The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1926-08-26

keeping the soil in a high state of
fertility and guarding against disease
and insect infection will greatly mini
mize the effects of an unfavorable sea-
son.
"Of the four important factors
that largely determine the yield of a
crop-weather, soil, seed and disease
and insect pests-sil fertility is not
the least Important" says the Insti-
tue, quoting Prof. o. H. Sears, soils
expert, of the University of Illinois
College of Agriculture. "a fertile
soil will tend to lessen the effects of
poor seed, make good seed better, and
decrease disease and insect injury.
In like manner, an unfavorable sea-
son is more disastrous to crops grow
ing on an impoverished soil than to
those on rich land. 1t has been shown
that more water is needed to produce
bushel of corn on infertile soil than
on one in a high productive state, and
since moisture is the factor so often
limiting yields, this fact is of constr
cradle Importance. Soil treatment,
too, serves as crop insurance in that
crop yields can to a certain extent be
stabilized.
Experiments conducted by the
state colleges give rather startling
proof of these facts. Plots of un-
treated land which averaged is. 8
bushels of wheat per acre, after fer
tilization with limestone and phos-
plate brought 38.3 bushels to the
acre, or gain of $50 per cent over
the untreated soil. It was further
noted that the treated plots yielded
more in five poor years than the un-
treated in five best years, and as the
price of grain is ordinarily higher in
poor years, this is rather significant.
Soil treatment practically gives i'm
munity from crop failure during I'M
favorable seasons and raises the pro-
ductive level to a point where pro-
fits may be uniformly expected. The
chances for success with crops are in
creased in proportion to the care used
to maintain the land in a fertile con-
dition."
Noon "Snack" Good for the Laying
Hen-The slump in egg production
always in evidence about this time
can be checked, if not wholly avoided,
by giving laying hens a noon lunch
says Cora E. Cooke, poultry specialist
of the extension division, University
Farm, st. Paul.
This slump in egg production is
usually reflected in a rise in prices,
and the poultryman whose flock keeps
up production reaps an added profit
For Minnesota conditions at this
season the poultry specialist advises
the use of two parts of mash to one
part of scratch feed. For the spec
ial noon lunch there is recommended
crumbly mash made of three quarts
of dry mash-one bushel of wheat ia
two of oats, finely ground-and three
quarts Of buttermilk or skimmilk TO,
every 100 hens.
To get the best results from the
addition Of this feed the hen house
should be thoroughly ventilated,
the range should afford plenty OF
shade, and fresh, cool drinks should
be available at all times.
Limestone On Hand Should be
Spread NEWCOMERS of lime-def-
cient soils in Minnesota who have
limestone on hand should spread in
this fall even though they are not
planning to SOW alfalfa or sweet Glow
er until next year, says DR.. F. j.
Away of the division of soils, Uni
versity of Minnesota. Experience
has shown that alfalfa is much more
likely to make a good stand if the
lime has been in the soil sufficiently
long so that some Of it will be dis
solved.
Special Bulletin, No. lot, Ginning
for Alfalfa in Southeastern Minneso-
ta," Drs. Away and C. o. Rost, au-
thors says:
Limestone may be applied to the
soil at any season Of the year and on
any crop without fear Of damage, as
direct contact with it does not in
jure seeds or the most sensitive young
plants. It's effectiveness is much in
creased by thorough mixing with the
soil, and it is much better if applied
and mixed with the soil several weeks
or more before seeding the alfalfa,
and usually still more effective il
PUT on year in advance. It may
be applied two or three years before
seeding without loss of beneficial eff
feet"
Aggie School Folks Plan Reunion
At Fiair-AN readers of The Sauk
Centre Herald who have attended the
Minnesota School Of Agriculture at
University Farm, St. Paul, are in
vited to attend a reunion Of students
and alumnia in the Territorial Pho
neer's building at the State Fair at
9 80 P. M, Thursday, September 9.
Aside from the usual social features
some consideration will likely be CIV