The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1930-03-20
COUNTY AGENTS COLUMN,
]. H. CARTER,
Resident County Agent,
Oakland, Md.

|
Expansion
Maryland dairy farmers are urged,
| in the State Agricultural Outlook, just
issued by the University of Maryland
Extension Service, to work towards
more economical production during
1880 by eliminating the low produc-
ing cow, using more homegrown
feeds and retaining for replacement
only those heifers that come from
high-producing cows and are sired by
good purebred bulls
It is pointed out that there is sur
plus of fluid milk in Maryland and an
over-production of butter, cream and
condensed milk in the country at
large, a condition that has largely
been brought about by the decrease in
purchasing power of the consumer.
1t is expected that this situationwill
influence the market throughout the
coming year.
University officials agree, therefore,
that this is not an advantageous time
to enlarge the present herd or estab-
lish herds since there was an increase
last year in Maryland of 2,190,375 gal
Ions of milk over that produced in
1928. Such a situation indicates a
possibility of lower prices for this
commodity during the coming year.
Moreover, during the past eighteen
months a large number of heifers
have been saved to be placed in Mary
land herds, constituting approximately
thirty per cent of the cows in the
State. It is blieved that this condi
ton alone will tend to affect milk
production for several years to come.
Farmers who are planning to grow
potatoes this year no doubt have been
making their plans and thinking over
some of the jobs they will have to do
in order to grow a good crop of pota-
toes.
1t is important that a dairyman's
herd consists of good high producing
cows, free from disease, and is well
cared for if he expects to secure a
profitable income from the dairy
business. 1t is just as important that
farmers use good seed stock free
from disease and of high yielding
variety if they expect to secure a
profitable yield from their farm crops.
Following are ID suggestions if put
into practice will produce good crop
of potatoes, provided the season is
normal.
Select soil that has drainage and
works easily, that is well supplied
with humus and is not subject to
drought.
Apply plant food literally.
Plow as deeply as possible, 8 to 10
inches if the surface soil will permit.
Conserve soil moisture by discing
fall-plowed land in early spring and
the spring plowed land as soon as
plowed.
Put the soil in the best possible con-
dition before planting.
Plant variety adapted to your To-
cality and soil.
Use the best seed obtainable.
Treat the seed potatoes before
planting them.
Cut blocky seed pieces, weighing
from to 2 ounces.
After planting, keep the surface of
the ground loose and pliable, until
the plants appear, by narrowing fire.
quently.
After the plants appear give deep
cultivation. Cultivate often enough
to keep the soil loose and the weeds
destroyed.
Prevent injury to the plants from
disease or insect pests by spraying
them with suitable fungicides and in
secticides.
If you live where it is possible to
produce good seed, improve your
stock by systematic selection of tu-
bers from the best-producing plants.
This should be done in the field, by
hand digging a goodly number Of
promising looking plants.
Ten Reasons for Boys Club Work
Here are ten reasons, and good ones
too, why farm boys and girls should
become All Club members and then
be able to make good farmers and
farmers wives in the community in
which they live:
1. Club work enlarges the vision of
the boy.
2. 1t stimulates his interest in rural
life.
3. 1t enables him to make some
money for himself.
A. 1t furnishes recreation and
amusement at regular intervals.
5. 1t trains the boy to keep farm
records.
6. It encourages modern methods in
farming.
z. 1t emphasizes the dignity of
! farm work we'll done.