Norwich Bulletin Newspaper, January 1, 1917, Page 29

The !\.ew London Ccnmtv Fm—m Bureau is a co-opera.tlve or- e of the term. It is organized along Its purpose is to encourage and pro- tion of all community forces for ic betterment. Its existence it came into existence because of the art of the farmers of the United armers, not excepted. industrial and. commercial enter- changes. Competition, among both n way to combination. The farmer is a prod vhich he has to market at a reasonable profit in crder to continue in business. The manufacturer is a producer of goods and is absolutely dependent on his market, and labor also depends on its being able to market its labor suc- @essfully in order to ex Al three have similar prohlems. But the manufacturer and the laborer, know something about costs of production, and do not continue to sell below cost. “They have fearned to study the market, to buy as cheaply as possible, to make things-that people want and to make people want the.arti~ cles produced. Moreover they nave learned the folly f sharp competition, combination and co-operation enable each-individual’ to succeed. Government Gives Financial And Moral Suppm‘ On the one hand capital accumulates amazingly and; 2€cor= plishes marvels, and on the other hand laborers unite, and united, gain tremendously in bargaining power and self respect. The farmer has lagged behind, has not taken advantage of Co-opera- tion, has become such a to unscrupulous middlemen, that the manufacturer, the fair minded far seeing middleman, business men, and farmers urged Congress to take up the matter and assist the farmer in some way to better himself. e United States Department of Agriculture saw the need of bter co-operation among farmers and between farmers and business men, and so se- cured the cnactment in 191i of the Smith-Lever bill which pro- vides financial aid for co-operative Extension work in Agriculture and Flome Economics. In plain ordinary language this means: In any County in the United Stages—where-farmers-=nd business men can. Co-operate to the extent of organizing and supporting a county Farm*Bureau to improve Agricultural conditions in- that County, then the United States Government will give that organization its financial and moral support. Three vears ago, New London County bus- iness men and farmers proved that they cowld co-operate and organized the New Londen County: Improvement League. The Dnited States Government through the United States Deépartment ~of Agricultre ond the State Agricultural College immediately lent its support and since then the.State of Connecticut and New Lond@on County have also co-operated. All these have done their part and nov hardly a farmer in the County is so backward as to De unable tp see the advantaga~pt-ihe Farm Bureau, the 8dv: tage of co-dp: on, co-operation with his neighbor in the mar- keting of this milk, or otaer farm products, co-operation in the securing of his necessities an’ economical business like way, success for pne mmeans sucgess Yor another. Governcd By Board of Dircotors. The New London "Cot Bureau is governed by a Board of Directors who are elected annually by the members. BEnch town elects one man to represent it on the Board of Di- rectors, and this Director ir nominates members to the Town Advisory Committee. T! amittee Wwith the Directors or chairman studies the recds of gach community, recommends to the board of directors the lines of work to bo taken up and has general supkrvision of rk of the County Agent in thelr town. The County” A%d he man hired by the Farm Burégu to accomplish d€dfred jrgsuits’ It 4% a well established fact in all human affairs that every large enterprise requires a leader. If the interests of 2 gounty arc werth:safeguarding, they are worth organizing &nd’ piaeifiz ik chartgs of a competent agricultural feader % The County Afent “Gorrelating, harmonizing brains of the county’s Agricultural interests. He is the farmer's field sec- _fetary upon whom devolves the responsibility of increasing pro- duction, standardizing quality 2nd helping in the improvement of marke!mg cond, co-operat mote the federation work in economie, educ: depends upon co-operation. lack of co-ope the States, New London men(l Prises ¥ HOW THE COUNTY AGENT CARRIES ouT ORGANIZATloN. = e Separate Communigics Ate #8cated On Town' Maps—What The Past Yecar's Hragomme; Ingiuded—Milk Froducers Hard Hit By War-time Prices. - In carrying out't the directortake a m communities; é. edvizory commibts estha: ber in this vvcifiqd& g{kl;sf work will be|completed €, 1917, when the next meeting of the board of- W.mawe At this meeting the gen- Leral outline bt the work for the year will be decided upon, each djrector making® rébofmimendaticnsl for nhis town. This accom- plished, the:Coupty Agent, Will gnect with each town advisory committee afd i #td ot work will be 1aid out for that separate the location of'an sent Farm Bureau mem® This part of the /tlous ana digestibie and is conducive thm\i;:h proper nourishment. £2% #n New Lon@on: County, Jarge | taught the use of & i PR town for the year.” This program is nsceusry in order to km the work going systematically with the largest possible results. Such - worls. lly planned ted will -enrich the indi-’ vidual, the town and the co the incomes, in- creasing tna&ung of land, and mmm b 1 " The past year this program jnciud : 3 'lvti wqtba ‘adopted .again: ng is simply é?;’ ‘bulking of orders to such an d-tng 8t a ‘wholesale price; and that ‘unit may be lowered, and the. pet n ‘of gome of the service which mex'éu operation in selling is simply bulking: to interest competition among price offered, and reduces the cost of transportation td the-con= sumer. The co-operative buying worked successtully in the pur~ chase of agricultural lime last spring and may be extended to cover fertilizers and grain. Co-operation in selling has been suc- cessfully carried out by milk producers in New York State the past summer and is now being put-into practice by the milk Pprodycers of ‘New London County. This illustrates the very val- mmkr Mm-oat “uable assistance a Farm Bureau is to agriculture of the cCounty. Milk prcducers have been hit hard by the war-time prices in a very peculiar way. While the cost of producing their product has greatly increased, they are receiving but little more for milk, and there seemed to be no means of securing this increase. At this point they called on the county agent for information gnd learned how the problem was being solved in other sections. s information is bringing the desired resujts, the county agent carrying the information from one group to another and assisting the men to perfect their co-operation sélling organization. This work can be carried to a greater desree of efficiency and should ‘e included in mext year's program. Increasing Orchard ' Production, The orchard improvement the past year bas béen entirely along pruning and spraying lines. : This work should be continued and increased to include. cultivation, fertilization and general orchard management. More applications were ‘received for prun- ing and spraying than could be. granted but with an assistant county agent, this work should be well taken care of and those orchards which are in shape will be studied with a view to in- creasing. their production in other,ways. Some sections may need assistance in' packing their apples in proper shape to market. Extension Schools and Institutes will be animportant part of the Farm Bureau program during the winter months. Two four- ‘day Extension Schools similar to the one held in Preston City last winter have been secured and there is a'possibiiity that there may be one or two, two-day schools granted. The four-day schools are to be held, one in North Stonington and one im Colchester the last of January and first of February. ~These schobls offer courses, to both men and women in-luding Poultry subjects by Prof. Jones of Storrs, on: “Selection and Care of:Breeding Stock,” “Incuba- tion and Brooding,” “Care of Growing Stock,” “Poultry Feeds and Feeding,” “Poultry Diseases.” Prof. Musser handles the Dairy Course covering: “Study of Breeds of Dairy Cattle,” “Milk Secre- tion,” or “How the Cow Makes Milk,” “Judging and Scoring Dairy Cattle,” “Calculating Rations,” and “Keeping Records of Dairy Cows.” Prof.- Southwick teaches: “Soil Formation and How Plants Grow,” “Soil Management,” Farm Manures,” “Fertilizers and Lime Legumes,” and “Cash Crops for Dairy Farmers.” in the Home Makers' Course, Miss Maud E. Hayes, Professor of Do- mestlc Selence at Storrs, lectures on: “The Food We Eat,” Plan- ning the Daily Meals” “Milk and Its Care,” “The Feeding of Children,” “*The Well Planned Kitchen,” and gives:demonstras Sons fn' ‘Bread and Quick Doughs,” Cereals,” “The Fireless Cooker,” “Vegetables,” “Milk and Cheese Dishes,” “Eggs,” “Sample Meals for Children,” “Meat and Meat Substitutes.” These Scheols are open to all and due announcement will be made so that the public may take au‘a—u'\gc of the oppertunity. Institute meeti ngs will al50 be arranged for communities wishing seeh subjects ms Farm Manggement, Dairy, Pouit: v and €ash Crops discussed. Poultry Improvement v&urk is being cam Ty fort "to discover and brin IO ll)fl poullr)m"n morp pronmb'o methods of housing, feeding, and management of their flocks. Demonstrations might also be conducted in the selection of lay- 1ng birds, culling out the low producers by external.appearances. A source of breeding males from selected high producing stock might also be developed. Dairy Improvement. Goldie, whose picture arpears above, saw her aiong with two other cow In the judsing contest she was va cows, showing that our dairym ference beiween the profitable , is familiar to man at the County Fal usly pla are unable to detect the nd unprofitable cows by at them. Men who milk the cows are not sure of detectin: cows, and further than this, men who have carefully watched the production of their cows for a whole year as recorded after careful weighing by standard milk scales have been known to pick the wrong cow. This shows the fact t the dairy far neceds other methods to assist him ih making h business profitable. At present milk men throughout the countr 5 feel that one of these me: s to co-operate that they may reccive more for their product. This is possidle, but there i to this. The consumer should not be asked to pay more in propoftion for dairy products than for other food stuffs of the same nutritve value. Because milk is relativeiy cheap is the best argument for its use as a food. Whep we compare the cost of a quart of milk with the cost of its equivalent in other foods we find that there is no comparison. The following a%e some of the equivalents of milk which fllustrate why a high value should be set upon #his most perfect food: Three-quartérs pound beef steak, 18c. Three-fifths pound ham, 2lc. Four-fifths pound pork chops, 18, Eight egs, 32c. Thrze pounds fresh codfish, 30c. One pint oysters, 20c. Two pounds chicken, 50c. There are many other reasons why meore miik should be used i8 our every day:dict besides its commercial vaiue, it is nutri- ons. and fa fact every milic producer should join hands with the ‘Harm his education: mpaigs to show the value Through the more exténsive use of milk the the summer moaths -wobld be materially decreased. With tf decrease there is and will be a greater increase in the population of our cities which in turn must be ik s a £00d which has no equal. AN dalrymen’s organiz: reau in putting on milk as a food. surplus duri: mrmmmv S0Y BEANS GROWN ON LOCAL FARM Be Developed as a Soume of Fxrst-élass Seed. Potatqes—-What the Boys’ and Girls’ Club Work Really Is Production Cost Should Be Lowsred. However, to m.un. the greatest profit, the cost of production: -should be:l6wered;. “Ffils 14 & big pro ered from: to find: out 'Mtb. _ plished:by keeping. ac ‘penses, of -M ane the' u:’ut of ‘miik m_uad 2 iart ok i e e a ufiee can n- dmu ich will: eompflnflfltm for his labor and Since no. e e K s fnfl’h 3 QMW'M and has a plan i v s nce can” 0se Who wish. 3 The most economical feed wunsfi;zy,w London County milk.men can produce milk is With a liBeral”feeding of well- matured, heavily eared corn silage, good legume hay such as clovgr, alfalfa, soy beans and With a light ration to make z bal- anced food. Demonstrations have been condicted by the county agent the past summer in an effort to improve silege. - Silage has a two fold value, first to secure a sufficient food to replace summer pasture, and second as a cheap sourge 5f nutrition. One demon- stration was conducted where corn and soy beans were grown in the same row, the corn and soy bean seed being mixed and seeded in the same drill. This combination silage gave a yield of 19 tons per acre of well-matured, heavily eared corn with a large per cent. of soy beans which grew to a height of four.feot. These were harvested together and cut in‘o the silo. The state experinfént station reports that both for dry matter and food value. this silage was considerably above the Bverage for feed, and that * ration of concentrated grain could be materially reduced. other demonstration along this line is shown in the- picture where N. E. Whiting of the Uncas Farm in, Leffingwell Town raised his silage corn in one fleli and his soy beans by themselves, and mixed the two when cutting them into the silo. This also will make a valuable addition to the silage. However, this practice has not been sufficiently demonstrated to warrant its general use; neither has the most profitable variety of corn for silage been sufficiently demonstrated, so both these matters will be further studied the coming year and results will be pub- lished, so that all daify farmers may be kept in touch and receive the benefits of the work. Clover Hay Reduces Hay Bills. Dairy farmers could also reduce their grain bilis by raising more legume hay. Demonstration work has shown that clover may be raised successfully-on most farms in New London County by the addition of lime to sour soils and the shortening of the rotation. Farmers who this winter have their barns filled with clover hay instead of common mixed hay are not feeling the high cost of grain to such an extent as their neighbors. .Some are doing fairly well with alfalfa, but the demonstration being super- vised by the Farm Bureau seems to show that ndt all farm lands are adapted to this valuable legume crop. Of the 26 demonstra- tion plots, less than half can be said to be at all successful. These successful plots seem to be on land which are fairly rich in plant food, which has been well limed, and which has an open, loose well-drained sub-soil to considerable depth. The seed should be well inoculated, as plots which have shown no nodules on the root have not lived through the winter. In gen- eral, although alfalfa is considered to be a slightly more valuable hay than clover, the average farmer in New London County should deévote his attention to the surer production of clover hay. In case.the silage and legume hay proposition cannot be rem- edied before another season, some saving may be made in the grain ration by readjusting to most economically meet the present high prices of grain. Distillers’ grains are a very cheap source of protein and should be more extensively used. Some of the more untried meals may well be used. Prof. Musser, Extension man at Storrs, suggests the sse of cocoanut meal with di- gestible protein 18.8% and total digestible untrients 79%, or a second grade peanut meal analyzing: 27% digestible protein and 887 total digestible nutrients. . Rations For Average Herd. For an average herd producing 4% milk, the following rations be highly econmical: 1. With silage and legsume hay feed dne pound of cogoanut meal to each 41 Ibs. of milk. 2. With silage and miXed hay feed one pound of the secon@ grade peanit meal to each five pounds of milk. 3. With silage and lesume hay feed one pound of the second grade peanut meal to each six pounds of milk. Pure bred sires should also be considered in this dairy im- provement work, and it should be a part of the program of the Farm Bureau to induce dairymen to improve their stock by this means. As long as we continue to buy cast-off stock from Ver- mont and New York State, milk producers in these sections will he able to produce milk more cheaply than we and so be able to undersell us at a profit in our own markets. { ENCRMOUS AMOUNT OF CORN SHIPPED INTO THIS COUNTY. But Corn Cluks And Associations Will Stoo This ‘Drain On Our Finances By Doubling The Acre Yield. . The United States census report shows that during no ten- vear period has the corn yvield of the United States oxceeded 28 No state has averaged for any year over 54 per' acre, vet in practically every section of the United vields of more than 100 bushels have been produced. As tes and as a nation, twice as much land is being used and much labor is being performed in producing the corn crop than ility of doublihg our acre yield of corn is dp certaln and its accomplishment of such tremendous importance that school, state, national, and independent organizations of corn <1 and associations of corn’ breeders and corn growers are heiping in a way that will lead to success. Such clubs and as- sociations are especially fitted for this most important work, for they combine the vearly experience of many and can continue their records indefinitely, each year profitine by,past experiences. We do mot know just how much corn for grin and seed is shipped into New London County annually, but we do know. that it is enormous and is still increasing. Why not replace some of this with our own corn andssave.this heavy, drain®upon our finances? Acre Yield At Jewett City. Results from variety tests condncted by the county. ‘agent the past summer show an average of 51:busheéls-of corn in the ear, stowing that although New London Jounty average production may be above the general ave: room for improvement. A goed i of what can be done ajong this line is shown in. the,mw by A:.A. Young, Work and What the Past Year’s Programme Included—Why This County Might | of Jewett City, 1n an acre-yield test. This c6rn Was ‘grown on 1and which, although, well supplied with plant food, had previously started a crop of carnation pinks, f0llowing which the land was plowed, manured-at the rate of twcm.y spreader-loads to the acre, and the land fitted and planted. The plece received three culti~ vations with no hand work. The corn was cut, shocked and husked by hand. All money expended, other t] * fertilizer, amounted to $34. Six tons of fodder were harvested at $15 a ton. This gives a total of $90 and a total of 104 bukhels on the cob was, procured from the acre, valued at $1 per bushel, this gives a total income from the acre of $194. . . Shelling Out Contest. Mr. Young entered 40 1bs. of ears of this corn in the/shelling- out contést ‘at the New London County Fair, which, won first prize, shelling out 35% 1bs. of shelled @prn. This means that by ‘weight seven-eights of every bushel is shelled corn, making a total acre yield of 9 1-3 bushels of shelled corn. The picture il- lustrates well the small cobs of this corn compared with the large cob ‘in front of the pile. Those interested in entering an acre contest for prizes next year should correspond with.the County Results of Variety Tests. . Resuits of the varlety tests for the first year show a drg® matter basis of corn on the cob as follows: - Davis’ Yellow Flint Corn, average yield 50 bushels per A. Rhode, Island White Flint, 54 bushels per A. Burwell’s Yellow Flint, 57 bushels per A. Connecticut Dent as a field corn gave 43 bushels per A, but = considerable more fodder, the Davis flint giving the least -fodder. - Further trials will be made this year, and ' continued until the highest producing varicties for the different types of land has been determined and a source of this high grade séed estab- lished in this county. Selecting Corn Seed. From a study our most reliable sources of- information and from our observation among our most successful corn producers, we learn that the best and most reliable place to select seed is in the field as soon as the corn is ripe and beforé any frost comes if possible. The reason for this is that in the field those stalks which are most productive and best suitéd to our needs may be readily. deteoted, and the seeq from such plants selected. Stalks having two well-developed ears.are highly desirable for seed purpose and should be selected at this time. Until the seeds are planted they should recelve the best of care. It is not sufficient to hang them up directly after gathering under the gable of a barn_or house or in a crib under ordinary conditions for the reason. that the corn receives injury from some.fungous disease or frost action or both unless it is properly dried out. Our zov« ernment report states that “Upcn care of seed depends in a large measure the success of the next year's crop. Poor care has re- duced and will reduce the yiclding power of seed by 18 bushels per acre without perceptibly injuring its germination.” . The method proposed and recommended is as follows: “Immediately after gathering the seed—ears, they should be placed to dry in a position where they will not touch each other and where there is a ggod circulation of air. The details will vary. Binder twine or radls of electric weld wire fencing are satisfactory means of suspending seed to dry. When the seed becomes dry as old corn, it may be taken from the racks, weighed, and stored where neither moisture, mothis, Tats or mice can injure it. Kven after the most pains-taking care of seed corn from the moment it is picked it is not safe to assume that it will all grow and with sufficient vitali- ty to produce the best vield. Representative kernels about.six in number are taken from cach ear and placed in a favorable place for growth; on moist blotting paper or on cotton in = place of constant temperature sufficiently high to start germination.” Each ear is given a number and its seed in the germination test’ re- celves a corresponding number. In this way as soon as the corn germinates, any ears which do not germinate or show good strong vitality may be discarded thus insuring good strong plants. In addition we have,the use of the corn that is. not. good. seed. LOCAL FARMS ARE WELL ADAPTED TO POTATO RAISING. Gounty M49h‘t Be- Developed ;As Source of First Class Seed “Potatoes. - Many sections in New London County are well adaptéd to potato raising and more should be grown. Many, farmers say that it is hard work-to market small guantities, which. is very true: However, if more could be induced to raise potataes, they might be eollected in sufficient quantities to enable the farmers to market them co-operatively. The Farm Bureau has offered its services in the past and sti]l stands ready to assist in estab- lishing this most important of cash crops in the county. The .county ‘mizht also be-developed as a source oOf first-clies Heed potatoes. Many wections ar> becoming dissatlsfled with their present seed supply and, #re looking for new sources. A source of sced oats might also be estgblished in thé county and. four bushels of a high-grade sced were placed with co-operatinggiarm Bureau members the past spring with this in view. Demonstrations conducted during the -past year have shown the value of further attention to the potato crop. George Liepan, of Norwich Town, and Director James Graham, of Lishon, can vouch for the fact that it pays to properly keep the potato vines thoroughly covered with spray material to prevent potato rot from blight, and to M1l the beeties. More seed should, be treated to_control potato and scab, not only to prevent scabby tubers in land already infested but also the more important factor of keep- ing this wasteful disease out of land already Mifested. The most economical and effective method of disinfecting sced potatoes on a large scale is by the use of formaldehydc gas liberated in an air-tight shed constructed for the purpose. Tor smaller quanti- ties the customary method s to soak thé uncut tubers in a solution of formalin, one pint in 30 gallons of water, for two hours, drain, cut and plant. Boys' and Girls’ Club Work. The picture below shows a group of New club prize winners at the Eastern States exposition, held at Springfield, last October. Club members hrought back to New London County from Springfield $80.75 as a reward. for their good work and they have also been with the best at state exhibits. These club members are engazed in making a profit and develop- ing themselves by raising corn, potatoes and garden product®and are learning to preserve these products by canning in the home. Some are learning to handle poultry profitably, others are learn- ing to sew, while still others are becoming acquainted. with types of aairy stock through the stock judging contests. -The-younger children in the cities have their achievement clubs i which they ise vegetables and flowers on 100 square feet, A ‘summary shows. that these ciubs in New London County exclusive of Col- chester and Lebanon for the year 1915 had a membérship of 635, London County Of this number 534 or five-sixths successfully completed their work. ~ Many of these ‘children have had interesting experiences One little- el sometimes to the detriment of the garden. ven: year old girl writes as follows: Dear 1 am sorry to inform you that my garden is a s my brother brought home 2 small puppy and he got 1 over my tomato. plants and raid it is too late to gkt any He rolled = am 1& the night. completely ruined them and I more. Yours truly, Summary. €Careful consideration of the above named profects and num- erous others not mentioned will be considered at the meeting of the board of directors of the New London County Improvement League at their regular meeting Saturday, January 8, 1917. “With 350 members, a live and active set of officers, efficient and in- terested directors, and advisory committees, the future of .the work looks very ‘promising. 'We invite the inspection and hearty co-operation of all resldents of New London Cgunty. Our slogan for 1917, “United -Effort Means Success.” _ofthe country, there is still |