Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-07-20
Rapid Advance
of Machinery
On FarmCited
By james Birchfield

A rosy picture OF farming In the
future has been painted by DR..
Sherman E. johnson, assistant chief
of the Bureau OF Agricultural Eco
Monies of the Agriculture Depart
ment.
DR.. Johnson is the author Of q
report on the agricultural reyolu-
ton" that was published by the
department almost year ago, and
which pointed out the strides in
mechanization made by American
farmers.
Recently, DR.. Johnson said he
can't yet forsee the day when the
farmer will sit on his front porch
and drink lemonade while he pushes
buttons that will operate robot farm
hands. But, he added. machinery is
fast being developed that will take
most Of the remaining drudgery out
of farm life.
In order to operate q farm sue
cessfully in the future, DR.. Johnson
thinks q farmer will have to invest
from 500 to $50 per acre In farm
machinery. This would amount to
an investment of about 1900 for a
man who operates a 300-acre farm.
DR.. johnson sees machinery adding
to the size of the family farm,
although he does not believe mech
anization will result in large, COM
mercial farms, complete with pro-
duction and processing facilities.
Machinery will add to the amount of
land that can be used for human
production and to the amount OF
land that can successfully be tended
by one man.
In answer to the inevitable ques-
ton on atomic power he said he did
not look for it on the farm next
year.
Tomato Blight Spreading.
Maryland officials say relatively
cool weather, heavy dews and fire.
quent rains in some sections Of the
State have facilitated the spread
of tomato late blight. They advised
farmers and gardeners to spray or
dust their plants.
In the control Of late blight a
spray or dust containing copper
should be used. The leaves and fruit
of the plants should be kept covered
with the spray or dust.
!, Late blight is spore-borne dis
ease and is spread by the winds.
If the spores light on leaves that
have been covered with a copper
spray they are unable to develop.
New Thistle Found.
The presence in Virginia Of
Barnaby's Thistle, spiny weed
that may injure the mouths and
digestive tracts of livestock If eaten,
has been reported by State Extension
officials. The thistle, which Is
thought to have come into this
section in alfalfa seed from the
Argentine, was identified by Prof.
A. b. Massey, botanist at v. P. I.
Farmers have been urged to watch
out for the thistle, and If found to
dig and burn. 1t was described as
an annual with rigid erect stem Is
to 80 inches high, widely branched
and gray with loose woody hair.
The seed heads contain yellow flow
ers and the thistle blooms from
July to September.
Orchard Grass Production Off.
The Virginia Cooperative Crop
Reporting Service has reported that
orchard grass seed production in
the Seate Is estimated this year at
$4,000 bushels, q decrease of so
per cent from last year.
The service said low prices, dam
age by May freezes and heavier
grazing because Of pasture shortages
in the spring caused the decrease.
The service reported, however,
that the acreage planted to hybrid
corn this year is 10 times greater
than last year.
Scholarship Established.
Gordon Elcan, Virginia All Boys
Club agent, has announced that the
Virginia All-Stars have established
scholarship at v. P. I. in honor
fof C. A. Montgomery, assistant d.
rector of the State Extension Serv-
ice, who died recently. All State All
Club boys probably will be eligible
to compete for the scholarship, he
said.
Mr.. Montgomery was instrumental
in organizing the All-Stars more
than Is years ago. At that time he
was State leader Of the All Club
program.
Poultry Meeting Scheduled.
The Maryland Poultry Council
will study adjustments necessary to
meet future markets at the 10th an
nual summer session to be held
August s and at Westminster.
During the sessions council men,
bers also will tour local poultry
farms.
Food Locker Plants Gain.
Frozen food locker plants in the
United States have increased from
4. 900 in 1e43 to 5000 last year, and
are serving an estimated $4,000, 900
people, according to Farm Credit
Administration.