The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1931-04-09
Foresees Prosperity
In Grass Increase

/ III CSOOS 11OSPCl1C
In Grass Increase
CONTINUED from page ~
competition.
3rd Upon this class of soil sus-
tanned production is possible only
as result of the most intelligent
use of the best methods of fertili-
zation.
It is well known that my first
statement is true. If there is a
reasonable probability that the
second is likewise true, it follows
that a solemn duty rests upon this
Chamber of Commerce to make the
condition stated in the third pre-
vail. Not only is it a duty but it
is a glorious opportunity.
Already there is going forward
a substantial increase in the plant
ing of asparagus. We know from
experience that with fair amount
of publicity and high pressure
boosting still more rapid in
crease can be brought about. How
ever, no good citizen is interested
in mere increase in acreage. Our
aim must he increase in yield, to
the end that increased planting
may be followed by profitable har-
vest.
l said in solemn duty rests upon
| this Chamber and that a glorious
opportunity opens before us. Our
duty is to honestly and intelligent
ly use our organization in an eff
fort to assist our farmers in bring
| ing to bear upon the production of
| this crop the benefit of the exper-
fence of men in other producing
areas, also the benefit of such
present experimentation as can be
now carried on, and the benefit of
our material and financial assist
ance in finding and making avail
able the necessary means of fertil-
| ization.
The glorious opportunity lies
in the possibility of helping to build
up a prosperous, competent and
self-reliant farm population with
out which there can be nothing in
this district worth while. All will
no doubt agree that any perman-
ent success in profitable produc-
ton of this crop in this district,
upon our thousands of acres of
lighter soils, will depend primar-
lily upon the discovery and use of
the most economical means of af-
fective fertilization. 1t is accord
ingly in this particular service that
/ would offer to the farmers of
this community every resource of
this Chamber. That service may
take the form of independent eff
fort on our part, or of cooperation
with established governmental
agencies, or both.
Just now / have in mind certain
forms of definite effort. It is well
known that our sander soils in
particular are lacking in organic
| matter and that the addition of or
ganic matter is necessary. 1t is
also believed that in this class of
| soil this cannot be adequately ac-
complished by the use Of CONNER
cial fertilizer alone. It is just as
well known that the local supply of
barnyard manure is wholly insult
ficient for such an acreage as we
are now contemplating. There is
in fact a. difference of opinion
among farmers concerning the
value of manure as an asparagus
| fertilizer. l believe, however, that
there is substantial agreement that
barnyard manure available at a
reasonable cost is highly desirable.
There are some who from their ex-
lperience, advocate the use of green
manure in the form of sweet clo-
yer or other legume finely chopped
and applied as such rather then in
the form of barnyard manure.
i I now propose that this cham
Der adopt the following program
and in so doing perform the fol-
lowing service:
] 1st That our first aim be to
determine the wisdom Of making
asparagus our basic crop and, if
i found to be wise, that we endeavor
to build our future prosperity
thereon, using such other and adj
1 ditional crops as the experience of
competent farmers may suggest.
End That if we find that this
crop can be profitably raised on
our lighter soils, we do verything
in our power to enlarge the pres
emit acreage to include every acre
of land under the ditch that cam
not be more advantageously plant
ed to other crops.
3rd That in connection with the
foregoing and as part of our
program we Immediately set about
determining all available sources
Of adequate supplies of barnyard
manure, the cost thereof at the
| point of origin, securing proper
freight rates, ascertaining the
price at which manure so obtain
ed can be laid down locally and
| sold 70 tho farrnor. On tho raroicScf