Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-11-26
FARM AND MARKET
BY r. A. TROVATTEN
Minnesota Agriculture, Dairy and Food
Commissioner.
How Do You Do!

Recently it occurred to us at the
state Agriculture, Dairy and Food Of
fees in the Old Capitol, st. Paul, that
we could render an additional service
to the trainers if it were possible to
reach them each week with timely
suggestions and information on all
phases of the complex business OF
agriculture. The newspapers of the
state, it was concluded, would be the
finest medium for such an endeavor
Thus was this weekly bulletin-Of
which this is issue one-born.
The secondary purpose of such a
column, it was decided, ought to be TO
acquaint you with your Agriculture
Department, its duties, its various di-
visions, its workings and its person
mel. Familiarity makes for friend
ship and friendship makes for CO.
operation. We believe and hope this
column will draw the farmer and the
Agriculture department closer to-
gether.
Do not forget it is the basic inten-
ton of the Department of Agricul-
ture to work with, and aid, hus-
bandry. 1t is no different with
this, the departments voice. Any
advice asked of Farm and Market
will receive prompt and thorough at
tention and will be answered through
this bulletin or by personal letter.
Please do not think that this is a
-one-sided affair and that we are try
ing Ito tell you We want you to
tell us" also. In his experiences on
the farm, a farmer makes beneficial
discoveries. We want you to impart
these to us so that we may pass them
on to others. Such hints as we re-
ceive will be printed in this column
to the extent that space allows.
Every paragraph in Farm and Mar
ket" may not be a kernel of No. 1
grain. A hull or a weed seed will
slip in now and then. But even these
we hope may terminate an idea Or
perhaps, give you a chuckle.
New Poultry Board.
The Minnesota Poultry Improve
ment Board is the newest addition to
agricultural branches of the state
government.
The board was created by the 1881
legislature for the purpose of improv-
ing the chicks produced by Minnesota
hatcheries.
Professor A. C. Smith, poultry divi-
sion, University of Minnesota, is pres
ident of the council; w. K. Dyer, for
mer county agent of Meeker county,
is secretary and executive officer.
Other members are: DR.. C. E. Cotton,
Charles E. Walker, c. E. Gregersen,
and this writer.
The board is self supporting, deriv-
ing funds through fees collected from
member hatcheries. Membership is
optional. The council has its offices
in the Agriculture department rooms
in the Old Capitol, st. Paul.
A Cry for Help.
c. P. Bull, state weed and seed
chief, issues a cry for help.
A number of township weed inspec-
tor reports, due Nov. 1, have not yet
been received by Mr.. Bull. He urges
that the tardy reports be sent in as
soon as possible.
Mr.. Bull also suggests that now is
the time to send in seed samples for
analysis. Last year samples piled up
in the laboratory in February and
March and almost swamped the seed
experts.
If seed samples for test were sent
in now, it would greatly facilitate the
work of the laboratory and assure the
farmers an earlier return of their
report.
Is 1t A Racket?
A certain bombastic radio station
owner in the south, rumor goes, has
ingeniously RECALLED himself and sta
ton employees with a winter supply
of potatoes.
He broadcast that S. would be paid
the farmer sending in the largest po-
tato. You can imagine the number of
prize spuds he received.
Bright Spot.
One of the most heartening things
that has happened for Minnesota
farmers since this writer entered the
Department of Agriculture is the fact
that Minnesota potatoes during the
month of October were on an average
of Is cents higher per hundred than
those of Wisconsin on the Chicago
market.
This is an increase of Is 1-3 per
cent over 1880 in the difference be-
tween Wisconsin and Minnesota pota-
toes. 1t is the first time in a number
of years that Minnesota tubers have
brought more than Wisconsin potatoes
in Chicago.
The increase is due largely to a
new system of grading started last