraft. Two general lines of
instruction will be given: frst,
training in woodcraft, including
trees, plants. mapping and other
work; and second. general scout ac-
tivities, including first aid, life
saving, games, astronomy of rope
work, pioneer woodcraft, camping
and camp cooking.
The entire class will be controlled
as a troop Of scouts with troop
meetings, conferences, demonstra-
tions and contests. University men
will do the instructions, among
whom will be Prof. e. G.. Cheney, ].
NJ. Drew, DR.. e. M. Freeman, and
Prof. ]. B. Venting.
Two expeditions will set out from
the University farm on Wednesday,
Aug. %. One under the leadership
OF DR.. F. ]. Away, chief of the uni
yersity's division of soils, will 20
to Coon Creek district in Anoka
county to celebrate what ID known
as Peat farming day. The second
will be a tour of farms in Steele
county and adjacent territory which
nave been keeping figures on the
cost of production Of crops with the
cooperation Of the University farm
experts.
At the first expedition, the morn
ing will be given over to q full in
spection Of university experimental
plots and in the afternoon pro-
gram Of speeches and lectures will
be offered.
Prof. Andrew Boss, vice director
OF the Minnesota Experiment sta
ton, will head the university party
to the Steele county tour. While
cost records have been kept on 25
farms in Steele county, the party
will have time to visit only four
farms. Cost records of two or
three items to which the farmer has
been giving particular attention will
be considered at each farm. Cost
Of producing hogs, dairy cattle,
chickens, corn, and alfalfa will re-
ceive particular attention.
The long snout granary wseyil
and that collection Of insects xen-
orally oiassed as "bran bugs" by
entomologists and grain dealers are
being found In old stored grain In
some Minnesota elevators and farm
granartes and are likely to take
heavy toll Of the new crop unless
steps are taken early to combat
them.
The situation, it is said, is COM
aatsd from the fact that low
prices will cause many more farm
ers than usual to store their grain,
Dr.. II. N. Chapman, q University of
Minnesota. entomologist, says that
farmers and elevator men should
clean their granaries and elevators
thoroughly before storing new
grain.