The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1925-05-07

DEPARTMENT FOR THE AGRCULTURlSIS
How Farm Studies Will Be En-
I.I ILL.,. D,,~u.lI At Daon w


How Farm Studies Will Be En-
larged Under Purnell Act-Dean W..
C. Coffey of the University Depart
ment of Agriculture and Vice Di-
rector Andrew Boss Of the Mime
sofa Experiment station represented
the state at the st. Louis conference
of agricultural station men called to
consider problems created by the pas
sage of the Purnell act.
The primary purpose of the new
law, said William M. Jardine, sec
rotary of agriculture, is to develop
further investigation and experiment
in farm economics, home economics,
and rural sociology. The law gives
an additional $4,000 for each ex-
pertinent station in the next fiscal
year beginning July L. and increases
the amount by $4,000 annually un-
til 100000 is reached in 1880.
In the farm economics field the dis
tribution and marketing of products
and the problems of surplus produc-
ton were recommended for a nation
al program of research. In home eco
Monies questions of rural home man.
agement, such as the development of
ways by which to tighten the labor of
farm women, will bestudied. VitaminS
will be the subject of a second line
of investigation. In rural sociology
the studies will revolve around rural
organizations and agencies essential
to efficient production. The special
agricultural production activity pro-
posed is a study of the factors in
fuencing the production and quality
of meats.
The work will be so organized, say
the University Farm Men, that each
station will be assigned definite phas-
es of research in the large national
program. By so doing the research
resources of the country can be
pooled and wasteful duplication of
effort avoided. Experts and special
lists from the different agricultural
colleges will be drafted to serve on
committees and recommend methods
of attacking the different problems.
Farm Management Course on New
Plan-Local farmer leaders, trained
by specialist of the agricultural ex-
tension service, University of Mime
sofa, have been carrying on farm
management classes in Houston coun-
ty. The coure of four lessons I'M
der the direction of w. L. Cavert,
farm management specialist.
Sixteen local groups were organiz-
ed, the leaders of each meeting the
specialist once each month and then
taking the lessons learned back to
their home people. In January 1856
persons from the 16 communities at
tended classes held by the local lead
ers. Intrest and attendance were
maintained in splendid degree
through February and March and in
to April when the course was brought
to a close.
Four subjects were emphasized
through the course, namely, the eco
Monies of hog production, making a
net worth statement, the economics
of the dairy business, and planning
a better cropping system.
University Instructs 5,635 Through
Mails-Five thousand six hundred
thirty-fve students in 624 Minnesota
cities and towns received instruction
last year from the University Of Min
nesota through the mails. The Cor
respondence Study Department of the
university now offers 200 home study
courses.
Grades for Wild Hay Soon to Be
Announced - Tentative grade speci-
fications for wild or prairie hay and
for alfalfa were discussed at hear
ing conducted at University Farm by
men from the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture and attended by
dealers in hay from the twin cities,
South ST. Paul, and other points.
Washington men received many sug-
gestions and answered many ques-
tions. At the close of the discussion
majority of those present declared
by vote that the proposed classes and
grades would, no doubt, meet the
hay marketing needs in Minnesota.
The hearing followed a detailed study
of hay grading factors, in laborator.