Missouri State Board of Agriculture Compliments of 7 FORTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OP THE MISSOURI State Board of Agriculture A Record of the Work for the Year 1908. ALSO valttablp: information on breeding and feeding live-stock, IMPROVINf; THE FERTILITY OF THE SOIL, GROWING CROPS, DAIRYING, POULTRY-RAISING, ROAD-MAKING, HOME- ECONOMICS AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE FARM HOME, AGRICULTURAL AND LIVE STOCK STATISTICS, ETC. PUBLISHED 1909. LIBRARY NEW YOkk aOTAMCAL (lAltUbN. THE HUGH STEPHENS PRINTING COMPANY, JEFFEKSON CITY, MO. ! ■ aa»«| ||iy }£o tfnco ^ y n n \/ . ^1 OFFICERS OF THE STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. President — H. J. "\^'atel•s, Columbia. Vice-President — John Deervvester, Butler. Secretary — Geo. B. Ellis, Columbia. Assistant Secretary — W. L. Nelson, Columbia. Institute Specialist — S. M. Jordan, Columbia. Live Stock Assistant — F. G. King, Columbia. Treasurer — W. A. Bright, Columbia. State Veterinarian — Dr. D. F. Luckey, Columbia. State Highway Engineer — Curtis Hill, Columbia. State Apiary Inspector — M. E. Darby, Springfield. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. H. J. Waters, Columbia. John Deerwester, Butler. W. B. McRoberts, Canton. EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS. Governor of Missouri, Herbert S. Hadley. Superintendent of Schools, H. A. Gass Dean Agricultural College, H. J. Watei-s. CORPORATE MEMBERS. (Term expires July 20, 1909.) Cong. Name. Residence. County. dist. 1 W. B. McRoberts Canton Lewis. 4 John L. Christian Rockport Atchison. 7 N. H. Gentry Sedalia Pettis. 8 W. C. Howell Ulman Miller. 15 Sanford Mc. Smith Reeds Jasper (Term expires July 20, 1910. ) 6 John Deerwester Butler Bat&s. 9 J. W. Boles Auxvasse Callaway. 10 M. B. Greensfelder Clayton St. Louis. II Norman J. Colman St. Louis 821 Holland Bldg. 12 W. R. Wilkinson St. Louis 212 N. Main Street. (Term expires July 20, 1911.) 2 W. C. Hutchison Jamcsport Daviess. .3 A.M. Thompson Nashua Clay . 5 J. B. Sampson Lee's Summit Jackson. 1.3 E. E. Swmk Farmingtoii St. Francois. 14 R. A. Young Alton Howell. 16 A. T. Nelson Lebanon Laclede. (HI) OFFICERS OF STATE FAIR DIRECTORY. rrcsidont — W. R. "Wilkinson, St. Louis. Vice-President — R. A. Young, Alton. Secretary — John T. St in son, Sedalia. Treasurer — C. W. McAninch, Sedalia. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE STATE FAIR DIRECTORY. Norman J. Colnian, St. Louis. A. T. Nelson, Lebanon. W. R. Wilkinson, St. Louis. N. H. Gentry, Sedalia. R. A. Young, Alton. E. E. Swink, Farmington. A. M. Thompson, Nashua. STATE VETERINARIAN AND DEPUTIES. D. F. Lucke}-, State Veterinarian Columbia Horace Bradley, Deputy State Veterinarian Windsor E. Brainerd, Deputy State Veterinarian Memphis W. F. Berry, Deputy State Veterinarian Joplin L. D. Brown, Deputy State Veterinarian Hamilton Henry Boettner, Deputy State Veterinarian Perryville L. G. Clark, Deputy State Veterinarian Nevada James Cullison, Deputy State Vetermarian . .Charleston A. C. Donohew, Deputy State Veterinarian Boonville E. M. Hendy, Deputy State Veterinarian Jefferson City R. B. Love, Deputy State Veterinarian Springfield J. H. McElro}', Deputy State Veterinarian Grant City R. C. Moore, Deputy State ^'etermarian Kansas City R. J. Mitchell, Deputy State Veterinarian Kirksville A. J. Munn, Deputy State Veterinarian Fayette F. W. O'Brien, Deputy State Veterinarian Hannibal R. P. Poage, Deput}' State "W'terhiarian Shelbina J. H. Slater, Deputy State Veterinarian Richmond Samuel Sheldon, Deputy State Veterinarian Trenton Stanley Smith, Deputy State Veterinarian Columbia J. G. Starr, Deputy State Veterinarian Odessa C. E. Steele, Deputy State Veterinarian St. Joseph T. E. White, Deputj^ State Veterinarian Sedalia H. H. Wolf, Deputy State Veterinarian Maryville W. B. Welch, Deputy State Vetermarian Marshall H. C. Tuck, Deputy State Veterinarian Morrisvillc (IV) ASSOCIATE ORGANIZATIONS. IMPROVED LIVE STOCK BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION. President — N. H. Gentry, Sedalia. Vice-President — Hugh Whiteford, Guilford. Vice-President — ^Paul Culver, Plattsburg. Vice-President — R. M. Brown, Carrollton. ' Vice-President — John R. Potts, Mexico. Vice-President— Dr. G. M. Laughlin, Kirksville. * Vice-President — H. R. Brasfield, Unionville. Secretary-Treasurer— Geo. B. Ellis, Columbia. MISSOURI CORN GROWERS' ASSOCIATION. President — Frank M. Crowell, Butler. Vice-President — Christ Ohlendorf, Boonville. Vice-President — Elbert Thompson, Butler. Vice-President — Elliott Tucker, Perryville. Vice-President — Geo. H. Sly, Rockport. Vice-President — E. L. Newlon, Lewistown. Secretary-Treasurer — S. M. Jordan, Columbia. MISSOURI STATE DAIRY ASSOCIATION. President — P. P. Lewis, Crescent. Vice-President — J. E. Roberts, Bolckow. Vice President— W. S. Dille, Holden. Secretary — F. L. Austin, Columbia. Treasurer — D. A. Chapman, Warrensburg. MISSOURI SWINE GROWERS' AND BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION. President — G. M. Laughlin, Kirksville. Vice-President — C. B. Adams, Grandview. Vice-President — W. S. Cotton, Smithton. Secretary — C. A. Willson, Columbia. Treasurer — W. E. Bradford, Columbia. •Deceased. A— 1. MISSOURI SHEEP BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION. President — S. H. Groves, Tipton. * Vice-President — H. R. Brasfield, Unionville. Secretary-Treasurer — M. V. Carroll, Sedalia. DIRECTORS SHEEP BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION. John A. Rankin, Tarkio. S. C. Haseltine, Springfield. Harry Nance, Pattonsburg. W. W. Waltmire, Raymore. C. E. Bethards, Shelby ville. D. Lee Shawhan, Lee's Summit. MISSOURI HIGHWAY ENGINEERS' ASSOCIATION. President — -James M. Clack, County Engineer, Nevada. Vice-President — E. B. Borron, Countj^ Engineer, Butler. Secretary — Curtis Hill, Columbia. Treasurer — P. S. Quinn, County Engineer, Columbia. MISSOURI HOME-MAKERS' CONFERENCE. President — Mrs. N. H. Gentry, Sedalia. Vice-President — ^Dr. Edna D. Day, Columbia. Secretary — Mrs. C. S. Blackmar, Columbia. Treasurer — Miss Alice Kinney, New Franklin. ♦Deceased. (2) LIBRARY NBW YORK BOTANICAL QARl>6N. LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. state Board of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary, ( Oolumbia, Mo., March 20, 1909. \ To Honorable Herbert S. Hadley, Governor of Missouri: Sir — I have the honor to transmit to you a report of the work of the State Board of Agriculture for the year 1908, including the work of this office, and that of the State Veterinarian, State Highway Engineer, and State Apiary Inspector. Trusting that the work of the Board and officers will prove to have been valuable in the development of the great resources of our State, and that the same may meet with, your approval, I am, Very respectfully, Geo. B. Ellis, Secretary. (3) CD TABLE OF CONTENTS Pages. Annual Meeting — Minutes 1 1-20 Report of Secretary 21-28 Secretary's Financial Statement 29-43 Treasurer's Report 44-46 Report of State Highway Engineer 47-52 Apiary Inspector's Report 53-55 Report of State Veterinarian : . . 56-68 Farmers' Week- Improved Live Stock Breeders' Meeting 76-130 Corn Growers' Meeting 131-217 Dairymen's Meeting 218-288 Swine Growers' Meeting 289-346 Sheep Breeders' Meeting 347-397 Miscellaneous — Poultry Problems and Profits 399-444 Financial Report of State Fair 445-446 Missouri Crop Review 447-448 Missouri Crop Statistics 449-466 Veterinarians' Tabulated Reports 467-483 Index 484 (5) SAMUEL W. HUDSON Born 1842. Died 1908. SAMUEL W. HUDSON. Born near Sibley, Jackson County, Missouri, March 2, 1842. Honorable Samuel W. Hudson, the subject of this sketch, began a career of usefulness as a citizen of Missouri that is equaled by very few men. Mr. Hudson's father died while he was quite young, leaving the care of the family and the respon- sibility of managing a large farm upon him, which he very successfully accomplished. He entered Masonic College at Lexington in 1857, and William Jewell at Liberty in 1860. In 1862, at the age of twenty years, he joined the Confederate Army and was in the battle at Lone Jack and other engagements of the Civil War. In 1865 he crossed the plains from Omaha to Fort Bridges, Cal. Married, hi 1871, to Miss Mary Gilbert who died in 1873. He was an elder and prominent member of the Christian Church which he served until his death. In 1881, Judge Hudson was married to Miss Emma D, Walker, to whom were born three sons and two daughters, all of whom are now living. He served Jackson County two terms as County Judge, and was an important factor in every needed reform and public enterprise pertaining to the county's wel- fare. Judge Hudson was appointed a member of the Board of Agriculture by Governor Folk in July, 1905, and during his term served as vice-president and president, and at the time of his death was vice-president of the Board of Directors of the Missouri State Fair. He took a deep interest in all the affairs of the Board and was a staunch friend of the Agricultural College. It was largely through his untirmg efforts, aided by his warm personal friend. Senator Thomas J. Wornall, that an appropriation of S100,000 was secured from the 44th General Assembly for the new Agricultural Building which is now almost completed and ready for occupancy, This building, built of Missouri lime-stone, is an enduring monument to the per- sonal sacrifice and untiring energy of the devotion of these two men to the cause of a better agriculture for Missouri. Few men have lived who were as universally loved and respected as was Samuel W. Hudson, and whose labors were of greater value to the State. His death occurred at his home, April 26th, 1908, on the farm where he was born. The following resolutions were officially adopted by the State Board of Ag- riculture: •'Whereas, The State Board of Agriculture has just been notified of the death of one of its most distinguished and useful members. Judge Samuel W. Hudson, which occurred at his home in Jackson County on the 20thclayof April, 1908; therefore, "Resolved by the Board of Agriculture, now in special session. That we have thus sustained an irreparable loss. During his three years service as a member of this Board, and as vice-president, acting-president, and president, no member or officer could have manifested greater interest or have accomplished greater good for the cause of agriculture in the State of Missouri than he. ''Resolved, That we express our very deep sori'ow on accomit of the death of our greatly esteemed member and that we express to the bereaved family and to his many warm friends among the farmers of the state, our sincerest and deepest sympathy in their great loss. "Resolved, That the secretary be instructed to spread a copy of these resolu- tions upon the records of the Board, and that the same together with a suitable obituary be published in the annual report of the Board. "Resolved, That the secretary furnish an engrossed copy of these resolu- tions to the family of the deceased." GEO. B. ELLIS, Secretary. (7) JOHN RICE RIPPEY. Born 1843. Died 1909. JOHN RICE RIPPEY. Born in Schujier County, Missouri, November 25, 1843. Educated in the public shools of his county. Married to Elizabeth Dickerson, of Macon County, October 10, 1867. Member of the Constitutional Convention in 1875. Member of the Thirty-first General Assembly of Missouri, 1881. Member of the State Board of Agriculture from 1883 to 1893. Member of the Board of Curators of the University of Missouri from 1891 to 1897. Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture from Jim e, 1893, to January, 1901. Secretary of the Missouri State Fair, January, 1901, to January, 1908. A successful farmer and breeder of registered Shorthorn cattle and trotting horses. Editor of "The Lancaster Excelsior" from 1898 to 1909. Died at his home in Lancaster, Schuyler County, January 17, 1909. Such, in brief, is the story of the life of a man who has left a lasting impress upon the State. These honors, numerous and rich as they are, came to him without solicitation and without effort on his part. He was a man who could always be relied upon to plead the cause of a friend, but never his own. Colonel Rippey believed in Missouri and considered no labor too arduous that would promote here interests While Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture, he prepared for distribu- tion at the Omaha Exposition, in 1898, a statement of the State's resources, which has become a classic. It was he who coined tlie phrase, "Missouri, Imperial Mistress of States," a title so appropriate as to be at once adopted. He was a member of the Board of Curators of the University at the time of the great fire in 1892, and helped to guide the institution through the stormy period of its relocation in Columbia and through the days of the reconstruction of its build- ings. On a tablet in the main corridor of the Academic Hall at the University, carved in enduring marble, is an expression of the recognition of his services to this, the foremost educational institution of the commonwealth. While Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture, he brought this important work of the State into much closer touch with the people and developed it along lines of greater usefulness. The Annual Reports and bulletins he edited were filled with practical information and were widely sought. When called to the position of Secretary of the State Fair, that institution had just been established and was without buildings, or other equipment. In the seven years of his administration as Secretary, this institution became one of the foremost of its kind in the country. One of the most characteristic traits of Colonel Rippey even unto his death was his interest in and fondness for young people. He was a man who faced the future and had faith in what it would bring. H. J. WATERS, Dean of the College of Agi-iculture. (9) ANNUAL MEETING. MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS. State Board of Agriculture, Oflflce of the Secretary, / Uolumljla, Mo., December 15, 19(.8. i In compliance with the provisions of the law, the members of the State Board of Agriculture convened in the office of the Secre- tary in forty-fifth annual session. The meeting was called to order by the President, Hon. Nor- man J. Colman, and a roll-call showed the following members present: Messrs. Colman, Howell, Hutchison, Deerwester, Boles, Greensfelder, Nelson, Christian, Wilkinson, Sampson, McRoberts, Gentry, Smith, Waters, Gass, Young, Thompson, and Swink. The reading of the minutes of the last annual meeting was the next order of business, and upon motion of Mr. Gentry that was dispensed with, and the minutes as printed in the 40th annual report were adopted. The Secretary's report was submitted, and upon motion of Mr. Christian the report was received and ordered printed. Mr, Greensfelder moved that the Chair appoint a committee of three, to whom should be referred the recommendations of the Secretary. Motion carried. The Chair appointed Messrs. Nelson, Young and Smith on the committee. The State Veterinarian, Dr. Luckey, read his report, and, on motion of Mr. Boles, the report was received and ordered printed. Mr. Greensfelder moved to refer the recommendations of the Veterinarian to the committee on Secretary's report. Motion car- ried. Mr. Hill, State Highway Engineer, submitted the annual re- port of his office, and, on motion of Mr, McRoberts, the report was received and ordered printed. The State Apiary Inspector, M. E. Darby, submitted his re- port, and, on motion of Mr. Greensfelder, the report was received and ordered printed. (11) 12 Missouri Agricultural Report. AUDITING COMMITTEE. The committee appointed to examine the books and accounts of the Secretary and Treasurer submitted the following report : To the Board of Agriculture : We, the undersigned committee, authorized by the President to examine the books and accounts of the Secretary and Treas- urer, have examined the financial statements of the Secretary and Treasurer, and find that the vouchers on file and the cancelled warrants with corresponding numbers in the hands of the Treas- urer, agree. The following warrants, which had been issued at the last annual settlement, but had not been presented for payment, we find have since been paid : farmers' institute fund. No. 909— Amount $38 06 STATE VETERINARY FUND. Nos. 2011-2017— Amount $145 37 KANSAS CITY INTERSTATE FAIR FUND. No. 94— Amount $33 50 STATE HIGHV/AY ENGINEER FUND. No. 23— Amount $32 40 The following warrants, for which corresponding vouchers were on file, have not yet been presented for payment : FARMERS' INSTITUTE FUND. No. 1020— Amount $3 15 1022— Amount 2 00 1023— Amount 96 54 1025— Amount 20 66 1028— Amount 30 00 Total . . $152 35 Respectfully submitted, (Signed) J. W. Boles, John Deer wester, M. B. Greensfelder, Committee. Mr. Nelson moved that the report be accepted and the com- mittee discharged. Motion carried. Minutes of Proceedings. 13 . ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The next order taken up was the election of officers for the ensuing year. Mr. Howell moved that the rules be suspended, and that H. J. Waters be elected president by acclamation. The motion unani- mously prevailed, and the Chair declared Mr. Waters elected. Mr. Smith moved to suspend the rules and elect Mr. Deer- wester to the office of vice-president. The motion was carried unanimously. The President declared Mr. Deerwester elected. Mr. Gentry moved that the rules be suspended, and that Mr. Ellis be elected secretary by acclamation. Motion prevailed, and Mr. Ellis was declared elected. Mr. Waters moved to suspend the rules, and that W. L. Nelson be elected assistant secretary. Motion carried. Mr. Gentry moved that the rules be suspended, and that Miss J. B. Rector be elected to the position of head stenographer, and that the annual salary be fixed at $780, to be paid monthly. Mo- tion prevailed. Mr. Christian moved to suspend the rules, and elect W. A. Bright treasurer. Motion prevailed. Mr. Howell moved that an executive committee of three be elected, and that the President and Vice-President-elect shall be two members of said committee. The vote on the motion stood 9 ayes and 7 noes. On motion of Mr, Boles, the vote was made unanimous. Mr. Christian moved to elect Mr. McRoberts to a place on the executive committee. Motion prevailed. The Committee on College of Agriculture submitted the fol- lowing report : REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. Your committee appointed to examine into the affairs of the College of Agriculture and Experiment Station have discharged that duty, and beg leave to submit the following report: The buildings, grounds, orchards and herds show a marked improvement in condition, and are, so far as they extend, well worthy of the institution, the State and the industry which they represent. The Neiv Agricultural Building. — On a beautiful site on a corner of the horticultural grounds, midway between the main 14 Missouri Agricultural Report. University campus and the Agricultural College buildings on the farm, is now in process of erection the handsomest building in the University group, the new home of the College of Agriculture and of the State Board of Agriculture. This building is 266 feet long, three stories high, constructed of native limestone quarried on the College grounds, and thoroughly fire-proof. It is well adapted to the uses to which it will be put. It contains an audi- torium with a seating capacity for 500 persons, to be used for farmers' conventions and for the accommodation of large classes of students in the College of Agriculture. It is a matter of con- gratulation that so large, well planned, well constructed and so handsome a structure is to be secured for the appropriation made by the last General Assembly. This building will be completed within a few months, and will need to be equipped with labora- tory desks, hoods, scientific appliances and furniture, and we would recommend that the legislature appropriate for this purpose the sum of $15,000. More Liberal Support for the College of Agriculture and Ex- periment Station. — Missouri has not been as liberal with its Col- lege of Agriculture as it should have been. The last Illinois legis- lature appropriated nearly four times as much money to its college of agriculture as Missouri has given hers in its entire existence of thirty-eight years. Kansas last year appropriated to its col- lege of agriculture more than twice as much money as Missouri has given hers since it was founded. Even the new state of Okla- homa has already expended on her college of agriculture much more money than has Missouri expended on hers. It should be realized that money appropriated to the College of Agriculture and Experiment Station and the Board of Agricul- ture is not money spent in the ordinary sense, but is money most wisely invested. For example, in an experiment conducted in South Missouri by the College, by proper fertilization the yield of corn was increased from 18 to 45 bushels per acre on thin land. This is 50 per cent more than the average yield per acre of this county, and showed a net profit over and above the cost of fer- tilizer and treatment of $4.67 per acre, which, when applied to the 95,000 acres planted to corn, it would amount in a single year to $441,750, or more than twice as much as the State has given to the College of Agriculture since it was organized in 1870. Re- ducing this increase one-half, and applying it to the 7,000,000 acres normally grown in corn in the State, we would have a net increase in the farmers' returns of $15,850,000 — enough to con- Minutes of Proceedings. 15 struct ten macadam roads across the State, or to macadamize all the roads in four of the largest counties of the State each year. This would be sufficient to erect an $100,000 agricultural high school in every county in Missouri, and the extra yearly increase would provide similar sums for their support. We consider the work of the Veterinary Department of the College of Agriculture and Experiment Station as of prime im- portance to the live stock industry of the State, and this Board has previously called attention to the important services this De- partment has rendered to the country, and has urged that proper facilities be provided, in order that greater efficiency may be at- tained. But notwithstanding the valuable work done by this De- partment in the past and the valuable work on hog cholera now in progress, we find that this Department still suffers from the handi- cap of very meager facilities. We regard it as unjust to this De- partment and to the live stock industry that such conditions should continue. The value of the live stock of Missouri exceeds two hundred millions of dollars, the value of swine alone being not less than 45 millions. Investigation of the diseases of animals and the means of prevention should therefore receive every encourage- ment. It is unwise economy to hamper this work with poor quar- ters and meager funds. We deem it essential that the students of Agriculture who go out into practical and scientific work should be well drilled in the elements of Veterinary Science, which are so closely related to the work of stock breeding, stock feeding, and stock judging; such as veterinary anatomy, veterinary physiology and veterinary hygiene, and such instruction in the simpler things of medicine and surgery as will enable the students to handle in a rational manner such cases as do not demand professional veterinary aid. We find that the work of this Department is now carried on partly in the live stock building and partly in the dairy building, much to the inconvenience of these departments. The dissecting is done in small rooms in the live stock building, within a few feet of the live stock judging room. These rooms are now overcrowded with large numbers of students; and with the increase in the at- tendance at the Agricultural College, which will come from year to year, the difficulties will grow. We also find this Department has no shelter for its demon- stration and investigation work on diseases of stock, and as a 16 Missouri Agricultural Report. greater part of this instruction work occurs during the winter season the importance of adequate shelter is apparent. We, therefore, recommend that an appropriation of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) be made by the General Assembly to provide for a proper building for the accommodation of the work mentioned. We further recommend that a special appropriation of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) be made for the erection and equipment of suitable experiment barn and sheds for the investi- gation of contagious diseases and partiv^ularly for carrying on the vvork in hog cholera. And an appropriation of five thousand dol- lars ($5,000) annually for the purchase of experimental animals — hogs, horses and cattle — for use in the hog cholera investigations, and to cover the expense of producing and dissemination of hog cholera serum. The Soil Survey. — We are pleased to learn that the soil survey work has progressed so far as to include a careful preliminary study of the whole Ozark region. The northeastern prairie re- gion of the State is partly surveyed, as is also the western prairie section. A detailed survey of four counties has been completed. The report on the Ozark region is in the hands of the printer, and will be published in the very near future. Too much emphasis cannot be laid upon the importance of this work. At the very foundation of a rational system of crop growth and soil manage- ment must be an accurate and detailed knowledge of the soil itself. This survey takes account of stock, and tells each farm owner what is the future as well as the present value of his farm. The survey should be pushed as rapidly as trained men can be found to carry it out, and continued until each county has been carefully surveyed and reported upon. The Board of Curators should not ask for less than $20,000 for the support of this work during the next two years. Outlying Experiments. — The work of the Department of Agronomy in testing the fertilizer requirements of soils in dif- ferent parts of the State, in studying, the effect of different crop rotations, different varieties of corn, wheat, oats and forage crops upon different sections and soils, in studying the feasibility and profitableness of tile draining on some -of the flatter prairie soils of the State, cannot be too highly commended. This work should be continued, and should be materially enlarged. We find experi- ments already under way in more than 90 of the 114 counties of the State. It should be immediately extended so as to include every county in the State, and the scope of many of the experi- Mifiutes of Proceedings. 17 ments now under way stiould be enlarged. The counties should, wherever possible, bear a portion of the cost of these experiments, authority for which was granted under the Nelson Act of the 44th General Assembly. Not less than $20,000 should be provided by the legislature for this phase of the college work for the next two years. Origination cmd Dissemination of Improved Varieties of Farm Crops. — Several million dollars may be added immediately to the wealth of the State by the more general use of improved varieties of corn, wheat, oats, etc. The College of Agriculture and Experi- ment Station should originate, propagate and disseminate new sorts better adapted to Missouri's soil and climate than any we now have. For this purpose more tillable land will be required than is provided on the College Farm, and we would recommend that the University authorities ask the legislature to provide an additional farm for the College at the earliest possible moment that the revenue will permit. We find over 100 students crowded into one small building studying the propagation of plants, and when the short course in Agriculture opens, in January, another hundred will have to be provided with room. The present facilities for this work need to be more than doubled immediately, and we would recommend that the sum of $3,000 be provided for this purpose. The horticultural grounds, where the orchard experiments are conducted, should be tile drained, in order to be at all well adapted to the growth of experimental fruits. We would recommend that the Horticultural Department be provided with $5,000 with which to conduct experiments in the fertilizing of bearing orchards, the methods of suppressing fungus diseases, and of packing and marketing fruit in different parts of the State. A similar sum should be provided for experiments and demon- strations in the methods of combating insect pests by the Depart- ment of Entomology, particularly for the checking of the ravages of the San Jose scale. Animal Husbandry Work. — The herds of live stock on the farm are to be especially commended for their quality and condi- tion. The numbers should be somewhat increased and this high standard maintained, and we would recommend that the sum of $5,000 be provided for this increase in numbers. We would strongly recommend that the exhibit of fat steers at the leading State and international shows of the country be A— 2 18 Missouri Agricultural Report. continued; that the student stock judging contest be participated in, and that the stock judging contest at the State Fair be empha- sized, and, if possible, enlarged. It is gratifying to learn that more than two-thirds of the best county fairs and livestock shows in Missouri availed themselves this year of advanced students and graduates of the Agricultural College as expert judges in their exhibits. It is equally gratifying to be able to report that during the past two years the College has won 225 prizes on its fat cattle, fed mainly by students, at the principal State and international stock shows of the country in competition with the leading herds of America. The University should provide ample funds for maintaining this work on its present high plane. We note the crowded condition of the present live stock judg- ing pavilion, and appreciate that it is wholly out of the question to undertake to carry this important work on with even the pres- ent enrollment without additional facilities, and we would recom- mend that the sum of $10,000 be provided for the erection of an additional building for this purpose. A suitable horse barn costing not less than $7,000 should also be provided. The Dairy Department. — Your committee points with special pride to the achievements of the College herd of dairy cows during the past year. It has already taken rank as one of the best dairy herds in the world. Of most significance, the animals have all been bred by the College. Eight Jersey cows have made an average butter record of more than 700 pounds each per year. The Col- lege has put more Jerseys in the registry of merit list than all the rest of the State combined, and these cows have shown the highest average of any in the record of merit list in the United States. One of its cows has established a new world's butter record as a three-year-old, making 715 pounds in twelve months. Another cow stands second in the world's butter production for a cow of any age, and is also second in milk production. The College herd has likewise put into the advanced Holstein registry a larger number of animals than have all of the other Holstein breeders in Missouri combined. It is to be regretted that this valuable herd is stabled in an old, unsanitary barn, and we would strongly recommend that the legislature provide not less than $12,000 for the erection of a suitable dairy barn, which should be a model in arrangement and construction for all of the dairymen of the State. Minutes of Proceedings. 19 The dairy industry in Missouri is developing at a rapid rate, and we would recommend that additional instructors be provided in this subject to meet the increased demand at the College. We would also recommend that a sufficient sum be provided for the publication and dissemination of literature on this subject, in order that this new industry may be upon a permanent basis and may develop along rational lines. Secondary Instruction in Agriculture. — The increase in the number of students in attendance upon the College of Agriculture is exceedingly gratifying. The character of the instruction is be- yond question. Now, that it has its collegiate instruction on a good basis, it is the opinion of your committee that the College should give serious attention to secondary instruction in Agricul- ture and to its introduction into the rural schools. We would, therefore, suggest that steps be immediately taken to organize in- struction in Agriculture and Home Economics of a secondary grade in the University, in order that the boys and girls may come directly from the district school to the University and acquire the necessary information to become better farmers or farmers' wives, without being required to pursue a course in a high school prepara- tory to admission. The Board of Curators should, therefore, ask the present legislature for the necessary funds for employing teachers and for providing whatever facilities may be necessary in the way of buildings or equipment to begin this work at the opening of the next session of the University. The Department of Home Economics. — This Department is crowded into quarters wholly inadequate and unsuited, and we would strongly recommend that the sum of $35,000 be provided for the erection of a special building for this purpose, and for the proper equipment of this Department. We would recommend that the sum of $2,000 be appropriated for the expense of making a first-class educational exhibit and demonstration of the work of the College and Experiment Station at the State Fair, and at the leading county fairs of the State. We would recommend that the student judging teams sent out by the College in other lines than live stock, such as grain judging, judging dairy cattle, etc., be continued, and that the University encourage this in every legitimate way. All of which is respectfully submitted, (Signed) A. T. Nelson, R. A. Young, Sanford Mc Smith, Committee. 20 Missouri Agricultural Repoi^t. Mr. Greensfelder moved that the report be received and adopted as the sentiment of the Board, and further that the com- mittee already appointed to act on the Secretary's report be au- thorized to present in person the report to the Governor. Motion carried. Mr. McRoberts moved that Mr. Greensfelder be added to the committee. Motion carried. Mr. Thompson moved that the committee already appointed be constituted a legislative committee to recommend legislation along the lines approved by this meeting. Motion prevailed. Mr. Nelson moved that the President and Secretary be added to the membership of the legislative committee. Motion carried. Mr. Gass moved that the legislative committee have full power of the Board in all matters of legislation, and that they may con- fer with any member of the Board when deemed advisable. Mo- tion prevailed. Mr. Gass moved that the President appoint a committee to which should be referred the suggestions of the Secretary on sec- ondary agriculture in schools. Motion prevailed. Mr. M. E. Darby, State Apiary Inspector, offered his resigna- tion so that the term might end with the calendar year. The resignation was accepted, and, upon motion of Mr. Gentry, Mr. Darby was elected Apiary Inspector for two years, the term begin- ning January 1, 1909. Mr. Nelson moved that a committee of two be appointed to try to harmonize the differences between the Board of Horticul- ture and the State Horticultural Society. The motion prevailed, and the Chair appointed Mr. Nelson and Judge Wilkinson on the committee. Mr. Greensfelder announced to the Board that he desired to have established on his farm in St. Louis county, a county experi- ment station under the provisions of the Nelson Act of 1907, and asked for. the appointment of two members of the faculty to con- fer with the county court and him.self in regard to the agreement. On motion of Mr. Greensfelder, the President-elect was au- thorized to appoint the committee. Judge Wilkinson moved that all power vested in the Board of Agriculture be and is hereby delegated to the executive committee, and that the said committee is hereby authorized to act for the Board at all times when the full board is not in session. Motion seconded by Mr. Thompson, and unanimously prevailed. There being no further business, the Board adjourned. Geo. B. Ellis, Secretary. REPORT OF SECRETARY. Gentlemen of the Board of Agriculture : In the cycle of time the day is here for reviewing the work of the year, that we may know what has been accomplished and make plans for future improvement. The crops for the year 1908 have not yielded so bountifully as for some other years, but after all damage from a bad season, overflow, and the ravages of insects, we find that the Missouri farmer has produced sufficient for home use, and some to spare. The aggregate product of all farm crops is considerably less than for the previous year, but on account of better prices the aggregate value is about the same. Our reports show a marked tendency towards greater diversification of crops, more definite systems of rotation, and the introduction of crops that will produce a greater food value per acre. These things have been taught through the publications of the Board and of the Agricultural College and Experiment Station, and farmers' insti- tutes, and that our teaching has been sound is evidenced by the fact that thousands of farmers are taking up the methods demon- strated by the Experiment Station to be good. During the year, this office has arranged for and conducted 260 farmers' institutes, at which 35,000 farmers were in attend- ance. In addition to the regular institutes, the State Highway Engineer has held a number of road meetings which were usually attended by a large number of farm.ers and road officers. Also, almost every week, articles on timely subjects have been prepared by some one connected with the office and sent out to the agricul- tural and county weeklies of the State. The 40th Annual Report, a book of 507 pages, and twelve numbers of the Monthly Bulletin, have been published during the year. These publications have contained information on practically every subject relating to crop growing, on dairying and on breeding and feeding farm live stock. The wide range covered by the twelve bulletins is indicated by the following titles : (21) 22 Missouri Agricultural Report. No. 1 — Farm Practice in Northeast Missouri. No. 2— The Silo. No. 3 — Highway Engineers' Association. No. 4 — Boys' Corn-Growing Contest. No. 5 — Earth Roads. No. 6 — Raising Calves on Skim Milk. No. 7 — Highway Bulletin on Contracts. No. 7a — Experiments on Missouri Soils. No. 8 — Bridges and Culverts. No. 9 — Roads — Bad and Good. No. 10 — Parasitic Diseases of Sheep. No. 11 — Diseases of Bees. No. 12 — The Poultry Industry in Missouri. BOYS' ENCAMPMENTS. The first farm boys' encampment, or, more correctly speak- ing, a summer school for farm boys, was held in Gentry county, in August, 1907, under the management of S. M. Jordan, the insti- tute specialist of the Board of Agriculture. The work was so suc- cessful that it was thought wise to organize a number of encamp- ments this year, and I am able to report that the work has been most gratifying to this office. Encampments were held this year at Maryville, Rockport, Kirksville, Butler and Sweet Springs. At Maryville and Rockport, the attendance and interest were both in- terfered with, because the meetings were held in connection with their annual chautauquas. The largest meetings were at Butler, with 255 boys present, and at Sweet Springs with 286 boys. The work consisted of lectures on crop-growing, plant breeding, soil improvement, animal husbandry, horticulture and dairying, and exercises in corn judging, soil work and live stock judging. I con- sider this work important for two reasons : First, for the direct instruction of the boys; second, by interesting the boys in the work of the Agricultural College. The methods of agriculture could be greatly improved if not revolutionized in a few years if a meeting of this kind could be held annually in each county. farmers' institutes. The farmers' institute work is settling down to a better sys- tem, and the farmers are demanding instruction rather than en- tertainment. The greatest difficulty that I find, however, is to secure competent institute lecturers. The college faculty have not Report of Secretary. 23 the time without neglecting their class work, and it is hard to find others who are willing to engage for only a few weeks in the year. The Board has now two men — namely, S. M. Jordan and F. G. King — employed for their whole time, and their work has proven very satisfactory. The plan, mentioned in my last report, of giving short courses in agriculture, has been extended this year with good results. Meetings of this kind have been held, or arranged for, at Doniphan, Whitesville, Stanberry, Kirksville, Cape Girardeau, Springfield, Carthage and Sarcoxie. The work given varies according to local conditions, but the general plan is the same. The following is the outline for the Cape Girardeau meeting, which will give an idea of the character of the work : FIRST DAY — MORNING. Lecture — The Relation of Animal Husbandry to Systems of Farm Management — Prof. F. B. Mumford. Lecture — The Location of Fruit Plantations and Preparation of the Ground (Soil, slope, elevation, drainage, etc.) — Dr. J. C. Whitten. AFTERNOON. Demonstration in Live Stock Judging — Prof. Mumford. Demonstration — Age and character of trees, vines and plants to be set; pruning plants for setting — Dr. Whitten. SECOND DAY — MORNING. Lecture — Principles of Animal Feeding — Prof. Mumford. Lecture — Varieties of Orchard Fruits and Berries to be Grown — Dr. Whitten. AFTERNOON. Practical Demonstrations in Live Stock Judging — Prof. Mumford. Demonstration — Diseases illustrated with specimens and methods of control of same by spraying, etc. — Dr. Whitten. THIRD DAY — MORNING. Lecture — The Improvement of Domestic Animals; The Animal Machine — Prof. Mumford. Lecture — Why We Prune Trees and Plants — Dr. Whitten. 24 Missouri Agricultural Report. AFTERNOON. • Pruning Demonstrations — Dr. Whitten. FOURTH DAY — MORNING.- Lecture — Corn Breeding — S, M. Jordan. Lecture — Hog Cholera — a. Losses from it in past six years. b. Immunization of hogs against cholera. c. Plans to stop all losses and entirely eradicate the disease from the State — Dr. D. F. Luckey. AFTERNOON. Demonstration — Corn Judging — Mr. Jordan. Immunization of Hogs — Dr. Luckey. FIFTH DAY — MORNING. Lecture — Seed Selection — Mr. Jordan. Lecture — Tuberculosis of Cattle and Hogs — a. Its increase. b. Losses from it. c. Plans for its control and eradication from Mis- souri — Dr. Luckey. AFTERNOON. Seed Testing — Mr. Jordan. Testing Cattle for Tuberculosis — Dr. Luckey. SIXTH DAY — MORNING. Lecture — Corn Cultivation — Mr. Jordan. Lecture — Development of the Independent Packing Industry in Missouri. a. The great opportunity of the present time. b. Is a packing house ham better or cheaper than a country ham? c. Why country people pay freight on cattle and hogs to market, and on meat back again after three or four commissions have been added to the price of it. Report of Secretary. 25 d. If meat should be clean on the dining-room table, in the kitchen and the butcher-shop, why not in the grocery-store and the country slaughter-house? e. The public municipal abattoir — Dr. Luckey. AFTERNOON. Post-mortem on Tuberculous Cow — Dr. Luckey. Demonstration — Mr. Jordan. SEVENTH DAY — MORNING. Lecture — The Earth Road — Curtis Hill, State Engineer. AFTERNOON. Drag Demonstration for maintenance, provided the weather permits. EIGHTH DAY — MORNING. Lecture — The Hard-Surfaced Road — Mr. Hill. AFTERNOON. Drag Demonstration for Maintenance — Mr. Hill. NINTH DAY — MORNING. Lecture — Culverts and Bridges for Highways. AFTERNOON. Road Conditions in Missouri — Mr. Hill. PUBLICITY. For a long time I have felt the need of giving greater pub- licity to the work of the office, and particularly to advertising to the outside world the great diversity and magnitude of Missouri's agricultural, live stock, horticultural, and dairy products, but for lack of funds and the necessary help the work could not be done. The Executive Committee, at a meeting held on May 27th, ap- pointed, upon my recommendation, Mr. W. L. Nelson, of Cooper 26 Missouri Agricultural Report. county, Chief Clerk in the office. Mr. Nelson assumed charge of his duties on the 10th of August, and his time has been occupied in collecting data on the resources of the State and in preparing material for the public press. In addition to this, Mr. Nelson has just completed the material for a large and very valuable bulletin on poultry raising. Mr. Nelson's experience in agricultural and general newspaper work, his knowledge of good farm practice, and his business experience, fit him admirably for the work. STATE STATISTICAL LAW. There is great need in this State for a law requiring the as- sessors to take a census of all live stock and agricultural products, that our reports may become positively accurate. The trade of the country in many lines depends largely on the United States, and the different State reports, as a basis for business operations. Under the present system in this State, which is practically tlie same as the system practiced by the United States Depart- ment of Agriculture, there is too much chance for error. I give herewith a draft for a law that can be put into effect in this State with scarcely any cost, and which will insure accuracy in all of our statistical work: "Section 1. It shall be the duty of the assessors of the several counties, and the township assessor in counties now having or which may hereafter adopt township organization in this state in addition to tlie duties now required by law, annually at the time of making assessments of real and personal property, to require and take with each assessment list upon separate blanks to be provided as other blanks are now provided for, a statement from each individual, firm or corpora- tion: 1. The number of acres cultivated in the leading farm crops of the state, 2. The amount each crop produced. 3. Such statement of live stock, dairy products, poultry products, horticultural, and other products, with farm prices of same, as shall be designated by the State Board of Agriculture. Such statement shall be for the preceding year. "Section 2. Said statement shall be returned by the assessor to the county clerk, at the same time of returning the assessed lists of property, and the county clerk shall immediately forward the same to the Secretary of the Board of Agriculture, at his office, who shall publish an aggregate statement of same in his annual report, or otherwise, as he may direct. "Section 3. It shall be the duty of the State Auditor to make out and forward to each county clerk, in the same manner as forms are furnished for the assessment of property, suitable forms and instructions for carrying this article into effect. Provided, that the State Auditor shall include in such forms such questions as may be furnished by the State Board of Agriculture. "Section 4. It shall be the duty of the county clerk to furnish a sufficient number of blank forms to the assessor for taking the statistics required in Section 1, of this article. "Section 5. By reason of the fact that the statements required by this Act are desired for the year 1909, creates an emergency within the meaning of the constitution; therefore, this Act shall be in force and take effect from and after its passage." HIGHWAY ENGINEER, VETERINARY SERVICE, APIARY INSPECTION. For information on these lines of work, I commend for your consideration the reports of Mr. Hill, the Engineer; Dr. Luckey. State Veterinarian, and Mr. Darby, Apiary Inspector. Rejjort of Secretary. 27 LOOKING TO THE FUTURE. The law incorporating the State Board of Agriculture, pro- vides that "The State Board of Agriculture shall be and is hereby constituted the body which shall have supervision of all the legal- ized departments and institutions of the State which are for the advancement of agriculture." This is very broad in its meaning, perhaps more so than has been carried out in practice. I would like to mention here only a few of the things that have recently been accomplished and which were first recommended by this Board. In 1899, the Board recommended an appropriation of $40,000 for a dairy and live stock building. The money was ap- propriated and the building erected in 1901. In 1900, an ap- propriation for a new horticultural building was recommended, and the legislature gave the money the next year. In 1902, the Board recommended an appropriation for a new barn, machine laboratory, and extra live stock, all of which were secured. The soil survey work was established upon the recommenda- tion of this Board. In 1906, this Board urged the Board of Cura- tors to train and support judging teams to represent the Agri- cultural College at the American Royal, International and other expositions, and this has been done with gratifying results. Also, as a result of a conference of a commission of this Board, with the Board of Curators, a number of the farm live stock have been exhibited at the leading expositions during 1907-8, and the live stock shown has won during these two years, 180 premiums, to the great gratification of Missouri's Live Stock Breeders. In 1906, the Board recommended an appropriation for an experimental poultry plant in the Experiment Station, and the legislature made the appropriation. At the same meeting, this Board urged the necessity for a new Agricultural Building, and as a result, a handsome building is now in course of erection, and ought to be completed before the next annual meeting. Perhaps the greatest achievement accomplished by the initia- tive of the Board, was the enactment of the new road law, and providing for State aid to the amount of $1,475,000; however, only $475,000 of this fund has up to the present time been made avail- able. I might mention other things, but these will suffice to show what the Board may accomplish by working for the betterment of facilities for the improvement of agriculture in Missouri. 28 Missouri Agricultural Report. Looking to the future, I would like to recommend : First — that this Board appoint a standing committee whose duty it shall be to work for legislation bringing about the estab- lishment of secondary schools and courses of study for the teach- ing of Agriculture, Home Economics and other industrial studies. Missouri has a harvest of 15,000 farm boys and 15,000 country girls ripening into manhood and womanhood every year, and scarcely any provision is made for training them along the lines of their future life work. Second — that an appropriation be asked for from the 45 Gen- eral Assembly, providing for an immigration agency under the direction of the Board, to the end that desirable immigrants may be brought into the State, and assist in developing our great natural resources. Third — that following the recommendation of the late Dairy and Food Commissioner, that the legislature separate the work of dairy development and instruction from the police and food in- spection work, and that the instruction be put in charge of the Board of Agriculture. Fourth — The precedent of giving State aid for road improve- ment having been established by the 44th General Assembly the Board should urge an appropriation of not less than $500,000, to be used only for permanent road work and conditioned upon the counties spending a like amount. Respectfully submitted, Geo. B. Ellis, Secretary. ABOUT THANKSGIVING TIME. Report of Secretary. 29 SECRETARY'S FINANCIAL STATEMENT. To the Board of Agriculture : I beg leave to submit the following exhibit of the financial transactions of the Board for the year beginning December 17th, 1907, and ending December 15th, 1908, which shows the balances on hand at the beginning of the year, the requisitions drawn on State Auditor, warrants drawn on W. A. Bright, Treasurer of the Board, balances in the treasury of the Board, and the balances in the different funds remaining in the State treasury: EXPENSE OF MEMBERS FUND. Date. War. No. Name. Dr. Or. 1907. Dec 17 ... To balance S3 14 58 " 18 704 705 706 707 708 709 710 711 712 713 714 715 716 717 718 719 720 721 722 723 724 725 726 By A. R. Young $32 80 " 18 S. W. Hudson 21 20 " 18 J. W. Boles 7 55 " 18 John Deerwester 12 50 " IS .... W. R. Wilkinson 10 00 " 18 N. H. Gentry 6 20 " 18 A. M. Thompson 16 15 " 18 Sanford McSmith 13 75 " 18 W. B McRoberts 10 00 " 18 N. J. Colrnan 11 00 " 18 .... J. L. Christian 25 00 " IS W. C. Hutchison 16 00 " 18 E. E. Swink 15 50 " 18 H. A. Gass 7 15 " 18 M. B. Greensfelder 15 34 "18 ... A. T. Nelson 22 70 1908. Feb 1 H. J. Waters 14 34 S. W. Hudson 3 60 *' 1 W R Wilkinson 22 00 1 J. L. Christian .... 11 00 " 1 W. C. Hutchison 12 25 1 Geo. B. Ellis 12 99 41 1 W. B. McRoberts 17 00 Mar. 2 To reQuisition 200 00 " 27 727 728 729 730 731 732 By A. T. Nelson 23 70 " 27 W. C. Hutchison 13 80 " 27 . S. W. Hudson 27 00 May 27 " 27 W. B. McRoberts 12 50 W. C. Hutchison 12 50 July 1 Aug. 1 Shields & Courts 3 00 To requisition 11)0 00 " 6 733 734 735 736 737 738 739 740 741 By W. C. Huthchi.son 18 40 6 Geo. B. Ellis 6 39 Sept. 4 " 4 W. C. Howell 13 25 H. J. Waters 9 04 4 Geo. B. Ellis 8 04 Oct . 2 W. B. McRoberts 15 00 " 31 Shields & Courts 6 00 " 31 Geo. B. Ellis 5 64 " 31 N. J. Colman 10 00 Dec. 1 To requisition 200 00 " 15 By balance 294 30 S814 58 $814 58 30 Missouri Agricultural Report. DISTRIBUTION OF ANNUAL REPORT FUND. Date. War. No. Name. Dr. Cr. 1907. Dec. 17 To balance $103 76 1908. Jan. 7 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 By American Express Co $11 42 Feb. 1 Scurlock's Transfer 13 34 1 Eloise Kneisley 1 80 Mar. 2 S. H. Elkins 24 00 May 1 Pacific Express Co 16 01 " 27 S. H. Elkins 24 00 " 27 S. H. Elkins 120 00 " 27 To reauisition 300 00 Aug. 6 149 150 151 152 By M. H. Lamb 100 00 " 31 S. H. Elkins 60 00 " 31 American Express Co 29 19 " 51 Pacific Express Co 3 49 Oct. 2 To requisition 78 43 .... 2 153 By Pacific Express Co 78 94 $482 19 $482 19 OFFICE EXPENSE FUND. Date. War. No. Name. Dr. Cr. 1907. Dec. 17. . 1908. Dec. 18. . Jan. 7. . " 7. . " 7. . Feb. 1 . . Mar. 2. 27. 27. 27. 27. 27. 685 686 687 688 689 690 691 692 693 694 695 To balance. $137 34 May 1 696 1 697 1 698 1 699 1 700 1 701 1 702 1 27 703 27 704 27 705 27 706 27 707 27 708 27 709 27 June 24 710 July 1 711 " 1 712 " 1 713 " 1 714 By Columbia Telephone Co ... . Count Harvey Smith Premier Co J. R. Ellis J. R. Ellis J. R. Ellis W. E. Harshe National Paper Co A. M. Schweich Barnes-Crosby Co J. R. Ellis Columbia Statesman Columbia Telephone Co W. E. Harshe Barnes-Crosby Co J. R. Ellis Western Union Count Harvey To requisition By J. R. Ellis Alex Stewart Herring-Hall-Marvin Safe Co. American Express Co Columbia Telephone Co Count Harvey D. P. Thomson To requisition By R. P. Scurlock H. S. Gladfelter H. R. Varnon Columbia Telephone Co W. E. Harshe 100 00 100 00 13 90 19 61 13 00 10 00 10 00 10 00 2 30 2 75 1 50 6 90 10 00 17 00 2 60 2 60 8 98 10 00 2 65 8 80 12 00 3 00 23 00 8 95 12 40 11 00 1 50 19 76 10 00 12 50 6 60 2 50 Report of Secretary. 31 OFFICE EXPENSE FUND— Continued n Date. War. No. Name. Dr. Cr. 1908. Aug. 1 . . " 6. . " 6. . " 6. . " 6. . " 6. . Sept. 4. . " 4. . " 4. . " 4. . " 17.. " 17.. Oct. 2.. " 2. . " 2. . " 2.. " 2.. " 6. " 2. " .31. " 31. " 31. " 31. Dec. 1 . " 15. 715 716 717 718 719 720 721 722 723 724 725 726 727 728 729 730 735 To requisition Columbia Statesman. . Barnes-Crosby Co ... . C. C. Newman & Co . . American Express Co . W. E. Harshe W. H. Lionberger . . . . W. E. Harshe Eloise Kneisley Columbia Statesman . . H. R. Varnon W. H. Lionberger . . . . Eloise Kneisley National Paper Co. . . . Count Harvey S. H. Elkins R. P. Scurlock To requisition By Columbia Statesman. Count Harvey C. C. Newman Troxell & Finley To requisition By C. E. Baldwin To balance $100 00 100 00 100 00 $637 34 $3 50 18 75 1 55 1 65 1 00 13 15 1 30 9 45 5 00 16 00 9 60 2 65 2 75 13 60 45 00 19 73 42 15 17 39 1 80 31 00 5 30 99 32 $637 34 MONTHLY CROP REPORT FUND. Date. War. No. Name. Dr. Cr. Dec. Jan. Feb. JNIar. May July 1907. 17.. 18. . 18. . IS. . 1908. 7. . 7. . 7.. 1. . 2. . 2. . 2. . 27. . 27. . 1. . 1. . 1. . 1. . 1. . 27. . 27. . 27. . 27. . 1. . 1. . 1. . 444 445 446 447 448 449 450 451 452 453 454 455 456 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 465 To balance By Columbia Statesman. Smith Premier Co ... . S. H. Elkins Eloise Kneisley Smith Premier Co Sanders' Engraving Co. Smith Premier Co S. H. Elkins Smith Premier Co To requisition By S. H. Elkins R. P. Scurlock Columbia Statesman. . . Smith Premier Co National Paper Co S. H. Elkins To requisition By S. H. Elkins Smith Premier Co Columbia Statesman. . . S. H. Elkins Smith Premier Co S. H. Elkins Barnes Crosby Co $104 31 100 00 100 00 $3 00 2 48 20 00 11 02 18 45 3 90 7 00 30 00 5 75 30 00 1 52 5 00 2 46 15 77 30 00 2 65 19 15 3 50 32 00 2 55 32 GO 4 11 32 Missouri Agricultural Report. MONTHLY CROP REPORT FUND— Continued. Date. War. No. Name. Dr. Cr. 1908. July 1 To requisition $100 00 1 466 467 468 469 470 471 472 473 474 By S. H. Elkins $3 40 " 28 R. P. Scurlock 6 41 Aug. 6 Columbia Statesman 28 50 " 6 Smith Premier Co 5 12 " 6 S. H. Elkins 32 00 " 6 National Paper Co 12 90 " 6 S. H. Elkins 1 15 " 6 Columbia Statesman 3 00 " 31 M., K. & T. R. R 32 84 " 31 To requisition By S. H. Elkins 200 00 Sept. 4 475 476 477 478 479 480 481 482 483 32 00 " 4 Columbia Statseman 18 50 " 17 R. P. Scurlock 23 43 Oct. 2 Smith Premier Co 7 45 " 2 American Express Co 26 75 " 2 S. H. Elkins 20 00 " 2 Columbia Statesman 49 15 " 31 S. H. Elkins 29 00 " 31 Columbia Typewriter Exchange .... 1 40 " 31 To requisition By American Express Co 200 00 Nov. 6 484 485 486 487 10 73 " 6 S. H. Elkins 8 80 Dec. 1 Columbia Statesman 3 00 1 S. H. Elkins 20 00 " 15 By balance 146 47 $804 31 $804 31 APIARY INSPECTION FUND. Date. 1907. Dec. 17. . " 18.. 1908. Jan. 7. . May 27 . . July 1 . . " 1. . Aug. 6.. " 31.. Sept. 4 . . Oct. 2.. Nov. 6.. Dec. 15. . War. No. 10 11 12 Name. To balance By M. E. Darby. M. E. Darby. . To requisition .... By M. E. Darby. M. E. Darby. . M. E. Darby. . To requisition .... By M. E. Darby. M. E. Darby. . M. E. Darby. . By balance Dr. $225 75 500 00 500 00 51,225 75 Cr. $180 74 45 01 143 30 165 85 167 45 173 45 176 65 101 71 71 59 $1,225 75 Report of Secretanj. 33 STATE HIGHWAY ENGINEER FUND. Date. War. No. Name. Dr. Cr. 1907. Dec. 17. . " 18.. " 18.. " 18.. " 18.. " 18.. " 18.. " IS.. " 18.. " 18.. " 18.. " 18.. 1908. Jan. 7 . . Feb. 1 . 1. Mar. 2 . 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 27. 27. 27. 27. 27 Ma.\ 27 27 27. 27. 27. 27. 27. 27. June 24 . July Aug. 6. " 6. " 6. " 6. " 6. " 6. " 6. " :u. 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 31a 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 To balance By Curtis Hill Paul Bayliss .... William Partney . R. H. Jones E. E. Tupes .... T. J. Rodhouse.. W. A. Bright . . . Geo. B. Ellis N. J. Colman . . . S. W. Hudson... S. W. Hudson... S437 23 Co. Columbia Statesman. . Curtis Hill To requisition By D. Ward King Curtis Hill S. H. Elkins Etta Gilbert American Express Co . Smith Premier Co ... . Myers Furniture Co. . , International Instrument Curtis Hill To requisition By Etta Gilbert Columbia Statesman Smith Premier Co D. Ward King Curtis Hill Columbia Typewriter Exchange . D. Ward King International Instrument Co. . . Etta Gilbert Curtis Hill J. C. Pritchard S. H. Elkins To requisition By Etta Gilbert Columbia Statesman Herring-Hall-Marvin Co Barnes-Crosby Co Curtis Hill J. C. Pritchard S. H. Elkins To requisition By R. P. Scurlock S. H. Elkins Etta Gilbert Curtis Hill J. C. Pritchard American Express Co Pacific Express Co Columbia Statesman National Paper Co J. C. Pritchard Etta Gilbert Curtis Hill Columbia Typewriter Exchange . M. H. Lamb To requisition 1,000 00 1,000 00 1,000 00 1,000 00 S103 91 2 50 11 85 53 50 2 00 13 50 25 00 8 28 6 00 17 00 10 00 13 00 200 00 52 65 261 29 15 00 33 35 5 20 116 00 1 10 314 92 265 27 52 90 13 00 2 45 137 85 355 18 54 47 77 50 38 50 50 00 277 98 121 39 10 00 50 00 7 00 20 00 23 71 261 60 189 77 20 00 10 04 15 00 50 00 234 42 144 41 7 00 12 06 10 00 12 90 157 38 50 00 255 97 5 05 50 00 1,000 00 A-3 34 Missouri Agricultural ReiDort. STATE HIGHWAY ENGINEER FUND— Continued. Date. War. No. Name. Dr. Cr. 1907. Sept. 4 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 By Barnes-Crosby Co $61 12 4 Etta Gilbert 50 00 4 J. C. Pritcliard 132 72 " 4 Curtis Hill 244 26 4 Columbia Telephone Co 5 30 " 4 S. H. Elkins 15 00 " 4 S. H. Elkins 60 00 Oct. 2 Barnes-Crosby Co 19 05 " 2 Etta Gilbert 50 00 " 2 S. H. Elkins 2 50 " 2 Pacific Express Co 37 91 " 2 W. E. Harslie ... 7 93 " 2 Curtis Hill 229 28 " 2 R. P. Scurlock 22 25 " 2 J. C. Pritchard 216 27 " 2 S. H. Elkins 30 00 " 2 To requisition .SI, 000 00 " 2 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 By Columbia Statesman 22 50 " 10 Columbia Statesman 12 77 " 27 S. H. Elkins 30 00 " 31 Etta Gilbert 50 00 " 31 Smith Premier Co 12 67 " 31 National Paper Co 10 16 " 31 J. C. Pritchard 144 72 " 31 R. P. Scurlock 3 54 " 31 S. H. Elkins 45 00 " 31 Curtis Hill 306 63 Nov. 6 Columbia Statesman 12 50 " 6 Columbia Telephone Co 13 20 Dec. 1 J. C. Pritchard 127 12 " 1 Columbia Statesman 45 00 " 1 Etta Gilbert 50 00 " 1 S. G. Adams Stamp Co 14 50 " 1 W. A. Bright 35 00 " 1 Curtis Hill 310 13 1 R. H. Jones 45 26 " 1 Columbia Statesman 24 50 •' 1 S. H. Elkins 20 00 " 1 To requisition 1,000 00 " 1 116 By Count Harvey 14 08 " 15 To balance 645 51 $7,437 23 $7,437 23 FARMERS' INSTITUTE FUND. Date. War. No. Name. Dr. Cr. 1907. Dec. 17 To balance $596 84 ' 18 ' 18 ' 18 ' 18 ' 18 ' 18 ' 18 ' 18 ' 18 910 911 912 913 914 915 916 917 918 By National Paper Co $8 60 C D Lyon 180 66 L F Childers 19 08 C. A. Willson 10 97 H. D. Hughes 5 50 C. F. Marbut 25 00 H J Waters 16 97 H. D. Hughes 14 60 W. A. Bright 25 00 Report of Secretary. 35 FARMERS' INSTITUTE FUND— Continued. Date. 1907. " 18.., " 18.., " SI.. 1908. Jan. 7. . War. No. Feb. Mar. / . 7. 4 . 7. 7. 7 . 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2, 2. 2. 2. 27. 27. 27. 27. 27. 27. 27. 27. 919 920 921 922 923 924 925 926 927 928 929 930 931 932 933 934 935 936 937 938 939 940 941 942 943 944 945 946 947 948 949 950 951 952 953 954 955 956 957 958 959 960 961 962 963 964 965 966 967 968 969 970 971 972 973 974 975 976 Name. By S. H. Elkins E. A. Trowbridge. To requisition By C. H. Eckles F. B. Mumford J. C. Whitten J. W. Connaway Columbia Statesman. S. M. Jordan L. Haseman VV. C. Hutchison .... J. B. Rector J. W. Boles T. S. Gordon Missouri Farmer W. J. Kennedy T. S. Gordon Wayne Dinsmore. . . . Sanford McSmith. . . . W. D. Gose D. A. Gaumnitz P. E. Crabtree M. F. Miller L. B. Clore E. Davenport J. W. Sanborn E. B. Grain Arch Riebel Henry Ohlendorf . . . . F. M. Riebel Albert Johnmyer . . . . Earl Clayton Irl W. White Frank A. Currie Adolph Wasel Robt. Marryman . . . . N. H. Gentry Edna D. Day E. E. Laughlin F. G. King D. Ward King S. M. Jordan To requisition By John Eames L. Haseman Columbia Statesman. W. J. Eraser S. M. Jordan P. E. Crabtree F. G. King W. L. Howard C. O. Raine To requisition By M. F. Miller Columbia Statesman . E. A. Trowbridge. . . . C. H. Eckles L. F. Childers Barnes-Crosby Co . . . J. C. Whitten Barnes-Crosby Co . . . Dr. $1,000 00 Cr. 500 00 500 00 $55 00 21 89 36 84 12 37 27 39 40 32 10 00 204 77 8 89 12 50 20 00 10 65 17 50 45 00 17 25 15 50 17 15 12 50 7 50 52 15 64 40 75 14 29 90 20 85 76 65 10 00 9 00 8 00 7 00 6 00 10 00 9 00 8 00 7 00 6 00 9 00 66 30 11 90 10 11 52 26 125 00 20 00 7 84 8 50 20 99 202 27 93 07 11 70 17 99 84 88 4 25 1 25 20 63 20 88 17 27 15 00 20 38 13 50 36 Missouri Agricultural Report. FARMERS' INSTITUTE FUND— Continued. Date. War. No. Name. Dr. Cr. 1907. May 1 1 977 978 979 980 981 982 983 984 985 986 987 988 989 990 991 992 993 994 995 996 997 998 999 1000 1001 By Columbia Statesman $35 GO J. W. Connavvav 21 28 "1. S. M. Jordan 14 85 1 Barnes-Crosby Co 10 87 1 Barnes-Crosbv Co 8 13 " 27 Herring-Hall- Marvin Safe Co .... 20 00 " 27 Barnes-Crosbv Co . . . 20 37 Aug. 6 National Paper Co 12 90 " 31 S. H. Elkins 60 00 " 31 W. H. Chandler . 8 09 "31 . . Geo. B. Ellis . . 14 69 " 31 F. G. King 23 89 Sept. 2 4. . . . S. H. Elkins . ... 10 00 F. G. King 47 17 " 17 F. B. Mumford 10 77 " 24 S. H. Elkins 10 00 Oct . 2 R. L. Liddil 4 15 " 2 C. H. Eckles 7 74 2 American Express Co 26 75 " o F. G. King. . 17 68 2 .... Columbia Telephone Co .... 3 80 " 2 E. A. Trowbridge 10 54 2 W. L. Nelson 15 56 2 S. M. Jordan 217 12 " 2 S. H. Elkins 30 00 " 2 To requisition .... $1,000 00 " 31 1002 1003 1004 1005 1006 1007 1008 1009 1010 1011 1012 1013 1014 1015 1016 1017 1018 1019 1020 1021 1022 1023 1024 1025 1026 1027 1028 1029 By C. H. Eckles 34 40 " 31 W. L. Nelson 27 04 " 31 M. F. Miller 12 50 " 31 S. H. Elkins 30 00 " 31 Paul Laughlin 2 50 " 31 Roy C. Baker 2 50 " 31 F. G. King 60 09 " 31 S. M. Jordan 150 00 Nov. 6 S. M. Jordan 48 30 Geo. W. Williams 80 88 " 21 F. H. Hillman 50 00 Dec. 1 F. G. King 44 97 Geo. B. Ellis 30 23 1 S. M. Jordan 209 03 1 W. A. Bright 35 00 1 C. B. Hutchison 30 19 1 W. L.Nelson ■ 8 40 1 M. W. Jones 6 50 1 F. H. Hillman 3 15 1 M. F. Miller 18 31 1 W. H. Adams 2 00 1 D. Ward King 96 54 1 A. S. Prather 70 64 1 A. J. McDowell 20 66 1 M. F. Miller 31 05 " 1 M. F. Miller 20 00 " 1 S. H. Elkin.s 30 00 it 1 Mo. Corn Growers' Ass'n 235 00 1 To requisition 2,000 00 1 1030 By H. D. Hughes 35 67 " 15 By balance 1,366 48 $5,596 84 $5,596 84 Report of Secretanj. 37 STATE VETERINARY FUND. Date. 1907. Dec. 17. . " 18.. " 18.. " 18.. " 18.. " 18.. " 18.. " 18.. " 31.. 1908. Jan. 7. . Feb. Mar. Ma.v / . 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 2. 2. 2 2. 2. 2. 2. 2 2 2. 2. 2. 27. 27. 27. 27. 27. 27. 27. 27. 27. 27. 1, 1. 1, 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. War. No. 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 2036 2037 2038 2039 2040 2041 2042 2043 2044 2045 2046 2047 2048 2049 2050 2051 2052 2053 2054 2055 2056 2057 2058 2059 2060 2061 2062 2063 2064 2065 2066 2067 2068 2069 2070 2071 2072 2073 2074 2075 2076 2077 2078 2079 2080 2081 2082 Name. To balance By S. Sheldon J. E. Taylor Hatton & Kniglit. R. P. Poage T. E. White W. A. Bright S. H. Elkin.s To requisition By E. M. Marten L. D. Brown E. M. Hendy R. B. Love H. V. Goode R. C. Moore Horace Bradley Columbia Statesman. . . . D. F. Luckey Columbia Telephone Co . D. F. Luckey E. M. Marten J. H. Slater R. C. Moore University Co-op. store. . Count Harvey L. D. Brown To requisition By D. F. Luckey Count Harvey E. M. Marten T. E. White. R. C. Moore H. F. Boettner S. H. Elkins Hatton & Knight H. V. Goode Horace Bradley R. B. Love Columbia Telephone Co . E. M. Hendy University Co-op. store. Columbia Telephone Co . L. D. Brown H. H. Wolf R. P. Poage E. M. Marten. Count Harvey D. F. Luckey To requisition By E. Brainerd Horace Bradley W. F. Berry Stanley Smith W. E. Dabbs R. C. Moore J. H. Slater F. W. O'Brien Jas. Cullison C. E. Steel L. D. Brown American Express Co . . Dr. Cr. $363 18 1 , 000 00 1,000 00 500 00 $49 83 66 50 6 00 ■ 20 00 17 70 35 00 30 00 50 00 41 13 17 07 31 00 15 00 65 75 ro 00 29 5 218 66 3 68 205 80 50 00 32 37 77 50 3 60 11 15 88 30 252 40 7 80 50 00 11 25 60 00 33 25 20 00 12 00 54 90 14 74 32 02 9 00 21 45 3 60 4 30 52 55 8 25 50 00 50 00 9 00 204 96 8 84 35 58 110 00 28 12 137 25 18 70 4 00 7 08 6 10 80 32 29 23 1 45 38 Missouri Agricultural Report. STATE VETERINARY FUND— Continued. Date. War. No. Name. Dr. Cr. 1908. INIay " 27. " 27. " 27. " 27. " 27. " 27. " 27. " 27. " 27. " 27. " 27. " 27. " 27. " 27. " 27. June 24 . July 2083 2084 2085 2086 2087 2088 2089 2090 2091 2092 2093 2004 2095 2096 2097 2098 2099 2100 2101 2102 2103 2104 2105 2106 2107 2108 2109 2110 2111 2112 2113 2114 2115 2116 2117 2118 2119 2120 2121 2122 2123 2124 2125 2126 2127 2128 2129 2130 2131 2132 2133 2134 2135 2136 2137 2138 2139 Auk. " 6. " 6. 2140 2141 By E. M. Marten D. F. Luckey L. G. Clark R. C. Moore L. D. Brown S. McSmith J. L. Christian W. C. Hutchison A. M. Thompson W. C. Howell John Deerwester R. A. Young N. J. Colman N. H. Gentry H. J. Waters W. B. McRoberts J. W. Boles W. R. Wilkinson Geo. B. Ellis H. A. Gass E. E. Swink A. T. Nelson Columbia Statesman. . . . Herring-Hall-Marvin Co . H. C. Tuck L. G. Clark Lee Gilbert J. W. Waller D. F. Luckey Blees-Moore Inst. Co. . . . H. C. Tuck S. H. Elkins Jas. Cullison E. M. Hendy To requisition By J. E. Taylor A. J. Hammersteiu R. P. Scurlock Lee Gilbert Smith Premier Co Jas. Cullison L. D. Brown J. E. Taylor Columbia Telephone Co . H. Bradley J. H. Slater Hatton & Knight H. C. Tuck R. C. Moore C. E. Steel S. H. Elkins R. C. Moore L. G. Clark D. F. Luckey L. D. Brown To requisition By H. C. Tuck H. Bradley J. H. Slater To requisition By W. B. Welch Columbia Statesman . . . . 51,500 00 1,000 00 1,000 00 S50 00 233 49 8 06 37 70 53 57 13 50 20 00 18 22 7 30 12 35 7 80 23 00 11 50 3 00 6 39 12 00 8 50 10 87 5 64 3 52 18 60 19 10 19 60 20 00 178 30 8 02 37 50 6 00 212 78 12 35 100 00 20 92 5 00 18 17 24 00 5 00 7 97 50 00 27 31 41 19 32 50 27 00 4 65 14 92 14 20 6 00 57 87 55 00 129 78 15 00 60 00 11 00 246 93 176 09 198 80 29 21 11 46 14 00 13 60 Report of Secretary. 39 STATE VETERINARY FUND— Continued. Date. War. No. Name. Dr. Cr. 1908. Aug. 6 2142 2143 2144 2145 2146 2147 2148 2149 2150 2151 2152 2153 2154 2155 2156 2157 2158 2159 2160 By H. R. Varnon $13 73 " 6 L. G. Clark 8 65 " 6 E. M. Hendy 8 00 6 R. J. Mitchell 25 02 " 6 Jas. Cullison 8 25 6 Lee Gilbert 50 00 " 6 C. E. Steel 25 09 " 6 National Paper Co 12 90 " 6 A. J. Hammerstein 25 00 " 6 L. D. Brown 190 88 " 6 H. C. Tuck 185 11 " 6 J. E. Taylor 42 00 " 6 Columbia Telephone Co 10 25 " 6 R. C. Moore 59 10 " 6 A. J. Hammerstein 50 00 " 6 Smith Premier Co 3 45 " 6 D. F. Luckey 278 21 " 6 Columbia Statesman 3 50 " 6 M. H. Lamb 50 00 " 31 To requisition SI, 000 00 Sept. 4 2161 2162 2163 2164 2165 2166 2167 2168 2169 2170 2171 2172 2173 2174 2175 2176 2177 2178 2179 2180 2181 2182 2183 2184 2185 2186 2187 2188 By Western Union Co 1 65 " 4 Lee Gilbert 50 00 " 4 C. E. Steel 21 50 " 4 D. F. Luckey 219 19 " 4 H. F. Boettner 30 37 " 4 R. C. Moore 25 00 " 4 T. E. White 13 18 " 4 J. H. Slater 13 94 " 4 L. D. Brown 195 55 " 4 E. M. Hendy 39 75 " 4 H. C. Tuck 203 60 " 4 S. H. Elkins 20 00 " 4 Jas. Cullison 8 50 " 4 S. H. Elkins 100 00 Oct. 2 Lee Gilbert 50 00 " 2 A. C. Donohew 15 00 " 2 H. Bradley 58 60 " 2 R. P. Poage 8 50 " 2 L. G. Clark 15 58 " 2 A. J. Hammerstein 55 00 " 2 J. E. Taylor 126 40 " 2 H. Bradley 18 29 " 2 L. D. Brown 188 31 " 2 Jas. Cullison 9 00 " 2 Pacific Express Co 37 92 " 2 H. F. Boettner . . 37 98 " 2 R. C. Moore 42 50 " 2 D. F. Luckey 264 47 " o To requisition . 1,500 00 " 2 2189 2190 2191 2192 2193 2194 2195 2196 2197 2198 2199 2200 2201 By H. C. Tuck 197 65 " 2 Columbia Statesman 5 00 " 10 Columbia Statesman 13 45 " 31 L. G. Clark . . .... 8 70 " 31 T. E. White . . . 17 70 " 31 Barnes-Crosby Co 6 52 " 31 Lee Gilbert 50 00 " 31 J. E. Taylor 107 99 " 31 Stanley Smith 10 44 " 31 R. J. Mitchell 6 64 " 31 A. J. Hammerstein 10 00 " 31 A. J. Munn 4 80 " 31 S. H. Elkins 30 00 40 Missouri Agricultural Report. STATE VETERINARY FUND— Continued. Date. War. No. Name. Dr. Cr. 1908. Oct. 31 2202 2203 Bv L. D. Brown ; . . $100 00 " 31 H. C. Tuck 100 00 " 31 To requisition $1,000 00 Nov. 6 2204 2205 2206 2207 2208 2209 2210 2211 2212 2213 2214 2215 2216 2217 2218 2219 2220 2221 2222 2223 2224 By. R. C. Moore 76 40 6 H. H. Wolf 8 35 6 L. D. Brown 105 97 6 H. C. Tuck 98 15 " 6 D. F. Luckey 196 54 6 R. B. Tilley 7 08 Dec 1 Columbia Statesman 45 00 W. F. Berry 22 00 J. H. Slater 7 73 Lee Gilbert 50 00 W. A. Bright 30 00 Hatton & Knight 12 00 R. P. Scurlock 4 40 J. E. Taylor 114 57 L. G. Clark 8 60 A. J. Hammerstein 37 55 W. B. Welch 16 50 R. C. Moore 52 50 L. D. Brown 162 53 S. H. Elkins 5 70 D. F. Luckey 174 33 9 To requistion By balance 615 26 "15 ... 600 82 $10,478 44 $10,478 44 KANSAS CITY INTERSTATE FAIR FUND. Date. War. No. Name. Dr.. Cr. 1907. Dec 17 To balance $298 55 " 18. . . ; . . 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 By W. A. Bright $15 00 1908. Jan. 7 S. H. Elkins 35 00 Feb 1 H. C. Grain 4 90 F. M. Riebel 4 68 E. L. Newton 4 44 J. C. Wigginton 4 39 H. T. Mackey 4 36 AV. C. Watson 4 18 O. A. Barnes 4 18 Edw. Easley 4 03 D. A. Hudson 3 94 C. A. Haynes 3 89 H. C. Agin 3 83 Whitten Hardware Co 3 78 Eli Over 3 66 J. C. Currie .... 3 66 Clayton Scott 3 62 D. C. Lentley 3 52 L. P. Chapman 3 52 J. E. Matheny 4 03 C. E. Scott . 3 35 C. A. Haynes 2 89 E. L. Hughes 3 83 H. B. Hughes 3 00 Report of Secretary. 41 KANSAS CITY INTERSTATE FAIR FUND— Continued. Date. War. No. Name. Dr. Cr. Feb 1 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 B\' J. I. Mansur . $2 00 H. R. Scott 3 52 " 1 C. A. Griesnauer 3 25 1 Geo. H. Sly 3 66 1 Wm. Johnmeyer 1 04 1 Chris Smitli 85 " 1 Rolliii Crain 10 00 " 1 Paul Crain 9 00 " 1 C. J. Currie ... 8 00 1 Vincent Bondrean 7 00 1 Geo. Ohlendorf 6 00 1 Clark Riebel 5 00 1 J. E. Shirkv 4 00 1 Walter Ohlendorf 3 00 1 Fred Ohlendorf 2 00 1 J. Lee Craigmile 1 00 1 Ciiester Matheny 10 00 1 Herbert Prettyman 9 00 " 1 Chalmer Clayton 8 00 " 1 Raymond Wasel 7 00 1 C. J. Currie 6 00 1 Clark Riebel 5 00 1 Robt. Maiitzel 4 00 1 H. W. Smith 3 00 1 Claude L Bryant 2 00 " 7 Gene Williams 1 00 '* T S. H. Elkins 38 55 Oct. 2 I. T. Van Note 39 00 6 To requisition $39 00 S337 55 $337 55 SUMMARY OF SECRETARY'S FINANCIAL STATEMENT. EXPENSE OF MEMBERS FUND. Date. Dr. Cr. December 17, 1907 . To balance in State Treasury $500 00 314 58 December 17, 1907.. . December 17, 1907, to December 15, 1908. To balance in Treasury, Board of Agiiculture ' ' . By warrants drawn on Treasurer Board of Agriculture $520 28 December 15 1908 Bv balancp troasurv Board of Affriciiltiirf 294 30 $814 58 $814 58 MONTHLY CROP REPORT FUND. Date. Dr. Cr. December 17, 1907.. . December 17, 1907.. . December 17, 1907, to December 15, 1908. December 15, 1908.. . December 15, 1908.. . To balance in State Treasury To balance in treasury. Board of Agriculture By warrants drawn on Treasurer Board of Agriculture By balance treasury. Board of Agriculture. . . 7By balance State Treasury M,500 00 104 31 $1,604 31 $657 84 146 47 800 00 $1,604 31 42 Missouri Agricultural Report. FARMERS' INSTITUTE FUND. Date. Dr. Cr. December 17, 1907.. . December 17, 1907.. . December 17, 1907, to December 15, 1908. December 15, 1908.. . December 15, 1908.. . To balance in State Treasury To balance treasury. Board of Agriculture .... By warrants drawn on Treasurer Board of Agriculture By balance treasury, Board of Agriculture. . . 7By balance State Treasury ,500 00 596 84 $8,096 84 $4,230 36 1,366 48 2,500 00 $8,096 84 OFFICE EXPENSE FUND. Date. Dr. Cr. December 17, 1907.. . To balance State Treasury $500 00 137 34 December 17, 1907.. . December 17, 1907, to December 15, 1908. To balance treasury. Board of Agriculture .... By warrants drawn on Treasurer, Board of Agriculture $538 02 December 15, 1908.. . By balance treasury Board of Agriculture . . .. 99 32 $637 34 $637 34 STATE VETERINARY FUND. Date. Dr. Cr. December 17, 1907.. . December 17, 1907.. . December 17, 1907, to December 15, 1908. To balance State Treasury To balance treasury, Board of Agriculture .... By warrants drawn on Treasurer Board of Agriculture $10,200 00 363 IS $9,877 62 December 15, 1908 . . By balance treasury, Board of Agriculture . . 600 82 December 15, 1908.. . By amount paid for printing Bulletin, Vol. 6, No. 10, account with Printing Commission . 84 74 $10,563 18 $10,563 18 STATE HIGHWAY ENGINEER FUND. Date. Dr. Cr. December 17, 1907.. . December 17, 1907.. . December 17, 1907, to December 15, 1908. December 15, 1908.. . December 15, 1908.. . To balance State Treasury To balance treasury Board of Agriculture . $10,000 00 437 23 By warrants drawn on Treasurer Board of Agriculture By balance treasury. Board of Agriculture. 7 By balance State Treasury $10,437 23 56,791 72 645 51 3,000 00 $10,437 23 Report of Secretary. 43 APIARY INSPECTION FUND. Date. Dr. Cr. December 17, 1907.. . To balance State Treasury SI, 000 00 225 75 December 17, 1907.. . December 17, 1907, to December 15, 1908. To balance treasury, Board of Agriculture By warrants drawn on Treasurer Board of Agriculture $1,154 16 December 15, 1908.. . By balance treasury, Board of Agriculture . . 71 59 $1,225 75 $1,225 75 KANSAS CITY INTERSTATE FAIR FUND. Date. December 17, 1907.. . December 17, 1907.. . December 17, 1907, to December 15, 1908. December 15, 1908.. . To balance State Treasury To balance treasury, Board of Agriculture. By warrants drawn on Treasurer Board of Agriculture By balance State Treasury Dr. $1,000 00 298 55 $1,298 55 Cr. $.3.37 55 961 00 51,298 55 PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTING ANNUAL REPORT FUND. Date. December 17, 1907.. . December 17, 1907.. . December 17, 1907, to December 15, 1908. December 15, 1908.. . Dr. To balance State Treasury $4,026 37 To balance treasury, Board of Agriculture \ 103 76 By warrants drawn on Treasurer Board of Agriculture By balance State Treasury ,130 13 Cr. $482 19 3,647 94 $4,130 13 The amounts paid for printing bulletins and tlie annual report are allowed by the State Printing Commission, and the moneys for that purpose are not drawn by the treasurer of the Board of Agriculture; hence the exact balances will be the amount charged for printing less than the above figures. Respectfully submitted, Geo. B. Ellis, Secretary. TREASURER'S REPORT. To the State Board of Agriculture : I, W. A. Bright, Treasurer of the Board of Agriculture, sub- mit the following report of the amount of money from last state- ment, and received from the State Treasurer, including balances, and the amounts paid out on warrants presented against the several funds of the Board of Agriculture, and the balances now on hand, all for the year ending December the 12th, 1908. PRINTING ANNUAL REPORT FUND. Date. Dr. Cr. 1907. December 10 1908. January 3 To balance, transferred from la.st To State warrant State warrant statement . . . $103 300 78 67 00 43 10 October 7 December 12 Overdraft December 12 By warrants paid and cancelled $482 20 $482 20 $482 20 MONTHLY CROP REPORT FUND. Date. Dr. Cr. 1907. December 10 1908. March 4 To balance from last statement State warrant. ... $104 32 100 00 100 00 100 00 200 00 200 00 May 4 State warrant June 6 State warrant . September 2 November 7 State warrant State warrant December 12 By warrants paid and cancelled $657 85 December 12 balance 146 47 $804 32 $804 32 (44) Report of Treasurer. 45 EXPENSE OF MEMBERS FUND. Date. Dr. Cr. 1907. December 6 To balance from last statement .$314 59 200 00 100 00 200 00 1908. March 4 State warrant August 4 State warrant December 7 State warrant Bv warrants paid and cancelled $520 29 December 12 balance 294 30 $814 59 $814 59 STATE VETERINARY FUND. Date. Dr. Cr. 1907. December 13 1908. .Tanuary 4 To balance from last statement State warrant $508 56 1,000 00 1,000 00 500 00 1,500 00 1,000 00 1,000 00 1,000 00 1,500 00 1,000 00 615 26 February 4 State warrant April 8 June 3 State warrant State warrant July 5 State warrant August 4 State warrant State warrant State warrant State warrant Sept. 2 October 7 November 4 December 12 December 12 . . State warrant By warrants paid and cancelled $10,023 00 December 12 balance 600 82 $10,623 82 $10,623 82 FARMERS' INSTITUTE FUND. Date. Dr. Cr. 1907. December 13 To balance from last statement $634 91 1,000 00 500 00 500 00 1,000 00 2,000 00 1908. January 4 State warrant February 4 March 4 State warrant State warrant October 7 State warrant December 7 State warrant. . December 12 ]iy warrants paid and cancelled $4,116 08 December 12 balance 1,518 83 $5,634 91 $5,634 91 46 Missouri Agricultural Report. STATE HIGHWAY ENGINEER FUND. Date. 1907. December 10 1908. January 16 . . March 4 May 4 June 3 September 2 . October 7 December 7. . December 12 December 12 Dr. To balance from last statement. State warrant State warrant State warrant State warrant State warrant State warrant State warrant By warrants paid and cancelled . balance OFFICE EXPENSE FUND. $469 63 1,000 00 1,000 00 1,000 00 1,000 00 1,000 00 1,000 00 1,000 00 $7,469 63 Cr. ,824 12 645 51 $7,469 63 Date. Dr. Vt. 1907. To balance from last statement $137 35 100 00 100 00 100 00 100 00 100 00 1908. May 4 State warrant J imp 8 State warrant August 4 State warrant October 12 State warrant State warrant T^fTPmhpr 12 Bv warrants naid and cancelled . . $538 03 99 32 $637 35 $637 35 APIARY INSPECTION FUND. Date. Dr. Cr. December 10 To balance from last statement $225 75 500 00 500 00 1908. June 3 State warrant September 2 December 12 State warrant Bv warrants oaid and cancelled $1,154 16 December 12 balance ... 71 59 $1,225 75 $1,225 75 KANSAS CITY INTERSTATE FAIR FUND. Date. Dr. Cr. 1907. December 13 To balance from last statement $332 05 39 00 1908. October 12 State warrant By warrants paid and cancelled December 12 $371 05 $371 05 $371 05 Respectfully submitted, W. A. Bright, Treasurer. REPORT OF STATE HIGHWAY ENGINEER. Columbia, Mo., Dec. 15th, 1908. To the Honorable Members of the State Board of Agriculture: Gentlemen — Looking back over the season's work, a decided improvement is evident all along the line. Many things can still be seen which might be improved upon and many more which should be improved upon where the conditions will not permit. No man's foresight is so good as his back-sight, for it is only by the past that we can judge the future. The best results are to be obtained from a study of the scrap pile. Road officials are there- fore advised to look back over the season's work and to study the scrap heap. Reviewing the past year's work of the State Highway De- partment, I find that the Department's representatives have visit- ed about 100 separate localities for the purpose of attending meet- ings, making road addresses, or for investigating and giving advice upon road and bridge matters. Few hard surfaced roads have been made under our supervision, the greater number of our calls being for consultation upon earth roads, culverts or bridges. The Department has sent out 15 steel bridge plans, aggregating 2,600 linear feet of bridging at an estimated cost of $37,000.00; 72 concrete bridge and culvert plans aggregating about 760 lin. feet of bridging at an estimated cost of $25,000.00. A total aggregate of 87 structures— 3,360 lin. feet and $62,000.00 cost. These plans were made for and upon request of the County High- Vvay Engineers, and about 25 per cent have been contracted for and built. At the instigation of the State Department, the county engi- neers have formed a highway engineers' association of the State, the object and purpose being to secure uniformity of methods, the establishment of closer relations and the advancement of knowl- edge pertaining to road building and maintenance among the county engineers. (47) 48 Missouri Agricultural Report. We gave all aid possible to the road overseers' schools of in- struction, and I am convinced that the law requiring that all over- seers of a county be called together for instructions at the county seat by the county engineer, at least once a year, is one of the best features of our new road laws. The machinery for testing road materials was purchased last spring, but has only recently been installed in the engineering building of the State University. We are now prepared to test any kind of road or bridge material which may be sent in by the county officials, at no expense to them save for the shipment of the materials to Columbia. The road exhibit put on by the highway department at the State Fair last October was creditable, and consisted of road tools and machinery and models and structures in concrete and steel. In my report last year I advocated the use of some of the State convicts upon the public roads, which advocacy I wish to renew. I do not advocate scattering the convicts out along a road, but would keep them confined strictly to quarrying and crushing, leaving the hauling and other work necessary to the completion of the road to be performed by the community for which the road is being made. With a systematic order of distribution and ap- plication for such work, much assistance can be given in the form of State aid to road work. Road material of average quality is accessible in almost every county of the State, and in a number of counties it can be found within reasonable hauling distance of any road. I would have the State own portable outfits for quarry- ing and crushing, with an average output of about 100 c. y. per outfit per day, to be manned by State convicts. A steel cage mounted on wheels with bunks, which could be lowered and raised on the plan of Pullman coach, could be purchased to accommodate 16 or 18 men. With crusher, cook and guard outfits on separate trucks, the whole could be transported to the railroad, shipped to the next place where wanted, and again hauled out to the road or quarry. This quarrying and crushing should be in some form of State aid, the county or road district having done the grading necessary to prepare the road-bed for receiving the rock and also having made arrangements to put on the rock after it is crushed for them. I beg to call attention to Greene county, Missouri, where the road officials have this year succeeded in putting out a convict rock crushing outfit with county prisoners exactly like the plan I have outlined. The county convict outfit consists of a traction Report of State Highway Engineer. 49 engine, the convict cage, cooking tent and guard outfit. The crew of a team, two guards, an engineer and 12 prisoners with an out- put of about 80 c. y's. per day at a cost to the county of about $15.00 per day. The convict outfit does only the crushing, the road district doing everything else. So successful has it proven that the demand for it from different districts is great enough that two or three such outfits could be kept busy. The cost to the county is so small that the taxes on the increased valuation of property caused by the improvement will pay the county a good interest upon the capital invested. The work of a large number of our county highway engineers cannot be too highly praised. In some counties it has required the man to be philosopher, orator, politician, economist and engi- neer. It has been a hard position to fill, and even with a dis- couraging season the roads have been improved. The haphazard v\^ay of attending to the road interests is fast disappearing, and is superceded by order and system under the supervision of the county highway engineer. There is a saving in handling and buy- ing tools, implements and materials; there is better and more permanent work and better maintenance. More hedges are trimmed, more poll-tax collected, and men and teams are worked to better advantage. Small things, as opening ditches, placing culverts in the right place or abandoning others, putting fences on the established lines or clearing the right of way of obstacles have been attended to. Many things which any sensible man knows how to do, have never before been done simply because there was nobody whose business it was to do them. This is the result of supervision, and in every county where it has had a fair, honest trial the results are good. The roads of the State have been gradually improving for years along with the natural growth and progress. But the year just past shows more advance and improvement in the roads than any other one year. With the plans already made by the county engineers for next year's work the end of another year will see the most decided advancement in road improvement that has been seen in any other one year. The efforts of the State highway department shall be for the improvement of the roads as a system and not for an isolated road here and there. In order to accom- plish this, it is necessary : 1st. To give whatever assistance we can to any place or community showing a spirit for improvement and a desire to im- A-4 50 Missouri Agricultural Report. prove. In this M^ay we give aid to the isolated road because it is a part of the road system and all cannot be improved at one and the same time. 2nd. To have road laws which can and will be complied with. Our present laws are good, but need to be made consistent in a few inconsistent minor points. Because there has never, until this year, been anyone whose business it was to see that the road laws were enforced, the average citizen has not respected them, but has felt at liberty to ignore them. 3rd. To obtain uniformity in methods and a system of work, and in keeping records. Records of contracts and of the roads themselves have been kept in a very careless manner, if kept at all. We find there is no record of at least one-half of our public roads, and some of the records which are found could have but little standing in the courts. One of the greatest disadvantages our engineers have in the enforcement of the road work is the lack of any record of the roads themselves. 4th. To give attention to the maintenance of the earth roads. Over 95 per cent of our roads are earth, and it will be some years before as much as 10 per cent of them will be anything more. Hard surfaced roads are too expensive to build and maintain to plan a very rapid progress in their construction. The largest mileage will, and should be, earth roads for a long time to come, and in the meantime the best should be made of them that the means and natural conditions permit. 5th. With this care of the earth road, attention must be given to the construction of good, substantial and permanent cul- verts and bridges. The highway department should be given more control over this feature of the work in order to prevent the substitution of unsuitable, unsubstantial or unsightly structures. Not so much to procure the structure at a less cost, but to obtain a suitable one, worth the price paid for it. As the roads improve the loads increase, and it is both safety and economy to build per- manent bridges and culverts. Well maintained earth roads with good bridges and culverts is the solution for the majority of our road difficulties. 6th. Where the travel converges upon our main roads, mak- ing the traffic too heavy to maintain earth roads, they should be hard surfaced as fast as possible. These roads are of enough im- portance to justify the increased expenditure. This is another feature of our road work over which the State department should Report of State Highway Engineer. 51 have more power of control. A road is not made by piling on the material in a haphazard way without attention to the founda- tion or drainage. Using more material than is necessary is another waste. Money is being wasted in all these ways in Mis- souri. It costs too much money to make good roads for the work to be done in a careless manner or without attention to the principles of road-building. 7th. Many people advocate expensive road building without a thought for maintenance. Any road will wear out and as soon as a road is built provisions should be made for maintaining it. Maintenance is second in importance to construction, and we must not lose sight of the fact that a good earth road is largely a ques- tion of maintenance. Before we can have a good system of roads, we must have a good maintenance system — a continuous main- tenance. Our road district might be of a suitable size to own an outfit and employ a man to do nothing the year around but keep up the roads of that district. It is the most economical in the end and will eventually develop a class of men who make it their busi- ness. It will be their duty to care for the roads while other men are attending to their own particular line of business, I wish, also, to do some research work or investigation this year, to begin as soon as I know what funds the department has for expenses. 1st. Demonstrate the use of the road drag for maintaining hard surfaced roads. I know that the drag properly used upon gravel roads will keep the surface smooth. It ought to do the same with roads surfaced with chats. I do not know what might be the result upon a macadam road, but I am arranging to give it a thorough trial in several places in the State. 2nd. Make a study and test of road material of the State, taking up those sections first which promise to need it first. 3rd. An investigation and census for the amount of travel; the kind and size of loads; date and length of time of heavy, wet roads; and the effect of bad roads upon public school attendance. 4th. Collect interesting and historical data concerning the old State roads opened years ago by the State. This is valuable from a historical standpoint only, but will soon all be lost — much of this history is gone beyond recovery now. 5th. Add a little each year to the State Fair road exhibit. It helps to keep up interest and is a feature for instruction upon read affairs. 52 Missouri Agricultural Report. 6th. Make field and laboratory tests upon paints and pre- servatives for steel highway work. It is a feature of maintenance which has been neglected. Well directed attention to this ques- tion will mean several years added to the life of steel bridges. Respectfully submitted, Curtis Hill, State Highway Engineer. A LAWRENCE COUNTY ROAD. REPORT OF THE STATE INSPECTOR OF APIARIES. Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Board : In presenting this, the second annual report of my work as Inspector of Apiaries, I wish to state that the work is yet largely a work of education, and will necessarily remain so for some time to come, for so few people understand and appreciate the real value of the honey bee to humanity and the necessity for guarding it against disease and harmful influences. I will first refer to the work done during the past year, and then call your attention to a few suggestions which I think would greatly aid future work. Total number of apiaries visited during the season of 1908 340 Number of apiaries diseased 166 Total number of colonies inspected 5,155 Number of colonies diseased 469 Much more work has been done during the season just closed than in the one preceding. During the season of 1908, 2,127 more colonies were inspect- ed than during the season of 1907. Some localities are now pretty well cleansed of foul-brood, where two years ago we found disease widely spread, and the conditions favorable for the wholesale dis- tribution of the infection. Work has been started in several new localities with gratifying results. Greater good could have been accomplished during the season just closed had the weather been more favorable in the spring and early summer. The cold, rainy, weather was not only hurtful to the bees, but it caused the work of inspection to proceed very slowly, this work having to be regulated by conditions that affect the bees, such as cool weather, rainy weather, and a scarcity of nectar to be gathered. Failing to observe these conditions would result in harm instead of good. (53) 54 Missouri Agricultural Report. There is much territory that remains yet unvisited simply for ths lack of time. I have reports from several new localities where disease is thought to be in existence. These places will be visited when the proper season comes for that work. I do not expect to find disease in each locality so reported, for the uninformed are often likely to be mistaken in their conclusions. If they find dead brood in their hives they are alarmed and at once report a case of foulbrood, but when investigated it frequently proves to be nothing but starved brood. A little honey or sugar syrup given at the right time would have saved them, and saved a trip for the inspector also. People are not always to be blamed for these mistakes, especially where they have had no experience with bee disease. In such cases I take pains to explain the nature of bee disease and its treatment, so that next time they will know better how to diagnose the trouble. I find many who need instruction in the general care and management of bees, before they are capable of treating disease. I have tried to give such information as best I could in the limited -time I had. The work of the past two seasons has demonstrated the need of making provision for some additional work in this department : First — the inspector should be given the authority to appoint deputies to look after special work when, during his absence, he deems it necessary; so that diseased colonies will not remain un- treated from the first visit until the second. Only a few days would be required for this special work, and it would greatly aid in the work of eradicating disease, and also enable the inspector to get over more territory. Second — provision should be made so that the inspector's duties in the development and protecting of the industry, should cover the whole field of agriculture in such a manner that any work for the good of the industry could be taken up. This would make room for some experimental work which we have sadly felt the need during the past season. In the management and treatment of the trouble called "pickled brood," a trouble which in many respects closely resembles European foulbrood, it is difficult at timics to tell just what treatment is best. This trouble has been very severe in some localities during the past season, almost wiping out of existence whole yards. Some cases were found where two troubles seemed to be working together. A few careful experiments would have told whether or not the trouble was of a contagious nature ; then we could have applied the Report of State Inspector of Apiaries. 55 treatment more intelligently. By experimental work, I don't mean that the inspector should take up scientific work in bacteri- ology. It is the practical tests, by inoculation and otherwise, to determine the nature of the trouble that we want, so that we may know whether the disease under treatment in some certain locality is contagious or not. Some careful investigations along the line of spraying during fruit-blooms would also be of value, for many do not understand the true relationship existing between bees and horticulture. Many do not understand the value of the bee as a pollen distribu- tor, a work that is probably worth more to humanity than the crops of honey produced. Any work to educate the people along these lines will be well taken up, for this neglected branch of agri- culture is one of the undeveloped resources of the State, which with the proper protection and encouragement will add largely to the State's wealth. The crops of honey and wax that are annually produced are worthy of our attention ; yet these crops could easily be doubled, and that without increasing the present number of bees, if every owner of bees would give them the care and manage- ment they deserve. Then give this worthy cause the recognition that it deserves, and let it grow and continue to bless mankind in performing its double mission in life. For treatment of bee diseases, see monthly bulletin, Vol. VI, No. 11. Respectfully submitted, M. E. Darby, State Apiary Inspector. QUEEN BEES REPORT OF STATE VETERINARIAN. Mr. President and Gentlemen of the State Board of Agriculture : A statement of all the official visits made by the State Veterinarian and deputy State Veterinarians has been tabu- lated by the Secretary of the Board and will be printed in your annual report. Reference to this statement will show that the principal part of the control work during the past year has been done by the deputies located in the different parts of the State. The work at the office has increased to such an extent that, if prop- erly attended to, it would require all of my time. In addition to attending to office work during the past year, I have, however, devoted a large share of my time to making tuberculin tests of herds of cattle and studying the situation with regard to the spread of tuberculosis among cattle and hogs. I furthermore, took personal charge of the tick eradication work in South Missouri, and, altogether, devoted about two months of my time to this line of work. By way of educational work I put in three weeks at farmers' institutes and prepared a bulletin on the subject of "Para- sitic Diseases of Sheep." The continual traffic in live stock in this State tends to cause repeated outbreaks of contagious diseases. In order to keep these diseases under control, it is necessary to keep up a running fight against them. The funds provided for the veterinary department have heretofore been entirely inadequate. On account of the lack of funds we have had to neglect many outbreaks of diseases during the last year and have been compelled to make hasty and incom- plete investigations in others. However, with the exception of the rapid introduction and spread of tuberculosis in our herds, and the extension of the losses from Texas fever, we have done fairly well in our efforts to hold all contagious diseases in check. SCABIES. During the year 1908 there were 53 shipments of scabby sheep from Missouri to the public markets. Other reports of out- breaks of scabies were received from different sources. (56) Report of State Veterinarian. 57 Up to July 1st, a deputy was sent to the point of origin of each of these shipments to investigate the extent of the outbreak and to quarantine all diseased sheep and the shipping pens. In some of these investigations scabies was found to be wide spread and its suppression required considerable time. On account of the veterinary funds running low, we had to discontinue this work on July 1st. Since that time, we have simply written the shipper a letter and sent a notice, through the mail, quarantining the rail- road stock pens. We have no way of knowing whether or not the shipper or other owners of scabby sheep in the neighborhood paid any attention to the letter, or whether the railroad companies properly attended to the disinfection of their stock pens. To say the least, this is an unsatisfactory and loose method of handling a contagious disease that may do great damage to the sheep industry of the State. FOOT ROT. During the spring and summer, foot rot broke out in two bands of sheep in Chariton county. One of these contained 300 head, and the other 600 head. Before the owners were aware of the dangerous nature of this disease it had spread until more than 75 per cent of the sheep in each lot were affected. The treatment was slow and tedious, and even after its use these flocks were worth less than in the beginning. The source of infection seems to have been a lot of sheep shipped from Linn county. Mo., but no com- plaint has been received from that county. Both of the herds which were affected with foot rot were placed in quarantine and will be held until completely cured. TEXAS FEVER. The Texas fever spread over more territory during 1908. than in any previous year. The past winter was warm, thereby allow- ing the fever ticks to live through. There was a heavy crop of acorns in the timbered areas and, to save these, fire was kept out of the woods. The leaves protected the ticks and they have conse- quently been abundant in territory heretofore infested and have spread to new areas. There has been a heavy loss of cattle from Texas fever in Newton and McDonald counties. There was quite a severe loss in the neighborhood of Richards, Vernon county, v/hich apparently resulted from the shipment of cattle from Mc- Donald county. The movement of cattle from Newton, McDonald, 58 Missouri Agricultural Report. Oregon and Ripley counties was more or less restricted by the Federal quarantine to the detriment of the cattle industry in these counties. In past years we have attempted to control Texas fever by hunting up and quarantining all the ticky cattle. It was the cus- tom to release such cattle from quarantine as soon as they were cleaned from the ticks, with the understanding that their owners should keep them clean. This method for several reasons failed to produce satisfactory results. It was impossible to locate and ex- itmine all the cattle at the times when the various crops of ticks were on them. It was difficult to enforce a quarantine. (In one case, the prosecuting attorney of Newton county advised an owner to turn the cattle out and ignore the quarantine). The re-exami- nation of cattle for release from quarantine consumed too much of the inspector's time. It was often found, upon re-examination, that the owner had only partially cleaned his cattle of ticks, or that he had not done it at all. It was the rule rather than the exception that, when cattle were once released, the owner would neglect to keep them clean. The repeated examination of herds under obser- vation, and the explanation of details to their owners, required so much time that the inspectors could not cover the ground. There were general complaints that it took too much work and expense to keep the cattle free of ticks, and, in some cases, it was claimed that the oil used damaged the cattle. In fact, every imaginable reason that could emanate from a lazy man's mind was advanced against the eradication of the Texas fever ticks. To get around these various obstacles we set about at the be- ginning of the last season to carry out some more effective plans. We asked the U. S. Department of Agriculture, out of the tick eradication appropriation, to furnish a spraying outfit for each in- fested county in this State. Our request was granted as to outfits for Oregon, Newton and McDonald counties. The spraying outfits consisted of a wagon and team, two men and a supply of soap and crude oil, with which to make an emulsion that is the most effective agent knowTi for the destruction of ticks. Arrangements were made to cover all the infested area every two weeks, if possible, and spray all the cattle. All the owners had to do was to get their cattle up in a convenient lot, upon receipt of a notice of the time that the spray wagon would be along. The State inspector, work- ing in co-operation with the crew furnished by the U. S. Depart- ment of Agriculture, was instructed to attend to notifying cattle owners when to have their cattle up and to compel delinquents to Report of State Veterinarian. 59 fall in line. We sought to reach those who were averse to tick eradication by appealing to the statute which forbids an owner to allow "cattle infected with Texas fever to run at large." This statute authorizes the sheriff, under a warrant from the justice of the peace, to round up such diseased cattle, to hold them in quar- antine at the expense of the owner, and, if necessary, to sell them to pay all fees and costs. Fortunately, it was necessary to invoke the law in the severest manner in only a few cases. In two cases in McDonald county the owners, after due notice in writing, allowed t:ckey cattle to run at large. A severe loss of cattle by death from Texas fever was generally credited to one of these herds. On pre- sentation of the evidence in these cases, by Dr. H. C. Tuck, cattle inspector, the prosecuting attorney of McDonald county held that the law would not apply unless the cattle that spread the disease were themselves actually showing symptoms of the disease. This occurred towards the last of the tick season. The moral effect of this case will greatly hinder tick eradication work during the com- ing year. Unless the law is remedied so as to cover the cattle that carry the Texas fever ticks, whether or not they actually show the symptoms of the disease, we cannot hope to secure the best re- sults in tick eradication work. In one case in Newton county, an owner neglected to get his cattle up to be sprayed and allowed them to run at large, while they were constantly carrying and spreading Texas fever ticks. The necessary papers and notices were served on him and prepara- tions made to have the county authorities round up the cattle and disinfect them. In this case, the sheriff ignored the justice of the peace order to round up the cattle and the prosecuting attorney failed to appear, or send an assistant, to attend to the prosecution of the owner. The case ended up by the owner giving bond to get his cattle up and keep them free from ticks. The moral effect of this case was not wholly lost. To represent the State in tick eradication work, Mr. J. E. Taylor was appointed to act as inspector in Oregon county. Dr. L, D. Brown, regular deputy, was assigned to Newton county, and Dr. H. C. Tuck, regular deputy, to McDonald county. Owing to the lack of funds, the extent of the infestation, and the lack of co-operation in Ripley county, no eradication work was undertaken in that county this year. In Oregon county it was possible for the spray wagon to cover the infested territory with something ap- proaching regularity, and the work was begun there early enough to promise good results. Practically all of the cattle in the in- 60 Missouri Agricultural Report. fested areas in Oregon county were sprayed time after time from July until after frost. The burning off of the range was not as complete as it should have been, but, altogether, this county ought to be almost free from Texas fever ticks. The spray wagons were started in Newton and McDonald counties in the latter part of August, entirely too late to get com- plete results. However, a great deal of good was accomplished. While the fever ticks were not completely cleaned out of these counties, something was accomplished towards that end and the spread of ticks to other counties was prevented. The eradication work in all of the tick infested counties ought to be started in April, 1909, and at least two more men added to the force. The law ought to be amended to make it a misdemeanor for an owner to allow his ticky cattle to run at large, after he has had due notice from an inspector. Without such a provision, there will be a partial waste (if all time and money spent in tick eradication work. GLANDERS. During the year there were found 159 outbreaks of glanders. Every one of these was promptly investigated and controlled. As soon as any petititon or any other regular call was received, indi- cating an outbreak of glanders, an investigation was ordered, even in the most inaccessible parts of the State. Every animal found to be diseased with glanders was placed in quarantine, entirely away from other horses, and, in due course of time, was destroyed by a county officer. The owner was given written orders and directions for the disinfection of his premises. The number of outbreaks of glanders was as small as could be expected with the immense traffic of horses and mules into and through the State, continually going on, and the dangerous watering fountains still in use in Kansas City. Public sentiment has always been in favor of the eradication of glanders and suitable statutes are in force for their control. The results that have been obtained in controlling glanders, under conditions of trade that may be considered adverse, plainly illustrate what could be accomplished in the eradication of tuberculosis with proper public sentiment and the necessary law. HOG CHOLERA. Severe losses from hog cholera have continued during the last year. The total loss of hogs in this State since 1902 has been at least $10,000,000. Heretofore there have been no efficient means for controlling it. Fortunately, a method of immunization of hogs Rejiort of State Veterinarian. 61 against cholera has been discovered, which, if properly applied, can be confidently relied upon to stop the disease. The serum for immunization purposes can be prepared at a very reasonable cost. This serum may be kept indefinitely. The supply ought to be placed in the hands of every deputy veterinarian in the State, so that quick action can be taken in case of any outbreak. By the owner of a herd of hogs notifying the secretary of the board of agriculture by telegram, and, he, in turn, promptly ordering a deputy veterinarian out by telegram, an outbreak of hog cholera can be taken charge of before there is time for it to spread. As a rule, the deputy veterinarian can be on the ground within twenty- four hours or sooner, after the owner makes up his mind to act. By simply giving the sound hogs in the herd an injection of the serum, requiring only a few moments of time for each hog, protec- tion against cholera will be immediate and almost complete. Sev- eral hundred hogs can be thus injected by one veterinarian in a day. Those hogs which are injected with serum, before they show any symptoms of the disease will almost invariably remain well. Those that are found sick can be rounded up and either killed and burned or kept in a small pen and frequently saturated with an antiseptic in such manner as to prevent disease from spreading from them. In this way some hogs can be saved out of the dis- eased herd and the disease kept from spreading all over the neigh- borhood. By being in a position to attend to these outbreaks promptly all losses from hog cholera can be stopped and the disease stamped out of the State. If the cholera continues in the future, and there is no reason to doubt that it will, there will be ample op- portunity, within the next twelve months, to save single counties more money on this one proposition than the entire state appropri- ation for the veterinary department for two years. This plan was recommended by Dr. A. D. Melvin, Chief United States Bureau of Animal Industry, at the last annual meeting of the Interstate As- sociation of Live Stock Sanitary Boards and unanimously approved by that association. FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE. Foot and Mouth disease has again appeared in several of the northern and eastern states. This disease is of such a nature that it can be stamped out only by killing and burning all of the dis- eased and exposed cattle. It is of such dreadful sequence as to make such a drastic course necessary. The law of this State is deficient in that it makes no provision, whatever, for controlling an outbreak of foot and mouth disease if one should occur. It is 62 Missouri Agricultural Report. more or less accidental that the present outbreaks occured in other states instead of in Missouri. In view of the fact that the infec- tion may spread into this State from points of infection now in other states, or an outbreak may occur at any future time from unknown sources, this department ought to be ready to take effective charge of an outbreak at any time. The law ought to be amended, as early as possible, to cover foot and mouth disease, and to provide for the disposition of affected cattle. TUBERCULOSIS. Tuberculosis is spreading rapidly among hogs and cattle in this State. The tuberculin tests during 1907 showed 4.5 per cent of the cattle tested to be tuberculous. The tests of 1908 showed 8 per cent to be tuberculous. These tests, although limited in niimber, seem to fairly represent the average condition among the permanent herds of the State. The increase in this State, as shown by these tests, has been in almost exact proportion to the increase in the number found tuberculous on post-mortem examination by Federal meat inspectors, which, in 1907, was 29,833 head, and in 1908, was 51,838 head. The total number of cattle coming under Federal meat inspection has increased 24 times as fast as the num- ber inspected. These tuberculous cattle, through their milk and droppings, have been the principal source of infection among hogs. While the total number of hogs inspected by the Federal gov- ernment has increased only about one-half since 1900, the number found tuberculous has increased 160-fold. The number found tuberculous has increased 320 times as fast as the number in- spected. The increase in the prevalence of tuberculosis has been so great that the shipment of affected hogs and cattle from this State to the public markets is now a common thing, whereas such ship- ments were practically unknown only a few years ago. The tests of 1907 showed that many badly tuberculous herds were contribut- ing to the general milk supply of the large cities. Tests in 1908 showed that tuberculous herds are plentiful around the smaller cities of the State. Tuberculosis is already so thoroughly scat- tered that it seems hardly possible that any creamery company or milk dealer in the State can be getting the supply of cream or milk v^hich is not contaminated by the products from tuberculous herds. On account of its great prevalence the work of stamping out tuberculosis among cattle will require well laid plans, several years' time, and the expenditure of a large amount of money. The longer the beginning is delayed the more time and money it will require 1 Report of State Veterinarian. 63 to do the work. If eradication work is undertaken in the right manner and carried forward unhampered, we may reasonably ex- pect to clean it out of the dairy herds within four or five years. At the beginning we must confine our principal efforts toward cleaning up the dairy herds. This is deemed advisable for several leasons. On account of the way in which they are handled tuber- culosis is not apt to spread so rapidly among beef cattle. It does not reduce the value of beef cattle as much as it does dairy cattle. A tuberculous beef animal may be more profitably kept in quar- antine for breeding purposes. Such an animal is used for breed- ing as long as it does not go down with the disease. The additional expense and trouble of thus keeping beef cattle in quarantine is not very great. Meat inspection and a thorough cooking of the meat protects the human family, from tuberculosis through beef Cc\ttle, almost altogether. The danger to the human family being largely eliminated, the losses from tuberculosis among beef cattle are confined principally to the matter of financial profits. Under present conditions, and until owners of beef herds show a disposi- tion to co-operate with the State, the tuberculosis situation among beef cattle men will be left to take care of itself. On the other hand, dairy cattle are, of necessity, kept confined and in close contact with one another. Many instances are at hand to show that, when a tuberculous animal is added to a dairy herd, the disease spreads among the cattle and ruins the herd in an incredibly short time. When a dairy cow is tuberculous she is practically worthless. She is no longer useful for milk and her carcass is worth very little for beef, even though it should be only slightly diseased and pass meat inspection. To keep the dairy cow in quarantine for breeding purposes will require a visit to a sepa- rate lot twice a day to feed and milk her. Her milk must be steri- lized before it can be safely fed to calves and pigs. The only profit will be the calf. The additional expense and trouble of keeping her in quarantine is so great that the calf, even if from a regist- ered cow, is seldom worth the while. Furthermore, the State is practically in its infancy in the dairy business. Hundreds of farmers are going into the dairy business every year. A large per cent of the newly founded herds are not yet tuberculous. In many herds the disease is still limited and can be stamped out at a small expense. It is absolutely essential that the beginners in the dairy business should start with sound herds, and that the State render every possible assistance in enabling them to do so. Every effort should be made to go through the herds that are 64 Missouri Agricultural Report. slightly tuberculous to rid them of disease before it is too late. For the protection of the human family and other herds of cattle, those herds which are already rotten with tuberculosis should be put out of existence. Above all, the dairymen of this State are alive to the situation. They have shown a most commendable de- sire to co-operate with the State in the eradication of tuberculosis from their herds. They have shown a willingness to do everything in their power to protect the health of their own cattle, the reputa- tion of the dairy industry, and the human family from one of the most prolific sources of infection of the Great White Plague. A thorough study of the dairy situation in this State leads me to believe that the veterinary department should be provided with funds to employ capable men for the purpose of testing any dairy herd when requested to do so by its owner. It is plainly the duty of the State, when such work is carried on for the public good, to pay a part of the loss on account of cattle that are found diseased and condemned. The law of the State should be amended so as to provide for the payment of a small indemnity for condemned cattle, and for their shipment, under suitable restrictions, to slaughtering plants having meat inspection. An appropriation should be made for the State Veterinary Department sufficient to enable it to employ men to make the tests of dairy herds as fast as the calls for the tests are received. An appropriation should also be made for the prompt payment of the indemnity granted by the State. Under these conditions we have the assurance that the ap- plications for these tests will be as numerous as any force of men which the State is liable to provide will be able to answer. The practice of granting indemnity and allowing the shipment of con- demned tuberculous cattle, recommended, is followed in all states and countries which attempt to control tuberculosis. Such ship- ment is considered safe by the most eminent scientists. Granting indemnity by the State is especially intended to benefit the poor dairyman who has his whole fortune invested in a few head of cows. Now and then all the cows belonging to one of this class are found tuberculous and when they are condemned, their owner is left penniless. The uncertainty as to upon whom such ill luck will fall has heretofore made all of the poorer class of dairymen afraid of the test. The wealthy dairymen who are able to stand the loss of diseased cattle, are going ahead of their own accord, and clean- ing up their herds. Unless the State comes to the assistance of the poorer class, the dairy business will tend to drift into the hands of the wealthy people. Report of State Veteriyiarian. 65 If the State stands ready to answer all voluntary requests for the tuberculin test and will provide an equitable method of dis- posing of the cows that are found diseased, there is nothing to hinder the rapid progress of eradication work. Immediately any owner can feel safe in having his herd tested and rid of tubercu- losis. Any city milk dealer can justly demand the test of all of tlie herds from which he buys his milk. Any creamery in the State can do the same thing in regard to herds from which it buys cream. Any of the smaller cities of the State can have their dair- ies cleared of tuberculosis by simply passing and enforcing an ordinance requiring the test. There will be practically no opposi- tion on the part of the dairymen to delay the work. Thus, test- ing the dairy herds about one after another of the smaller cities Oi the State, we can soon cover the whole State and have those dairy herds free from tuberculosis. Taking the herds of one creamery after another we can soon have all of these herds clear of tuberculosis. Within a very short time we can test the herds selling to one or more milk dealers in each of the larger cities and thereby put milk from healthy cows in reach of all those citizens who are interested in the matter. Working along these plans we will event- ually cover the whole State at the least possible expense and with- out stirring up the opposition which has delayed similar work in older states to the end that in some of them it has already become a hopeless task. SLAUGHTER HOUSES. There is still general lack of cleanliness and sanitation about the slaughter houses in this State which are not under Federal in- spection. There is nothing whatever to hinder slaughtering of diseased animals for human food. The rigid inspection in the plants under Federal supervision prevents the purchase of animals that show evidence of disease for slaughter in such plants. The buyers for these plants inform themselves as to the localities where disease, especially tuberculosis, is prevalent. They try to avoid the purchase of animals that show disease or come from badlv dis- eased areas. The natural result is that the owners ot diseased food animals will sell to butchers who are not under meat inspec- tion. The most of the butchers avoid the diseased animal, but there are enough unscrupulous butchers, who will slaughter them, to make the uninspected meats of a very uncertain quality. Think- ing people, especially those who are financially able to pay good prices for meat, are rapidly drifting to the exclusive use of inspect- A— 5 66 Missouri Agricultural Report. ed meats. The bulk of our inspected meat comes from those firms v/hich are generally understood to be in the packing house trust. Conditions, at the present time, are driving business into the hands of the already financially powerful packing firms. Through our own neglect we are indirectly strengthening the packing house trust. During the coming year I hope to take the matter of meat in- spection up with the mayors of the various cities of this State and try to secure an organization which will formulate intelligent and practical plans for the regulation of the slaughtering of food ani- mals and the production and sale of milk in the cities. I cannot now give any definite outline of the probable plan, but will submit the matter to the board from time to time during the coming year. INVESTIGATIONS. Without much more delay, investigations ought to be made (1), to ascertain whether or not animals that are diseased, or otherwise unfit for food, are being taken from the public stock yards in this State to nearby slaughter houses, or, in case of milk cows, to be added to dairy herds; and (2), whether or not breeders in other states are culling out their tuberculous cows and shipping them into this State. The Federal yard inspectors have no authority over animals at the public stock yards, unless such animals are for interstate ship- ment, or for slaughter in a packing plant engaged in interstate business. Any animal, no matter how badly diseased, may, under present conditions, be taken from a public market in this State to any other point within this State for slaughter or for addition to a dairy herd without let or hindrance. Many such animals are doubtless now being added to our dairy herds. There is consider- able evidence to the effect that diseased cattle and hogs are continu- ally being taken from the public stock yards to nearby slaughter houses to be slaughtered for use as human food. A thorough in- vestigation of this matter ought to be made at the earliest moment, and, if it is found necessary, the State ought to supplement the Federal yard inspection to the end of completely preventing the re- moval of diseased animals therefrom for slaughter or for addition to dairy herds. There are a number of well known cases of the shipment of tuberculous cows into this State for breeding and dairy purposes. This of itself is enough to justify the State in requiring certificates of health for all breeding and dairy cattle imported into the State. Report of State Veterinarian. 67 If it should appear from an investigation that tuberculous cattle are being- imported in considerable numbers, or that breeders in other states are unloading their tuberculous cattle on this State, a suitable law or quarantine regulation ought to be passed to prevent if. I will, as far as possible, closely observe this matter during the coming year, and will submit recommendations to the board as may be necessary. LEGISLATION. In my opinion, the following laws should be secured and I recommend that the Board of Agriculture urge their passage by the next General Assembly: 1, a law authorizing the Board of Agriculture, whenever necessary, to put an inspector at each of the public stock yards in this State with authority to prevent the removal therefrom of diseased animals for slaughter or addition to dairy herds ; 2, a law providing for the disposition of cattle that are found diseased with tuberculosis or such as may become af- fected with foot and mouth disease. APPROPRIATIONS. For each of the last five biennial periods the appropriation for the use of the State Veterinary Department in the control and eradication of contagious diseases of live stock has been $16,200. This is only $8,100 per year for the payment of the salary and expenses of the State Veterinarian and the per diem and expenses cf twenty-five deputies. The amount of money appropriated for this purpose has not been increased to meet the increased demand for control work. With the limited sum available, it has been abso- lutely impossible to attend to all the work. Many outbreaks of cc-ntagious diseases have, of necessity, been left without any in- vestigation whatever. During the year 1908, there were some forty-three outbreaks of scabies among sheep which we were com- pelled to neglect. Numerous calls for the tests of herds of cattle for tuberculosis had to be neglected. No attempt was made to at- tend to the control of the various outbreaks of hog cholera. We could not employ men enough to prevent losses from Texas fever ir Newton and McDonald counties and had to neglect Ripley coun- ty altogether. As further evidence that this biennial appropriation is not in keeping with the vast live stock interests of this State, I submit herewith some comparative statistics. 68 Missouri Agricultural Report. state. Number of horses and mules. Number of cattle. Total value of live stock. Biennial ap- propriation for control of con- tagious diseases. Massachusetts 75,332 629,040 704,808 631,761 1,250,556 285,944 1,896,847 1,871,370 2,596,389 2,978,589 814,730,169 97,424,119 86,620,643 120,673,101 154,295,363 $154,000 Pennsylvania 185,000 Minnesota 108,000 New York 150,000 Missouri 16,200 It is false economy to withhold the expenditure of money in the eradication of a contagious disease when the loss from the disease is a hundred-fold what it would cost to prevent it. With methods now available of immunizing hogs against cholera the prevention and eradication of any and all contagious diseases of live stock is an absolute certainty. Once completely eradicated, the loss of stock from contagious diseases and the cost of their half-hearted control will be stopped. Heretofore, through lack of funds, we have had to confine our efforts toward the control of contagious diseases to work on gland- ers, sheep and cattle scabies, Texas fever and a few diseases that it has been the custom for years to try to control. The Texas fever work alone, incomplete as it was, took $3,600 of the $8,100 allowed for the past year. It will require all of the $8,100 to prop- erly control Texas fever and prevent losses from it. The appropri- ation for the lines of work that we have heretofore undertaken should be increased from $16,200 to $20,000. In addition, an appropriation of $20,000, making $40,000 in all, ought to be secured for immunizing hogs against cholera and answering calls to inspect dairy herds for tuberculosis. The finan- cial gain from the former will amount to enough in a single month to repay the entire State appropriation. The eradication of tuber- culosis from our older dairy herds, and starting the thousands of beginners in the dairy business with sound herds, is a matter of too vast importance to admit of any estimate in dollars. It is enough to say that unless the spread of tuberculosis among dairy cattle is promptly stopped it will ruin one of the greatest indus- tries of this or any other state. With tuberculosis prevalent among the cows in our dairies we can never hope to stop the loss of human lives from this disease. I therefore recommend that the State Board of Agriculture ask for an appropriation of $40,000 for the control and eradication of contagious diseases of live stock. Respectfully submitted, D. F. LUCKEY. Fanners' Week in AoTicnltnral Colleg'e. January 5, 6, 7, 8, 1909. Sixth Annual Meeting Missouri Corn Growers' Association, Twelfth Annual Meeting Missouri Improved Live Stock Breed- ers' Association, Nineteenth Annual Meeting State Dairy Asso- ciation, Third Annual Meeting Missouri State Sheep Breeders' Association, Second Annual Meeting Missouri Sivine Growers' and Breeders' Association, Second Annual Meeting Missouri Housekeepers' Conference, and First Annual Meeting County Highivay Engineers' Association. {Conducted under the auspices of the State Board of Agriculture.) AN ABSTRACT OF THE ADDRESSES DELIVERED. This was truly a great convention. The estimated attendance was 1,200 farmers and farmers' wives, representing all sections of the State. This was the most complete programme carried out during the history of Farmers' Week, and the good influence of the work done here will be noticeable throughout the State. It is impossible to print a full report of the proceedings, in- cluding a discussion of the demonstrations that were made during the week; but we have selected the papers and discussions which are thought to be most useful to the farmers of the State. (69) Improved Live Stock Breeders' Session. Tuesday, Jannarij 5, 1909, ADDRESS OF V/ELCOME. (Dr. A. Ross Hi!!, Presirlent of University of ilissauri.) Ladies and Gentleir.en, and Members of the Convention : . It is a pleasure to me, as President of the University, to wel- come you here this morning as you gather to discuss matters that affect interests that are more or less personal to you, and which are also of vital interest to the development of the wealth and in- telligence of the State. The agricultural interests of the State are our greatest economic interests, and you who gather here at this time to take part in these discussions, have at stake in your dis- cussions the most important issues that affect the State, and also the nation, because our agricultural resources are the greatest re- sources in America. Your chairman has said that I am a farmer's son. I was als3 a farmer myself for a good many years — during the formative period of m.y life when I got my first tastes and habits developed I lived on a farm. I could not attempt to speak this morning about farming in detail, because I find that as I recall the days that I lived on the farm_, and compare the conditions then with the agri- cultural activities of today, I am already a prehistoric creature in the m.atter of farming. The farming community, as I knew it, was a community in v/hich not only the farming activities that you know were carried on, but all the processes of manufacture from the raw materials were carried on right there on the farm. For instance, I used to help to take wool from the sheep's back and wash it and spin it, and afterwards wear it on my own back; so you will realize that I am plainly an ancient creature in the matter of farm life, because today, so far as I am able to gather informa- tion, t]ie farm_ers are specioMsts. They are concerned with only a (70) Live Stock Breeders' Associoiion. 71 certain phase of the activities that were formerly carried on, and they get in return for the products of the soil the manufactured i^rticles that are made for them sometimes in remote parts. As I can not speak to you this morning in regard to any topic that directly affects the work of tilling the soil, or the rearing of stock, in any way that would be interesting or enlightening, I am going to say a word about the rural school, a subject which I know is of interest to you, because you are also educators. We are all educators — all interested in the development of youth. Our eco- nomical activities, and the economic results of our labors will, after all, turn in the main in the direction of rearing and educating chil- dren, and as I had my first experience as a teacher in a rural school, I want to take a moment to call your attention to some prob- lems that we are facing in that phase of our rural activities and rural life. The rural school, at one time, was counted the typical and natural school, and I claim that it is still. Education began in the home or perhaps at times it was even less formal than that, but was brought about through the plays of the children — carried on at moments when not busy with something else ; but with the earli- est dawn of civilization the family had to begin the education of the children, and they got in the home the best and most funda- mental training. The next step, where the community grew large enough for the people to wish to unite, and when civilization advanced enough so that the family could not carry on all the education of the chil- dren, then a few families united to employ a teacher and bring him mto the community. He boarded around from house to house and was, as it were, a representative of the families that had united. My older brothers went to a school of that sort, and I can remem- ber hearing my father tell of how they had employed a teacher and paid him $8 a pupil, and that he came into the community when a certain number of pupils were guaranteed him, and he lived from house to house. The next kind of school was the rural school to which every- one in reach of the school could send a pupil whether they could pay anything or not. Our city schools, with their graded system, with two or three different stages in the first grade and two or three for each of the grades, making in all 16 or 17 grades — all that is a product of recent times, and I want to say I think the city school as usually organized, is abnormal. As the family is the natural educational institution, so the rural school, where boys 72 Missouri Agricultwal Report. come together from the ages of 6 to 14, and have the privilege of the experience of those older and younger than themselves, is the natural type of school for the person to attend during his growing years; and it seems to me that this is one of the problems that is of interest not only to farmers, not only to those who live in the rural communities, but to those who are interested in American civilization — this question of rural schools and what is to be done about them. When I go to teachers' associations, I hear the discussions turn on grading that school and keeping the records in that school, and make it like the city schools, and I say to myself (although I dare not say it aloud) they are forgetting that the rural school is one that should be adapted to rural life and ought to be made better adapted to rural life instead of trying to make it like the city school. One of the best things I can remember in the old rural school was the association with pupils older and younger than my- self, and another great thing was the very fact that I was thrown on my own responsibility, and was forced to work independently. There was often only one or two persons in a class, and then the teacher came into direct, sympathetic touch with the pupil. The whole school was in a sense a class, and the pupils got individual help, and I claim that the rural school, although more or less un- graded and without system, even chaotic perhaps, is the most valu- able place for the real, vital education of boyhood ; and it seems to me that we ought to turn our attention first to improving the vital- ity of our rural school without changing the whole organization. Another trouble with the rural school is that it has failed to change and advance as the life on the farm has advanced. The work in arithmetic, for instance, that I had in the rural school, was based upon commercial methods and business activities that were carried on in England about the time the American colonies were planted, and arithmetic books of today are still to some extent based upon such out of date methods and conditions entirely dif- ferent from what they are today. It has not occurred, apparently, to the teachers, that the best way to make the schools successful in the country districts is for the teacher herself to understand country life and be in sympathy v/ith it, and utilize the opportunities in the school hours to make the pupils better able to interpret life around them. That is what education is for. It is for the development and growth of minds, but, as I understand it, it is also to provide an appreciation of the life that is lived around us today ; and so the rural school, in order Live Stock Breeders' Association. 73 to be a helpful institution, must be a school that inspires, gives insight into and leads to an appreciation of rural life and rural activities. The idea that I have advanced, then, is that our teach- ers are better prepared in the problems given in the text books t]ian they are in the knowledge of rural life itself, and this is get- ting to be more and more the case because we are drawing today in- to the rural school teachers who have attended a town school or a city school, whereas, in realty, we should have, and I hope that in the near future we shall have, teachers in the rural schools who have grown up in rural communities, men and women who have ceased to live for a time in the rural community while in training for their profession, but have entered into it again. The whole problem, then, is that of vitalizing and making more significant that type of school. This can be done in several ways : One way is to teach agriculture in that school, but there is one trouble with that — offering a course in agriculture two or three times a week, or daily, for the last year of a country school, will not make very much change in the pupils' problems and outlook; it simply adds another subject to the already over-burdened course of study, and adds another subject to the overworked teacher's duties. What is more important, is that the whole education of the school should be directed towards the community in which the school is located. Take, for instance, the subject known as geog- raphy, which is defined as a study of the earth as the home of man ; instead of beginning with some remote parts and studying about the various countries and then coming down to the American conti- nent and dividing this up and studying it, and perhaps in the course of two or three years reaching the home county, why not have a study made first of the streams, of the drainage of the soil, of the forests, and of the animals and plants that grow in that community in which the school is located? I heard much, when I studied geog- raphy, about the various animals that inhabited the Andes and the Valley of the Amazon, but never one word about the cattle and horses and hogs and sheep and mice that are to be found right around home, and therefore I failed to get any concrete or natural basis from which to understand the rest of the world. In our at- tempt to give pupils a knowledge of the world as a whole, we lose sight of the fact that the way to get a correct knowledge of the world is to understand our own part of it first. We are still making that mistake. Those of you who are responsible can help by letting the teacher know that you want that work done ; that is not teach- ing agriculture in one sense, but it is bringing the children into a 74 Missouri Agricultural Report. closer sympathy with the life around them and enabling them to understand it better. Another thing: Take the teaching of arithmetic. It is a simple matter of fact that most people know enough about numbers to be able to use arithmetical calculations if they would, but very often they fail to do so, they fail to apply what they know to the work that they are engaged in. Now, that comes naturally from the fact that during their school years they did not learn how to make use of what was taught them. How often in the rural school will the pupil and teacher be found at work on problems that would help farmers to understand whether a certain line of farming is profitable? Now, I have known a farmer who did not know whether certain lines of farming were profitable or not. You know, because you have studied the matter. But I expect that some of you know farmers who are carrying on lines of farming without ever having made an estimate as to whether the cost of production is greater or less than the returns. That may come from the fact that while children at school, they never learned to make use of the principles they were taught in arithmetic, whereas it is tlie most natural thing in the world. That is what the school is intended for: To enable the pupil to make use of these simple numbers in daily tasks. If the community is one in which there is lumber and the manu- facture of lumber is of fundamental importance, then the arithmet- ical work should be directed toward that, and this will not tend in the least to detract from its thoroughness, but will give it greater significance. But the pupil in the rural school must also be taught what is going on outside of his neighborhood. We don't want to have school work confined to the activities in the country district, or in the city, or in any particular community. The school must not confine its operations to the conditions that affect its own community. The pupil in the school needs to know something about the farming ac- tivities and farming possibilities of other communities; he needs to know something about where the articles he uses are manufac- tured and made into the finished product, and he needs to know and understand about transportation from one section to another. But nevertheless, this simply* serves to show how important it is that the school life should be centered in the community. I had an ex- perience in teaching history in an ungraded school. There were two boys in one class — twin brothers working together — and thev were supposed to study colonial history. It is usual for a teacher to begin teaching a subject by directing the pupils to get books. Live Stock Breeders' Associatio7i. 75 In this case I was prevented from doing this, as I did not believe that the children would get the book nor that the father would buy it. So I had to devise some other way of teaching. We were in a community which had been settled among the early settlements 01 America by the French, and it was a place where the tide waters of the Bay oi Funday rose high at certain times, and then for about two v.eelcs they would not rise so high, so that the tide brought up with it a de^.osit which settled there, and this was left bare during low tides ; then the tide would come up again and overflow every- thing, and then recede again. When the French settled there, they had placed dykes around these tracts and made thousands of acres cf land the richest on earth by thus keeping off the tides. I was teaching in a community with m-uch land of that sort. The father of my pupils had to deal with this kind of land. I saw that the best way to teach these boys would be to make them understand that they were studying the history of their own community. So I just gathered the boys about my desk and began to talk about their own farms, and found that they knew much about them — they knew m.ore than a teacher would who might have attempted to teach them agriculture. I began by raising questions as t^ Vv-hat their soil was best adapted for, and why and how drained, and finally about this matter of the dykes and who erected them. One boy said his grandfather had owned the land — that he had come from another point and bought it. Finally one boy said: "I think the French diked it." I inquired who the French were, and he had a vague notion v/ho they were. Thus our work in history was started and these boys made rapid strides in learning colonial history. I tell this to illustrate how the life right at home may open the way and lead the pupil to take an interest in human life in general, and lead him to an appreciation of the larger life of the world outside. I don't believe we need to abolish the simple lural school — we should improve it. But there is another phase of school work that I want to touch lipon : We used to think that when a pupil had passed through the seventh or eighth grade of the district school that he had an educa- tion. We have ceased to think that now. The world today de- mands a more extensive education than that, and I am sure that those of you whose children are going to stay on the farm v/ant them to know m.cre about the world and how to improve methods of farming in which they are engaged. That will call for the development of the high school, and the high school in the rural com.munity can also be easily gotten. We already have a law pro- 76 Missouri Agricultural Report. viding for the consolidation of a few districts in order to form a central school, and we want to look forward to the development of country high schools that will bring high school instruction, es- pecially in agriculture for the boys and in domestic science for the girls, right near the homes of the boys and girls. We can never get that until it is possible for the State to give aid to the indi- vidual community, because it is only in a few communities where this provision of our present school law is worth anything. In Jackson county, I believe there are three or four of these schools, and I take it that it is possible to have them now in the best farm- ing districts of the State, but in a great many districts it will not be possible until the State comes to aid us in the establishment of these rural high schools, and I hope that that will be a step taken in the near future — the development of high schools adapted to training the youths for life on the farm and also to train them for teaching in small rural schools, and in some case enabling them to go on to the Agricultural College of the State University. We in the University are, of course, specially interested, in rural schools and the development of country high schools, because, as anyone knows who observes university life, our very best students in the University are to be found among those who come from the rural communities and who by hard work and indirect methods have reached the university course. In my college days, I observed that of the men who stood out as prominent students, three-fourths of them were from the farms, and I am afraid that with the lack of high school facilities in the rural communities, this situation is likely to change because our towns are developing high schools rapidly, and the boy on the farm is now at greater disadvantage compared to his town brother than formerly. We are interested in this matter for other reasons : One of our departments here concerns itself directly with the life on the farm, and we are at present cut off, except for our short course, from direct touch with the rural communities so far as the coming of students from those communities is concerned, and this agri- cultural college is therefore vitally interested in seeing the con- necting link established in the way of these country high schools so that we can have a direct connection with the rural pupils who wish to take an agricultural course here as well as the indirect one through the town high schools. It seems to me that if the Agricul- tural College is to do the greatest service to the agricultural com- munities of the State, it will have to find an opportunity to teach not only the adults of the farming population by sending them Live Stock Breeders' Association. 77 bulletins from the experiment station, but it must find an opportun- ity also to teach the enthusiastic growing youth, and that I think M'ill best come through the development of rural high schools taught by graduates of the Agricultural College. The rural high-school may come either by the consolidation of rural district schools or without that. How are we to get competent teachers? I know you are in- terested in getting such teachers if it is possible to do so. We have here every winter courses running for three months known as the short courses for young men living on the farms. It seems to me that we might devise some similar plan for training teachers for the rural schools. We might devise some plan of giving an opportunity, during this period of three months, to young men who have gradu- ated from district schools and who think of teaching in district schools. If I were employing a teacher for a rural school, I would prefer a young man of 17 or 18 years of age who had passed through one of those country schools and then had come here for the winter course in general agriculture, with perhaps a summer here afterwards to take up other subjects, than one who had gone away from that rural school to a high school and had come back to the rural community with the conditions and methods of the town school in mind. There needs to be some way provided by which we can get the boys who grew up in the country district back into that district to teach. Again let me say, I welcome you here this morning, not only because you are here to discuss these questions bearing upon your own farm work, and upon our instruction in agriculture, but be- cause I have this opportunity to speak to you about that which i7iterests all of us — the development and improvement of our coun- try schools, and thereby the enrichment of our country life and the development of our country youth. I trust the days you spend here will be found to your profit and interest. Anything that the uni- versity can do for you will be gladly done, and I hope you will take away from the convention new inspiration, and that you will bring to us an inspiration for the improvement of our work, because really in the university as well as in all other educational institu- tions, we need to keep in close touch with the conditions of the actual life around us. I am sure that these meetings will give our men in the Agricultural College encouragement to take fuller ad- vantage of the opportunities they have to adapt themselves and their work to the needs and conditions of the farming life of the State. Missouri Agricultural Report. THE TIME TO HARVEST TIMOTHY FOR THE LARGEST YIELD OF THE MOST NUTRITIOUS AND PALATABLE HAY. (By H. J. Waters Dean College of Ag:riculture.) The experiments and careful observations conducted at the Missouri Station on which the following conclusions are based have extended over a period of twelve years. In this brief summary of the practical teachings of these investigations, it is impossible to present much of the tabular data. The reader who is interested in a more detailed and careful study of the subject is referred to a bulletin on this subject soon to be published by the Missouri Ex- periment Station, which will report in full the results of these ex- periments. Hay is the second most important crop on the Missouri farm, standing next to corn in value, and far ahead of wheat, oats, fruit, etc. For example, what might be termed at this time a fair aver- age acreage and production of the principal crops of Missouri would be as follows: Corn, 7,000,000 acres; 200,000,000 bushels; worth $75,000,000 to $100,000,000. Hay, 3,000,000 acres; 4,000,000 tons; worth from $25,000,000 to $35,000,000. Wheat, 2,000,000 acres ; 30,000,000 bushels ; worth from $25,- 000,000 to $30,000,000. Hay is a bulky product, relatively expensive to put into condi- tion for transportation, and in proportion to its value, very expen- sive to ship. On this account a large proportion of all the hay produced in Missouri is fed to live stock on the farm where it is grown ; a larger proportion than of corn or oats, and necessarily a much larger proportion than of wheat, which is primarily a sale crop. Viewing the matter from the standpoint of the producer of hay, the following important factors are to be considered : 1. Yield. 2. Palatability. 3. Feeding value. 4. Convenience in harvesting. 5. Keeping qualities. 6. Permanency of the stand. Live Stock Breeders' Associatioyi. 79 7. Selling quality. (Only for that portion which is offered for sale.) The influence of the time of harvest, or the stage of the de- velopment of the plant when harvested, upon all these factors has been studied. Selected areas of pure timothy of uniform develop- ment were harvested at five different stages of growth, and the cured hays were carefully weighed and analyzed. Digestion ex- periments with cattle were made, and in some instances actual feeding tests were conducted to determine whether the early-cut hays were more palatable to the animals than the later cuttings. The five stages of development which we sought to approxi- mate in harvesting were as follows : First cutting: When plants were just in full head, on the average about June 12th. Second cutting: When the plants were on the average in full bloom, about June 18th. Third cutting: When the seed were formed, or when the bloom had all been shed, usually about July 1st. Fourth cutting: When the seed were in the dough, about July 8th. Fifth cutting: When the seed were ripe but had not shat- tered, about July 16th. 1. YIELD OF CURED HAY PER ACRE. The yield of cured hay at the time of harvest is a very un- reliable guide. The hay is put up at one cutting with more water than at another, and will therefore weigh heavier. As would be expected, there is therefore no consistency, one year with another, in the yields of cured hay, cut at different stages of maturity. This is one reason why the farmer's experience has not enabled him to tell more accurately which cutting has given him the largest re- turn. The reader's attention is especially invited to the yield of dry matter and of digestible material obtained from the various cuttings as given a little further along in the paper. In the mean- time he may be curious to know which cutting gave the largest return of cured hay at the time of harvest. This information follows : The first year the second cutting, or when the plants were in full bloom, showed the largest yield of cured hay, and the third cutting, when the seed were just formed, the next largest. There was no difference between the fourth and fifth cuttings, but they 80 Missouri Agricultural Report. showed 600 pounds less hay per acre than the second cutting. The lightest yield of cured hay was from the first cutting, which was 1,240 pounds per acre behind the second cutting. The next year the last cutting, or when the plants were fully ripe, gave the largest yield of cured hay, while the first cutting, or when the plants were just in full head, was a close second, being only 240 pounds per acre behind the last cutting. There was practically no difference between the yields of the second, third and fourth cuttings, they being about 400 pounds per acre behind the other two. In the third year of the experiment, only two cuttings were obtained, viz., the third and fourth. This time the fourth cutting gave the larger yield of cured hay. In the fourth year we had all five cuttings. The fourth cut- ting, viz., when the seed were in the dough, showed the largest return of field cured hay, and the third cutting, with the seed just formed, a close second. The first cutting, when the plants were in full head, stood third, and the second cutting, when in full bloom, fourth, and the smallest return of field cured hay came from the fifth cutting, when the plants were ripe. In the fifth trial the first cutting was lost on account of rain. The third cutting showed the maximum yield of cured hay, with the second coming second, but 480 pounds behind ; the fourth cut- ting ranked next, being 580 pounds behind the third, and the fifth cutting, when the plants were ripe, gave the smallest yield of cured hay, being 840 pounds per acre less than was obtained from the third cutting, when the seed were just formed. As stated at the outset, these returns show no consistency, on account of the difference in amount of water that the hay con- tained at the time it was weighed and put up. 2. YIELD OF DRY MATTER PER ACRE. The value of hay as food is determined by the dry matter it contains and by its digestibility. We are therefore interested to know at what stage of the development of the plant we may ex- pect to secure the largest yield of dry material. In the first year of the experiment the largest yield of dry matter was obtained from the third cutting, when the seed were formed. The fourth cutting, with seed in the dough, came as a close second, being only 130 pounds per acre behind the third ; the second cutting, when the plants were in full bloom, stood third. Live Stock Breeders' Association. 81 with a yield of 200 pounds less than the third. The fifth or last cutting, when the plants were fully ripe, stood next in order of yield, being 280 pounds per acre behind the third cutting, and the smallest yield was from the first cutting, when the plants were just headed, the difference in the yield between this and the third cutting being 870 pounds per acre. In the second year of the experiment the largest yield of dry matter per acre came from the second cutting, when the plants were in full bloom. Following this was the fifth cutting, when the plants were mature, the difference between the two cuttings being only about 80 pounds per acre. Closely following was the third catting, when the seed were just formed, with a difference of 106 pounds per acre, and following this, the fourth cutting, with a difference of 120 pounds per acre, while the smallest yield was again the first cutting, with a return of 360 pounds less than the second cutting. As stated before, only two cuttings, viz., the third and fourth, were obtained in the third year of the experiment. In this case, the fourth cutting, when the seed were in the dough, showed the largest yield of dry matter, the third cutting being practically 100 pounds or some 4 per cent less. In the fourth year of the experiment the third cutting, or when the seed were just formed, gave the highest yield of dry matter, with the fourth cutting, when seed were in the dough, a very close second, the difference being so small as to be easily within the limit of error, and the second cutting, when the plants were in full bloom, taking third place, with a yield of 175 pounds or some 4 per cent less. The fourth place fell to the fifth cutting, when the plants were ripe, the yield in this case being some 675 pounds or 15 per cent less than the maximum yield for that year. The first cutting again gave the smallest yield of dry matter, showing a difference of nearly 925 pounds, or 21 per cent less than the third cutting. The fifth year of the experiment gave essentially the same results as the previous years. The third cutting again showed the highest yield of dry matter. The second cutting followed, with a difference of 265 pounds, or 11 per cent. This was followed by the fourth cutting, which showed a decline of 400 pounds per acre, or 17 per cent, and the smallest yield came from the fifth cutting, the decline from the third cutting being 555 pounds of dry matter per acre, or 23 per cent. A-6 82 Missouri Agricultural Report. Taking the average of the three years in which all five cuttings were made, we find that the third cutting gave the largest yield of dry matter, as well as the largest yield of field cured hay. The fourth cutting, when the seed were in the dough, stood second, the diff"erence being only 1% per cent, or 50 pounds less of dry matter per acre. The second cutting was third, with a decline of 3 per cent from the third cutting, or a difference of 125 pounds of dry matter per acre. The fifth cutting, when the plants were ripe, ranked fourth in yield of dry matter, being nearly 350 pounds, or 8I/2 P^^ cent behind the third cutting. The first cutting, with the plants in full head, showed the smallest yield of dry matter, being 16 1/2 per cent, or 680 pounds behind the third cutting. INFLUENCE OF MATURITY OF THE PLANT UPON ITS DIGESTIBILITY. After all, the stockman is interested in the amount of digestible material his feed contains rather than the yield of cured hay or dry matter. Digestion experiments were made with yearling and two-year- old steers, and it was found in every instance that the first cutting was the most completely digested, and that there was a steady decline in digestibility from that time on. 3. YIELD OF DIGESTIBLE MATERIAL PER ACRE FROM THE VARIOUS CUTTINGS. Considering the yields on the basis of the amount of each that the animal is able to digest, as determined by our trials, the first year showed the maximum digestible material at the second cut- ting, when the plants were in full bloom, with the yield for the third cutting practically the same. There was then a decline of 8.5 per cent to the fourth cutting, when the seed were in the dough. The first cutting ranked fourth in yield, being 10 per cent behind the maximum or second cutting, whereas the fifth cutting, when the plants were mature, showed 15 per cent less yield than the second cutting. In the second year of the trial the hay when harvested in bloom or at the second cutting, again showed the highest yield of digestible matter. Unlike the previous trial, however, the first cutting, with the plants in full head, was a close second, being only 1.5 per cent behind the second cutting. There was then a heavy decline to the third cutting, with the seed just formed, the difference being 250 pounds of digestible material per acre, or 10.5 per cent, followed Live Stock Breeders' Association. 83 fcy the fifth cutting, with a decline of 14,5 per cent from the maximum yield, and this closely followed by the fourth cutting, with the seed in dough, with a loss of 15.25 per cent. In the third year of the trial the second cutting again showed the highest yield of digestible material. The third cutting, with the seed formed, stood second, with a decline of 4.25 per cent, with the fourth cutting next, showing a decline of 9 per cent; the first cutting stood next in rank, with a loss of 12 per cent over the second cutting, and the smallest yield of digestible material was from the last cutting, the diff'erence being 23.5 per cent or a loss of 520 pounds of digestible material per acre. In the fifth year of the experiment, as before stated, the first cutting was lost. This year, for the first time, the third cutting, when the seed were formed, gave the maximum yield of digestible dry matter; the second cutting stood next, with a difference of 3 per cent; following this there was a heavy decline to the fourth catting, the loss being 21 per cent, and a still further decline to the fifth cutting, the loss from the third being 27.3 per cent. Averaging all of the trials, it was found that in digestible dry matter the rank was as follows : Second cutting, maximum yield. Third cutting next, with an average loss of 120 pounds, or 3.5 per cent. First cutting, third, with an average loss of 165 pounds, or 7.5 per cent. Fourth cutting, fourth, with an average loss of 245 pounds, or 21.25 per cent. Fifth cutting, last, with a loss of 475 pounds, or 27.75 per cent. In short, if no other factors were involved in the problem than the yield of digestible dry matter, the farmer, in order to secure the largest yield, would be forced to harvest his hay when in full bloom, which, in Central Missouri, would be about June 20th. If he had harvested it eight or ten days earlier than this, or when the plants were just in full head, he would have sustained a loss of 7.5 per cent of his yield. By harvesting eight or ten days later, or when seed were formed, the loss would have been 3.5 per cent. By waiting another week or ten days, he would have harvested only about five-sixths as much digestible material as when the plants were in full bloom, and by waiting until the plants were fully ripe, he would have harvested a little more than four- fifths as much digestible matter. 84 Missouri Agricultural Report. 4. PALATABILITY OF HAYS CUT AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF MATURITY. The notion is somewhat prevalent that the late cut hays are more palatable than those cut earlier, and that if cattle, horses or sheep were given the opportunity to choose among these cuttings they would manifest a decided preference for the maturer hay. 1 Y. -^: liyr'*^ - . •^m-fr^f " t " ' 1 1 ■ "• ♦»''IM»»'Wl— i-i?flf 'i ^ SHOWING HOW CATTLE PREFER TIMOTHY THAT IS CUT EARLY. T!ie top picture shows the racks filled, 100 lbs. in each. Beginning at the left with the green cut haj\ The lower row shows how it was eaten out of the racks. To settle this question, we put an equal amount, viz., 100 pounds, of each cutting in a long rack, and gave two yearling steers that were being fed exclusively on timothy hay free access to the rack. Only two animals were used, because we wanted to avoid any possibility of crowding and of the stronger animals forcing the weaker ones to eat hay that they might otherwise have discriminated against. This experiment was continued through two years, all of the cuttings having been harvested and cured without rain, and stored in a bam until required for this trial. Live Stock Breeders' Association. 85 In every case the animals ate the hay in the order of their cutting. They did not always clean up the first cutting before they would eat considerable out of the second and some out of the third, but in every instance, and the experiment was duplicated several times, they practically cleaned up the three first cuttings before they began on the last two. In other words, while these animals showed a preference for the first cutting over the second and third, the discrimination against the fourth and fifth cuttings was very marked indeed. As between the last two cuttings, there was a sharp discrimination in favor of the seed in the dough, or the last hay to be cut was the last to be eaten. Thus hay that was allowed to stand until the seed were in the dough had lost much of palata- bility, and if allowed to stand until the plants were mature, had declined still further. The accompanying illustrations show very strikingly the preferences of the animals. It is to be borne in mind that the experiments referred to above were made with animals having nothing but timothy hay, receiving no grain or other feed. When animals that were fed more liberally were given the opportunity to choose between these hays, they did not show so decided a preference for the earlier cuttings as did the animals that were making their whole ration of hay. For example, two registered Jersey cows in full flow of milk that were being fed rather liberally on grain and having all the silage they would eat at the barn, when turned to the rack filled with these various cuttings, in the middle of the day when out for fresh air, ate one of the first three cuttings with apparently as much relish as the other. They did, however, discriminate sharply against the last two cuttings in every instance. In the case of some fat wethers that were on full grain feed, when turned to these five hays, ate one with as much apparent relish as the other. The accompanying photograph of the sheep rack filled with these hays shows that they did not seem to discriminate against the late cuttings as did the animals that were not so heavily fed. Unfortunately the trial was not made with horses and mules, 5, CONVENIENCE OF HARVESTING. So far all of the results have been in favor of the earlier cuttings. The yields were larger, the hay was more completely digested, and was more palatable to the stock. In matter of con- 86 Missouri Agricultural Report. venience of harvesting, the balance tips heavily the other way. The greener the grass is cut, the longer the time required to cure it, the more easily it is damaged by showers and heavy dews, and the more readily it will sunburn. Moreover, the weather at that time is not nearly so settled, the ground is not so dry, and none of the conditions are so favorable for hay making as later. Of more importance than all of these, in the corn belt, the farmer is not ready by June 20th to harvest his timothy. He has just finished his wheat or clover, or both, and is then somewhat behind with his corn. It is imperative that his corn be cultivated just at this time. On the average farm, therefore, a larger loss would be sustained by keeping out of the corn at this time than by allowing the timothy to stand until a little later to be harvested. It is simply a question of choice between evils. Loss on one or the other crop must be sustained, and the lesser loss is in allowing the timothy to stand until later to be harvested than to allow the corn to go uncultivated. 6. KEEPING QUALITIES. It goes without saying that the later cut hay will stand more exposure to the weather and will turn rain better in the stack than will the earlier cut hays. 7. PERMANENCY OF THE STAND. This is almost as much of a mooted question as the original one as to which gave the largest yield. The consensus of opinion in the corn belt, however, is that by cutting earlier, the life of the meadow is materially shortened. This has led many farmers to adopt the practice of allowing the plants to become fully mature so that enough seed would be shattered in harvesting to keep up the stand. MENDEL'S LAWS AND THEIR APPLICATION IN THE BREEDING OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS. (By W. J. Spillman, U. S. Department of Agriculture.) A dozen years ago the subject of heredity was usually not taught in our colleges; we did not know enough to justify teaching it. Even yet the subject is rather poorly organized from a pedagogic standpoint, but there is plenty of subject matter for a strong college course. This matter is rapidly assuming form, and Live Stock Breeders' Association. 87 is even now, in some of our leading colleges, one of the most im- portant and most popular biological courses. The discoveries in this domain during the past decade are nothing less than epoch making. We do not even yet appreciate their full importance, yet important applications of this new knowledge have already been made in the improvement of crops and domesticated animals. During the last two years of the past century, five men, v/orking independently of each other, discovered three highly im- portant principles, or laws, which enable us to predict the results of the crossing of two distinct varieties for the second and later generations of the progeny. The discovery of these laws was hailed with much enthusiasm, as it was the first inkling we had had that there are any laws governing the transmission of hereditary character from one generation tx) the next. After the discovery was announced, Correns, one of the men who had made the discovery, in searching through the literature of the subject to see whether the law had been recognized previ- ously, called attention to the fact, then not generally known, that these laws had been worked out in very great completeness, by a monk in an Austrian monastery, and published in 1865, and they have very appropriately been named "Mendel's Laws," for this was the name of the recluse who, working with varieties of the common garden pea, had made discoveries which enable us now, I am tempted to say, to produce almost any type of plant or animal we desire, provided we can find the characters we want scattered amongst races or varieties that can be crossed with each other. There are, however, many limitations in the application of these laws, but new facts are being discovered concerning them almost daily. We do not know that all hereditary characters obey Mendel's laws, but many hundreds of them do, and it is barely possible that all do. The highly significant fact is that we have discovered laws v/hich hundreds of hereditary characters do obey. It is now my task to give an exposition of these laws, together with some of the important results which have followed their application in the breeding of plants and animals. Suppose we cross a bearded wheat with a smooth (beardless) wheat. (Fig. 1.) Experience shows that this gives a wheat which is smooth, or only very slightly bearded. In this cross we bring together two naturally antagonistic characters. For some reason one member of this pair of characters prevents the other from de- veloping. The biologist expresses this fact by saying that smooth- 88 Missouri Agricultural Report. ness is dominant over beards, or that beards are recessive to smoothness. Generally speaking, one member of a pair of antago- nistic characters is more or less completely dominant over the other. For instance, if we cross a polled breed of cattle with a horned breed none of the progeny will have perfect horns. About 5 per cent of them will have what cattlemen call "scurs," that is, imper- Figure 1. — Bearded wheat crossed with beardless. feet horns. The other 95 per cent will be as perfectly polled as their polled parent. Thus, the poll character is said to be dominant and horns recessive, though the dominance is not absolute in all cases. Live Stock Breeders' Associatio7i. 89 The cases cited are illustrations of what we call "Mendel's law of dominance." We have many beautiful illustrations of this law. For instance, if red tomatoes be crossed with yellow the fruit of the hybrid is red. If white hogs be crossed with black or red the hybrids are nearly always white. If the white faced Hereford cattle be crossed with cattle having a colored face the crossbred animals have white faces. If a red rose be crossed with a white rose the hybrid is red. If a pink-eyed albino be crossed with an individual having no albino blood, none of the progeny will be albino. DOMINANCE NOT ALWAYS PERFECT. The dominance of one character over its opposite is seldom absolute. In many cases there is some indication of the hybrid character of the progeny. Even if there is no other indication the hybrid is usually stronger growing and more vigorous than the pure bred. But frequently the recessive character itself shows, at least partially, in some individuals resulting from the cross. As stated above, the cross between bearded and smooth wheat shows a slight tendency to be bearded. The cross between polled and horned cattle in a few individuals develops imperfect horns, or scurs. Recessive characters are especially likely to show when age comes on. In some cases, however, we have a very different result. There is a certain red primrose which, when crossed with a certain white primrose, instead of giving red progeny gives a beautiful purple flower. This primrose has for years been sold on the market under the name of "Imperial Primrose;" but it is a hybrid and does not reproduce true to seed. We shall later see why this is the case. In some crosses, instead of having dominance of one character over its opposite, the hyprid is intermediate between the two parents. For instance, in my work with hybrid wheats some years ago, I crossed several varieties of the ordinary types of wheat with the extremely short headed club wheats grown on the Pacific Coast. While the hybrids produced club shaped heads with the characteristic dense growth of the club varieties, these heads were nearly always longer than the original club heads, so there could not be said to be complete dominance of the club character. Prof. Castle, of Harvard, crossed long-eared rabbits with ordinary rabbits, and the progeny had ears intermediate in length between those of the two parents. On the other hand, when dwarf peas are 90 Missouri Agricultural Report. crossed with standard sorts the hybrid grows even taller than the standard parent. These illustrations are sufficient to make clear the law of dominance and the fact that this law is not universal. We come now to a more important law, the law of separation of character pairs. It is this law that is ordinarily meant when we speak of Mendel's law, because it is so much more important than the law of dominance. It is part of the irony of fate that Mendel's discoveries were utterly ignored and even forgotten during his life time. He never knew he had made an epoch making discovery. When the whole world went to breeding improved varieties of plants these dis- coveries were made again. Now we are building a monument to Gregor Mendel at Briinn, Austria, in the little monastery garden in which his epoch making work was done. MENDEL'S LAW OF SEGREGATION. We have seen what happens when a pair of antagonistic characters are brought together ; that is, what happens during the life of the individual bearing these two characters. But what happens to this character pair in passing to the next generation? The bodies of all plants and animals are composed of small parts called cells; each of these cells is, in a sense, an elementary plant or animal. Our bodies are in reality colonies of very minute organisms, each of which has its particular work to do. Some of these cells manufacture the digestive juices, some form the bone, others become muscular tissues; some of them become red blood corpuscles, etc. While growth is still in progress it is these cells that do all the growing. When one of them reaches full size, it splits into two, and each of the new cells thus formed in turn grows to full size. The internal structure of the cells is very complex. Indeed, it is a wonderful structure, but I can not here stop to describe what we know about it. It would take more time to do that than is available for this whole lecture. Prof. E. B. Wilson has written a 500-page book about these cells, and what has been learne,d since that book was written would make another book as large. Suffice it to say that when one of these cells reaches maturity, and splits into two new cells, each of the important organs in the cell divides also, so that, speaking in a general way, each of the new cells is provided with the same organs as the old cell had. Live Stock Breeders' Association. 91 Every cell has in it a nucleus. But the important thing for us to remember here is that those cells which are used for pur- poses of reproduction have only half of a complete nucleus. For this reason the reproductive cells, generally speaking, are incapable of growth until they have united with another reproductive cell, and thus acquired a whole nucleus. The reproductive cells, with their half nuclei, are produced by a very different kind of cell division from that which occurs in ordinary growth. Instead of each of the parts of the nucleus dividing, as is the case in ordinary body cells, the parts of the nucleus separate into two groups, so that the reproductive cells which are formed at this division have only half of a nucleus in them. Now it is in this peculiar cell division, which results in the production of reproductive cells, that we find the cause of Mendel's law. Let us now return to our pair of antagonistic characters. Suppose we have a plant which is a hybrid between a red pea and a white one. Every cell in this hybrid plant has both of these characters present in it. But when the reproductive cells are produced, when the nucleus is separated into the half nuclei, we find the red flower character in one of these half nuclei, and the white flower character in the other. Thus half of the newly produced reproductive cells contain the red and half the white flower character. We thus see why we call this law the "law of separation of character pairs," Every pair of antagonistic charac- ter present in a hybrid is thus separated at this particular cell division. Let us see now how many and what kinds of seed our hybrid pea produces. Our plant produces reproductive cells in two different places. In the little pod in the center of the flower it produces certain cells called ovules. These contain only half a nucleus, and can not grow and divide in this condition. Half of these ovules contain the red flower tendency, the other half the white. The pollen grains produced in the anthers are likewise reproductive cells. These are also half red and half white ; by this we mean, of course, that half of them contain the red flower character, the other half the white flower character. These pollen grains fall on the stigmas at the top of the little seed pod, and grow down into the tissue of the pod until they come in contact with the ovule. Then the half nucleus of the ovule united with a half nucleus from the pollen grain, and we have a new cell with a whole nucleus. This cell then begins to grow, and soon a seed is produced. 92 Missouri Agricultural Report. Figure 2. RED PEA X WHITE PEA 2nd Generation. Thru Thru Ovule Pollen. *R / i R - i RR U W - i RW i W / i R - i RW \ i W - i WW f Red; J White. Fig. 2 shows us how many kinds of seed our hybrid plant can produce. Half of its ovules are red and half white. We can readily see that the red ovule is just as apt to unite with red pollen as white pollen, hence, on the average, half of the red ovules will unite with red pollen and half of them with white. Likewise, half of the white ovules will unite with red pollen and half with white. We thus have four cases, namely : red uniting with red ; red with white ; white with red ; and white with white. Each of these four cases is as likely to occur as another. Hence, on the average, they will occur an equal number of times, especially if the number of seed produced is large. Thus we see that the progeny of our hybrid is one-fourth pure red, one-half hybrid between red and white, and one-fourth pure white. But since the hybrids also produce red flowers, the progeny of the hybrid we are considering will be three red to one white. This is the well known Mendelian ratio found in the progeny of a hybrid plant or the progeny of two hybrid animals. We must now get acquainted with two very big words, because we have no little words that fit the case. The first kind of seed shown in Fig. 2 is formed by the union of red with red. This seed, and the plant it produces, is said to be homozygote, a word derived from the Greek and meaning ''like things united." The fourth kind of seed is seen to be homozygote for white. The second and third types consist of unlike things united, and are therefore said to be heterozygote. We shall have to use these words fre- quently in what follows. As the separation of character pairs is highly important, I will take the liberty to use another illustration. Suppose that the parents of a family of children are both heterozygote for brown eyes and blue eyes. Since brown is dominant to blue both these parents will be brown-eyed, but each of them will transmit brown eyes to half the children and blue eyes to the other half. (Fig. 3.) The possible types of children in such a family are illustrated in Fig. 3. The first group consists of children which inherit : 1. Br 2. Br. 3. Bl i. Bl Live Stock Breeders' AssociaUo7i. 93 Figure 3.— 2ND GENERATION OF BROWN X BLUE EYES. Br-Browii; Bl-Blue. fr. F. & Br. fr. M.-BrBr. fr. F. & Bl fr. M-BrBl. fr. F. & Br fr. M-BrBl. fr. F. & Bl fr. M-BIBI. (1) Brown eyes from the father and brown eyes from the mother. This group is homozygote for brown eyes. (2) Brown eyes from the father and blue eyes from the mother. (3) Blue eyes from the father and brown eyes from the mother. (4) The last group inherit blue eyes from the father and blue eyes from the mother. Being homozygote for the blue they will be blue-eyed. Each of these four cases is equally likely to occur. The first three of them give brow^n eyes, the last blue ; hence, on the average of a large number of such families, three-fourths of the children will be brown-eyed and one-fourth of them blue-eyed. Many of you will know families in which this law is illustrated. It must be remembered, however, that in such families all the children may inherit either brown or blue from both parents, but such cases will be rare. It is possible from the law of probability to calculate in what proportion of such families any particular combination of brown and blue eyes will occur. Let us now return to the case of the Imperial Primrose. This beautiful purple flower originated in a cross between a red and a white variety, the heterozygote being purple. Now, when this purple plant produces ovules and pollen, half the ovules carry the red character and half white. Likewise, half the pollen carries the red character and half the white. The chance union of these pollen grains and ovules covers the same four cases we have con- sidered above in the case of eye color. One-fourth of the seeds produced are homozygote for red; one-half of them are heterozy- gote; the remaining fourth are homozygote for white. We can now understand why this primrose, grown and sold by an English florist for a period of fifteen years, always produced some red, some white, and some purple progeny. Generally speaking, one- fourth of the seed produced red flowers, one-fourth white, while half of them reproduced the beautiful Imperial Primrose (Blue Andolusious). Experience has shown that it is impossible to fix the type of 94 Missouri Agricultural Report. a heterozygote by selection, and we now know why this is the case. It is because of the law of separation of character pairs when reproductive cells are formed. How, then, shall the breeder of plants and animals secure any advantage from this law? LAW OF RECOMBINATION. We come now to a third law which is immensely more im- portant than either of the two already considered ; but since it is, in part, a direct consequence of the second law it has not usually received separate treatment by writers on this subject. This third law is the law of recombination. It may be stated as follows : In the offspring of a hybrid there will be found every possible com- bination of the characters of the original parents of the hybrids. This presupposes, of course, that the progeny are numerous enough to permit each of these combinations to occur. For example, Hereford cattle are horned and have white faces. Polled Durham cattle have colored faces and are hornless. If we cross these two breeds, the calves inherit both white face and red face, both horns and no horns. Because of the law of dominance the crossbred calves will exhibit white faces, and they will also be polled, i. e., hornless. Figure 4.— PROGENY OF HEREFORD POLL DURHAM CROSS. 1. Colored face and horns. 2. Colored face and poll character. ; 3. White face and horns. 4. White face and poll character. Now the calves of these crossbreds will present every possible combination of these characters. (Fig. 4.) For instance, some vAW have colored face, with horns ; some colored face, without horns; others have white face and horns, while still others have white face without horns. It will be noticed that type 2 is like the original Polled Durham parent, while type 3 is like the Here- ford. But types 1 and 4 are entirely new. Type 4 has all the marks of a pure Hereford except that it has no horns. The importance of such a case as we are considering is easily seen when we remember that horns on cattle are worse than useless ornaments. Buyers at the great cattle marts pay half a cent a pound more for hornless beef cattle than they will for horned, for they know that a carload of horned steers will show many bruises that injure the meat. Many breeders of Shorthorn cattle long ago recognized the Live Stock Breeders' Association. 95 value of the poll character, and the Polled Durham cattle is the re- sult. These cattle are simply Shorthorns with the horns bred off. Hereford breeders were slower to recognize this point, but we now have a breed of Polled Herefords produced exactly as de- scribed above, i. e., by crossing Polled Durhams with horned Here- fords. Fig 5 shows a calf of this breeding. Good individual Polled Herefords sell for twice as much as the horned kind. m, ; Figure 5. — Hereford — Poll Durham Cross. There have always been a few polled animals amongst pure Herefords. Breeders of these cattle formerly considered it a great misfortune when a polled calf was born. Now these pure Polled Herefords are almost priceless, because we know that by means of them horns can be eradicated from the whole breed; and this is being done as rapidly as possible. We see, therefore, that our newly acquired knowledge is not merely a scientific curiosity. It is already being applied with highly important results, though it is only eight years since knowledge of those laws became general. There is one other very important point about the law of re- combination that must be made clear. Let us recall that according to this law the progeny of hybrids will present every possible com- bination of the original parents of the hybrids. In the Hereford- 96 Missouri Agricultural Report. Polled Durham cross one of these combinations was white face and no horns. But that is not all; some of these white faced calves will be homozygote for white face ; that is, they will have inherited this character from both parents ; others will be heterozygote. The homozygotes will transmit white faces to all their progeny, while the heterozygotes will transmit it to only half their progeny. The total number of combinations in the second generation of the hybrid is shown in figure 6. Here we have nine types, but they can not all be distinguished by external characters. For instance, tj^jes 2, 3, 5, and 6 will all have white faces and no horns. But these nine types aH differ in their inheritance, and hence no two of them will transmit exactly the same characters to their offspring. The most important point of all is that every one of the four visible types shown in Fig. 4 is found absolutely pure in one of these nine types. For instance, type 1 (Fig. 6) is homozygote for both face color and horns. Similarly, types 3, 7 and 9 are all pure Figure 6.- — PROGENY OF HEREF ORD P( Face Horns 1. ^^'^A' HH 2. WV,' Ph 3. w^^' PP 4. ^^■r HH 5. ^^■l■ Ph 6. ^^•l■ PP 7. RR HH S. RR Ph 9. RR PP types and will reproduce true to type. We may, therefore, add to the already important law of recombination the still more im- portant fact that, in some individuals, if the progeny be numerous enough, every possible combination of characters will be found in a pure form that requires no further selection to fix its type. Noth- ing more important than this has ever been discovered in the whole realm of biology. This phase of the law is beautifully illustrated in some recent work in the breeding of tomatoes done by Professors Price and Drinkard of the Virginia Experiment Station, the results of which I am now able to show you in the lantern slides. The parent plants used in making this cross differed in three important characters. One of them had green leaves, the other had yellowish leaves ; one had yellow fruit with a neck on it, rend- ering it pear-shaped, the other had red fruit which was round, or without neck. We thus have three character pairs, namely, green Live Stock Breeders' Association. 97 and yellow leaves, red and yellow fruit, neck and no neck on the fruit. The possible combinations of these three characters that can occur in the second generation of the hybrid are as follows : First, we may have either green leaves or yellow leaves. In each of these classes we may have yellow fruit or red fruit, and in each of these subclasses we may have the neck or its absence. This gives eight types. The second generation of the hybrid consisted of these eight types, and of nothing else. Two of these types were like the original parents, the remaining six represented new combi- nations of the characters of the parent varieties. The great value of our third law lies in the fact that by means of it we are able to secure any desired combination of characters that can be found in plants or animals closely enough related to permit of crossing. Let us now return to the case of the hybrid wheats mentioned above. In the State of Washington, which is a great wheat grow- ing region, the only wheats the farmers had ever found satisfactory were three varieties of spring wheat. The winter wheats that had been tried would not stand up and would shatter their grain easily. These three varieties of spring wheat were nearly always sown in the fall, because when they did go through the winter they would yield 50 per cent more from fall sowing than from spring sowing; but about every third year they would freeze out. Farmers were eager for a good variety of winter wheat. At the Washington Experiment Station, with which I was connected at the time, we secured a large number of varieties of winter wheat, tested them five years to determine which were best, and then crossed eleven of the best winter varieties with two of these spring varieties, hoping to combine the winter character with the stiff straw and hard chaff of the spring varieties. In this we were completely successful. The Washington State Experiment Station is now growing a large number of these hybrids, having selected out the homozygotes, thus securing new and fixed types of winter wheat eminently adapted to the peculiar climatic and soil conditions of that region. Last year a few of the best of these hybrids were distributed to the farmers. The reports this year indicate that they outyielded all other varie- ties against which they were tested, and the farmers are very en- thusiastic about them. Twelve thousand acres of these wheats have been sown this fall (1908) . Thus, Mendel's law is not simply a play- thing, but is a discovery of fundamental importance. It has al- ready had important applications, and that it will have many others can not be questioned. A— 7 98 Missouri Agricultural Report. The next figure (Fig. 7), shows some of these hybrid wheats. In the top row are shown the two parent varieties, Little Club and Valley. On the left hand Little Club was used as the pollen parent ; on the right hand Valley was the pollen parent; but the results in both cases were the same. At the extreme left are shown three of WHEAT HYBRIDS— FROM WASHINGTON STATE EXPERIMENT STATION, PULLMAN, WASHINGTON. Figure a — Little Club, Male parent, b — Valley, female parent, a' a" a'"— Hybrids (a x b). ci — C6 — First generation from di — ds — First generation from ei — 66 — First generation from A — Valley, male parent. B — Little Club, female parent. A',A", A'"— Hybrids (A X B). Ci — Ce — First generation from A' Di — De — First generation from A" El — Es — First generation from A" the hybrids produced by using Little Club as the pollen parent. To the right of each of these three is shown, in the left half of the picture, the progeny of that particular plant. It will be seen that part of them are long like the Valley, part short like the Club, and Live Stock Breeders' Association. 99 part intermediate. The long are homozygote for length, the short are homozygote for Club character, while the intermediates are heterozygote. In each of these three classes based on length, some individuals were bearded and some were smooth, and this occurred m the descendants of every one of the first generation hybrids. Exactly the same conditions are seen in the right half of the figure. It was, of course, not possible to illustrate in this figure the valuable v/inter character which we succeeded in engrafting on wheats which otherwise can not be distinguished from the Little Club variety. It should be stated that these new wheats are of better quality than Club wheat, and sell for one cent a bushel more. Figure S. — Twins — a slieep and a goat. The last of our lantern slides is of peculiar interest. These two animals are twins. One of them is a sheep and the other a goat, of course a heterozygote. I have the complete history of this pair of twins and the photographs of their dam and of the two sires, and there is practically no doubt of the correctness of their history. There is no particular economic interest attached to this case, but there are several points of great theoretical interest, which I have not time here to mention. 100 Missouri Agricultural Report. CONCLUSION. It is now clear that we have discovered three important lawG which apply, if not to all hereditary characters, at least to prac- tically all which have been studied. First, we have the law of dom- inance, the one of the three laws which is most limited in its ap- plication. According to it when two naturally opposite characters meet, one of them shows and the other does not. Second, we have the law of segregation of character pairs, according to which an individual transmits to half of its progeny a particular character received from one parent, and to the other half the corresponding form of this character received from the other parent. Third, we have the law of recombination, which is the most important of all. According to this law the grandchildren of two individuals, if suf- ficiently numerous, present every possible recombination of the characters of these individuals. We do not yet know all of the characters in any species that obey the above laws. One of the important tasks of the breeder at the present time is to ascertain what these characters are ; that is, to find those characters which pass from one generation to another v/ithout going to pieces. When this has been done, we shall have placed in our hands the power of creating many new and valuable forms. We have seen that these laws apply to the physical character- istics of man. Let us also see whether they apply to intellectual and moral characters. Fortunately, we are not without evidence on this point. Dr. Frederick Adams Woods of Connecticut has devoted many years of patient study to an investigation of this question, which has recently been published under the title "Hered- ity in Royalty." He chose the royal families of Europe for this study for two reasons ; in the first place, the ancestry of royal per- sonages is carefully recorded; furthermore, enough written record has been left concerning the individuals to enable us to form a sat- isfactory estimate of their intellectual ability, and of their moral character. After long and patient study, Dr. Woods was able to grade some 800 of these personages, either for intellectual or moral character or both, thus giving a basis for comparing intellectual ability and moral character of parent and offspring. This second reason for choosing royal families for this study lies in the fact that environmental influences may be assumed to be more uniform amongst these people than amongst any other class. Now for the results. He finds plenty of evidence, though Dr. Live Stock Breedey^s' Association. 101 Woods does not recognize this himself, of the law of dominance. For instance, either genius or insanity may be transmitted from grandparent to grandchild without appearing in the intermediate gnerations, presumably because in that intermediate generation it met its dominant opposite. The law of segregation of character pairs and of the consequent recombination is fully recognized by Dr. Woods. For instance, if the individuals in the pedigree of a family of children are uniformly of high intellectual ability or the opposite, then all the children will be alike in this respect. On the other hand if some of the ancestry is of one type and some of an- other, then in the family of children we find some individuals of both types, which is just what we should expect from the law of recombination. But the evidence is even more conclusive. Accord- ing to Galton's law, which was developed from the study of physical characteristics, such as color of hair, color of the eye, stature, etc., the degree of resemblance between parent and offspring is known to be on the average 30 per cent. Taking the grades assigned by Dr. Woods to the various individuals he studied and applying the formula to them, the degree of resemblance in intellectual ability between parents and offspring is exactly 30 per cent. The cor- responding degree of resemblance for moral character is 29.57 per cent, which is so near the exact result called for by theory as to answer all practical purposes. In other words, the difference may be set down to experimental error. It is clear, therefore, that the native ability and the natural impulses of human beings are as much a matter of heredity as are any physical characteristics. The following striking fact immediately confronts us w^hen we recognize the truth of the above statement. Prodigious effort has been made by the human race to better its condition, but this effort has been wholly in the direction of improving the environment. While Dr. Woods has shown that this is really an unimportant factor in determining character and ability, it is true that when environment is unfavorable it may prevent the development of natural tendencies or may warp them, and it may also result in great natural ability remaining practically useless for a lack of the implements which a full development of intellectual powers would place in its hands. But improving the environment does not from generation to generation give better material for our schools to work on. We have been dealing with the wrong problem. The plain and evident course to pursue is for us to be more careful in the choice of our parents and grandparents. It may be of interest to know that one state at least, namely, 102 Missouri Agricultural Report. the State of Indiana, has during the past year, taken steps to make direct apphcation of the principles here stated, at least in prevent- ing children from choosing as their parents idiots, imbeciles, and certain classes of criminals. This is an important step and one whose general application can not much longer be delayed in the interests of future generations. There is reason, therefore, to hope that when we get through improving plants and domestic animals we may progress to a point where we can apply these important principles in improving a certain wild animal known to biologists by the dignified title of Homo sapiens. LIVE STOCK AND AGRICULTURAL CONDITIONS IN ARGENTINA AND HOW THEY AFFECT THE AMERICAN LIVE STOCK INDUSTRY. (By Prof. H. W. Mumford, University of Illinois.) The attention of the entire world has been called to Argentina as a rapidly growing and exceedingly important factor in the world's supply of beef. For many years the United States of North America has been the chief factor in the export trade of this com- modity. Today the Argentine Republic must be looked upon as an Figure 1. Frigerificio cattle of the Export Cliilled Beef type. Live Stock Breeders' Association. 103 equally important factor in the world's market. "There is perhaps no other area in the world possessing so vast an area of rich land on which, owing to the exceptionally favorable climatic conditions, live stock is born, bred and fattened entirely on the prairie without need of artificial shelter, and there is scarcely no other where ani- mals feed exclusively on natural grasses the soil of which can be tilled at any time of the year." The beef cattle population of the Argentine at present is vari- ously estimated at from 26,000,000 to 30,000,000. In the United States there are 50,073,000 cattle other than dairy cows. The Argentine Republic is about one-third the area of the United States and by some is believed to possess two-thirds our capacity for pro- ducing food products. Then there is the significant consideration of the relative population of the two countries. While the United States perhaps has 80,000,000 inhabitants Argentina has approxi- mately 5,500,000. This forces Argentine farmers to depend very considerably on foreign markets as an outlet for their products. Whatever may have been the condition of the past, indications at present point strongly to the fact that Argentines are alive both to the necessity and privilege of developing foreign markets for their large and ever increasing surplus. In 1880, the only exports were the by-products of live stock. Exclusive of meats only sufficient food stuffs were produced to feed its meagre population. Today their exports to Great Britain of beef, mutton and wheat exceed our own, notwithstanding the fact that less than fifteen per cent of the arable lands are under culti- vation. It is estimated that there are over 250,000,000 acres of arable land in the Republic. According to the latest statistics (1907), the area under cultivation was but a trifle more than 30,- 000,000. Traveling through the country by train or coach the impression that there is but little agriculture as compared with what is possible grows upon one. Examples of good farming in the light of methods followed by the more progressive cornbelt farmer are seldom seen. Cattle men of the United States are vitally interested in the question of the extent and nature of Argentina's export trade in beef and to how great an extent will their production influence the demand for our cattle abroad. First let us examine the exact con- dition of their trade as compared with that from the United States. The following statement will show the exports of beef to Great Britain for the years 1905, 1906 and 1907. 104 Missouri Agricultural Report. Year. From United States. F rom Argentina. 1905 1906 1907 2,231,206 cwts. 2,426,644 cwts. 2,417,604 cwts. 2,580,152 cwts. 2,795,913 cwts. 2,691,544 cwts. The figures for United States exports include live cattle and chilled beef, those from Argentina only chilled and frozen beef as the ports of Great Britain have been closed to live cattle from Argentina for about five years. At that time the danger of such cattle causing outbreaks of foot and mouth disease was so great that the ports were closed (May 1903) to all live cattle from Argen- tina. While the opening of the ports would undoubtedly aid the Argentine cattle raisers it is not probable that they will ever be opened again and from the standpoint of the beef producers of the south land, there is far less need for the restoration of this live cattle trade now that there are at least thirty-two steamers equip- ped with cold storage accommodations. Figure 2. — Purebred but unpedigreed shorthorns,'.Estancia."La Pastoril." Only the highest grade of cattle produced in Argentina, that is the well bred and well fattened, are used for export. The best of these are chilled and the remainder frozen. Abcut 28 per cent of the beef exported from Argentina is chilled. All of the Argentine export mutton is frozen. It is estimated that Argentine slaughter- ing establishments have practically three-tenths of the killing Live Stock Breeders' Association. 105 capacity of the world. The plants which slaughter cattle which are chilled or frozen for export are called frigorificos. In 1903, when the British ports were closed to live cattle there were but three of these establishments in Argentina, now there are seven. The saladero or "jerked beef" establishments of twenty years ago have been gradually disappearing as more modern methods of handling meat have been introduced. This indicates the progressive tend- ency of the country and the great improvement that has been wrought in the cattle. As late as 1894 2,000,000 were killed in the saladeros of beef salting factories of Argentina; in 1901 only 403,- 000 and in 1907 about 270,000. It is true that much of the sala- dero industry has been transferred to Brazil, Uruguay and Para- guay. However, about one and a half million cattle represent the entire number of cattle slaughtered in these establishments in the four countries named. While the number of beef cattle in Argentina, the most pros- perous southern republic, does not seem to be increasing, improve- ment in quality has kept pace with the extension of the area under cultivation. During the past ten years the area under cultivation has increased 167 per cent, railway mileage 36 per cent and the population 42 per cent. Many Argentine estancieros have spared no trouble or expense in attempting to improve the common stock of the country. This has been accomplished chiefly by importa- tions of high class pedigree beef and dairy cattle from Great Britain. It is an historical fact that the cattle breeders of Argentina, and more especially the breeders of registered beef cattle, have bought the best Great Britain has produced, without much reference to the prices it was necessary to pay. As a result, in place of the old native cattle estancias are stocked with mestizo (half breeds), and in many cases more highly improved stock. In several instances large herds of cattle were seen which were being bred for selling to the frigorificos that were practically pure-bred. Shorthorns (more frequently called Durhams in the Argentine Republic) are by far the most numerous and popular breed al- though some fine herds of Herefords and Aberdeen-Angus exist. The luxuriant pastures in many sections seem to be especially favorable for the production of most excellent beef cattle. There is considerable strife among the principal breeders of pedigree beef cattle occasioned by attempts to bring out prize win- ners at the live stock shows, the chief one of which is an annual affair at Palermo, Buenos Ayres. This exposition, in point of num- 106 Missouri Agricultural Report. ber and quality of its exhibits, ranks with similar institutions in the principal live stock producing countries. Of the cattle produced for slaughter the best are sold to the frigorificos, where they are either chilled or frozen for export. There is no absolute standard set by these establishments as to the quality and condition necessary for their trade, as considerable variation in the quality and degree of fatness occurs, owing to available sup- plies and foreign demand. Demands in the way of breeding and finish in cattle for con- sumption in the Argentine Republic are not exacting, and as a rule, a cheaper less improved half-fat class of cattle is slaughtered to supply local butchers. Discarded cows and work oxen are frequently important factors in this trade. The municipally-controlled new mataderos or market and slaughtering establishment in Buenos Ayres is creditable. The government veterinary inspection at this plant, as well as that at the frigorificos and fabricas, is to be commended as contrasted with the slovenly methods in common use in isolated sections where competent government inspection is unknown. Ample provision has been made for slaughtering cattle, both for domestic consump- tion and for export, and these establishments are conveniently located both for caring for the bulk of the city and export trade and for providing sanitary conditions. Cattle raising in Argentina is distinctly a pasturing proposi- tion. The feeding of corn or other grain to fatten or finish cattle for the market is not practiced. A few years ago, some experi- ments along this line were tried by estancieros or ranchmen, but the practice was abandoned because it did not pay. Frigorificos would not, perhaps could not, afford to pay enough more for cattle so fattened over the grass or alfalfa-fattened cattle to make it possible for the estanciero to get market price for the corn used in finishing. An abundance of well bred cattle and a good and increasing supply of corn in the country simply await the time when condi- tions are favorable for converting the corn into a higher grade of beef instead of exporting relatively such a high percentage of the crop. Cattle raising for beef in that country, especially in the temp- erate zone, is a much more favorable industry than in the United States. The climate makes it possible for the entire life of cattle to be spent out of doors without shelter and generally without shade of any kind. The suitability of a very large acreage for the Live Stock Breeder's' Association. 107 growth of alfalfa and other nutritious grasses and legumes, to- gether with cheap land and labor, make it possible to produce beef cheaply. To any one unacquainted with the possibilities of the country the degree of fatness which the cattle acquire on grass or alfalfa alone is a marvel. ty Figure 3. — Ranch and Cattle scene, Estancia "Los Algarrobos." There is quite an extensive area well suited to, and at present partially used for, the growing of corn; but as yet, and probably for some years to come this product will either be exported or used for horse, dairy cow and pig feeding. If the time ever comes when slaughterers will pay a sufficiently high premium for corn-fed beef, it is believed the country can produce ample corn for this purpose. A statement of the distribution of cattle throughout the vari- ous provinces of the republic will serve to show what parts are con- vsidered best adapted for cattle raising. In some instances these statistics might be misleading, as for example, in the province of Buenos Ayres and other favored sections of the country more cattle might be kept, but agriculture is more profitable. From the accompanying map it will be seen that the Provinces of Buenos Ayres, Corrientes, Entre Rios, Santa Fe, and Cordoba are at present the leading cattle sections. These five provinces contain upwards of 80 per cent of the cattle in the Argentine Re- public. Cattle ranches are large, those of from 12,500 to 25,000 108 Missouri Agricultural Report. acres in extent being common, while those of 200,000 acres are not unknown. Alfalfa, which grows luxuriously over a large part of the Argentine, is yearly becoming more and more the cattle raisers' mainstay. Approximately 9,000,000 acres are devoted to this crop and this seemingly large area by no means represents the extent of its probable use, as its growth is rapidly increasing. Alfalfa is pastured with cattle, sheep, horses and hogs. As a rule only the surplus is cut and stacked for hay. If the entire crop is left for hay it can usually be cut five times and will yield five tons or more for the season. Ranches well set in alfalfa and intelligently handled will graze 4,000 cattle, 1,000 sheep and 100 horses the league of 6,672 acres. Alfalfa is by no means a new crop and notwithstand- ing the rapid extension of its growth, its wealth producing possibili- ties are not yet fully appreciated by our southern neighbors, else its culture in Argentina would be universal. To emphasize the importance of this crop to the Argentine beef producer, a single instance will suffice. A progressive English- man assumed the management of an estancia of some 140,000 acres in extent. That was thirteen years ago. At that time the pas- tures were simply of the native grasses. As the estancia was owned by a stock company it was divided and subdivided and parts of it were sold until today but 55,000 acres remain. This is all well set in as fine alfalfa as it has ever been my privilege to see. This Figure 4. — "Conquerors Crown" — An Argentine-bred bull which would look well in high-class company in any country. Live Stock Breeders' Association. 109 55,000 acres supports as many cattle and sheep as the original 140,- 000 acres before the adoption of alfalfa. As seen from some points of view it would seem that the Argentine Republic is not favorably located for developing an ex- tensive and profitable export trade in beef, closer study shows that their slaughtering establishments can be and are located within easy access to the most-favored cattle-producing sections, and also at or near seaports having direct and frequent communication v/ith British and European ports. It costs no more to deliver a carcass of beef from Argentina to the London market than from Chicago. It should not be expected that the beef produced in the Argen- tine on grass alone will grade in the market as high as English, Scotch, or corn-fed beef from the United States of North America. Notwithstanding this beef is being produced and in the manner mentioned, that sells in the English market within two to three cents per pound of the corn-fed beef from the United States. Some discouragements await the Argentine beef producer, al- though they may be of a quite different character than those else- where experienced. For example, a few years ago, owing to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease and the consequent supposed prevalence of this disease in the Argentine Republic, the ports of Great Britain were closed to the importation of Argentine live cattle. There is very little, if any, of this disease in Argentina at the present time. In fact it does not seem to be a serious handicap to cattle raising there except as mentioned. Cattle raisers there have even gone so far as to suggest the possibility of its being prev- alent in a herd without its presence or effect being especially manifest. Other discouragements are found in the way of ticks and a form of anthrax commonly spoken of as carbuncle. Added to these diseases the estanciero may wisely anticipate more or less frequent drouths. Notwithstanding all that may be said with reference to the difficulties encountered in cattle raising, it is still a favored and favorite industry in the Argentine Republic, as is shown by the number of men engaged in it and their prosperous condition. 110 Missouri Agricultural Report. THE PROBLEM OF FARM FINANCE IN ITS RELATION TO PERMANENT AGRICULTURE. (Byron McFarland, Monroe City, Mo.) It seems to be the policy of those in charge of arranging the programme for these meetings, to enlist the services of all the talent available; but sometimes they are a little short on talent and a little long on time, and then it is that they are compelled to call in a few time-killers. That explains why I am here today. I have come over to help you while away your time, and to try to vv^het your appetite for the more weighty mental problems to which you shall be treated; and if I can serve you to no other purpose than to create in you such a hungering and thirsting after knowl- edge that you will be able to digest and assimilate all the good things in the feast to follow, without an acute attack of intellectual indigestion, I can not feel that I have spoken in vain. Now, I have been asked to speak upon the Finance of Farm- ing, but as I am not on very intimate terms with finance in any form, I have thought it well to make the mystery more complete by adding a little to the subject. In this way I hope to be better able to fulfill my mission as a time-killer. I have decided, there- fore, to try to talk to you a while upon "The Problem of Farm Finance in its Relation to Permanent Agriculture." It is with considerable hesitation that I undertake to address you upon this subject, because I feel that what I shall have to say will prove a disappointment — that I shall not be able to say what you have a right to expect me to say ; and greater is my hesitation, because I feel that what I shall say will not only not be accepted, but may subject me to general, perhaps severe criticism. And while I do not expect, or even desire, you to accept a new doctrine too readily, yet I have thought a presentation of the subject, as I see it, might not prove amiss at this time. The conclusions at which I have arrived are, with me, at least, strictly original; and, I may add, they may be just as strictly erroneous. So that all I ask of you tonight is to lay aside your own views for the present, and to try to look at the subject from my point of view for a few minutes. The fundamental facts upon which the problem of farm fmance rests, are the cost and the selling-price of farm products; and all of our investigations so far, have been in the direction of reducing the cost by improved methods of production, or of increas- Live Stock Breeders' Association. Ill ing the selling-price by indirect methods of selling. But our investigations have been based upon the assumption that the farmers themselves have it in their power to solve the problem in a satisfactory way, and, according to our present popular point of view, if the farmer fails to prosper, the fault is his, and his alone. Now I should like to talk to you a while about whether or not the average Missouri farmer is really prosperous, and if not, whose fault is it. The cost of farm products is measured and determined by three factors : (1) interest on the investment; (2) labor incidental to growing, harvesting and marketing the crops; and (3) soil fertility removed by the crops. As for interest on the investment, I am of the opinion that it is no more than common-sense and business justice that the man who puts his money in land is entitled to as much interest on it as the man who loans his money on gilt-edged land security. The present rate of interest the farmer has to pay, with ample se- curity, is from 51/2 to 6 per cent; that is, the man who loans money clears about 50 per cent above taxes, and ordinary justice would indicate that the farmer who invests in land should be entitled to 50 per cent above taxes. Now this, remember, he is entitled to without labor. The money-lender draws his interest without any special labor, and so should the land owner; he should get the amount of his interest over and above the price of taxes and labor. As for the labor part of the proposition, I believe it fair to suppose that the labor of the farmer is worth at least as much as that of his hired man, especially if his head work is thrown in for good measure. This needs no argument, for it is a truth as old as humanity that the laborer is worthy of his hire whether he works for another, or for himself. It is so regarded in other walks of life, and it must be so regarded in agriculture. The question of soil fertility removed by a crop is compara- tively new to most of us. It is a question not thoroughly under- stood even by experts. With fresh, fertile fields, the question of lost fertility never arose, but time and failing crop yields have brought the matter home to us ; and the idea of including lost fer- tility in the cost of a crop, is rarely met with. Now, if fertility were inexhaustible, if our soil never could wear out, then, and then only, could this important item be left out of our calculations. But the fact that soil fertility is limited, that a fertile field may be made poor even in a single generation, makes this item, a most important one in our considerations of cost. Indeed, the problem 112 Missouri Agricultural Report. of maintaining our soil fertility has recently become, and is today, the paramount problem of American agriculture; for if we can not keep up the fertility of our soil, our days as a nation of agri- culture are numbered; not that the total amount of plant food in our soil can be cropped away in a few years, but that reduction in fertility is followed by such rapid reduction in crop yields that the element of profit disappears long before the soil is completely exhausted. So that, to make agriculture permanent, the fertility must be maintained. Now as to the manner of keeping up fertility, there are some very vague and erroneous ideas. The popular idea is that rest restores land. When we crop a piece of land pretty hard, and it becomes unable to produce a satisfactory crop, we say that it is tired, and needs a rest; but recent research has shown that it is not only tired, but hungry. When we work a horse hard all day we say that he is tired, but we have learned by experience that it is a pretty good idea to give him some corn and hay to help him rest up on; and we have also learned that if we rest him every night and give him plenty of feed, we can work him right along the year round. And so it is with our land — it does need rest, but it needs feed as well, and it takes both to keep up its ability to produce. The next step of progress in our idea of maintaining soil fertility is the idea of rotation of crops. The reduced yield on land continuously cultivated to one crop, was explained by saying that the land was "sick" toward that crop, and that a rotation with other crops would make it well again. This idea is, in substance, like that of the man who takes his horse out of the plow at night, and drives him to town, without feed, to rest him up. What the horse needed most was not so much a change of work as a change of diet. A horse was never made fat, nor a field fertile, on a diet of aqua pura and atmosphere. Another important step of progress was the idea not only of rotating the crops, but of including in the rotation a crop like clover or cowpeas, that has the power of taking nitrogen from the air and adding it to the soil. It has been observed after a crop of clover or of cowpeas has been grown on land, that its productive capacity is greatly increased. This discovery was hailed as the final solution of the problem, but recent investigations have shown that even this will not suffice for, although clover may add nitro- gen to the soil, it takes away potash and phosphoric acid the same as other crops do, and the seemingly good effects of its gro\vth may be misleading on this point. Professor Hopkins, of Illinois, Live Stock Breeder's' Association. 113 says : "The only kind of soil treatment in common use (in Illinois) that is even believed to benefit the soil is a crop rotation, including an occasional clover crop. It is a fact, however, that a crop rota- tion is a means of depleting the fertility of the soil, and clover used in this way in grain-farming serves only as a most powerful soil stimulant, leaving the soil poorer with every passing rotation, until the crop yields become reduced, clover being the first crop to fail in this system." Allow me to quote, also, from Bulletin No. 109, Minnesota Station: "A rotation of crops removes more total mineral plant food from the soil than when a grain crop is grown continuously, and thus a rotation may hasten the exhaustion cf fertility." I have quoted these passages from others, because I feel that were I to make the same statements on my own authority, they might not be accepted. Now, the next step of progress was this : Not only to rotate the crops, with a legume as one of the crops, but to save and apply barnyard manure to the soil. But a chemical analysis of barnyard manure, and of feeds, shows that under average farm conditions only about 50 or 60 per cent of the fertility taken from the soil by the crops can be returned in the form of manure made by feeding the crops on the farm; so that if we feed out on the farm all that we raise, we will still lose nearly one-half the fertility taken up by the crops. Hence, feeding our crops and applying the manure will only retard the loss of fertility, and will not prevent it. Allow me to quote again from Bulletin No. 109, Minnesota Station : "A rotation of crops, with the occasional use of farm manures and the production of clover will not indefinitely main- tain the fertility of soils." In this connection. Professor Hopkins says : "Light and infrequent applications of farm manure and only occasional crops of clover act to a greater or less extent as soil stimulants * * * * and thus enable the crops to remove much larger amounts of fertility than are actually supplied by the manure or clover." We have seen, then, that rest does not restore, that rotation does not return, that clover does not reclaim, that manure does not maintain soil fertility. None of these methods, then, either singly or in combination, will entirely answer the purpose. How, then, are we to maintain the fertility of our soil? There is only one way left — buy it. If you have followed me closely, and have accepted what I have said, and the authorities whom I have quoted, we are now in A-8 114 Missouri Agricultural Report. a position to take up the rational method of studying the cost of farm products. Whenever we sell a bushel of grain, a load of hay, or a pound of flesh from our farm, a certain amount of fertility has been removed; and under present conditions, so far as we are concerned, it is gone forever. But for agriculture to become per- manent, this fertility must be returned in some form or other; but in whatever form, a considerable part of it at least must be bought directly or indirectly with money. So that, in view of this fact, I feel compelled to put the fertilizer question upon a cash basis; and in my calculations I have used the prices the farmer has to pay in the open market. Now, it must be remembered, that there always has been, and always will be, a large amount of grain and feed sold directly from the farm. The advice we so often see in agricultural papers and bulletins to the effect that we should feed our grain and hay and sell only live stock from the farm, is based upon the theory, I sup- pose, that the genus homo is a purely carnivorous animal; but modern research has confirmed the ancient suspicion that the human organism needs both bread and beef, mush and mutton, pork and pie! I have prepared a table showing in detail my method of cal- culating the cost of four staple products of the farm — corn, oats, wheat, and timothy hay. I should like to invite your attention to it for a few minutes, and earnestly request a careful study of it both as to method and as to results. Now, as I have intimated before, I do not claim that the figures on this chart represent abso- lute accuracy. I have been unable to find satisfactorily reliable data upon the matter of soil fertility removed by these crops; and ib is barely possible that the figures I have used are a little high in some instances, but as there is always more or less fertility unavoidably lost beside that taken up by the crop, I have thought these figures may approximate the truth in actual practice. For instance, an experiment (reported in Farmers' Bulletin No. 78) in continuous wheat culture showed a loss of soil nitrogen of over five times that removed by the crop itself. I have looked up the average yield of Missouri crops in the Year Book of Agriculture, 1906, and have used a ten-year average both for prices and for yields. I have put the price of average Missouri land, that is, the part that is tillable, at $50 per acre, which I believe to be reasonable enough with improvements in- cluded. I have made my calculations on a basis of one acre. For the prices of fertilizers, I have used 5 cents per lb. for both potash Live Stock Breeders' Association. 115 and phosphoric acid, and 15 cents per lb. for nitrogen. Another point I should mention is labor, for in this table I have included only the time actually put in on these crops which will average about 120 days. I have not included the remaining 180 work days of the year ; that is, I have allowed the farmer wages for himself, his hand and his teams for only two-fifths of the time. One other point we should not forget, is that the yields and prices are taken from the most prosperous decade in American history — 1897-1906. Now, if any period could show the average Missouri farmer to be prosperous, it should be this period. With these points in our mind, let us now run over the figures of this chart, and see what results we get. TOTAL CO.ST OF FOUR FARM CROPS. Corn, cost per acre, 28 bu. av. Oats, cost per acre, 23 bu. av. Wheat, cost per acre, 13 bu. av. Timothy hay, cost per acre 1 ton av. Interest on land, $50 per acre at 5 per cent Taxes, fences, etc Breaking ground for crop . . $2 .50 50 1 00 1 00 20 2 00 1 12 70 1 10 96 4 98 $2 50 50 $2 50 50 1 00 1 50 1 25 $2 50 50 Working down and seeding 1 00 1 00 10 Seed 15 Cultivating ("4 times) Harvesting and threshing or stacking Hauling to market 2 10 46 1 19 42 3 15 2 20 32 57 44 3 28 1 10 1 50 Potash removed at 5 cents per lb 1 50 Phosphoric acid removed at 5 cents per lb Nitrogen removed at 15 cents per lb 50 3 30 Total cost per acre $16 06 57 35 32 49 45 37 $12 32 53 28 33 46 44 37 $13 56 1 04 70 71 87 87 71 $11 15 Cost per bushel grain, ton hay 11 15 Average price received by farmer 7 50 Cost for investment and labor alone 5 85 Cost with yield increased 50 per cent 10 06 Cost with nitrogen at 5 cents per lb 8 95 Cost with nitrogen at 5 cents and yield increased 50 per cent 7 86 We have seen from these figures that the present method of calculating the cost of farm products includes only two items of expense — investment and labor ; but the new problem and necessity of maintaining soil fertility, and our inability under any known process to do so without the purchase of mineral fertilizer, compel us at once to change our method of calculation, and to include also the fertility lost by growing a crop. This is, so far as I know, the only rational method. It is also, I may add, the method of common- sense and business necessity. It is a method that should meet with 116 Missouri Agricultural Report. immediate and universal adoption, because it represents a nearer approach to truth than the present method. Now in applying this method to present conditions, we see that if these figures are based upon anything like fact, if they represent even approximate truth, they show more clearly and more eloquent- ly than any words of mine could show that the average farmer of Missouri is not truly prosperous, and more than that, they show that his lack of prosperity is no fault of his and never has been. It has been argued that the farmer does not prosper because he follows faulty methods of labor ; but I have calculated his labor at a maximum efficiency and for only two-fifths of the time, and yet he plays a losing game. It has been argued that the farmer does not prosper because ne is too wasteful with his crops ; but I have shown you that if he sells every grain of his corn, his oats and his wheat, and every straw of his hay, without the loss of a single pound, he still loses money on every crop he grows. It has been argued that the farmer does not prosper because he neglects to take proper care of his tools, implements, stock, buildings, etc. ; but the figures I have used in this chart do not in- clude a single penny for the purchase of implements, work horses or anything of the kind. It has been argued that the farmer does not prosper because his average crop yield is too small ; but I have shown you that were he to increase his yield even to the enormous extent of 50 per cent, he would still be losing money on every acre he cultivates. And, finally, it has been argued that the farmer does not prosper because he is ignorant; and our whole system of state and national work in the various departments of agriculture is based largely upon this theory. Millions of dollars have been spent, and train-loads of literature and advice have been sent out to the farmer for the purpose of enlightening him so that he may learn how to prosper. The idea seems never to have occurred to us that possibly after all, the real truth might be better stated by saying that the farmer is not poor because he is ignorant so much as he is ignorant because he is poor. Why, if American agriculture were what it should be, if it were put upon a profitable basis as many of our other big businesses are, the colleges and universities of this land would be filled to overflowing with the sons and daughters of our farmers. Now the reason the average Missouri farmer is not truly prosperous has never yet so far as I know, been told ; but it doesn't Live Stock Breeders' Association. 117 seem to me to be such a stupendous question to answer, after all. In my humble opinion, he is not truly prosperous because he is not truly making money. And he is not making money because, under present conditions, he cannot make money; and he cannot make money for the all-sufficient reason that he has to sell his products for less than they cost him. And in this connection I should like to suggest that the most vital and pressing need of American agri- culture today is not a bigger yield, but a better price for the yield we already have. To put agriculture upon a truly prosperous basis, is the one supreme duty of our country today. Now I am quite aware that a great many farmers claim that they are making money; and in this claim I know that they are entirely honest. But if there is one question in all the realm of finance upon which a man may be, and is most likely to be honestly mistaken, it is the question of Finance on the Farm. Every farmer should realize that he has two bank accounts, one which we may call his checking or cash account, and the other his reserve or soil fertility account. Now each of these two ac- counts, like two ordinary bank accounts, can be increased or de- creased at the expense of the other; but it must be remembered that transferring money from one account to another is not a pro- cess of creating wealth, and the farmer who draws upon his soil fertility account and deposits it with his cash account, is very liable to imagine that by this process he is really making money. It is poor policy for a business concern to have to draw upon its capital stock in order to pay dividends and it is poor policy for the farmer to draw upon his fertility account in order to make himself believe that he is prospering. Now this is the very thing that has been done, and is still being done by the average American farmer ; and just as sure as no business concern can long continue its existence when it is forced to draw upon its capital stock in order to pay dividends, just so sure is the American farmer destined to ultimate ruin, if he must continue to draw upon his soil fertility account in order to show a profit. Now, I have taken up a good deal of your time in trying to bring you to the point I wish to make clear to you. I have tried to show you that we cannot permanently maintain our soil fertility by any known method of crop rotation, or of feeding our products on the farm; but that even under the best possible farm manage- ment, we must buy at least a part of our fertilizer; but if the farmer receives for his products only the cost of his investment and labor, and nothing for the fertilizers in his products, how is he 118 Missouri Agricultural Report. going to buy back these fertilizers? If he does not buy them, how is he going to keep up his soil fertility? If he does not keep up his soil fertility, how is American agriculture ever going to be put upon a permanent basis ? And thus the paramount problem of our country, the problem upon which rests the future welfare of every citizen in all this land, the problem of permanently maintaining ovr soil fertility, becomes and is, under present conditions, practi- cally an impossibility. If there is one thought in all that I have said, or in what I may yet say, that I would have you remember, it is this : If agriculture is ever made permanent, it must first be made profitable; if we are ever to adopt systems of soil improvement, it must be done Vy-hile we are prosperous. Now it may be argued that profitable agriculture would not insure permanent agriculture, that if the farmer received more for his products, he would not spend the increase in maintaining soil fertility. Doubtless this is true to a certain extent, but we must remem- ber that whether or not he would keep up his fertility if he could, in not an answer to the present question of keeping it up when he cannot. The situation is this: If agriculture were truly profit- able he could — as it is he cannot; and common-sense insists that the first means of securing permanency in agriculture is to make this permanency possible, and until we do make it possible, we are of necessity wasting both time and talent in giving the farmer ad- vice along this line. As good as our advice may be, it is a prime essential that we first put the farmer in a position to follow the advice. Among the many good results that would follow the adoption of a system of profitable agriculture, would be the rapid increase in the number of farmers. The American people are not slow to recognize a good thing, and if they saw that farming was really a good and profitable business, a large number of wage-workers in the cities would come out into the country, buy a few acres and don the "hickory hay." In a few years we should see inaugurated the intensive system of farming — that system which is universally recognized as most nearly ideal — that system which not only yields best returns, but which does most to maintain soil fertility. And thus we should approach that ideal national state of society with a more uniform distribution of population, and with the greatest pos- sible number of independent producers of wealth, each working to the best possible advantage. Live Stock Breeders' Association. 119 The large and ultimate duty of the farmer is to feed the hungry, and clothe the naked of earth. The rapid and inevitable increase in population necessitates a corresponding increase in the products of the farm. In the past we have met this necessity by broadening our fields, by reaching out into new territory; but with the taking up of most of our tillable land, and with the end of the distribution of public lands already in sight, the question of increasing the yield on the land we now cultivate becomes at once a vital necessity and whatever means we may adopt to secure this larger yield, whether by better cultivation, or by better seed, it must be confessed that no means will prove permanently effectual that does not maintain the fertility of our soil. It is not right that one class of our citizens should bear the whole burden of perpetuating our national prosperity. It is a duty and a privilege that should be shared by all alike, and our people will gladly pay the price of this permanent prosperity when once they have been shown the necessity of it. We as a people have had experience in the wasting of our soil fertility. We have tasted the bitter fruits of that old but empty theory that our soil is inexhaustible. Those vacant, crumbling homesteads of our older states have been stern but effectual teach- ers and America is learning her lesson. We are seeing more and more the wisdom of conserving our most valuable national asset; and our moral conceptions have so awakened that we can now see that our old system of thoughtless destruction is not only a hazard- ous business, but a crime against our country. But the old system is doomed. It has had its feast and its revelry, and it has seen the handwriting on the wall! And oh, hasten the day when the abandoned farms of New England shall lift no more their warning voice, but shall stand the silent sepulchres of a policy dead forever in America ! Our national industries have well been likened unto a tree; manufacture and commerce represented by the branches and leaves, agriculture by the roots. Now that part of the tree which attracts the eye, is the part above ground. It receives the credit for all that is good and loved in it. It affords the sweet shade and the de- licious fruit. But we forget that the roots reach down into the earth and patiently gather the raw material out of which the beautiful fabric of branch, of leaf, and of fruit, is fashioned; and any injury or benefit received by the root is shared by the rest of the tree. And I have thought that if we as a people cared for this our tree, as did of old that keeper of the vineyard who spared the 120 Missouri Agricultural Report. barren fig tree until he had dug about its roots and manured them well, that of us, also, it might then be said, "They shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth its fruit iii its season; whose leaf also doth not wither and whatsoever they do, shall prosper." Perhaps you are wondering what I mean by making such a talk as this — wondering what can be my motive or mental mood. Now, I do not stand before you as the incarnation of calamity, not as a waller of woe, nor am I a charter member of the Chronic Kickers' Club; but neither am I a follower of that creed of the fabled Prometheus who thought to lift the burdens from humanity by planting in the hearts of men false hopes. But I stand before you as the professed follower of a diviner doctrine, of a more cheer- ful creed; and I have tried to preach you a little sermon on my favorite text — "Know the truth and the truth shall make you free." And I leave it to you to say how far I have wandered from my text. I have not uttered a single word for the purpose of discourag- ing any farmer, or of making him dissatisfied with his business. I have simply tried to point out to you some of the new problems that we must meet; and great and difficult as these problems may now appear, I look forward to their successful solution with the fullest assurance of hope. Never was the future of American agri- culture brighter with promise than it is today. The resourcefulness and ingenuity of the American people have overcome every ob- stacle; and when we remember how American manufacture with such humble beginnings has, in these few years, leaped to the fore- most rank in all the world, who can measure the possibilities of American agriculture when it is, like manufacture, put upon a profitable basis? I cannot believe that the American people will knowingly do that which will prove their national injury. A peo- ple who have voluntarily imposed upon themselves a tax in the form of a protective tariff" in order that American manufacture may prosper, will not permit the more fundamental business of agri- culture to suff'er. No, I am not an apostle of pessimism but rather an avatar of optimism; not a prophet of evil, chanting the doleful jeremiad but rather the voice of one crying in the wilderness, "Make straight the path." And I believe the time will never come when the farmer will fail in that broader and diviner duty of feeding and clothing the world. Whatever obstacles may arise, they shall be surmount- ed; whatever clouds may cross his skies, they shall be lifted; and there shall be more sunshine than shadow. And the farmer shall Live Stock Breeders' Association. 121 push on and on in the fulfillment of his noble vocation, seeking not the greatness of men nor the glory of this earth; but content to stand in that countless throng over yonder, and to be worthy to hear those words of his Christ, "I was naked and ye clothed me; I was a hungered, and ye gave me meat." MISSOURI'S OPPORTUNITIES IN FORESTRY. (By Samuel J. Record, Forest Supervisor, Arkansas National Forest.) It is time every state made inventory of its natural resources with a view to their perpetuation. Our future prosperity depends in large measure upon the care and conservation of our present wealth. Where there is waste, measures are desirable for its pre- vention; where depletion, there should be plans for replenishing; where exploitation, there should be conservative use. Missouri is a grand State of many and varied interests. Her seventy thousand square miles support a population of nearly four million people, whose main sustenance is agriculture. Thirty-five million acres are in farms and the value of one annual harvest is a quarter billion dollars. She takes first rank in horticulture, and millions of apple, peach and other fruit trees are yearly adding to her wealth. The natural advantages of favorable climate, fertile soil, and accessible markets are especially conducive to the raising of live stock. In mining, the State plays a most important part, especially in the production of zinc, nickel, lead and iron. Thor- ough knowledge of these industries is essential to the proper de- velopment of the State whose every foot of soil should be devoted to its most paying production. Missouri's forest wealth is one of her greatest assets, and if properly handled, will prove a source of perpetual revenue and profit. After making due allowance for all the needs of agricul- ture, horticulture, stock raising and other industries, there remain millions of acres of soils capable of growing forests but worthless for other purposes. It is then paramount that these absolute for- est soils be put to a remunerative use, that they prepare to supply Missouri's future timber demand. MISSOURI'S RANK IN THE TIMBER INDUSTRY. About three-fifths of Missouri's area was originally covered with timber. The wooded area in 1900 was estimated to be 41,- 122 Missouri Agricultural Report. 000 square miles, or about 60 per cent of the State. Recent inves- tigations indicate that about 27,000 square miles or 39 per cent is at present timbered. It is to be regretted that there are no reliable estimates as to the total present stand of merchantable timber. My own guess as to the total amount is five billion feet board measure. The amount sawed into lumber can be closely approximated. In 1880, 400 million feet; in 1890, 402 million feet; in 1900, 724 million feet. Estimating an average cut between census dates, it may be safely estimated that the total lumber production of the State since 1880 has exceeded fourteen billion feet. In 1907, Missouri stood 24th in rank, producing 1.4 per cent of the total lumber cut of the United States, amounting to five hundred and forty million feet, an average yield of 32 feet board measure per acre. Figuring the present stand at five billion feet, continuing the present rate of consumption, the end tvill he reached in ten years. Virtually all of the standing pine timber will have been removed in five years. Admitting the general unreliability of such prognostica- tions, at best it is but a few years until Missouri ceases to be im- portant as a timber producer. On the other hand, her agricultural and other interests increase many fold, thus constantly increasing the demand for wood material. The proper use of the absolute forest soils of the State would prove sufficient for necessary future de- mands for timber. FOREST REGIONS. There are two main topographic divisions of Missouri, com- monly called the Ozark and the prairie regions. The northern and western parts of the State are mainly smooth, the southern part mainly rough. In a general way, the line separating these two regions follows the Missouri river from its mouth to the vicinity of Miami, Saline county ; thence it runs southward to Windsor, Henry county; and thence southwest to where Spring river crosses the State line in Jasper county. South and east of this line lies the Ozark region, north and west of it the prairie. There may ba also included a third division known as the Mississippi bottoms. The elevation of the country around the foot of the Ozark re- gion is about 800 feet above sea level. The elevation of the top along the central part of the axis varies from 1,400 to 1,700 feet. The central part of the Ozarks is not extremely rugged, though rather high. Around this central part is a region much more Live Stock Breeders' Association. 123 rugged where the valleys are deeper and narrower and the whole country cut up with innumerable deep ravines, although the gen- eral elevations are not so high as in the central region. To the outside of this belt of rough country, is the border of the Ozarks which is less rugged and slopes down to the prairies and the Mis- sissippi bottoms. The Ozark region comprises most of the absolute forest land of the State which should be largely devoted to the growth of tim- ber. Although the heaviest timber is in the Mississippi bottoms, in the extreme southeastern portion of the State, it is only a ques- tion of a few years until it is removed and the soil reclaimed for agricultural purposes. The remainder of the State is mostly prairie with trees occurring only in groves along the streams. Hence it is the Ozark region which is naturally fitted to be the source of Missouri's future timber supply. THE MISSISSIPPI BOTTOMS. In the Mississippi bottoms are dense stands of excellent tim- ber. The cypress, which is one of the oldest and most important trees known, has been largely cut out and there is small chance of her regeneration. Red gum and tupelo are still in abundance but enormous waste has resulted because proper methods only recently have been devised for the handling of these timbers. There is also the rapid-growing cottonwood of large dimensions, giant oaks and numerous trees whose rank and importance may not be questioned. The alluvial soil is deep and rich and if drained, will prove valu- able for cotton and other agricultural crops. And yet a large per cent of this land can be profitably devoted to the growing of timber. The red gum and cottonwood, the willow and catalpa, each on its favorite site, finds conditions suited to most prolific growth. So rapidly do these trees develop that successive cuts of merchantable timber may be obtained at intervals of 20 to 30 years perpetually. An improved method of cutting the timber in strips has been devised which permits clean cutting of alternate strips and assures natural reproduction. For large companies the plan will prove eminently successful. THE OZARKS. In the Ozarks most of the commercial forest has been cut over. At one time shortleaf pine was the most important tree in the mountains, but its originally limited distribution has been fur- 124 Missouri Agricultural Rejiort. ther reduced until it has almost ceased to be an important factor in the lumber production of the State. The oaks — black, white, red, Texan and others — compose the bulk of the forest and have con- tributed extensively to the manufacture of lumber, ties, posts, cooperage, wagon stock and furniture. The black walnut and white oak have long since been removed, one to furnish gun stocks for our soldiers, the other, oars for our navy. What remains today, of the Ozark forests, is but a sad reminder of what was or might be. In parts of Arkansas the shortleaf pine reproduces most abund- antly. This is not true, however, of Missouri, where pine is followed by black jack oak, post oak, pale leaf hickory and other scrub species. The fires kill the young pines but the more hardy oaks sprout up and form a dense thicket, smothering out the valuable species. In time, the pine may reclaim the land, but it will re- quire centuries for nature to do it unaided by man. There are practicable ways of doing this, but time forbids details. Protection from fire, leaving of seed trees, girdling scrub oaks, and artificial replanting, are means which, under wise direction, will make the rugged Ozark hills pay their tribute to man's enterprise. FIRE PREVENTION. The prevention of fires may seem to many neither practicable or desirable, and yet forestry can never be a complete success until adequate fire protection is assured. Fires are very common over much of the Ozark region, being usually started by the farmers to improve the grazing. There is absolutely no doubt remaining in my mind after my experience in the Ozarks, that fires injure and may destroy the large trees, kill seedlings and young trees, and impov- erish the soil. Instead of improving the range, they gradually de- stroy it by robbing the soil and causing a dense growth of hard- wood sprouts which choke out nutritious grasses and herbage. These fires may be largely controlled. I have found by ex- perience that it is not so much regulations against them, as favor- able public sentiment for their suppression that minimizes the danger. Adequate laws, backed up by systematic enforcement and accompanied by a campaign of education that will make such law enforcement popular, will solve the problem. Keep down fires and nature herself will restore the forests. Fire protection is essentially a function of the State. Though the amount of State and Government land is so small, compara- Live Stock Breeders' Associatio7i. 125 lively, that the direct loss from fires falls almost wholly on individ- uals and lumber companies, yet, owing to the hardwood character of the forest the direct loss is usually considered trifling. The loss in soil productiveness and the prevention of desirable reproduction are more important to the State than to the private individual who owns the land, but has no thought of a second crop. An active campaign of education should be begun and vigorously prosecuted until public sentiment favorable to forestry and forest protection results. PRAIPJE REGION. The vast prairie region of the State, embracing as it does much of the finest farming land of America, has also ample room for the practice of forestry. The problem there is concerned mostly with wood lots and small tracts, for the farm is rare in- deed that contains no portion chiefly valuable for timber growing. If properly managed the wood lot will supply the farmer with posts, fuel, building material and some timber for market. Every farmstead should be provided with protection from winds. For the live-stock grower, shielding the barnyard and feedlots will economize the grain necessity to fatten animals, since less food will be required to maintain the body warmth of the stock in winter. In summer, a small part fenced oflt from the wood lot will afford cool shade to fattening animals, which lose flesh in very hot weather. A belt of forest trees will greatly reduce the danger of late frosts to the fruit blossoms of an orchard. The woodlot should occupy the waste land not suitable for farm crops. Steep hillsides, ravines, swamps, sand dunes, creek banks, rocky slopes, and corners cut off by ditches, creeks or rail- roads, will sustain a good growth of timber and become an im- portant source of revenue. Forest growth on steep slopes and river banks protects them from erosion by heavy rains and fresh- ets. On the farm without waste land the woodlot should be so located as to afford the best protection. Strips at least five rods wide should be maintained along the windward side, usually the north and west, and in addition there should be a shelter belt around the house and farm buildings. Such timber tracts add materially to the attractiveness and sale value of the farm. While this is for the private individual, it remains for the State to assist, direct and encourage his efforts. The details can- not be given here, but the general plan for such assistance would include educative propaganda, experimental and demonstration 126 Missouri Agricultural Report. woodlots and plantations, and expert advice upon request to all who need it. PRESENT FOREST POLICY. The forest policy of the State has been wholly destructive. The work of the future should be wholly constructive. One or two large concerns of the State have made some recent attempts to improve their methods with a view to a second crop of timber, but the efforts have been rather spasmodic and aimless. During the year 1906, an investigation of the Ozark region was made un- der my direction by the Forest Service, U. S. Department of Ag- riculture, in co-operation with the Missouri State Experiment Sta- tion. Some good data was secured as a basis for future activities but the funds were too limited to permit of an exhaustive study. I am informed that Governor Folk has appointed a Forestry Com- mission consisting of Dr. W. H. Black of Marshall, Dr. Hermann von Schrenc of St. Louis and Mr. David A. Latshaw of Kansas City. I am not familiar with the plans or scope of this commis- sion. Considerable interest throughout the State has been recently manifested in the forestry movement. Part of this is due to the general awakening over the country to the necessity for conserving our natural resources. Special credit is due the University of Missouri and to the Missouri Federation of Women's Clubs. The time is opportune for a definite constructive forest policy. A PROPOSED POLICY. Assuming that the advantages and necessity for forest con- servation and extension are clearly evident, the important question arises as to proper means to the end. It is characteristic of the American people to be long suffering until, as it were, the limit of elasticity is reached when we suddenly undertake to change tho work of decades by summary legislation. In such times, there is danger of going to extremes and of following ill advisers. My advice to the people of Missouri on the forestry question is to begin at once, but proceed slowly. The methods of a cen- tury cannot be revolutionized in a day and it cannot be expected that a people who for years have been busy destroying the forests, should suddenly concern themselves with forest protection and tree planting. This change must come gradually, but because of the slowness of the movement, there is all the greater reason for immediate action. Live Stock Breeder's' Association. 127 My report of 1906, covering my investigations of Missouri's resources, contains this recommendation which received the ap- proval of the United States Forester: "To devise and direct a permanent policy along the lines suggested, the establishment of a regular course in forestry at the University of Missouri is recom- mended. The instructor in charge of this department should be a technically trained forester who, besides his regular duties of instruction, should have charge of the forestry work of the State. It should be his duty to assist land owners in establishing planta- tions, to aid timber owners in the conservative management of their lands, to lecture at farmers' institutes and other public meet- ings, and to publish and distribute reports concerning State forest problems and their solution. During the summer months he could conduct field work, employing his forestry students as assistants. This same plan is now being successfully carried out in making a soil survey of the State. It is believed that better results can be secured in this way at first and at less expense than by the estab- lishment of a salaried forest commission." The two years which have elapsed since that report, have served to more firmly convince me of the wisdom of that recom- mendation. Since education in forestry is now most needed to prepare the people of your State for an impending timber famine, where better can the start be made than at your State University? Thousands of students pass its portals to take their place in the progress of the nation. Each will become in some degree a leader in his community and play no small part in the molding and direc- tion of public sentiment. How important it becomes that these men and women, whether farmers or physicians, lawyers or teach- ers, should carry with them an adequate knowledge of the prin- ciples of forestry, to be able in the impending crisis to choose the true from the false, the practicable from the visionary, the sensi- ble from the sentimental. Let the instructor be chosen because of his ability and knowl- edge of his profession, untainted by political patronage. Give him time and means to organize his department, conduct experi- ments on the college lands, extend his investigations to the entire State, devote a large share of attention to the aid of farmers and timber owners, and in a very few years he will have laid the sure foundations for a practicable and sane forest policy for the State — quietly, systematically, and economically. 128 Missouri Agricultural Report. THE ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL AND EXPERIMENTAL UNION. (Prof. C. A. Zavitz, Ontario Agricultural College.) I will speak to you on the work which we have been carrying on in the Province of Ontario during the past few years. I assure you that it is a pleasure to me to meet you who are here in connec- tion with this great institution, you who are connected with the agriculture of this state — to meet you here in convention. I al- ways feel very much at home when I meet those who are endeavor- ing to advance agriculture, whether found in homes throughout the country, or in connection with an institution of this kind, I have been connected with an institution somewhat similar to this during the past twenty-four years. I went from one of the farms of Ontario to our own Agricultural College in 1884. I became con- nected with the work there some two or three years afterwards, and from that time to this I have been trying to do something in connection with the advance of agricultural education and the im- provement of the homes throughout the Province of Ontario, and I think possibly some things have been done which have had an ennobling influence not only upon the farms but also upon those who are connected with the farms. We have an Agricultural Col- lege, started in the year 1884. The experimental work of that institution was started just two years later, in 1886. At that time, we started work in the field in our plots with the object of trying to find out some of the best varieties of farm crops, best methods of cultivation, selection of seed, etc., in a small way. The first year we had some fifty-six plots altogether. That number increased from year to year until we have now about 2,000 plots, field plots, where we are experimenting on different varieties year after year, the results of which experiments we are hoping will be of real value to the farmers who are engaged in farm work throughout the Province of Ontario. After this work had been going on for about ten years — the value of which should be of great service to the farmers, (we sent this information through our reports and bulle- tins and newspaper articles to them) we thought that there was great room for co-operative experiments. Therefore, we started, some twenty years ago, a small system of co-operative experimental work through what is known as the Ontario Agricultural and Ex- perimental Union. I wish to say a few words in regard to that Live Stock Breeders' Association. 129 organization. It was started in 1879 by the ex-students of our College, who felt that they wished to get back to the institution once a year to meet their associates, to come in touch with the in- stitution, with their alma mater, and to keep abreast of the times from an agricultural standpoint. After this work had been going on in this way for a few years, we felt that it would be an asso- ciation through which we could carry on our co-operative and ex- perimental work throughout the province. Therefore, in 1886, we started, with this association of ex-students, a small system of co- operative experiments. The first year they were twelve in number. We wrote to the ex-students and obtained the consent of twelve of the number to conduct experiments upon their own farms. From those twelve experiments, we obtained eight reports. The next year we secured sixty experimenters, the next year ninety- three, and the work has gone on from year to year until we now have 4,420 farmers who are conducting experiments upon their own farms, in connection with our work at the College, with farm crops. Then we have about 3,000 men carrying on experi- ments with horticulture, some in poultry-raising, and quite a large number in forestry. We have altogether work being carried on now along some six or seven different lines, and that work ha>' all had a very wholesome influence. It not only keeps the ex- students in touch with the institution, but it also enables the Col- lege to place a piece of the Experiment Station in homes all over Ontario ; it enables the farm.ers to conduct experiments on their own farms; it gives the farmers something to think and study about, in a way not thought of before. Therefore, I say that it not only has an influence in keeping the ex-students in touch, but it encourages the farmers to increase the profits of the farm, it introduces upon their farms a number of the best varieties of crops, and shows them improved methods of cultivation. Then, it has a very wholesome influence in the advancement of agriculture throughout the province. I do not know of any- thing which has had a greater influence in elevating the people, enabling them to think for themselves, than this work. We see the results of our work now all over the province. We find that by sending out improved varieties, showing better methods of cultivation, through the influence of that work, and through the influence of our other experimental work, that the output of the Ontario farms, during the past fifteen years, has been cloublecl, which is a statement, I think, which means a great deal. The A- 9 130 Missouri Agricultural Report. output of Ontario farms has actually been doubled in about fif- teen years. We find that it has created great interest all over the province; it has filled our College of Agriculture to overflow- ing. We had 1,000 students last year connected with the College. During the summer, we have in the month of June from thirty to thirty-five thousand farmers visit our experimental grounds — two hundred to three thousand every day from the 5th to the end of June. I am stating actual facts, and not saying this boastfully. They are interested in this work because they are conducting ex- periments on their own farms and they want to see the same ex- periments carried on on a larger scale. They come in groups of five and six and seven hundred. We take them out into the fields. We ask and answer questions, we keep moving over the experi- mental fields, talking about the different experiments, and after they have spent a full day, they return to their homes at night. I believe that you have here an organization of the ex-students of this institution. If you could work through that organization, and through the experiment station, you can bring about results of this kind throughout the state, and I believe you would find that it would pay and pay well and have a very wholesome influence. When we started in the work, we did not know how it would turn out ; but we kept up the work until now we have between seven and eight thousand experimenters altogether. It is having a wonderful influence all over the Province of Ontario, not only giving us in- creased yields per acre, but also increasing the interest in agricul- ture, creating a greater love for agriculture and a higher education, and a greater development of the profession. Missouri Corn Growers' Session. Friday, January 8, 1909. THE IMPROVEMENT OF CORN BY BREEDING. (By Dr. Louie H. Smith, Assistant Cliief in Plant Breeding, University of Illinois.) Illustrated with Stereopticon. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF BPvEEDING. In plants, as well as in animals, improvement by breeding de- pends upon selection and selection in turn depends upon variation. In our ordinary field crops we have been so accustomed to consider the crop as a whole that we are apt to overlook the individuality of the plants that make up the crop and the great variations that exist among them. Go into any Figure 1. Champion ten ears corn, 190S , National Corn Exposition, Omaha Neb. field of corn and observe the differences in the various character- istics; there are plants with tall stalks, short stalks, abundant foliage, scant foliage, erect ears, declining ears, productive and unproductive, growing side by side, all under apparently the same life conditions. Every single plant is possessed of a distinct indi- viduality, just the same as every animal, and the transmission of the (131) 132 Missoifvi Agriadtural Report. characters which go to make up this individuality in plants is just as certain and definite as it is in animals. In selection we simply pick out those individuals having the desirable characteristics and propagate them to the exclusion of others. VARIATIONS IN PRODUCTIVENESS. There are great variations in productiveness as well as in other characteristics and this is particularly noticeable among Figiirt -Uow No. 12 and row No. 13 of the breeding plol, each row planted from a certain seed ear . Corn Growers' Associatio7i. 13>3 the different ears of corn. Take a number of equally good appear- ing ears, if you please, like those splendid specimens, the ten cham- pion ears of the recent National Corn Exposition, illustrated in figure 1 ; such ears as satisfy all our notions of perfection in corn, including proper proportion of length to circumference, size, form, shape of kernels, proportion of grain to cob and so on through the ordinary score-card points; put these ears to a per- "formance test in the field, make them show up their yielding quali- ties, and it may be that you will find that some ears out-yield the others by two to one. There is no way of discovering this difference in productiveness from the appearance. We must put them to the actual test in the field — such a test as is given in the "ear-to-the-row" breeding plot. Extreme variations of this sort are not uncommon in our breeding plots, but an instance occurred a number of years ago which was especially interesting from the fact that a good e-^r Figure 3. — Row No. 12 and row No. 13 at the harvest time. and a poor ear happened to be planted side by side in adjoining rows, thus making the comparison especially striking. Figure 2 shows the condition of the two rows planted from these two ears as they grew in the field, and figure 3 tells us the result of the harvest of these same two rows. There was nothing in the appear- ance of the seed ears to indicate that row 13 would produce more than twice as much as row 12. EFFECT OF SELECTION UPON CHEMICAL CHARACTERS OF THE GRAIN. Corn improvement should embrace quality as well as quantity. No other crop is made to serve such a variety of purposes as corn, and in consideration of these many different uses is sug- gested the question of special adaptation. Purpose of Increasing the Protein. — In the nutrition of man and beast, protein is the most expensive nutrient. Of all our American food-stuffs corn is the cheapest, because of its economi- cal production. But because corn does not contain sufficient pro- 134 Missouri Agricultural Report. tein for most purposes of feeding, it must be reinforced by other more expensive food-stuffs in order to obtain the proper ratio of this important nutrient. It is from these considerations that farmers, and especially stock feeders, recognize the importance of breeding corn for increase of protein content. Purpose of Decreasing the Protein. — On the other hand, there is a demand from the manufacturers of those products which are derived from the starch of corn, such as glucose, gum, dex- trine, syrup, and alcohol, for a corn having a large proportion of carbohydrates and not so rich in protein. The practical effect of decreasing the per cent of protein is to increase the per cent of starch; therefore, for such purposes there should be a place on the market for corn which is bred for decrease of protein content. 56 lbs corn. ( 6 lbs. Protein. \ 2f lbs. oil. i lb. ash. 45 lbs. ) carbo-hydrates ( (mainly starch.) Figure 4. — Composition of one bushel of ordinary corn. In the photograph the crude fibre is miss- ing, amounting to l-J pounds. Purpose of Increasing the Oil. — The oil of corn has in recent years found such a wide commercial use that under the present market conditions, it has become, pound for pound, by far the most valuable constituent of the grain, and, whereas, formerly in the glucose factories and corn mills the germs containing the oil were almost a waste product, there is now an actual demand on the part of these industries for corn which is richer in oil. It is proposed to meet this demand by breeding corn for increase of oil content. Purpose of Decreasing the Oil. — There is also a practical use for corn with a low oil content. It has been found by investiga- tion that in feeding swine, the oil in the corn tends to produce a soft, flabby quality of flesh, which is very undesirable, especially for our export trade, where the demand of the market is for a Corn Growers' Association, 135 hard, firm product. A remedy for this lies in the reduction of the oil content of the corn which is fed. Thus here we have a very important practical object for breeding corn for decrease of oil content. These special purposes mentioned for which corn is being im- proved suggest the possibility of many others demanded by the various industries which utilize the corn crop and which require different qualities in it. ■# f # ^^ CORN BREEDING FOR HIGH AND LOW PROTFtN This Serifs Of Sp«imens fiepfescnts Tht f^fess W The WorK Of Tlw Illinois Eipmmcnt StatlM In Uu Brertlni! W Corn for THe INCREASE And DECREASE Of PROTEIN CONTENT Tfireajli Ten Cnwrolions In fact) Corie Is Refiwme^ '; ' ^ ■" Corr Of Ifie Crap Produced TlieBotte' /5-eScArri)ii!"il T, . . i- _ Bepresen'eif Sid' By Si't fr f.-iiipon'on . "rit-.i SrseJ'ns Plo'.s Of fjch Seas Figure 5. The average composition of ordinary corn is shown in figure 4, where are represented the diff'erent constituents and their rela- tive amounts in one bushel of the grain. It is possible by selection of the seed and breeding to alter the proportions of these various constituents, and following are indicated briefly some of the results which have been obtained in breeding corn to change its composition. The effect of breeding for increase and decrease of protein content is illustrated in figure 5. In this case we have our quan- tities based upon one-tenth bushel and in the large bottle there is one-tenth bushel of corn. The amount of protein in this quan- tity of corn is so represented that we may compare the high pro- tein crop with the low protein crop of each generation. Begin- ning on the left with the crop of 1896, and following it along through the ten generations, we find comparatively little difference in the first two or three years. It seems to require a few years to get under good headway but as we follow along the series we find that the difference between the high and the low gradually increases until after ten generations the high strain contains al- most double the amount of protein as the low strain. 136 Missouri Agricultural Report. In order to show these results in somewhat more detail, tha following table is given : INCREASE AND DECREASE OF PROTEIN. Year. High protein plot, average percent in crop harvested. Low protein plot, average percent in crop harvested. Difference between crops, percent. 1896 1897 10.92 11.10 11.05 11.46 12.32 14.12 12.34 13.04 15.03 14.72 14.26 13.89 10.02 10.55 10.55 9.86 9.34 10.04 8.22 8.62 9.27 8.57 8.64 7.32 . 00 0.55 1898 0.50 1899 1.60 1900 2.98 1901 1902 4.08 4.12 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 . . .... 4.42 5.76 6.15 5.62 6.57 A glance through these figures shows that it has been possible in eleven generations to increase the protein content from 10.92 per cent to 13.89 per cent, and at the same time, by breeding for low protein, it has been possible to reduce this constituent from the original average of 10.92 to 7.36 per cent. In other word.s, starting with a single variety, we have been able by ten years of f^> li ii h f. I. I, Tilt INCREASr Arii iscnt'.i CORN BREEDING FOR HIGH AND LOW OIL . 6r«rffn^ W Com Tor Figure 6. breeding to produce two kinds of corn, the one of which is almost twice as rich in feeding value as the other. Even more striking have been the results accomplished in the breeding to influence the oil content as illustrated graphically in figure 6 and numerically in the table following. Starting on the left, the amount of oil is shown in the crop of Corn Grower's' Association. 137 1896 with 4.7 per cent, and following along through the series we notice how the oil increases or decreases in response to the selec- tion, and how the difference between the two strains is constantly widening until finally after ten generations we have in the crop of 1906 about three times as much oil in a bushel of high oil corn as in the low oil strain. That is to say, by selection and breeding we have produced from a single variety of corn two kinds, the one of which is about three times as rich in oil as the other : INCREASE AND DECREASE OF OIL. Year. High oil plot, av. percent in crop harvested. Low oil plot, av. percent in crop harvested. Difference between crops, percent. 1896 4.70 4.73 5.15 5.64 6.12 6.09 6.41 6.50 6.97 7.29 7.37 7.43 4.70 4.06 3.99 3.82 3.57 3.43 3.02 2.97 2.89 2.58 2.66 2.59 0.00 1897 0.67 1898 . . 1.16 1899 1.82 1900 2.55 1901 2.66 1902 3.39 1903 3.53 1904 t 4.08 190,5 4.71 1906 4.71 1907 4.84 EFFECT ON TYPE OF KERNEL. That selection for certain chemical constituents has a very noticeable effect upon the physical characteristics of the kernel was observed quite early in this work. Selection for high protein has developed a type of kernel hav- ing a relatively larger proportion of that part characterized by its homy structure the soft starchy part which surrounds the germ and runs up into the crown of the kernel being less promi- nent. In the type of kernel resulting from the low protein selec- tion this condition is reversed and here the soft starchy part pre- dominated. Viewed externally the high-protein kernel has a somewhat glassy appearance while the low-protein presents a milky effect. Figures 7 and 8 which are diagramatic representa- tions of a high-protein and a low-protein kernel respectively illus- trate very well this distinction. In photograph 9 the kernels on the left were taken from an ear analyzing 14.92 per cent of pro- tein while those on the right are from an ear which contained only about one-half as much, namely, 7.76 per cent. 138 Missouri Agricultural Report. ^J t^.'LrAgg ^^'^^^^''^^^'^ WU:U >: jCrown [starch Horny Starch fHorny iGluten Bmbryo Stem Bmbryo"^ Hoot Figure 7. — Diagram illustrating structure of High-protein kernel. ■ Following the fact that about four-fifths of all the oil in the kernel resides within the germ, the selection for high-oil has re- sulted in a kernel having a relatively large proportion of germ, while the low-oil selection has produced a kernel whose germ occu- pies a relatively small proportion of its bulk. These relations are brought in figure 10, which represents kernels from high-oil and low-oil ears, on the left from a high-oil ear testing 6.08 per cent; on the right from a low-oil ear containing but 3.64 per cent of oil. Corn Growers' Association. 139 EFFECT OF SELECTION UPON PHYSICAL CHARACTERS OF THE PLANT. Other interesting examples of what may be accomplished by continued selection for particular purposes are furnished by a number of experiments designed to iniiuence certain physical char- acters of the plant. BmbryoL Stem J £]tnbry6] Root _/Crown [Starch jHorny [Starch fHorny .. " [Gluten -Hull — — Germ _/ Tip [Starch fTip Cap Figure 8. — Diagram illustrating structure of lovv-proteiu kernel. BREEDING FOR HIGH AND LOW EARS. Six years ago from an ordinary field of Leaming corn two sets of ears were selected, one of which represented ears growing high on the stalk, and the other those borne low down on the stalk. These two sets of ears were planted in separate breeding plots 140 Missouri Agricultural Report. Figure 9. High-protein and low protein kernels. and selection for high ears and for low ears from the respective plots have been made each year since. The first year there was produced a difference in average height of ear between the two plots of over thirteen inches. This average difference has increased until after six generations of Corn Growers' Association. 141 Figure 10. High oil and low-oil kernels. breeding the ears in one strain are borne, on the average, aboiu three feet higher than in the other, as an inspection of the follow- ing table will show : 142 Missouri Agricultural Report. BREEDING FOR HIGH AND LOW EARS. AVERAGE HEIGHT OF EARS IN INCHES. Year. High ear plot. Low ear plot. Difference. 1903 56,4 50.3 63.3 56.6 72.4 57.3 42.8 38.3 41.6 25.5 33,2 23.1 13 6 1904 12 1905 1906 1007 1908 21.7 31.1 39.2 34 2 Figure 11. — High-ear and low-ear breeding plots in the fifth generation. Figure 11 shows the two plots in the fifth generation. The white tape shown in the picture was fastened at the middle of the ears in the front row. Photographs 12 and 13 were taken the same day and they give a closer view of these two plots. It will be noticed that a remarkable difference in the size of the plant has been induced by selecting simply with reference to height of ear. With this difference in size of plant there is a notable difference in time of maturity between these two strains so that at the time of tasseling the low-ear plot is now about a week in advance of the high-ear plot. It is of especial interest to note that in spite of the much smaller size of the low-ear plant, in production of grain this strain is thus far yielding fully as well as the high-ear strain. This is very significant, for one of the most important questions before the attention of the corn growers and corn breeders today is that of maturity. The demand is for grain that will grade better in the market, keep better in storage, ship better in exportation, ger- minate better when planted, and our problem is the difficult one of inducing earliness without sacrificing yield. Corn Groivers' 'Association. 143 Figure 12. — In the high-ear breeding plot in the flftli generation. Some of our leading corn growers are advocating a reduction in the standard size of ear in the belief that a longer growing season is necessary for the production of the large type of ear that has been set for the ideal, and that striving to attain this ideal has resulted in lateness in maturity of some of our best varieties. Thi:5 is to some extent plausible; but it would seem that the lesson brought out by these experiments is that attention should be given 144 Missouri Agrdcultural Report. to size of plant as well as to size of ear and that by selecting well- developed ears borne comparatively low on the stalk of smaller plants we shall accomplish more in inducing earliness at possibly less sacrifice in yield than in attem.pting to regulate the size of ear alone. Figure Vi. — In tli low-ear breeding plot in the flftli generation. Corn Grotvers' Association. 145 BREEDING FOR ERECT AND DECLINING EARS. Among the very noticeable variable characters to be seen in any field of mature corn is the manner in which the ear is borne with reference to the angle which it makes with the stalk. A few minutes observation will discover all degrees of declination of ears, varying from those which stand almost perfectly upright to those that hang straight downward. It has been found by experiments covering five generations of breeding that the angle of declination of the ear is also a character Figure 14. — The average angle of derli- nation in the erect-ear strain in the fifth generation is 46 degrees. A— 10 Figure 15. — The average angle of decli- nation in the declining-ear strain in the fifth generation is 88 J degrees. 146 Missouri Agricultural Report. that can be modified by selection. The summarized data of these experiments is given in the following table: AVERAGE ANGLE OF DECLINATION FROM THE STALK. Year. Erect Ears crop. Declining Ears crop. Difference between crops. 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 42.0° 62.2° 49.5° 42.3° 46.0° 45.° 117.1° 76.2° 81.6° 88.5° 3.0° 54.9° 26.7° 39.3° 42.5° Figure 16. — Ripe antlrers bursting open and pollen grauis escaping. (Greatly magnified.) Corn Growers' Association. 147 Figure 17. — Pistjls (silks) with pollen grains adhering. It will be noticed that in the first generation the response to the selection was very slight as indicated by the results in- the last column, where the figures show the average difference each year between the two plots. In the second year* this response was very much greater, in fact the results show that it was more marked that year than it has been since. The conditions of that season seem to have been exceptionally favorable for declining ears .as seen from the results in both plots. After the second year the average difference in the crops has steadily increased. On the whole, we find that we have been able to influence this character to a considerable extent in the five years of breeding; and, with the exception of 1905, it has responded almost as faithfully and regularly to selection as in the case of the- height of ear. Figures 14 and 15 represent the average angle of declination in each strain after five generations, and a comparison of the two pictures shows at a glance what has thus far been accomplished in this line of selection. 148 Missouri Agricultural Report. No significant effect from this selection is yet apparent upon the yielding capacity. From the practical standpoint the thing desired is the declining ear, the advantage being found in the better protection from rain and the greater convenience in handling at harvest. THE FLORAL ORGANS. All of this work in the breeding of corn is beset with extra complications because of the fact that corn belongs to that class of plants which is said to be "open-fertilized," as distinguished from "self-fertilized." The next two pictures represent the floral organs of the corn plant. The tassel is made up of the male flowers of which the essential organs are the anthers which produce the pollen. Figure 16 shows a pair of such anthers highly magnified in the ripe condition. The anthers have just bursted and the pollen grains are seen escaping. ^i^l:.!i Figure 18. — Planted from ia-bred seed. Corn Growers' Association. 149 Figure 19. — Planted from cross-bred seed. The female flowers are situated in the ear and the develop- ment of the kernel results from the fertilization by the pollen coming in contact with the silks as shown in figure 17. In this process the pollen grain germinates, throwing out a little tube which finds its way down the length of the silk and finally comes in contact with the reproduction cell of the kernel. There then follows the fusion of a tiny quantity of substance from this cell and from the pollen cell, and as a result of this fusion the kernel develops. If, for any reason, this fertilization process does not take place, the kernel does not develop. EFFECT OF IN-BREEDING. As stated above, corn is by nature a cross-fertilized plant and in-breeding appears to have a decidedly detrimental effect upon the yield and vigor. In the breeding plot where the plot is all i50 Missouri Agiicuttur at Report. planted from closely related ears we have^ conditions for more or - less close-breeding. A comparison of figures 18 and 19 demonstrates this detri- mental effect of in-breeding. The plot shown in figure 18 is planted * frorii seed which has been continuously inbred for five genera- tions, while that shown in figure 19 is planted from seed of the same origin, but which has been continuously cross-bred during this same time. These two plots are otherwise under the same ■ conditions, planted the same day on similar soil, cared for alike and photographed the same-day^ . ■ CONCLUSION. I have tried to present in outline a few of the experiments which illustrate the principles involved in the breeding of corn, and with the hope that they may suggest something of the possi- bilities for the improvement of this all-important crop by the method of Continuous selection for definite purposes. SIMPLE METHODS OF SEED IMPROVEMENT. (By H. J. Webber, Professor of Experimental Plant- Breeding, Cornell University.) The speaker's reason for selecting this subject for discussion is based on the observations, he has made in various parts of the country. He finds that while great advance has been made in de- vising improved methods for the breeding of our important crops the great mass of the people remain as yet indifferent to the im- portance of the subject. The conclusion to be drawn from this indifference must primarily be due, he thinks, to the fact that the methods usually advocated are so complex that farmers generally consider them to be impractical for ordinary use. Indeed, this we can but admit is true in the case of general farmers. It seems to the speaker that what is most desired at the present time is the general use by all farmers of some systematic improved method of seed selection which will be only slightly more complex than the methods they now use. It is with this in view that the following simple methods of selecting seed for potatoes and corn are pro- posed. - SELECTION OF SEED POTATOES. So far as the speaker's experience goes few farmers are giving attention to the selection of their seed in the case of potatoes, and ' Corn Growers' Association. 151 yet experiments which have been carried out here and there over the country show very clearly that striking improvements can be made by the simple selection of seed from the best yielding hills. Here we have the opportunity of using very simple methods of seed selection which, if put into operation generally, would prob- ably increase the crop nearly one-fourth, and yet scarcely any farmer is giving this matter any attention. The following method, the speaker believes, is applicable for general use, and he believes that we can conscientiously urge it upon every farmer as an im- portant practical method. SELECTION OF SEED TUBERS. Probably every farmer knows a good seed tuber, although we are frequently inclined to look upon the largest tuber as the best. This is clearly an error, as too large a tuber is almost as bad as too small a tuber. Probably the best sized potato for general use is one weighing from seven to eight ounces. A potato of this size does not have to be cut when served, as a single tuber is about the right size to serve to an individual. Again, this sized tuber is well fitted for cooking as it is small enough so that the interior will cook nearly as quickly as the exterior. It is important that the tuber should have a certain shape as well as a certain size. Probably the most desirable shape is one where the tuber has a major axis, or length of about three and one- half to four inches, with a width of possibly three to three and one-quarter inches and a thickness of from two to two and one- quarter inches. In a tuber of this shape the center of the potato at any point is only about one inch from the exterior. If potatoes are round and thick the exterior becomes well cooked before the interior is thoroughly done, and if they are mealy, as is desired by Americans generally, the exterior is liable to fall apart and cause waste by the time the center is thoroughly cooked. In starting the selection the speaker would advocate that every farmer select tubers for planting of as nearly the ideal shape and size as can be obtained by going over a large part of his crop. He should give special attention to getting correct shape, size, shallowness of eyes, etc. These tubers should then be properly preserved, a point which will be emphasized later, and should be planted in a special part of the field the next season; planting as nearly as possible pieces of uniform size. The seed tubers, if properly selected, all of about uniform size, can be cut into quar- ters, and these pieces will be nearly enough of the same size to 152 Missouri Agricultural Report. answer all practical purposes. Plant these in the seed patch in exactly the same way that the ordinary crop is planted. It would, of course, be well to have them dropped at about an equal dis- tance apart, as each hill should have the same comparative amount of land for its development. They should also be cultivated the same as the general crop. SELECTION OF HIGH YIELDING HILLS. The next factor of importance in connection with the seed selection is a selection of the high yielding hills in the seed patch, which should, of course, be done at the time of digging. To do this properly it is necessary that the hills should be dug by hand, and the product of each hill laid out separately at the side of the row. If feasible, the entire seed patch can first be dug and laid out in this manner, or the selection can go on while the digging is in progress. To make the selection the speaker would advocate that in the first place all of the hills be examined hastily and the low- yielding, poor hills be taken out. The problem before the man making the selection is, of course, to leave only the best hills. The best hills are naturally those producing the heaviest yield of proper sized tubers which are regular in outline. Hills which show a tendency to produce some very large tubers and many small tubers, are, of course, undesirable, though the total yield may be large. Hills which show a tendency to produce tubers irregular in shape, budding out at the sides, are, of course, undesirable, and should be discarded where this condition is marked. Having these factors well in mind, and they are factors which are well recog- nized by the majority of potato growers, the operator can pass down the rows and throw out the poor hills almost at a glance, leaving only the good high yielding hills. After fhis first process of selection the operator should go over these goods hills and select from among them what Professor Stone calls the "Gilt Edge" hills, that is, those which are the very best in the field from the standpoint of yield and uniformity of product and from each of these "Gilt Edge" hills take the best tubers and retain them for planting the seed patch the ensuing year. After the tubers from the "Gilt Edge" hills have been re- moved, the good tubers from the remaining good hills should be retained for planting the general crop the ensuing year. This is practically all there is to this method of seed selection and the process should be carried out year after year in the same way. The proper application of this method will mean that a suflfi- Corn Growers' Association. 153 cient number of good tubers should be selected in the first instance to plant a seed patch of about one-tenth the size of the general crop grown. This ratio of size of seed patch to general crop would probably hold in ordinary seasons. Ordinarily about twenty bush- els of seed per acre are planted, and one tuber divided into quar- ters and planted in four hills should produce about twenty good seed tubers. The increase, so far as good seed tubers are con- cerned, being therefore, about one to twenty. Therefore, by ar- ranging for the seed patch to be about one-tenth the area of the general crop, w^e have provided for discarding about one-half of the hills in the seed patch. All of the tubers from the discarded hills and all of those which are not retained for seed even from the best hills, are placed with the general crop and sold, so that it will be seen that the only extra trouble and expense connected with growing this seed patch is the planting and digging by hand, and the small amount of trouble required in making the selections. As a matter of fact, this entails very little extra trouble and every grower who is depending for his living upon the crops produced should be willing to take this amount of time to insure good seed. STORAGE AND CARE OF SEED POTATOES. The factor of proper storage of the seed is also one generally neglected by growers and is probably no less important. Very few growers give sufficient attention to this matter. It has been found undesirable to store potatoes in large amounts. If they are dug and placed in large piles soon after harvesting, when the weather is still warm, there is danger of their becoming heated and injuring the vitality. If they are placed in large piles in cel- lars, which is commonly the case, any rot which starts in one tuber is likely to spread rapidly to the others, thus injuring their keep- ing qualities. The best way to hold the seed potatoes is, of course, in cold stor- age, at a temperature of from thirty-five to forty degrees Fahren- heit. Should the temperature fall below freezing for a short time, there would probably be no very serious damage done, as living pro- toplasm seldom freezes at exactly freezing temperature. It is bet- ter, however, not to subject them to freezing conditions. Most farmers probably do not have facilities for putting their seed po- tatoes in cold storage, and ordinarily fairly dry cool cellars form good alternatives as storage places. As the select potatoes are dug in the field it would be well to place them in open slat boxes or crates of uniform size which may 154 Missouri Agricultural Report. be piled on top of each other. These can be transferred into the cellar and piled up in a comparatively compact space, and yet the crates will allow a free circulation of air, which is desirable. This method of storage furthermore, allows the grower to examine the seed occasionally during the winter and take out any tubers which may have started to rot before they have had opportunity to affect any of the adjoining tubers. Every precaution possible should be taken to keep the tubers cold, and therefore free from sprouting until about two weeks before planting time. It is of the highest importance that the tubers should not be allowed to sprout in the darkness previous to planting, and if the cellar becomes too warm in the early spring, as is liable to be the case, to hold the seed tubers dormant, they should either be put in cold storage, if such means is "available, or they may be stored in pits in the fields, and by proper management kept dormant until it is time to expose them before planting. - It is probably not generally understood that it is important to expose the tubers to light a short time before planting. They should be taken out of the cold storage or cellar from ten days to two weeks before it is intended to plant them, and exposed to the light in some fairly dry warm place. Several experiments which have been carried out at the Cornell Station indicate the effect which may be expected from such exposure of seed. Professor Gilmore in 1903 carried out an experiment with Maine-grown stock of the Sir Walter Raleigh variety, which was rather interesting. About May 5, this stock, which had been kept in excellent condition, was separated into two lots. One part was simply stored in a cool place in the barn and the other part put into cold storage, until July 6, when both parts were planted. The barn stored seed was considerably wilted ; sprouts from two to six inches long had formed, which were most broken off in the course of planting. The cold storage seed was just beginning to sprout into growth. The yields of these two lots of seed from equal areas were as follows: Barn stored seed, wilted and sprouted, 42.5 pounds. Cold storage seed, solid, slightly sprouted, 111.0 pounds. These figures show a gain of 159 per cent in favor of the solid nearly dormant seed. Another experiment carried on in 1904 by Mr. S. Fraser of the Cornell Station, is also interesting in this connection. The seed tubers were stored from November to May in crates in a cool cellar. No sprouts had started May first. They were then di- vided into four lots, one of which was put into a dark cellar, fifty Corn Groivers' Association. 155 to sixty degrees in temperature; another in a cold frame open above, bottom temperature eighty degrees; another in a barn window, temperature near out of doors; and the last in a green- house, temperature seventy to ninety degrees. The following table shows the comparative yields and the in- crease obtained by allowing the seeds to slightly sprout in the light. The seed in each case being stored by the methods indicated for thirty-six days, May 2 to June 7 : Seed stored 36 days (May 2 to June 7) in trays as below: In dark Cold frame Barn clear Green cellar, open above window temp. house 50°-60° bottom near out of 70°-90° Av. of 4 80° lbs. doors, lbs. lbs. plats, lbs. Carman No. 3 15.44 26.50 21.25 16.25 Sir Walter Raleigh 16.74 17.00 20.13 20.25 Average of both 16.09 21.75 5.66 20.69 4.60 18.25 Increase over seed stored in cellar 2.16 Percent gain over seed stored in cellar . . . 35.1 28.5 13.4 The sprouts on all of the tubers exposed to the light were strong, dark green, but were only from one-half to three-quarters of an inch long. On those from the cellar, the sprouts were three to four inches long, white and brittle. The results of the above two experiments and the results which have been obtained in numerous other experiments, show that it is desirable to expose the tubers for a short time in a light, moderately warm place before planting. If they are to be planted by machinery they should be exposed to the light and warmth be- fore planting only long enough to allow the buds to begin to sprout. If they push out for any great length they will be broken off and injured in the planting. Under ordinary conditions, exposure in a light warm place for from eight to ten days is probably suffi- ciently long. The very largely increased yields w^hich have been obtained from seed properly handled and properly selected indicate that there are no other factors more important in the production of a large crop, and potato growers everywhere should be urged to give these factors very careful attention. 156 Missouri Agricultural Report. SELECTION OF SEED CORN. Few methods of corn breeding have been suggested which are simple enough so that farmers generally will put them into prac- tice. The methods of corn breeding which have been devised by experiment station workers, true, are by no means complex, at least not for experiment station workers, to manipulate. They are, we may conclude, practical for special corn breeders. But the fact that they are too complex for the use of ordinary farmers is testified to by the fact that there are very few farmers in the country who are using such methods. It is important that farmers grow their own seed corn or at least use the seed of some variety grown in their neighborhood which is known to give good results. Seed procured from a dis- tance may not be good seed, or may have been grown under en- tirely difl'erent conditions. It is usually shelled so the grower does not know whether it has been shelled from good ears or not. The only way, therefore, of getting good seed is to raise it oneself or buy it from a local man known to be growing a good strain adapted to the locality. Following is an outline of a simple method of corn selection which the writer believes to be applicable to general conditions and not too complex for farmers to carry out. The method is not advocated as a careful breeding method, but simply as a method of seed improvement. FIRST METHOD OF CORN SEED IMPROVEMENT. The grower should select twenty-five of the best ears of corn which he can find by a careful examination of a large quantity of ears of a known good variety. These ears should be solid and heavy for their size, of medium length and of medium diameter. They should have deep kernels and moderately small cob. The kernels should be firmly set on the cob, not moving readily, thus giving a feeling of solidity to the ear. This solidity indicates thorough maturity of ear at husking time. The ear should be cyhndrical, have straight, regular rows and be well filled at butt and apex. The grower should study different ears until he has well in mind the best type of ear present in the variety he is growing and each of the twenty-five ears selected should be the best repre- sentatives of this type. If the field of corn is standing from which selections of ears are to be made, the work should be done shortly after the Corn Gi'otvers' Association. 157 first light frosts or whenever the corn is thoroughly mature. The grower can pass slowly along row after row, stripping down the husks and examining each ear that from outside appearances looks promising. A considerable number of very good fully ma- tured ears should be selected in this way and from these the best twenty-five can be selected for the seed improvement work. If the corn has been cut from which selections are to be made, it should be husked before any severely cold weather has occurred, as no opportunity should be allowed for the seed to freeze before it is thoroughly dried. After husking, the twenty- five best ears can be selected as before, the early maturing ears being judged by the solidity of the kernels on the cob. By whichever method the twenty-five ears are selected, when once they are selected, which should have been done before any freezes have occurred, they should be hung up in a warm, dry room, preferably in a room where a fire is maintained for a por- tion of the day at least. It is important that the ears dry quickly, as this improves the germinability and vigor of the ensuing crop. Preserve these twenty-five select ears together. When ready to plant, first shell off the imperfect kernels at tip and butt of each ear and then shell the twenty-five ears together, and plant them in a seed patch at some distance from any other crop of corn of any kind. This insures that individuals from good ears will be pollinated and fertilized by individuals from similarly good ears, which is one of the most important factors in the improvement of any crop. When this seed patch matures it may be husked standing, or cut and husked from the shock as the farmer desires. Whatever method is used the seed should be ready for selection before any severe freezes have had opportunity to affect its vitality. From the corn produced on this patch select again the twenty-five best ears to use the ensuing year in planting a seed patch and select a sufficient number of the best ears remaining to plant the general crop. All of these ears saved for seed should then be hung up in a heated room where they will dry quickly. Quick drying is such an important thing ordinarily that this should not be neglected. The above method it will be observed has in it but one pro- cess not now followed quite generally by corn growers; this is simply the planting of an isolated seed patch from the best ears so that plants from good ears will be fertilized by plants from good ears. This seed patch need not be very large, only from one- 158 Missouri AgricMltural Report. quarter to one acre, depending upon the size of the corn crop grown. If a farmer is planting a large corn acreage and twenty- five ears are not sufficient, a larger number can be selected each year and the seed patch increased in size. This method is not so complex but that every man who is growing from ten to twenty acres of corn could well afford to put it into practice. It requires little time and extra expense and no note keeping. The seed patch could be cultivated alone or in connection with some other crop, such as potatoes. If planted in hills, the seed patch should be thinned to a regular stand of either two or three stalks per hill, according to the richness of the soil. If drilled it should be thinned out so that there is only about one stalk per foot in the rows. In other words, the stalks in the seed patch should not be crowded. The general application of even this simple method of seed improvement throughout the country would doubtless mean an average increase of some five bushels per acre in our corn crop. SECOND METHOD OF CORN SEED IMPROVEMENT. Select the twenty-five best ears obtainable in the beginning as indicated above, preserving them carefully under the best con- ditions. When ready to plant, shell these twenty-five ears, dis- carding imperfect kernels at apex and base, and keeping the grain from each ear in a separate bag. Number these bags 1, 2, 3, etc., up to 25. 1909 OPERATIONS. We will assume that planting operations begin in spring of 1909. Select a small field where the soil is uniform and which is at some distance from any other corn field, at least from 500 to 1,000 feet, and which is large enough for fifty rows twenty-five hills long. Plant twenty-five hills in each row with five kernels per hill. Rows 1 and 26 should be planted from bag one, rows 2 and 27 from bag 2, and so on until rows 25 and 50 are planted from bag 35. In this way the grower will have left over about one-half of the seed of each ear numbered the same as the corre- sponding rows. Save this seed carefully, keeping each lot in its numbered bag. ... After the corn in this- seed- patch is well up, thin uniformly to three stalks per hill. Should land be. poor, thin to two stalks per hill. Cultivate just the same as an ordinary crop. Corn Groivers' Association. 159 In the fall when the crop is mature and before any severe freezes have occurred, husk each of these rows separately and weigh the product, determining which rows have given the best yield. Remember that two rows were planted from each ear to average up the soil conditions. The total yield of the two rows planted from the same ear should thus be taken as the pri- mary measure of the value of the original ear. Considering both yield and character of product determine which of the twenty- five ears planted has turned out the best and select the eight or ten best, making note of the numbers of the rows so selected. Half of the seed of each original ear has been retained, it will be remembered, for further use. After determining the ten best rows select the best seed ears from these rows and enough more of the best seed ears pro- duced in the remaining portion of the patch to obtain sufficient seed for your entire crop in 1910, This seed should then be dried quickly by hanging in a well ventilated room artificially heated. 1910 OPERATIONS. Select again, in 1910, a small field at some distance from any other corn field and prepare for planting. Of the seed retained from the ears planted in 1909, take those sacks numbered to corre- spond with the rows which were selected in 1909 as superior, mix the seed from these sacks together thoroughly and plant in the isolated plot. By this method it will be noted all of the seed planted will be known to have come from an ear of high producing power and good general character, these points having been determined by test- the preceding year. The general crop this season is planted from the ears se- lected from the trial plot in 1909. - When the small isolated plot from the select ears ripens in the fall, carefully examine and select the best twenty-five ears which preserve carefully as in other cases for continuing the se- lection. After these twenty-five best ears have been selected, sort over the remaining ears and preserve a sufficient number of the best to plant the general crop in 1911. 1911 OPERATIONS. The twenty-five best ears selected the preceding year should be shelled together in sacks numbered from 1 to 25, the poorly 160 Missouri Agricultural Report. formed apical and basal kernels being discarded. This year the isolated test plat should be planted as in 1909, of fifty rows, twenty- five hills long; rows 1 and 26 being planted from ear 1 in bag 1, rows 2 and 27 with seed from ear 2 in bag 2, and so on. The por- tion of the seed of each of the twenty-five ears not planted should ba retained as in 1909, for planting seed plat in 1912. When this plat matures in the fall, the product of the prog- eny from each ear being in two rows in each case, should be weighed up and the separate progenies carefully judged, the eight or ten best being determined as in 1909. After which a quantity of the best ears are selected to plant the general crop in 1912. The general crop in this year, 1911, should be planted with the second select seed taken from the isolated plat of 1910. This method of selection it will be observed is a two-year method, which provides for selecting and testing the yield of the best twenty-five ears the first season, and then the next year grow- ing the select seed, as determined by this test, in an isolated plat together so that known good producers will be crossed with known good producers. It provides each year for taking seed corn for the general crop from an isolated plat, where only highly select ears have been planted. The only element contained in this method which is not also contained in the first method suggested is the growing of a por- tion of the seed of the select ears one year in numbered rows and testing their transmitting power, so that when the isolated patch the second year is planted it will be with seed of ears of tested producing power. This second method is rather more com- plex than the first method, but it is still simple and is doubtless preferable where growers will take the time to carry it out. Either of these two methods, however, will certainly give desirable re- sults and may be unhesitatingly recommended, the speaker be- lieves, for the general use of corn growers. MAINTAINING THE FERTILITY OF MISSOURI SOILS. (By M. F. Miller, Professor of Agronomy, Missouri Agricultural College.) The soil is the most valuable asset of the State of Missouri. Upon the fertility of the soil depends the prosperity of the people. A fertile soil insures a prosperous country while an impoverished soil means abandoned farms and an increase in the mortgages of Corn Growers' Association. 161 our land holders. It is a fact too well known to need comment that our soils are not so fertile as they once were. In fact, with the increasing price of land, coupled with the decreasing productive- ness, the time is already upon us in many parts of the State when a different system of agriculture must be adopted to make farm- ing profitable on the average season. And what is already true of these parts of the State will soon be true in the best parts of Missouri, if we continue to farm as we have been farming. The Missouri farmer is in no way to blame for the present conditions, as they are simply the result of economic conditions and of the farmers' early training. Pioneers in any new country have their homes to make and on a virgin soil little thought need be given to the effect of any system of agriculture upon the soil. The important thing with them is to subdue the land and bring it into cultivation. And so it was with our fathers, who in turn taught their methods to the younger generation, and we have all been imbued with the idea that the most important thing is to get crops off the soil with little thought as to the effect of crop- ping on the soil itself. The result has been that our methods have in almost all cases been destructive; that is, they have tended to tear down rather than to build up. It is quite true that so long as a soil is supplied with soluble plant food from year to year this is the most remunerative system so far as the immediate profits are concerned. It is equivalent to skim- ming the cream, as it were, but such a system cannot last. It is now time that we adopt a different system, that we establish a new ideal in our agriculture, if our lands are to continue to yield a satisfactory income, and if the farming class is to continue prosperous. In other words, we have a new conception of the handling of our soil slowly coming into existence — a conception which looks to the building up and to the maintaining of the soil fertility rather than to the tearing down of the soil for the pur- pose of securing an immediate crop, which has been our conception up until recent times. It is quite true that this new idea regard- ing the handling of our lands is being forced upon us, and the only reason that it will appeal to the average farmer is that through this constructive method of agriculture only can he expect large profits from now on. In other words, the man who expects to farm for the next twenty years will find that he will make more money by following the system of keeping up the soil than can possibly be made by the old system. It is well enough to talk of the importance of soil conservation for future generations, but A— 11 162 Missouri Agricultural Report. it takes a direct appeal to a man's business judgment in order to be sure to gain his attention. It is just such an appeal that the new idea in the handling of our soil will make to the man who considers the matter with an open mind. There is another phase to the matter of maintaining fertility which should appeal to every farmer who is interested in the wel- fare of the future citizens of Missouri. I like to think of the land which we own as just so much of the State's domain for which we are responsible during our lifetime, and, if possible, we should manage this so as to leave it to our children in as good or in a better condition of fertility than that in which we found it. If a man can do this he has shown himself a public benefactor — a true citizen of this State. If, on the other hand, his land is left to his children in a poorer condition than he found it, such a man has not fulfilled his duty as a citizen. If the man who builds up the fertility and the productiveness of his land is a public benefactor, then he who willingly and knowingly tears down the fertility of his land and leaves it to future generations in a poorer condition than he found it could almost be termed a public curse. I do not mean to say that there is never an occasion for a man to practice what might be termed the destructive system of agriculture, for I realize most fully that it is sometimes neces- sary, even for the man who is sufficiently well informed on agri- cultural practice, and who would prefer the constructive method. A young man going on to a farm with a heavy debt must fre- quently farm the land hard for a time; he must meet his interest; he must pay for improvements ; but the great difficulty is that too often when men begin in this way the habit becomes so firmly fixed that it is impossible thereafter to change. We, therefore, have the man who continues to skim the cream from one farm that he may buy another, and then continues the same practice on this that he may buy a third, and so on. Such has been the practice of the so-called progressive or prosperous farmers, and while 1 am not laying blame on such men for the ideals which they have held, and while I realize that such men have been largely instru- mental in giving us our present prosperity, I do contend that for the coming generation this ideal is wrong, and that these methods are no longer suited to the conditions which we must meet in the rapidly changing order of our agricultural development. What the young man needs to do, after he has his mortgage lifted, is to begin again to build up the land that he has depleted, and his ambition should never be satisfied until the land is again as fertile, Corn Groivers' Association. 163 or more fertile, than when he first went on it. If it is ever neces- sary to follow the destructive method for a time it should be replaced as soon as possible by the constructive system, and the land left to one's children in a high state of fertility. A fertile farm is a much better legacy to leave our children than a worn-out farm and a swollen bank account. But there is another class of farmers which must be men- tioned in considering this constructive ideal of modem agriculture, and these are the men who, either through lack of knowledge or lack of business ability, are not able to build up a farm and make it pay dividends at the same time. In fact, with lands already badly worn, it requires all the business judgment and the knowl- edge that a man can bring to the management of a farm to make it pay its way while it is being improved ; but it can be done, and it must be the business of our agricultural colleges, our schools of agriculture, our agricultural high schools, and sometimes possi- bly of our common schools, to so train our young men that they will be able to farm in a constructive way, and at the same time make abundant returns from their lands. The average farmer of today can not do it; the farmer who has passed middle life, as a rule, will not do it, so that it falls upon our young men and boys to be the ones who shall lead us out of the difficulties into which our destructive methods have led us. I do not wish to paint too gloomy a picture or to be too pessi- mistic, for I am not a pessimist. I believe that in this gradual change in methods which will come, a great many who do not, or who by reason of circumstances or training, cannot, heed the signs of the time, will suffer; yet I believe that the thinking Missouri farmer will see that his sons will be so trained in those things that have to do with his business that they will, as a rule, be able to handle the problems which present themselves, and I look forward to the coming generation of American farmers as the m.ost prosperous in the history of the world. It is high time, how- ever, that we were up and doing, if this goal is soon to be reached. Every year of the old system sees a further wasting of fertility and throws added hardships upon the generations that are to follow. But the practical question which will at once be asked by the man who wishes to practice a constructive system is, How can I build up my lands and make a profit at the same time? Most of us are not farming for amusement, but for the profit; and the thing that always appeals to us is the business side of any prac- 164 Missouri Agricultural Report. tice. It is well enough to talk of building- up land, but we are not, as a rule, philanthropists, and we must find a method by which this can be done economically. Naturally, there is no one method adapted to all soils, to ail conditions; in fact, there are scarcely two farms where exactly the same methods will apply. Consequently it is the fundamental principles that we must know and be able to apply to the particular conditions under which we are required to work, and the man who is willing to experiment the most, to read the most, and who is able to observe most closely, is the one who is to go forward most rapidly. Four years ago the State of Missouri began a systematic study of the soils of the State, including, among other things, the map- ping of the soil types as they exist, accompanying this work by a careful study of these various types to determine not only their character, but through field experiments in the various parts of the State, to find the systems of cropping and method of soil treat- ment which shall be most remunerative and which will at the same time serve to build up the land from year to year. These experiments have now been in progress for four seasons, and while this is entirely too short a time to allow of sweeping conclusions, yet some very valuable data has been secured. It is some of the general conclusions from the results of the various experiments on these experimental fields, together with the studies of the soil types which have been made, that I wish to bring before you. THE COMPOSITION OF MISSOURI SOIL. The investigations into the composition of Missouri soils, while showing a very wide variation in the proportions of nitro- gen, phosphorus and potassium present, bring out certain features that are true quite generally of all soils. The first of these is the almost universal lack of humus and nitrogen, due, in most cases, to excessive grain cropping, to a lack of systematic rotation, and the wasting of farm manure. It is a well known fact that when- ever a soil is stirred, as in plowing and cultivation, the decay of the humus is hastened, and while this decay is absolutely essential to the making available of the nitrogen which the humus contains, as well as in aiding in the solution of both phosphorus and po- tassium from the mineral particles, some means must be provided for replacing from time to time the humus which is thus removed or the soil will soon show a lack of humus and a decreased produc- tiveness. Exactly this thing has happened over a great deal of Corn Groivers' Association. 165 Missouri^ and our lands are showing a decreased productiveness primarily because of the lack of humus and of nitrogen. The building up of the humus is, therefore, the first and most funda- mental principle that must be adopted in a constructive system of agriculture. A second general feature which characterizes practically all Missouri soils is a deficiency of phosphorus. This lack is an inherent one, due to the character of the rocks from which the soils were formed, and to the methods of soil formation, rather than our system of cropping. It is true that our constant grain growing has tended to intensify this lack, especially through the removal of the available portion, and it is, therefore, the deficiency in available phosphorus, rather than a lack in the total phosphorus supply, that is limiting our crop production. The fact that the best system of agriculture we can adopt still tends to a gradual loss of phosphorus through the bones of animals as they are sold will, doubtless, sooner or later, drive us to the returning of some phosphorus to our soil in a commercial form, and in many parts of the State this practice is already highly remunerative. The potassium is abundant in practically all Missouri soils excepting those of the Ozark upland, and it is simply necessary to practice the proper system of agriculture to make it available and to maintain it indefinitely. The feeding of crops, the main- tenance of a high humus content, good drainage and proper culti- vation will maintain the available potassium supply practically indefinitely except in some of the Ozark uplands mentioned and on certain of the more sandy soils of the State. The lime content is also sufficiently high for the present, in most cases, and thus far only rather limited areas — notably those of the flat prairie land of Southwest Missouri and some of tha Ozark uplands — seem to be in need of this element. Any intensive system of agriculture tends to a gradual removal of the lime con- tent of the soil, but most Missouri lands are sufficiently well supplied to obviate the necessity for its use for a considerable time to come. METHODS OF MAINTAINING FERTILITY — CROP ROTATION. The first essential to any rational constructive system of agri- culture is a more or less systematic crop rotation. The following table shows the results of seventeen years' cropping of the upland soil at the Missouri Experiment Station under different systems: 166 Missouri Agricultural Report. Rotation. Plot 1 Corn, 17 years Plot 2 Corn, wheat, clover, 17 years Plot 3 Corn, oats, clover, wheat, timothy, 17 years Plot 4 Corn, wheat, clover (manured) 17 years. . . . Yield in Bu. per acre 1905. 11.8 50.7 54.2 77.6 These plots lie side by side, the only difference being in the system of cropping, and, in the case of plot 4, to the addition of manure. The benefits of a rotation arise mainly from a better main- tenance of the humus supply, and not to a saving of plant food. As a matter of fact, a rotation of crops is usually more exhaustive of phosphorus and potassium, especially, than is straight grain farming, but the nitrogen that is added through the legume crops introduced, such as clover and cowpeas, tends to maintain the nitrogen supply somewhat, and the larger amount of humus main- tained tends to keep available larger amounts of plant food of all kinds. It should be remembered, however, that no crop rotation will maintain fertility indefinitely if the crops are continually removed. It is, however, the first method we usually adopt in the building up of our lands, and many farmers, seeing the imme- diate benefits that are derived, conclude that a "change of crops" is the only essential to a permanent productiveness. This is far from true, and there are thousands of farmers in the east who can testify most truthfully to this fact. A crop rotation is only the first essential to the maintenance of the fertility of our lands. THE USE OF LEGUMES. No rotation is complete unless it contains a legume crop, such as clover or cowpeas, once in three to six years, and the more often such crops occur the better, providing they are put to the proper use. The immediate effect of the legume is to set free available, soluble nitrogen as its roots decay in the soil, and thus supply to a considerable extent the crops which follow. Hence we get the great benefit of a clover crop preceding corn or a cow- pea crop preceding wheat. Analyses show, however, that the large portion of nitrogen in all legumes is in the tops, rather than in the roots, and that a certain share of the nitrogen even of legumes comes from the soil; hence the growing of legumes and the constant removal of the crop as hay does not tend to build up Corn Growers' Association. 167 soil permanently. The immediate benefit is due to the soluble form of the nitrogen left in the legume roots possibly to the better- ing of sanitary conditions of the soil, and to the fact that the amount of nitrogen is somewhat larger than in the roots of other crops, so that the effect is very perceptible on the crop following. The actual effect upon the soil, however, is to cause a more rapid removal of the phosphorus and potassium supplies due to the larger crop yields secured, and thus give a stimulative action, rather than a permanent building up of the soil's productiveness. THE FEEDING OF ANIMALS. The consideration of the effect of legume crops as well as of grain and grass constantly removed from the soil, suggests the next essential in a constructive system of agriculture, namely, the feeding of crops on the farm. No rational system of agri- culture according to our present knowledge omits the feeding of farm animals and the return of the manure to the land. When crops are thus fed, the resulting manure will contain approximate- ly 80 per cent, of the nitrogen, 75 per cent, of the phosphorus and 90 per cent, of the potassium existing in the feed, and if this manure is carefully returned to the land, either by the animals themselves as they run in the pasture or by the manure spreader when fed in lots or stables, the farmer is saving approximately four-fifths of this plant food which would be removed if the crops were sold. And in the case of legumes which secure from the air a large share of the nitrogen found in their tops, when these are fed back on the land there is an actual building up of the nitrogen content of the soil. It is not for me to enter into the economic results of a system whereby every good farmer is a stock feeder but I will venture the opinion that an over-production of meat is very unlikely with the increasing population. Be that as it may, the fact remains that the man who is to farm most constructively and intensively for the next twenty-five to fifty years must be a stock man. The time may come when science will change our methods in this respect, but for the present there is no way for the general farmer to build up land economically without the feed- ing of animals. In a word, all our roughage and all grains except- ing possibly wheat, and of course such small seeds as clover and grass seeds, should remain on the farm and either be fed, or as in the case of the coarsest material such as straw, they should be used for litter in stables and thus returned. 168 Missouri Agricultural Report. It has been the policy of too many of us to feed cattle or hogs when the live stock market was high and sell grain and hay when the cattle market was low, and according to the old point of view this was good business. With the constructive idea of soil handling we continue to feed regardless of the market, the price of stock affecting our farming operations only in the selection of the kind of stock to feed, whether we shall specialize on sheep, for instance, or on hogs, or on cattle. In other words, we must feed as a policy from which we never err, although markets and various other conditions will determine whether we shall handle one line of stock continually as a pure bred line, or whether we shall handle several lines, whether we shall finish animals or sell young stuff. All these things must be determined by conditions, and herein lies the opportunity for the farmer to succeed or fail depending on his business judgment and his ability; but the policy to keep his grain and roughage on the farm should be practically ironclad, after he has once become so established financially as to make this possible. THE SAVING OF MANURE. In order to maintain soil fertility most readily we must give more careful attention to the saving of farm manures. Too often where a system of feeding is practical the manure is allowed to lie around in the lot until a large share of its fertilizing constitu- ents have washed away and on hundreds of farms the manure piles are entirely ignored. The manure spreader is as necessary on a well regulated farm as is the binder or the mower. The old method of hand-scattering manure on the thin spots only must pass. Manure must be made to go farther and the policy should be to cover every acre uniformly once in the rotation. There are only two methods of doing this economically; one is to allow the animals themselves to scatter it by feeding directly on the land, a method that can be adopted with only partial success, and the other is by means of a manure spreader. There are three im- portant reasons, in my opinion, why we should adopt a manure spreader as a necessary implement on the modern farm; first, manure spread evenly and rather thin over a large area brings a greater return ton for ton than when spread irregularly and heavily; second, when a man owns a manure spreader he is much more careful about saving manure and putting it on the fields at the proper time; and third, the spreader saves labor. Most farm- ers consider the last reason very important. In my opinion it is the least important. Cor7i Groivers' Association. 169 Manure should be hauled directly to the fields as it is made where this is possible as in this way there is the least loss by fermentation and leaching. If it cannot be hauled every day it should be hauled every week or as often as possible. Where ani- mals are fed in stables a manure carrier that dumps directly into the manure spreader is the modern thing. Where cattle are fed in large sheds the manure may be allowed to accumulate and be hauled when most convenient in the year as there will be very little loss under such conditions. Manure kept tramped com- pactly and mixed with a fair amount of litter and liquid manure under cover will as a rule, lose a minimum amount of fertilizing materials. THE USE OF COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. The increasing use of commercial fertilizers in Missouri is a cause for alarm among those who are interested in the future of the State. The reason for this is found in the fact that as ferti- lizers are used it is for the effect upon the immediate crop with no thought of the future. Moreover, when they are found to pay, as they usually do on worn soils, there is a strong tendency for the farmer to continue their use year after year, to the neglect of his farm manures. It should be remembered that the chief function of fertilizers is to supply soluble plant food, and where a soil is lacking somewhat in one or more of the elements of fertility in soluble form, due to too much grain farming or other cause, the addition of such element or elements in the form of a fertilizer may bring large returns. Consequently the farmer becomes en- thusiastic in its use and continues the practice, depending far too largely upon the fertilizer for his crop. The final results of such a system is exactly the same as the growing of clover and remov- ing it from the land; — the soil is stimulated to larger production of crops following, the humus supply is neglected and burned out, and the fertilizer at once assumes the role of a soil stimulant rather than a soil builder, with final disaster to the farmer and to the land. In other words, fertilizers thus used may postpone for a time the failure of a soil to produce satisfactory returns, but only for a time. Such a use of fertilizers is perfectly legitimate for the man who is just paying for his land and must meet his obligations, but it must be clearly understood that this is a tem- porary expedient and one that cannot be continued if his land is to permanently maintain its productiveness. The proper use of commercial fertilizers, on the other hand, is a constructive one. 170 Missouri Agricultural Report. That is, the fertilizer is used as a soil builder rather than as a temporary ameliorant, and such a use is in connection with the best system of crop rotation, or legume growing, of animal feed- ing and of manure saving that a man can practice. When a man has done all that he can to maintain the nitrogen, the phosphorus and the potassium supplies of his soil by intelligent soil manage- ment and still finds that he is not quite maintaining the supply of any one or more of these plant foods, he can resort to the use of commercial plant food and be assured that he is practicing a con- structive system, one that will not only increase his profits but per- manently benefit his land. METHODS OF SOIL MANAGEMENT. - It is always of first importance to understand the reasons for doing things — the fundamental principles — but it is also of im- portance to know how to do. Unfortunately, in a business as com- plicated and as dependent upon seasons and upon soil differences as is our modern agriculture, only very general directions as to exactly how to manage our soils can be given. Nevertheless, from the results of the various soil experiments, we are coming into r. position where it will be possible to give very concise directions regarding the handling of this or that soil. In the first place, in building up the humus or nitrogen sup- plies of our worn lands, we are resorting to the growing of legumes — mainly cowpeas — and plowing them under. There is no more rapid method of building up humus. However, where a man must have some immediate returns from the land, the next best system is the pasturing of the crop, in which case approximately 85 per cent, of the nitrogen and a large share of the humus is returned in the manure and stalks of the plants. Such crops are as a rule grown both as a regular crop in the rotation, and also thrown in as catch crops wherever possible. Cowpeas sown in the corn at the last cultivation to be pastured off with hogs or sheep can be used with very great profit to the land. Sometimes cowpeas may be sown alone after a crop like wheat and pastured off, or they may also be planted with the corn in the hill or row and both corn and peas hogged down with excellent results. A practice we have found especially adapted to the building up of thin land is to sow to rye and pasture up until May, then plow and sow to cowpeas, pasture these, disk the land, harrow and again sow to rye. Two or three years of such pasturing will rapid- ly build up the humus and nitrogen. Wheat may be used instead Corn Growers' Association. 171 of rye in this case if desired and it makes even better hog pasture. Wheat and rye can also frequently be used to cover corn land in winter and spring and thus prevent washing, saving nitrogen and building up humus. A rotation which we have found of special value as a soil builder on many of the worn uplands of the State is as follows: Corn the first year with early cowpeas sown at the last plowing with a five-hoe drill, and pastured off with hogs and sheep. If the pasturing is done early, rye or wheat may be sown after the cowpeas are off and pastured until May, when the land is broken for a regular crop of cowpeas the second year. The peas are cut for hay to be fed back on the land or they may again be pastured and the land prepared for wheat with disk and drag harrow. The third year the land is in wheat, the fourth year in clover, while the fifth year it may either be returned to corn, or if timothy has been sown with the wheat it may stand the fifth year as a mixed hay or pasture. The value of this system, however, depends absolutely upon the returning of the crops to the land by pasturing or feed- ing, and since all legumes add nitrogen the more often they occur, providing they are fed back, the more rapidly will the land be built up in its nitrogen and humus supplies. In other words, if a liberal use is made of legumes, all crops fed on the farm and the manure scrupulously saved, the farmer is independent of the ferti- lizer dealer so far as his supply of nitrogen is concerned, while his humus supply will likewise be maintained. PHOSPHORUS IS PROFITABLE. Attention has already been called to the fact that the soils of Missouri are almost universally low in phosphorus and high in potassium. It has also been shown that in feeding crops only about 75 per cent, of the phosphorus is returned in the manure, while practically 95 per cent, of the potassium is thus brought back. Evidently, then with a proper system of feeding and manur- ing, the need for potassium, at least on all soils heavy in clay, will probably never be felt, but in the case of phosphorus, the very best system of animal farming that can be devised, unless it be one in which considerable amounts of feed are purchased from outside sources, allows of an appreciable loss of phosphorus each year through the bones of animals, or more rapidly through the sale of grain. Hence we are losing to an appreciable degree the very elements in which our soils are naturally deficient. The result will be that sooner or later we shall be driven to the purchase of some 172 Missouri Agyicultural Report. commercial forms of phosphorus to make up this loss. Indeed as our experiments plainly show our soils will already respond more quickly to the application of this element than to any other and on the average Missouri upland that system of farming which will ultimately prove most profitable will be one in which the phos- phorus supply is thus maintained. The form of phosphate to use will depend somewhat upon the system of farming, but in most cases some cheap phosphate, such as rock phosphate or basic slag applied with manure, will be most remunerative. The Tennessee rock phosphate can be secured in Missouri for about $10.00 per ton in car lots and where a man is feeding in a shed or stable the phosphate may either be scattered over the manure from time to time as it is made, or it may be scattered over the manure in the spreader as it is loaded, applying it at the rate of from 50 pounds to 100 pounds per ton of manure. Bone may be used but it is usu- ally better to apply this bone with a fertilizer drill directly to the soil shortly before or at the same time the crop is put in. I do not maintain that it is necessary to add phosphorus on any soil of the State to secure fair returns from it, if the proper system of rotation, legume growing and cattle feeding is adopted, but I do maintain that on all soils that are strikingly low in phos- phorus its use will in most cases pay immediate profits and that where the phosphorus unavoidably removed in the best system of agriculture is returned in some commercial form or in feeds purchased the productiveness of the land will be measureably in- creased. I am very well aware that many of the methods I have sug- gested will be considered not only impractical but unnecessary by many men who have all their lives been practicing other systems. I know many men, too, who having gone on land that was not in its highest state of fertility and who by simple rotation and only partial feeding have seen the land increased in productiveness until it is better today than it was fifteen or twenty years ago. Such men think they have solved the problem of maintaining soil fertility, and, so far as the span of their own lives is concerned, this is doubtless true; but should their boys continue this same system for another generation its shortcomings will become ap- parent, just as they have become apparent on thousands of farms in the east. And whatever may be our theories, or the observa- tions of a single lifetime, the history of the farms of the eastern states has shown- us that no system of agriculture is permanently profitable which does not maintain fully the humus supply as well Coi^n Growers' Association. 173 as the supplies of nitrogen, of phosphorus, of potassium and of lime in the soil. The exact system of rotation, of feeding, of farm management which will bring this result with the greatest net profit each man must work out for his own conditions. And as time goes on a man's success will depend more and more upon his ability to do this. Shall we not, therefore, train the rising genera- tion with the ideals of a constructive system of agriculture and in so doing make it possible for them to reap the fullest rewards from their labors and to thus insure the future prosperity of this great State? DISCUSSION. Q. I would like to ask Prof. Miller what he calls an average soil. A. The average soil of Missouri, all over the State, would con- tain around 3,000 pounds of nitrogen, 1,000 of phosphorus and 5,000 of potassium. In Barton county there are 445 pounds of phosphorus to the acre near Lamar ; and near Adrian, Bates county, there are 698 pounds. But the above is an average for the State. Q. How much phosphorus did you say to use on an acre of average Missouri soil? A. Sixty to seventy pounds of phosphate rock per ton of manure. Q. Would that be enough to supply the needs of a five-year rotation ? A. Yes, if you feed everything back except wheat. Q. Do you apply manure once in five years? A. Yes, once in a five-year rotation, and that before corn. Q. Do you have to buy rock phosphate in car loads? A. Yes, to get the price of $10. If you buy in small lots it will cost you in the neighborhood of $15 per ton, freight in- cluded. Q. Is one form of phosphate rock better than another? A. Yes, there is some variation. We have been buying from Tennessee. Q. After you have succeeded in getting a crop of cowpeas how do you treat the land to get the best results? A. Either "hog" them off or take off with sheep. Q. Would you advise burning stubble off of lands? A. No; it is never wise to burn off anything. It depends somewhat on the system you are figuring on. If you want a crop the next year it will sometimes pay; but if you are figuring on crops in the future it never pays. 174 Missouri Agricultural Report. Q. Suppose we fed more back on the soil than we raised — would we increase the fertility? A. Yes; if a man is able to do that, he builds up the fertility. One of the ways you can keep up the fertility is by buying feed, although it is tearing down the one man's farm to build up another. If you can adopt a system whereby you can make money by buy- ing feed it is all right. THE RELATION OF SOIL TO ALFALFA GROWING IN MISSOURL (By C. B. Hutchison, Assistant, Dept. of Agronomy, Missouri Agricultural College.) Alfalfa is one of the most important forage crops that the Missouri farmer is growing today. Its wide adaptability for feed- ing to all classes of farm animals, its high feeding value and its renovating effect upon the soil make it a very desirable crop to grow. In many sections farmers are realizing this and are sowing more of it every year. With the increased interest taken in it the char- acteristics and requirements of the plant are being better under- stood and it is now grown successfully in many sections where a few years ago it was thought impossible to grow it. Every year it is coming to occupy a more important place in systems of farm m.anagement in those sections of the State best adapted to its productiveness, and there is no doubt that it will soon be grown to a greater or less extent all over the State. Alfalfa can be made to grow on practically every soil type in the State but there are some on which it is not a very profitable crop. ALFALFA— EFFECTS OF CULTIVATION. Notice the crab grass on the uncultivated plot and the rank growth of clean alfalfa on the cultivated plot. Corn Grotvers' Association. 175 A few years ago the Experiment Station, co-operating with the farmers of Missouri, started a number of alfalfa experiments covering all of the soil types of the State with the idea of deter- mining the best methods of securing a stand on these different soils. The results of these experiments show that a distinct rela- tion exists between soil types and the successful growing of this crop, and it is the purpose of this paper to discuss this relation. ESSENTIALS ARE: DRAINAGE, RICH SOIL AND INOCULATION. There are perhaps three essentials to the successful growing of alfalfa — drainage, rich soil and inoculation. This crop needs a deep, loose, well drained soil. Alfalfa roots go deep into the soil and the plant gets moisture from below. For this reason it thrives so well on the semi-arid regions of the west. On wet lands where the underground water is near the surface the plants never do well and soon die. Alfalfa is not grown successfully on our flat prairie soils, which are poorly drained. These soils are underlaid with a stiff clay subsoil in which the water level fluctuates, often rising on the roots and drowning out the plants. Another requisite for the successful growing of alfalfa is rich soil. Especially is this true in starting the crop. It may be started on thin land deficient in humus and nitrogen but which contains a sufficient supply of mineral elements of plant food, but under such conditions it starts very slowly and will rarely pro- duce profitable crops. In practically all such cases, however, crab grass and foxtail will come in so thickly as to crowd out the alfalfa before it can develop a good root system and become supplied with nitrogen-gathering bacteria sufficient to make a thrifty growth. In Missouri, where the conditions are not so favorable for alfalfa as in the west, it is necessary for the plant to get a good start from the first, and hence a rich soil is necessary for its growth. Alfalfa is a heavy feeder on nitrogen and phosphorus — two ele- ments that are deficient in most Missouri soils. It is also a rather heavy feeder on potassium, but there is an abundant supply of this element in most of our soils, so nitrogen and phosphorus become the limiting elements. On the upland soils, then, an application of manure, and in some cases manure supplemented with bone meal, has been found necessary to secure a good stand. Manure fur- nishes the young plant with nitrates until it can become well established in the soil and supplied with its own nitrogen-gather- ing bacteria. On the better soils, however, where the plant food 176 Missouri Agricultural Report. has not been so depleted, a good stand of alfalfa may be secured without manuring or fertilization. The third and perhaps the most important factor controlling the growing of alfalfa is inoculation. By inoculation is meant putting into the soil the nitrogen-gathering bacteria that live in the rcots of the alfalfa plant and furnish a part of the plant food. Many soils on which alfalfa has never been grown do not contain these bacteria ar.d hence it is necessary to supply them before the plants will thrive well. Inoculation is essential on practically all upland soils in Missouri. Tiij most practical way for the farmer to inoculate his land is to scatter soil from an old alfalfa field over his ground before seeding. This may be applied at a rate of 300 pounds to 400 pounds per acre and should be harrowed in im- mediately since exposure to light kills the bacteria. The bacteria which soil contains multiply very rapidly and soon the new field is thoroughly inoculated. If it is not practical to secure soil from an old alfalfa field some taken from patches of sweet clover found growing along roadsides or railways may be used. The same bacteria that live on this plant live also on alfalfa. There is no need of fearing to infect the land with sweet clover as this plant is an annual and may be readily killed by mowing before the seed has matured. Artificial culture of these bacteria are now made which the farmer may secure, sprinkle over his seed and thus inoculate them in this manner. This method of inoculation is still in the experimental stage, however, and we have not found these cultures a success in every case, so that their use is to be lecommended only experimentally. Only about 25 per cent of our fields on which this culture was used have shown any benefits from inoculation while soil from old alfalfa fields has given results on 85 per cent of the fields inoculated in this manner. This may be due to the improper methods of handling, but the average farmer will secure better results by using the soil rather than treating the seed with this culture. LIME IS REQUIRED. Perhaps a 'fourth essential to the production of alfalfa is abundant lime in the soil. In many of the eastern states an ap- plication of lime is necessary to secure a good stand. However, most Missouri soils, except a few that are poorly drained, have an abundant supply of lime and our experiments show that only in a few cases is lime necessary. It is sometimes beneficial for correct- Corn Groivers' Association. Ill iiig the acidity of the soil but only in this way. Lime is not a con- trolling factor in alfalfa growing in Missouri as in some states. These experiments have shown that some soils of Missouri are much better adapted to growing alfalfa than others. In somd sections it is a profitable crop to grow without an application of manure or fertilization. In others an application of manure and bone meal have been found beneficial while in still others manure is essential to its successful production. This is due to the fact that some soils are naturally much more fertile than others and some that were once fertile have been run down by continuous crop- ping for a number of years. ALFALFA SOILS. Alfalfa is best adapted to a deep, loose, fertile and well drained soil. Probably the best soil in the State for alfalfa is the land which has from 12 to 15 inches of rich black sandy loam, preferable bottom soil, underlain with a layer of sand. Such soils occur along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers and it is on this soil that alfalfa reaches its highest development in Missouri. This land produces in favorable seasons from four to five cuttings, averaging from 1 to IV2 tons per acre to the cutting. A good stand is readily obtained in these sections with no soil treatment other than good preparation of the seed bed. The next best alfalfa soils in Missouri are the heavier bottom soils along the creeks and rivers within the State. These soils, v/hile fertile, are hardly so well drained as those underlain with • sand, hence hardly so well adapted to alfalfa. However, where well drained, alfalfa is grown on these soils without manuring or fertilization. The loess soil which comprises the river hills along the Mis- souri and Mississippi rivers is also well adapted to alfalfa. This soil is fertile, deep and well drained and usually contains a suf- ficient amount of nitrogen to produce good crops without the use of manure. This is the best upland soil in the State for alfalfa, and experiments in Andrew, Holt and Saline counties indicate that in most instances manure is not needed. The loess soil, how- ever, does not generally contain the nitrogen-gathering bacteria and responds readily to inoculation. The next best alfalfa soil in Missouri comprises the prairies of the northwest part of the State. Our experiments indicate that most of the soils respond to an application of manure, which, A— 12 178 Missouri Agricultural Rejoort. though not always necessary to secure a good stand, gives sufficient increase to make its use profitable. The humus and nitrogen content of these soils is somewhat lower than the bottom lands and hence manure will often give good results. The Northeast Missouri prairie soils do not generally grow alfalfa as well as those of the northwestern part of the State. Here the nitrogen content has been run so low by continued crop- ping that there is not a sufficient amount of nitrates present to start the young plants off well, hence an application of manure is necessary in most places in this part of the State to secure a good stand. The alfalfa on the untreated plots of our experiments on these soils seldom succeeds in becoming established and soon dies. An equally important factor, however, in this part of the State is drainage, many sections being too flat and poorly drained for alfalfa. The poorest alfalfa soils in the State are found in South Mis- souri. The ridge lands of this section are the poorest of all our soils and hence are the least adapted to the growing of alfalfa. With the liberal use of manure and inoculation it can be success- fully grown in many places, even on the slopes of the Ozarks. But generally speaking it cannot be said to be a profitable crop for this section. However, one field sown on a southern slope in Phelps county which has been standing for four years produced three cuttings last year averaging a ton per acre to the cutting. The Missouri farmer is learning to grow alfalfa quite success- fully. With a better understanding of the requirements of the plant it is only a question of time until it will be grown in prac- tically all parts of the State. In North Missouri it will be grown on practically all well drained soils while in Southern Missouri its successful cultivation will doubtless be somewhat more restricted. Tt is generally true that the longer alfalfa is raised on any farm the more readily it grows and the easier it becomes for the farmer to get a stand. This is due largely to the fact that he learns better how to seed and handle the crop, and the land becomes more thoroughly inoculated and better adapted for growing alfalfa. DISCUSSION. - Q. Have you had any reports on the soil testing work on the Vandalia prairie? A. Yes, we had some experiments on that soil, and have not as yet found alfalfa to be grown there very successfully. One experiment there has shown that lime is especially beneficial to Corn Growers' Association. 179 that soil. Much of that Vandalia prairie soil is acid and we need first to apply lime to correct the acidity before we can grow al- falfa. The matter of drainage is another important point that will have to be worked out there before alfalfa can be successfully grown. Q. About how much lime should be applied per acre? A. About two thousand pounds of ground limestone per acre. Q. How can you thicken a stand of alfalfa? A. It may be thickened by cultivation, but it is rarely if ever profitable to try to thicken alfalfa by sowing more seed. !fou had better plow it up and sow again, and the second time /ou sow it on that soil you will usually get a much better stand than the first time, because the land seems to become better adapted to the crop, more thoroughly inoculated. Q. Is it possible to inoculate ground by seeding alfalfa on it, and placing manure on it which is from alfalfa- fed animals? A. Yes, in a way. In curing alfalfa there is more or less of the bacteria from the soil get on it; and when exposed to the light so much so many of the bacteria are killed that I should say that there is very little inoculation in that manure. Q. How can you tell when the bacteria are there? A. They produce small nodules on the lateral roots that go through the soil nearest the surface. They are never found on the tap roots. Q. In inoculating this soil, you speak of sowing it on the soil and harrowing it in ; would it not be better to sow with a drill ? A. That would do just as well. If you will dry it out thor- oughly, you will get it fine enough to run through the drill. Dry- ing will not kill the bacteria, but the light will, and if you scatter it on your soil broadcast and let it lie for more than one-half hour, if the sun is shining it will kill bacteria. Q. Is there any difficultly in growing alfalfa on tile-drained land? A. No, I think not. Q. What plan would you suggest to kill crab-grass in al- falfa? A. We have found that the best way is to go in with a disk or a common spring-tooth harrow, and cultivate after each cutting. That gets rid of the crab-grass, and at the same time it loosens up the soil and conserves the moisture and brings the next crop of alfalfa on in better condition. 180 Missouri Agricultural Report. Q. Do you find any difference between the usefulness of the spring-tooth harrow and the disk for this purpose? A. Not a great deal. If there is any difference it may be in favor of the spring-tooth harrow. There is a regular alfalfa disk put on the market now which consists of a spiked disk, and this machine is used quite extensively in the west; but here in Missouri it would hardly be profitable for farmers to buy a ma- chine especially for alfalfa, when the work can be done just as well with your disk. Q. Don't the disk cut the joints off of the alfalfa? A. You should disk after each cutting. The disk will spade up the ground, but that is just what you want — it thickens the stand, and that is one of the benefits of cultivation. You do not want to turn the disk as many times as you would on other land that you wanted to cultivate thoroughly; do not set the disk straight, because then it won't get into the soil. Q. Is it a wise thing to put the disk on before you get a stand ? A. Well, you get the first stand so early in the season, that the ground is not in a condition for the disk. A few years ago, at the experiment station here, we were ready to cut the first stand by the last of April. Q. Is it necessary to apply manure only at the start? A. In the first place, it is necessary to have a good seed-bed, and the manure is perhaps of not any more importance than the inoculation. You must have both to get a good stand especially on our average upland. If you have a good, sandy loam bottom soil, you will not find either of these necessary. Q. Do you top-dress every year with manure? A. No, we do not find it profitable to let alfalfa stand more than four or five years. If you want to apply manure, put it on before you plow. Plow deep and turn it under, and work down well so as to get a good seed-bed. I might give you Mr. Wing's rotation : It is corn and alfalfa. After alfalfa has been standing for four years, he plows it up and puts in corn the first year, then the second year he gives a good coating of manure, puts it back in corn, and sows alfalfa in the spring, and cuts a good crop that year. Q. Do you advise spring or fall sowing in Missouri? A. We have found fall sowing best adapted to Missouri con- ditions — about the first of September. It may be that when we get our plains here so well adapted to alfalfa growing, so thor- Corn Growers' Association. 181 oughly inoculated as Mr. Wing has his, we will find spring sowing profitable, but until that time we will get better results by sowing in the fall. Q, What brand of alfalfa is best for Missouri? A. That grown nearest home — in Kansas or Nebraska. While the varieties grown farther west are hardier, and can with- stand the heat of summer and the cold of winter better, it has been found that in the west and central parts of the State that our home-grown seed is the best. Q. What would be the effect on the soil if kept long in alfalfa? A. It would be depleted. Alfalfa is a very heavy feeder, and its continued use, as in the case of clover, would deplete the soil particularly in potash and phosphorus. Q. Do cattle bloat by pasturing on alfalfa? A. Yes, it is a hard matter to pasture alfalfa successfully. CORN VARIETY TESTS. (By H. D. Hughes, Assistant Professor of Agronomy, Missouri Agricultural College.) For years men have recognized the distinct varieties of farm crops and the distinct breeds in the animal world. The sheep man has recognized a distinct diff'erence between the Merino and the Shropshire; the horse breeder has recognized the fact that a Clydesdale is distinctly different from the Percheron, and each is bred for a different purpose. We have certain breeds of cattle which produce milk very much more abundantly than certain other breeds; and again, one breed of dairy cattle produces cream in much larger quantities than another. And we have probably recog- nized these differences in our live stock more than in our farm crops. The study of breeds is an old study — probably 5,000 years old, at least; while for certain well known reasons, a study of corn is practically new, and, therefore, we have given it so little atten- tion that many of us have not realized that there were as great and distinct differences between our varieties of corn as between the different breeds of farm animals. That this difference is even more distinctly and closely defined than with our farm animals can, I believe, easily be shown. In looking over the reports of the experiment stations of 32 of our states wherein over 200 varieties were reported, I find no one 182 Missouri Agricultural Report. Figure 1. Good ears of Reid's Yellow Dent, a particularly good variety of yellow corn for North Missouri. Figure 2. Ears of Boone County White, the variety of white corn preferred by over twice as many co-operators as any other variety. variety named and recommended by more than nine, and most of them by a far less number. The Leaming corn, which is proba- bly our oldest variety, was named by 9 different states; Boone County White by 4; Champion White Pearl by 4, and Reid's Yellow Dent by 3, No other of the 200 different varieties was recommended by more than 2, and most of them by only one. Thus, it would seem, this example shows more or less specifically that the adaptability of each variety of corn is quite limited. One variety develops best and produces the largest yield of marketable corn under one condition, while an- other variety will be found best under another. There are many ways in which yields can be decidedly in- creased ; one of these, of course, would be by the use of commer- cial fertilizers; another by a more thorough preparation of the seed bed, or by more attention to the conservation of moisture Corn Growers' Associatioyi. 183 and more thorough cultivation. An increase secured in any of these ways, however, is at a considerable expense, so that the profit is limited. On the other hand, an increased yield secured from a selection of a better variety is clear gain after the seed has been secured ; and the increase in yield as great, and often much greater, than by any of these other methods — in some cases one variety yielding over twice as many bushels per acre as another. Within the last year the question has been coming with ever- increasing frequency, "What is the best variety of corn for me to grow on my farm?" Sometimes this question comes from a farmer living on the rich flat bottoms in Southeast Missouri ; again, it comes from a farmer on the lighter, colder upland soils of North- west Missouri ; and, again, from the Ozarks, or from the central west. The question which must be decided is whether or not these men will all be given the same answer. The purpose of co-operative corn testing has been to answer these questions and, if possible, to answer them rightly. Missouri is a large state, made up of many distinct and differ- ing types of soil, and with a wide range of climatic conditions, so that results secured from a variety test in one part of the State might not be at all representative of other parts. While practi- cally all of the different varieties which gave any promise of use- fulness in the State have been tested at the Experiment Station at Columbia, yet one can not know from these tests that the varie- ties which produce the highest yields here will give highest yields under other conditions. The plan has been to test these varieties which give the greatest promises of value, on all of the soil types of the State; in every part of the State ; in every county in the State. How well this has been accomplished is shown by the accompanying map. Here it is seen that practically every county in the State has in it one or more men testing, in co-operation with the Agricultural College, these different varieties. These men are testing the different varie- ties of corn on their own soils ; on their own farms, so that at the end of the season they may know just what variety will give the largest yield of most marketable corn on their farms. It would seem that a test of this sort would be of practical value to every farmer and to every community. The Department of Agronomy furnished each co-operator with enough seed of the 12 different varieties to plant one-fourth acre each. These were planted side by side, great care being taken that they be placed on soil of equal fertility, the different varieties usually being planted in a few 184 Missouri Agricultural Report. long rows, as this generally gave more uniform soil conditions than shorter blocks. The intention has been to have these varie- ties planted on soil of only medium fertility, in order that the results would better represent a larger number of farms. As the season advanced each co-operator made careful observations and careful notes on the character of the stalk, leafiness, height, num- ber of days to mature, etc., and when the corn was mature each variety was husked separately and weighed carefully, in order that we should have exact information as to the yielding power of the different varieties. After each co-operator had done this, he was asked to name, in order, which, in his judgment, were the three best varieties. These answers are here tabulated, and you will note the results. You will observe that the Boone County White was preferred by at least twice as many men as was any other one variety; and the Reid's Yellow Dent came second in total preferred values ; though a comparison of this chart with the yields secured by the co-operators shows that these two varieties were by no means the highest yielding varieties for the entire State. This, it seems to me, means that there must be considered, beside the total yield of ear corn, the quality of the corn, the size of the ears, and the hardness and roughness of the kernels. All these must be given due consideration. TABLE SHOWING THE NUMBER OF CO-OPERATORS PREFERRING THE DIFFERENT VARIETIES. Variety. First Second Third choice. choice. choice. 24 7 6 10 10 9 4 11 4 7 6 4 4 7 4 3 4 7 1 3 9 1 5 5 2 2 6 2 3 3 2 3 3 1 2 2 2 1 1 Total preferred Boone County White . . Reid's Yellow Dent St. Charles Yellow . . . . Commercial White . . . . Leaming St. Charles White Johnson County White. Hildreth's Yellow Dent Illinois Silver Mine . . . . Iowa Silver Mine Hogue's Yellow Dent. . Legal Tender Gartner His own variety 1530* 980 610 610 490 410 320 300 280 250 250 150 120 20 *In figuring this column the value 50 is given for first choice, 30 for second, and 20 for third. In comparing yields of various varieties for the whole State we find a range of from 38 to 47 bushels. While one might expect a greater difference than this, yet when he considers that these Corn Groivers' Association. 185 yields represent all these varieties on all the different soil types of the State he must readily see that even this difference is quite re- markable. For while one variety will give the best results under one condition, under other conditions another may stand at the head of the list. In view of this the chart shows very clearly that there are a few varieties which, considering all conditions, give the largest yields of ear corn. Such varieties have a wider range of adaptability than others, also in the list, which give particularly good yields under certain conditions, but under another set of conditions produce a very unsatisfactory yield. Noting the aver- age yield of the entire State, we find that Commercial White heads the list with 47.4 bushels per acre, this being 2 bushels more than any other variety and 9 bushels more than some of those tested. The Boone County White gives the second largest yield with 45.4 bushels per acre, while Reid's Yellow Dent, St. Charles White, St. Charles Yellow and Johnson County White come next in order, very close together. While this data is valuable, it does not defi- ♦AVERAGE YIELD OF ALL VARIETIES FOR THE STATE. YEAR 1908. Commercial White 47.4 Boone County White 45.4 Reid's Yellow Dent 44 . 6 St. Charles Wliite 44.6 St. Charles Yellow 44 . 4 Johnson County White 43 . 5 Hildreth's Yellow Dent 4.3 . 2 Learning 42.9 Legal Tender 42.9 Farmer's Own Variety 41.7 Hogue's Yellow Dent 40. 5 Gartner 39.1 Iowa Silver Mine 38. t Illinois Silver Mine 38 *This table includes more reports than those given in the table as presented Farmers' Week. ♦VARIETIES ARRANGED IN ORDER OF YIELD FOR NORTH MISSOURI FOR THE YEAR OF 1909. Variety. Commercial White Reid's Yellow Dent. . . . Boone County White. . . St. Charles White St. Charles Yellow Legal Tender Johnson County White. Leaming Hildreth's Yellow Dent Farmer's Variety Hogue's Yellow Dent.. Iowa Silver Mine Gartner Illinois Silver Mine ... No. of days to mature. 136| 120| 127f 128 128 122 128 122 136 133 121 120 129 121 Quality of corn in per cent. 74 81 78 72 73 75 77 82 64 78 74 75 71 75 Yield of ear corn per acre, bushel. 47.03 46.0 45.86 45.72 45.5 44 . 98 44.37 43.83 43.58 42.31 42. 2e 39.56 39.42 39.26 *This table includes more reports than those given in table as presented Farmers' Week. 186 Missouri Agricultural Report. ♦VARIETIES ARRANGED IN ORDER OF YIELD FOR SOUTH MISSOURI FOR THE YEAR OF 1909. Varieties. No. of days to mature. Quality of corn in per cent. Yield of ear corn per acre, bushel. Commercial White. . . . Boone County White. . Ilildreth's Yellow Dent St. Charles White Johnson County White St. Charles Yellow. . . . Learning Reid's Yellow Dent. . . Farmer's Variety Cartner Silver Mine (Iowa) .... Legal Tender Hogue's Yellow Dent.. Illinois Silver Mine 1.32 121 132 126 126 125 120 118 135 123 118 123 121 116 77.5 82.3 71.2 75.8 75.2 81.6 75.9 71.1 88.5 69.4 71.7 69.2 67.5 68.3 48.6 44.2 42.5 42.1 41.5 41.4 40.5 38.8 38. 38. 37. 36. 36.2 34.7 *This table includes more reports than those given in table as presented Farmers' Week. riitely answer the question as to w^hich is the best variety for the man in South Missouri and the one in North Missouri, each of whom encounters different soil and climatic conditions. In order to come a little nearer to solving the problem we have divided the State into 2 sections which, for convenience, we shall call North Missouri and South Missouri; the dividing line lying south of Bates, Henry, Pettis and Cooper counties to the river, then following it to the eastern boundary of the State. The con- ditions in North Missouri will be very much more similar and uni- form than for the whole State, and the same, of course, is equally true for South Missouri. A comparison of yields of the various varieties in South Mis- souri with those in North Missouri discloses some very striking- differences, and also, some striking similarities. First, it will be seen that Commercial White stands at the head of the list, both in North and South Missouri ; the yield in North Missouri being 47.03 bushels and in South Missouri 48.06. This again indicates that this variety has a very wide range of adapta- bility, and is a very useful and valuable one for the State. But now, to note the second highest yielding variety in North Missouri, we find it to be Reid's Yellow Dent, with a yield of 46.8 bushels ; though in South Missouri we find Reid's Yellow Dent eighth in order of yield, with only 38.8 bushels. We, therefore, conclude that Reid's Yellow Dent is particularly well adapted to the rolling prairies of North Missouri, while in South Missouri, averaging all Corn Growers' Association. 187 conditions, it is not so well suited, and its range of usefulness throughout the State is, no doubt, more or less limited. However, we have in South Missouri a yellow variety which, perhaps, may supplant Reid's Yellow Dent for those who want a yellow corn. I refer to Hildreth's Yellow Dent, which gave the third largest yield in South Missouri, while in North Missouri it ranks ninth in order of yield. Probably that variety of corn most widely known in the State and of all improved varieties most widely grown is the Boone County White. In South Missouri it stands second in order of yield, coming next to Commercial White, and in North Missouri it is third, the Reid's Yellow Dent outyielding it a little for this year. For the past season the St. Charles White seems about equally well adapted to both North and South Missouri, which is also true of Johnson County White and Leaming. Now, while these results are well worth the careful considera- tion of. every man producing corn, yet we should not give too much emphasis to this one year's results. This data clearly shows that the different varieties are best adapted to certain well defined con- ditions, and that with the conditions met with the past season cer- tain varieties very much outyielded certain other varieties. Though it is entirely possible that if these same varieties were tested next year (as we expect they will be) the order ot yield for some of the varieties may be very materially changed. In fact, former experience has shown us that under different seasonal conditions we may expect considerable varia- tion. And most of the men who are carrying on this co-operative work no doubt recognize this fact, for some of them have made this co-operative test for three or four years, and consequently know pretty thoroughly which variety in a series of years will give them the highest yield, and will, therefore, be the most profitable for them to grow. We must no longer be satisfied with just growing corn — white corn or yellow corn. We can not afford it. It has been demon- strated that some varieties very much outyield others, and that the cost of producing these high yielding varieties is no greater than that of less desirable ones. We can safely conclude from this work that Boone County White, Commercial White and St. Charles White, for seasons like the last one, are of the highest yielding sorts. That Reid's Yellow Dent is a yellow variety particularly adapted to North Missouri, v/hile St. Charles Yellow and Hildreth's Yellow Dent are better for South Missouri conditions. 188 Missouri Agricultural Report. SUMMARY FOR THE YEARS 1906, 1907 AND 1908. It has already been said that one must not place too much emphasis on one year's results. They represent a comparative test of a number of varieties under an existing set of seasonal condi- tions. With other seasonal conditions we might expect to find other varieties with different adaptabilities doing best and giving the largest yields. This has been true in some cases in this co- operative work in the variety tests of corn. For this reason we here add a summary of the variety tests for the years 1906, 1907 and 1908. In comparing the yields of the various varieties for the past three years we find, in general, the same varieties giving the larg- est yields and the same ones giving the smaller yields as in the test for the year 1908 alone. There are some marked exceptions to this, however. In noting the place in which Reid's Yellow Dent stands, in the average for the whole of the three years, we find it to be below Learning, St. Charles White and Legal Tender, while for 1908 alone it stood third in yield. This is, of course, a very great difference and shows that while the Reid's Yellow Dent v^^as well adapted to North Missouri under the conditions existing the last year, in a number of years so high a yield could not be expected. While this variety seems not to be particularly high yielding in an average number of years, yet we note, in the table giving the number of men preferring the different varieties, that it stands next to the top, showing that it has very good character- istics, which makes it desirable, perhaps, aside from yield; the actual yield of bushels per acre, however, is of course the mosl. important factor. One other variety which is worthy of note is th^ Legal Tender, which in the average for the past three years stands fourth in order, while in 1908 it stood ninth. Comparing the yields of North Missouri for the past three years with that of the last season we find Commercial White, Boone County White and St, Charles White at the head of the list in both cases. St. Charles Yellow, which gave very satisfactory yields in the year 1908, it will be observed gave very unsatisfactory yields averaging the three years. This is probably the greatest difference to be noted in North Missouri. In South Missouri again we find Commercial White and Boone County White at the head of the list in both cases ; also Hildreth's Yellow Dent stands up well for the average of the last three years as well as the past season. One very marked excep- Corn Groivers' Association. 183 tion in South Missouri is the Gartner variety. For the past sea- son it will be noted that it was tenth in yield while averaging the last three years it stands fourth in order of yield in South Mis- souri. In comparing the tests for the years 1906, 1907 and 1908 with the past season we can not but be impressed with the fact that each variety is particularly adapted to a certain set of conditions and the variety which does best one season may not do as well as some other variety with other seasonal conditions another year. The Reid's Yellow Dent the past season compared with the aver- age of three years, also the Gartner brings this point out very strongly. After this has been said, however, one should again consider the fact that taking the yield of all of the different years together there are two or three varieties which have been shown to be very high yielding ones under all conditions whether in North Missouri or South Missouri or with varying seasonal conditions. These varieties would, of course, be the Gommercial White, Boone Gounty White and St. Gharles White. Most of the other varieties seem to be influenced more or less largely by seasonal conditions, climatic and soil differences. AVERAGE YIELD IN BUSHELS PER ACRE FOR THE STATE FOR THE YEARS 1906, 1907 AND 1908. Variety. 1906. 1907. 1908. Av. yield. Commercial White . . . . Boone County Wliite . . Hildreth's Yellow Dent Legal Tender St. Charles White Leamiug Reid's Yellow Dent . . . Hogue's Yellow Dent. . Johnson County White. Gartner St. Charles Yellow Iowa Silver Mine *49.9 49.2 *47.39 47.6 45.9 45.1 43 44 39 *43. 36 43,6 56.6 55.88 53.8 49.68 48 27 50.2 50.7 48 . 96 50.6 49 . 56 49.39 45.0 47.4 45.4 43.2 42.9 44.6 42.9 44.0 40.5 43.5 39.1 44.4 38.9 61.3 50.16 48.13 46.72 46.28 46.0 45.9 44.72 44.6 44.1 43.33 42.5 ♦Yields calculated from 1907 190 Missouri Agricultural Report. AVERAGE YIELDS IN BUSHELS PER ACRE FOR NORTH MISSOURI FOR THE YEARS 1906, 1907 AND 1908. Variety. 1906. 1907. 1908. Av. yield. Commercial Wiiite *51.5 51.5 52.2 49.7 50.1 46.2 45.0 *46.2 46.0 39.9 44.5 42.5 64.6 65.6 61.7 59.0 59.0 59.6 59.1 57.9 58.2 58.0 55.8 49.6 47.03 45.8 45.7 44.98 43.8 46.0 44.3 43.5 42.26 45.5 39.42 39.56 54 37 Boone County AVliite 54 32 St. Cliarles White 53 2 Leaal Tender 51 22 Learning 50.97 Reid's Yellow Dent 50.6 Jolin.son County Wliite 49.49 Hildreth's Yellow Dent 49.22 Hosue's Yellow Dent 48 88 St. Charles Yellow 47.8 Cartner 46.5 Iowa Silver Mine 43,88 *Yield.s calculated from 1907. AVERAGE YIELDS IN BUSHELS PER ACRE FOR SOUTH MISSOURI FOR THE YEARS 1906, 1907 AND 1908. Variety. 1996. 1907. 1908. Av. yield Commercial White 39.5 46.5 42.9 45.1 44.5 37.5 42.5 42.1 39.7 40.8 37.7 33 . 88 48.6 44.2 42.5 38.6 40.5 42.1 41.5 38.8 36.3 41.4 36.2 37.3 44 . 03 Boone County White Hildreth's Yellow Dent 40.3 43.6 42.7 Cartner 41.8 Leaming St. Charles White 39.6 44.5 39.6 36.1 40.0 33.4 37.2 41.5 41.36 Johnson County White 41.20 Reid's Yellow Dent 39.0 Legal Tender 38.6 St. Charles i'ellow 38.5 Hogue's Yellow Dent 37.0 Iowa Silver Mine 35.59 WHAT ARE WE TO DO WITH OUR SOILS? (By Hon. Milton Whitney, Chief Bureau of Soils, United States Department of Agriculture.) I have heard with interest w^hat the State of Missouri is doing in the direction of soil investigations and surveys. The soil, w^ith v^ater, is the one great inexhaustible asset of the nation. If the forests are not kept up, if the coal and iron are exhausted, w^e have the soil to depend on to furnish food, clothing, heat and habitation for the nation. It is the greatest of all our resources, and, for- tunately, it seems to be inexhaustible. At the recent Conference of Governors at the White House to consider the state of our natural resources, the question of the Corn Growers' Association. 1^1 deterioration of the soil was discussed. It will not be possible for me, in the limited time at my disposal, to follow out all the lines of thought that were presented as a result of the discussion at the Conference and subsequently by the commission that was ap- pointed by the President. I think, however, that you will be interested in the main re- sults of such investigations; that is, that throughout all history, so far as records go, the soils of the world have never yielded larger crops than they are yielding now. We find through research in the historic works of foreign countries that in Germany, so far as statistics taken from the old family records of the baronial estates can be relied upon, the yields three hundred years ago were about one-third as large as the yields today. Taking the records of the countries of the world who have by agreement adopted the same general methods of statistical research, we find that the records for the past thirty or forty years (which have been accurately obtained and recorded) show that the yields of the crops of Europe, on soils that have been cultivated for at least a thousand years — that the yields during the past fifteen, twenty, thirty, forty years have increased more rapidly than they have on the newer soils of the United States. ARE OUR SOILS V^EARING OUT. There is a general impression that the soils of the United States, or particular portions of the United States, are wearing out, that they are becoming exhausted, that we are having now abandoned farms. One of the results of the investigations into this important question — for it is a question of the utmost importance to the nation, the question as to whether the soils are wearing out and how long they can be expected to last with an increasing popu- lation — is that we find that so far as statistics can be relied upon our crop yields are increasing, that on the average our farms are better tilled, we are paying more attention to seed selection, to crop adap- tation, and to fertilization, with the result that we are getting more from our soils than we were forty years ago. Forty years! Our records have been kept for forty years — that is almost as long as the life of a large part of the people of the United States. Many of you here can doubtless remember the settlement of this part of the country. Many of you will remember when the prairies were considered useless for agricultural purposes — they are now producing magnificent yields of corn. But the impression has gone out that our virgin soils are declining in fertility. The 192 Missouri Agricultural Report. fact of the matter is that on the soils of Europe, which have been occupied for agricultural purposes for a thousand years — yes, for two thousand, and for three thousand years, within historic times and with historic data — that the soils of Europe are producing more than the virgin soils of the United States. Now, we went further than this in the investigation of this question of the permanency of soil fertility. We asked ourselves this reasonable question : If, on the soils of Europe which have been occupied for agricultural purposes for a thousand years, which are yielding more annually per acre than the soils of the United States — if there was a question of an ultimate deterioration and loss of plant food through finite times, the history of the chemistry of the soils of Europe should show the fact to us now so that we could prepare for our future state. WE ARE PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR SOIL MAINTENANCE. We have collected and collated the results of all the soil analy- ses that have been made so far as they are published in the litera- ture of the world; we have examined particularly the results of the analyses that have been made in the past eighteen years since modern methods of analysis were introduced. We find that there is no significant diff'erence between the chemical composition of the soils of Europe today and the chemical composition of the soils of this new country that we call the United States. There are variations in the composition of our soils, there are variations in the composition of the soils of Europe, but the variation is as great in the one case as in the other; the minimum is as low in the one case as in the other and the maximum with any of tho plant food elements is as high in Europe as it is in the newer soils of our own country. What does this mean? It means that we are, each of us, personally responsible for the cultivation and the maintenance of fertility of our own farms. We cannot pit back and shrug our shoulders, as we are inclined to do, and look at the old fields grown up in weeds, and evidently deteriorating, and blame an "unwise Providence." We cannot say, as we have been too prone to say, that the trouble is that the soil has been robbed by our predecessors. We can just as well agree now to face the situation and understand that the fertility of the soil is as permanent and as free to all who own the land as the atmos- phere is to all who breathe air. While we can defile the air with our manufacturing plants, while we can impede the ventilation of our rooms and suffer diseases or impairment of our powers by Corn Groivers' Association. 193 lack of sanitary conditions, so we can abuse our soils and make them run down and fail to produce as they should through lack of attention, through lack of knowledge, through lack of appre- ciation or through lack of energy, and we have ourselves to blame, either through our ignorance or through our incapacity, when we talk of abandoned soils and impoverished land. It would be a matter of the utmost interest to me if I had the time to tell you of some of the advances that we are making in the investigations of soils. Up to within twenty-five or thirty years ago, I think, we knew a great deal more about the composi- tion of the sun than we did about the composition of the soil of our own earth. We certainly knew more about the laws of the heavenly bodies than we did about the laws of agriculture, and it is not surprising, for all human knowledge has begun by a study of the far-off, the vague. It comes in in recent years with more ma- ture thought, with more intelligent action, and we now look at things close by; and one of the latest subjects attacked by science is the soil upon which we walk, and still further back than that is a subject of equal importance that we know still less about than we do of the soil, that is common to us all, and that is ivater. COLOR IN SOIL. We know almost nothing about the properties of water, and that is a subject which is going to be attacked by scientific methods now before long, as the soil has been attacked within recent years. It is one of the most fascinating subjects of today; of course, it is of great interest to me, as I have pushed myself along in it, and I find that whenever I get a chance to talk about the subject of the soil, the advances that have been made, the knowledge that we have acquired always appeals to anyone who is at all interested in agriculture; but time will not permit the discussion of it this morning, except just briefly to bring up the important points of the soil survey. One of the things that science is attacking is that the color of the soil is to some extent indicative of its fer- tility and crop adaptation. It is a very simple thing. We see here a red soil and a red subsoil, and next to it a black soil and a black subsoil, and in another field a yellow soil and in another a white soil. We know that they are different, that they are adapted to different crops. We know that if we put the same crop on each of these soils that the plants will function differently; they will grow better on some of them than they will on the others. Now, A— 13 194 Missouri Agricultural Report. has the color anything to do with this? The color is probably indicative of a subtle difference— a chemical or biological differ- ence — what you will; but that difference which is indicated by the color shows you the best crops and the best treatment to give your soil as compared with another soil. Now, science is trying to determine, if possible, what it is in this red soil, what it is in that black soil, apart from the plant food, that makes the plant's activities grow, the something that builds up the system, makes it want to grow and live as we do when we are feeling in first class condition and our digestion is all right. CHEMISTRY OF THE SOIL. The chemistry of the soil, as we are working it out today, is not the chemistry of the mineral matters, as Liebig told us. His work was all right so far as it went, but it stopped just short of this: That there is a chemistry of the minerals, and there is a chemistry of the organic properties of the soil; and we are find- ing now that the chemistry of the soil is running parallel to the chemistry of our human bodies. The soil chemist and the biologi- cal chemist for the study of the causes of diseases, are running right together in a parallel line. We are finding the same prop- erty in the soil that they are finding in the animals which causes fatigue or exhaustion, and, if carried too far, the death of the organism. We are finding in soils substances that produce sickly or weak plants, that produce plants that are easily subject to dis- ease, just as we find, as a cause of our own ill condition, sub- stances that are injurious to the proper functioning of the body. The subject is of immense importance. As a result of this investigation, we are beginning to learn the reasons for the special adaptation of soils to particular crops. We are beginning to understand for the first time, as we never would have understood if we had persisted in the lines of soil mineral chemistry, why it is that the pippin will grow better on one kind of soil, that the Winesap is best adapted to another soil, that the varieties of tobacco are grown on their separate and dis- tinct soils; we are beginning to understand now the fact that we have realized, in practice, that our different varieties of grapes, whether for wine or for table use or for grape juice, etc., are adapted to different soils, that they do their best and develop as we want them to on different kinds of soils. These matters we are beginning to understand, and they are forcing us to realize that Corn Growers' Association. 195 the first and most important subject of the soil survey is to de- termine the particular type and distribution of soils so that we can adapt our crops and our varieties of crops to each soil. We have found in the south that the variety of cotton that is adapted to a particular type of bottom land, that in such a location will grow normally and produce a bale of cotton to the acre, if planted on upland out of its environment, goes to pieces, fails to produce the yield of lint that we have a right to expect from the history of its production in the past. We find that the crop that has adapted itself, through selection and breeding, to the uplands, until it will produce a bale of cotton to the acre on what we call a Nor- folk sand, goes all to pieces on the uncongenial, unrelated condi- tions in the soils of the bottom land. That fact has made a differ- ence of $20 an acre for some of the farmers of the south, who are working out this one simple problem of adapting the type of cot- ton to the particular type of soil which they possess. WHAT IS THE VALUE OF THE SOIL SURVEY.? The work of the Bureau, throughout the United States, has brought us in touch with so many illustrations of this kind, so many opportunities of adapting a soil to a crop or to a variety of crops, that it would weary you to hear of the number of cases. In any soil that you take up, in any locality to which you go, the question presents itself — what is the value of the soil survey? Professor Marbut, when any one asks you what is the value of the soil survey, ask them what they are proposing to do with their soils; if they are satisfied with their soils and what they are do- ing, then the soil survey is of no value. But we have never been less satisfied with all the progress we are making, the farmers of this country have never been less satisfied than they are today with what they are doing with their soils. Twelve years ago, when Secretary Wilson wrote his first an- nual report to the President, he gave the value of the farm crop^ of the United States as three thousand million dollars — three bil- lion dollars. This last month, when he wrote his twelfth annual report, the value of the farm cops of the United States was eight billion dollars. That one man has seen the growth of the farm crops of this country in his one administration of twelve years ad- vance from three billion to eight billion dollars. The people are not satisfied. We are doing better and better. We are doing bet- ter every year, and each individual to keep up with the procession 196 Missouri Agricultural Report. that he sees, not only in this country but in foreign countries, is less and less satisfied with what he is doing with his soils; and I find that the demand for the soil survey is growing so fast that the Bureau of Soils, with all its resources, is unable to keep up with the work. The Bureau of Soils has surveyed about 400 areas, aggregating about 180,000 square miles; that is larger than Great Britain and Ireland (120,000 square miles), larger than the Empire of Japan, nearly as large as France or Germany. The map here (showing map) shows you the distribution of the work and shows another very interesting thing which, as it stands, seems a very embarrassing thing to me : That the amount of work we have done is still but a small proportion to the amount that will have to be done to make a soil survey of the United States. If Congress, in its wisdom, continues the survey until it covers the United States, and we should decide to complete that por- tion of the country east of the 100th meridian on a scale of one inch to the mile, and this portion of the country (pointing to the map) on a scale of six inches to the mile, then we have finished about 13 per cent of the area east of the 100th meridian that will have a detailed soil survey. However, while it seems to us who are responsible for the work, that we have done great things in covering so large an area, while we will this year, if the appropriations by Congress permit, cover 40,000 square miles — an area larger than England, on a scale of one inch to the mile, and 100,000 square miles of reconnaissance work in the Great Plains region, there are none of the foreign governments that have undertaken what seems to them so stupendous a work as to make a soil survey of their own territory — a work that this country is doing in a quiet way, and has in the short time that the work has been carried on, surveyed areas equal to or larger than several of the European countries. We compare our country in its financial standing, in its bank reserves, in its foreign commerce, in its battleships, in its agricultural productions, with Great Britain, or France, or Ger- many; but when we come to the soil survey we find that the area of the United States is not comparable with the size of Great Britain or with Germany, but the whole of Europe, and what we have undertaken to do is to make a soil survey not equal to one of our foreign countries, but equal to all European countries com- bined. Now, that leads us to think of the possibility of develop- ment of this country if we shall produce upon our soils what they are producing in these older settled countries of Europe. The time will come, if we develop in the future as we have Corn Growers' Association. 197 in the past, when the United States will be compared not with one country of Europe, but in its resources, in its wealth, in its agricultural productions, it will be comparable only with the com- bined strength of all the European countries — it will be com- parable only with Europe itself; and the State of Missouri, with its 59,000 square miles, largely an agricultural state, must take its place, must do its part in the development that is going on, that has gone on rapidly and satisfactorily in the past, but that must be helped and encouraged in the future as it has been in the past, and I think the State is to be congratulated that this great university, that we hear of throughout the east as one of the leading institutions of the country, has taken up and is pushing so energetically this question of the soil, its characters, its dis- tribution, and its adaptation to crops, and the cultural methods adapted to the different types; for these questions are important to the State, as to the nation, for in the aggregate they make the nation's wealth and the State's welfare, and it is necessary be- cause of the lack of possible lines of organization, as we have with commerce and with mines and minerals, it is necessary for the State and the nation to help in the development of this, the greatest resource of them all, and the most permanent resource. And further, the national government, so far as I can speak through the limited powers given me by Congress from year to year in our annual appropriation bill, will be only too glad to co-operate with the State of Missouri and try and arrange a defi- nite and consistent basis of work, so that the work can be con- centrated and finished sooner than either could finish it alone. The many demands that are made on the National Bureau of Soils, from all parts of the State, from all parts of the country, make it imperative that we give our attention to different places, that we scatter our work to satisfy the demands of the different states ; but the time is coming, if Congress is willing, for me to take the position that where the state appropriates some money to carry on this soil survey and soil investigations, that the government will meet them with an equal allotment from our appropriations, and with the national forces and the state forces working to- gether, we can evolve a plan, a continuous plan, that will enable us to get this information for a state, such as Missouri, in eight or ten years, instead of leaving it to the development of the gen- eral national policy which, while satisfactory to the nation as a whole, does not give an adequate service to any particular state. And this is one of the messages I have brought to Missouri : That 198 Missouri Agricultural Report. we in Washington are glad to see that you are doing so much for yourselves, and would be glad to see you do more. We would be glad to see your Legislature make an appropriation of eight or ten thousand dollars a year, that we would, out of our funds derived from Congress, be glad to put in an equal amount and, by doubling our forces, maintain a constant service in the State of Missouri, so that the classification and survey of the State can be finished in eight or ten years; and that is what we would like to see done because we are interested in it from a national stand- point as well as from the standpoint of the State of Missouri. DISCUSSION. Q. When you speak of Secretary Wilson's report showing that the value of farm crops advanced from $3,000,000,000 to $8,000,000,000, do you mean that the farm crops alone advanced that much, or do you mean live stock and other things? A. It means both — the total value of live stock and farm crops. Q. I would like to ask whether the yield per acre has very materially increased in the last twelve years. A. The records show that for the past forty years, if you divide the period into four periods of ten years each, that the first decade and the last decade have been rather high, have given rather high yields, and the two intermediate have been rather low, so that there is apparently a falling off and then a rise for the past thirty years ; but as a matter of fact, in statistics of this kind, forty years is too short a time to eliminate seasonal differ- ences. For example, in the past ten years California has seen two of the lowest crops on record, and the last year of the period they got the third highest yield on record. Now, when the differ- ence between the minimum and maximum yield in a ten-year period is greater than the average for the whole period, the average does not mean much; but so far as we can say safely the indications are that there has been a rise in yield of crops during the past forty years, but it has not been very marked. Corn Grotvers' Association, 199 THE MISSOURI SOIL SURVEY. (C. F. Marbut, in charge Missouri Soil Survey.) A soil survey is a fundamental investigation of the nature, origin, distribution, relation, and utilization of the greatest natural resource entrusted to the use and care of man by the Creator. It is at once a scientific and economic organization. It should con- cern itself with the soil from the point of view of pure science as well as from the point of view of its practical value to man. The two relations are inseparable. The study of the practical utilization of the soil can be carried on with intelligence only when it is thoroughly known as to its character, composition, dis- tribution, location, and other relations. The latter characters are the more fundamental and must be determined before any im- portant prog'ress can be made in the investigations of the former. The determination of the best method of soil management can often be made by field study alone — by mere field observation of the action or response of a soil to the many different kinds of treatment it receives at the hands of farmers. Even where ex- perimental methods are used for the purpose of controlling the conditions, observational results can not safely be dispensed with. Experiments, however, cannot be conducted, by the state at least, on every tract of land. The determination of the best localities for experiments in soil management is therefore wholly a ques- tion of the knowledge of the soil in its physical, chemical, organic, geologic and geographic relations. The purely practical side of all soil survey work, therefore, may take the form of observational determination of the soils, capacities and capabilities under ordi- nary field conditions and experimental determination, both of them being based on a knowledge of the nature of the soil itself. A soil survey includes the fundamental work of determining the nature of soils and their distribution and the practical work, based on the latter, of determining the most permanently profit- able method of soil management. Advance in civilization is invariably accompanied by a great broadening of the range of man's requirements for physical com- forts. Each and all of these must be supplied from the natural resources of the earth so that the advance of civilization increases greatly the demands made on the earth by man. It is probably not far wrong to say that without the possibility of supplying 200 Missouri Agricultural Report. these increased requirements for comfort civilization could not advance. While true civilization is accompanied by an improve- ment of man's moral and spiritual nature, yet moral and spiritual advancement is conditioned absolutely on a degree of physical com- fort. The material basis of civilization must be acquired before the spiritual improvement can take place. The country with slender natural resources stands always at a serious disadvantage in the upward struggle for social, spiritual and intellectual betterment. The country that has been blessed with abundant natural resources, but has allowed them to be ex- hausted by use and abuse, is not only at a disadvantage, but its rulers have committed a crime against nature and their own peo- ple in allowing such exhaustion to take place. It is, moreover, one of the most imperative duties of the authorities in any country to take measures that will insure the preservation, so far as that is consistent with the daily requirements of the people of the country, of its natural resources. It is as much a duty to make use of the material resources of the earth as it is to preserve them. A balance between no utilization at all on the one hand and prodi- gal waste on the other must be maintained. This is not to be accomplished by deprivation. Probably no land has ever been seriously impaired in natural resources through the legitimate though abundant use of man. It has occurred in particular in- stances, no doubt, but waste has occurred more as the result of lack of care and the failure to take precautions against loss through the operation of natural forces. The invididual citizen is, as a rule, not vitally interested in the preservation of natural resources. His life is short and his interests are immediate and personal. He does not concern him- self to a great extent with the problem of the future of mankind or its means of maintaining an existence upon the earth. Human society, on the other hand, is, in some form, perpetual. It lives indefinitely and its demand for physical maintenance in the future will be as great as in the past if an equal degree of civilization be maintained. While the individual, therefore, may not feel a vital interest in the preservation and proper use of the material basis of human civilization, human society and its personification, human government, should and must be vitally interested in it. It is unquestionably a legitimate function of the government of every civilized country to take measures toward insuring the permanence of its existence. One of the most evident means of doing so is to determine the nature and amount of its resources and on this Corn Growers' Association. 201 as a basis determine the best means of insuring their preservation. This has long been a recognized function of governments with however limited application. For more than half a century the determination of the mineral resources of many of the states of this country has been a recognized function of the state govern- ments. Our own national government and practically every othei' civilized government in the world has done the same thing. Mis- souri has spent within the last sixty years more than half a mil- lion dollars for geological and mineralogical investigation. It has been only within the last decade or two that any attention has been paid similar investigations of soils, the source of man's most important income. More or less spasmodic work on the nature and composition of certain soils was done many years ago, but the beginning of systematic investigation of soils in this country is recent. While a good deal of data has been accumulated on many different kinds of soils, yet the actual field relations of those soils, their geologic and geographic distribution (especially the latter), are still, to a great extent, unknown. The 43rd General Assembly of Missouri included in its appro- priations to the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station a small amount of money for the purpose of starting soil survey work in this State. The survey was organized in April, 1905, by the Bo?-rd of Curators. It was placed under the general direction of the Director of the Experiment Station and the work planned under the following three heads. (1) The Field Division; (2) The Chemical Division; (3) The Soil Experiment Division. The work of the first was to cover the differentiation and mapping of the various soils as they occur in the State, to take samples of each type for analytical purpose, determine the physical character of each soil by means of physical analysis and to prepare the reports on the general character and distribution of the soils. The work of the second division was to consist of the deter- mination of the chemical composition of the soil samples collected by the first division and to analyze and discuss the results. The work of the third division was to include all the work connected with the determination, by the growth of various crops on the several soil types, of the best methods of handling the vari- ous soils under actual field conditions. It was at first thought that the study of actual agricultural conditions in the areas sur- veyed by the field division should be carried on by the second division, but that has been found impracticable, since the same men must do both classes of work. They should be under the 202 Missouri Agricultural Report. direction, however, of only one man, in order to avoid confusion and hesitation among the survey corps. As originally planned, the soil survey was an organization with three main departments. In the actual carrying on of the work it is gradually splitting into two organizations : A Soil Survey with a field division and a chemical division, and a Bureau of Crop Experimentation. In the following description of the work al- ready accomplished by the Soil Survey, the meaning of the latter expression is understood. The work of the soil survey proper, as now understood, includes the identification of the various soil types in the field, and the mapping of their distribution, the study of ex- isting agricultural conditions in the areas studied, and the de- termination of the physical and chemical composition of the vari- ous soils. By far the greater part of all the work is the identifi- cation, diflFerentiation, and mapping of the soils in the field. The field work of the survey is carried on with two degrees of accuracy and detail. A particular region, usually one of the main physical regions of the State, like the southeastern lowlands, the Ozark regions, etc., is gone over first in a rapid survey for the purpose of determining the general character of its soils and for grouping them into their groups according to their origin or some other relation. This work is done rapidly and the results are intended to be used for purposes of general information about the region and as a guide for future work. General soil maps are prepared for the regions studied. They are published with an accompany- ing report, which describes the main soil groups and the general agricultural conditions as well as offers suggestions for the treat- ment of the various soils. We designate this work as reconna'e- sance tvork. The other character of field work is detailed work. An area, usually a county, is taken up and mapped in great detail. Every type of soil in the county is identified and its distribution deter- mined accurately. An attempt is made to determine the charac- ter of the soil in every ten-acre area in the county. Samples, usu- ally several, from each soil type, are collected for study in the lab- oratories of the survey. A county map will be prepared and pub- lished, showing the distribution and area of all the soils of the county. It will be accompanied by a report describing the soils and agricultural conditions and giving practical suggestions for treating the soils. We designate this as detailed work. The progress of the two grades of field work that had been Com Groivers' Association. 203 reached up to January 1, 1909, is shown on the accompanying map. The Ozark region of the State was covered by the Reconnaisance work in the summers of 1905 and 1906. The general map was pre- pared in 1908, and the report on the region was about ready for the printer January 1, 1909. Reconnaisance field work was begun in North-central and Northeastern Missouri in 1907, and continued in 1908 as far as our small appropriation would allow. The field work was just about completed in 1908, and the general report is I MODAWAT j WOKtITI PiENTftYJ 2 /r^rc» Of- /^A33ai//r/ pl':!|!|| 'l ! J (^auv/y^j' ^i/^f^nr^ ^r ^i/^^jv^ *^.Sa/^Lr, (^ .— in course of preparation. Some Reconnaisance field work has been done in the prairie region of Southwestern Missouri, and a few days spent in Northwestern Missouri, and also in the southeast- ern lowlands, though these latter two regions are practically un- touched. Very little Reconnaisance work was done in the summer of 1908, on account of lack of funds for field expenses. In detailed work, four counties have been covered : They are 204 Missouri Agricultural Report. Barton, Audrain, Sullivan and DeKalb. Barton and Audrain were completed in the field season of 1907, though Barton was begun in 1906. Sullivan was begun in 1907 and completed in 1909. DeKalb was begun and completed in 1908. The soil maps of all of these except DeKalb are ready for the engraver, and the data for the reports has been collected, though the reports have not yet been written. The result of this work shows great variation of detail in the soils of the different parts of the State. In Audrain county, for example, large areas of country are underlaid with the same kind of soil. In the whole county there are only three or four main upland soils. In Barton county, on the other hand, there are tlo areas of more than a very few square miles with a uniform soil. There are also many different kinds of upland soils. The soil map of Audrain county, therefore, is simple, while that of Barton bi complex. This amount of work has been accomplished at an expenditure of about $10,000. The planning and supervision of the work is done by the regular Experiment Station staff, and nothing is paid these men in the way of salaries for soil survey work. The ex- pense of the survey, therefore, consists of the salaries and field expenses of the field men and the field expenses that are incurred in supervision. In addition to this is the expense of publication of the reports and incidental expenses of supplies, instruments and other field equipment. Up to the close of 1908, this work was done by the experiment station wholly, and appropriations made for that purpose by the State Legislature. The Station got no aid in soil survey work from any other source. Soil survey work of an intermittent char- acter has been done in Missouri by the United States Bureau of Soils. Their work consisted only of detailed work with a county as a unit, but the detail to which they have carried it has not been so great as that of the detailed work done by the Missouri survey. The general plan of their detailed work, however, and the end sought, was much the same as that of our own detailed work. In the past ten years they have covered some eight or ten counties. While the Missouri survey has not worked any of the counties that have already been worked by the Bureau, yet it would be necessary at some time in the future to do this, or else have a resulting soil map of the State, part of which was done under the direction of one institution and the rest under that of another. Such a result could hardly be satisfactory. The resurvey of the Bureau's work by Corn Groovers' Association. 205 the Missouri station would also be to a very great extent a waste of money. To avoid either of these results the Missouri Station approached the Bureau of Soils with a plan of co-operation in soil work in Missouri in January. The plan was accepted, and has been officially agreed upon by the directors of the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station and Soil Survey and by the Secretary of Agri- culture and the Chief of the Bureau of Soils. By this plan of co- operation the Missouri station is given general charge of all the soil survey work in Missouri, the Director of the Missouri Survey being made Special Agent also, of the Bureau of Soils. The Bureau of Soils agrees to furnish and pay the salaries of half the field men, the Missouri Station the other half. The field expenses of the survey parties are to be shared equally by the two organi- zations. The Bureau agrees also to pay for the engraving of all maps, except those to which the Missouri Station may desire some extra data added, and to pay for the typesetting of all reports. The Bureau agrees also to pay all expenses of supervision. By this plan of work the Missouri Station will be able to do the work according to its own plans, which will be based on the intimate knowledge of the needs of the various parts of the SLate possessed by the Experiment Station officers, and the State will be required to pay less than half the total cost of the work. A TWELVE-ACRE FARM. (Hon. Matt. W. Hall, Warden Missouri State Penitentiary.) I will tell you what I have accomplished with twelve acres of land in Jefferson City, owned by the Missouri penitentiary. In 1905, when I took charge of the penitentiary, I found there a small tract of land owned by the State. There were about twelve acres of land that could be cultivated, if you could prevent its washing off. This entire tract of land was rented, with a good house and barn, for $350 a year. In the fall of 1905, as soon as the man who had it rented, got his crop out of the way, I began to fertilize it by hauling all the manure that I could get about Jef- ferson City, and distribute it over this piece of land. The twelve acres of ground I decided to put into a garden. The first year I planted it in various garden truck, and raised $1,200 worth of vegetables, aiming to estimate their value at the current wholesale prices from time to time. As soon as I got some of the early veg- 206 Missouri Agricultural Report. etables off, I sowed all of it that I could in cowpeas. They grew up, standing two feet high, and in September I turned the whol i crop under and manured it again that winter. The next year I planted it in vegetables, and I gathered off of it and sent to the provision store of the Missouri penitentiary $1,800 worth of vege- tables. I continued the same process the following year; and what I did during the year 1908 is almost an incredible story. If I had not done this myself, I would be inclined to think that the story I am going to tell you was "fishy;" but these vegetables have been gathered, and have gone into the dining-room, and I will now proceed to give you the proceeds of that garden for the year 1908. I hope that you, gentlemen, will not be misled by anything which I may say here, because the first essential thing that will enable a man to succeed on a garden of this kind is to have a market. We have always heard that the man was farthest from the market who had nothing to sell ; but if a man has got plenty of stuff to sell he needs a market, and must have it, and when in this country we get rapid and safe transportation and a system of good country roads, then we are going to prove a great blessing to the people of our great cities, and the people of our great cities are going to prove a blessing to us because there is so much land and so much oppor- tunity in this country to produce fine vegetables, fine fruits, and everything in fact that tends to make mankind happy, that when we can be brought close enough together, why then both city and county will profit thereby. The people in the towns and cities of Missouri have to pay too much for many farm crops. We want good roads, quick transportation, so that every farmer in this State can get to the great cities with his commodities. In the year 1908, we gathered and fed the prisoners 9,040 green onions at $6 a thousand, making $542.40 ; we gathered off of this same garden 45 boxes of onions, at $1 per box. (Each of those boxes held II/2 bushels.) The green onion that I first re- ferred to is known as the winter onion, the one that stays in the ground all winter. It is the easiest thing raised that I know of; it will multiply as rapidly as buckbrush if you will give it the chance. We gathered 32 bushels of yellow onions, at 75 cents a bushel ; that onion was raised from seed. We gathered 55 bushels of German onions, at 75 cents, making $41,25. We gath- ered 88 bushels of Red Globe onions, at $1 per bushel; 981 bushels of tomatoes, at 75 cents a bushel ; we raised and sent out of that garden 70,120 pounds of cabbage at $1 a hundred; we raised 185 bushels of lettuce, at 25 cents a bushel; we gathered and fed 13 Co7m Growers' Association. 207 wagon loads of pie-plant, with 14,000 stalks in each load, making $260 ; we gathered 250 bushels of green beans (the ordinary snap- bean), at 50 cents a bushel. And I want to say that if I could have had three good heavy showers of rain, which I did not get, I would have raised 600 bushels of those beans, because I gathered this 250 bushels and only got the beans matured from the first blooming. We gathered 162 bushels of sweet potatoes, at 75 cents; 178 bushels of early Irish potatoes (which I set at 80 cents a bushel, and I bought some the very same time, which cost me $1.10 a bushel; so you will see that I have tried to keep these figures within the range of wholesale prices). Therefore, I find that aside from the rental of the two pastures, I raised on these twelve acres of land fresh vegetables to the amount of $2,966.75; and there are millions of acres of land in Missouri that will do better even than that. Now, of course, I am from Saline county ; my home and farm are there. I am temporarily in Jefferson City, and everybody thinks that Cole county is one of the poorest counties in the State for agriculture. There is a great deal of poor land in Cole county, but this particular spot of land on which I raise these vegetables, is as fine as any piece of land that you can find in any part of this State. It is a rich, yellow, sandy loam, and when properly culti- vated and properly seeded, it is, I think, the best piece of vege- table land that I ever saw in my life. ONE METHOD OF HELPING THE FARM BOY. (F. H. Crowell, Butler, Missouri.) When we held this Farmers' Convention two years ago we had with us a gentleman by the name of Grout, from Illinois, who gave us a description of his Farm Boys' Encampment. I was very much impressed with his remarks, and after he left the platform I took occasion to interview him as to his method of holding en- campments. It did not seem wise to me at that time to put that plan into operation — I did not think we were ready for it. But I went to work to try to get some boys from Bates county to come up here to Columbia and get in touch with the Agricultural College. We hold a county fair in our county, and I got some of the bankers interested in my plan and got them to offer premiums enabling the boy or young man who showed the best corn at our county fair to 208 Missouri Agricultural Report. come here to Columbia and enter the two months short course. The young man who won came up here and took the course and made a good record. Another bank in our town did not want to be left out on this, so I told them they could send some boys up here for Farmers' Week; they did so, and the boys went home fully enthusiastic over the new methods of agriculture. THE FARM BOYS' ENCAMPMENT. Last year when I went home from this convention, I had a plan in my mind which I discussed with the banks and with the farmers, and in which they became very much interested. I wanted to hold a Farm Boys' Encampment, but as it costs con- siderable money to hold one of these encampments, I began to look around about the financial end of it. We had a banker in our town who had sent a boy here to the Agricultural College, and when I explained the proposition to him, he said that it looked good. He took it up with the Board of Directors, who were all farmers, and they all fell into line, and we began to get ready for the Encampment. After the bankers had promised me that they would finance the plan, I had to hunt around for a place to hold the encampment, and one day as I stepped out on the sidewalk I saw my friend Thompson and I said to him: "I have got the bank to put up the money for the encampment, now, but where can we hold it?" "Why," he said, "you can hold it right on my farm." I saw that that was a fine place to hold the encampment, as all of this man's stock was thoroughbred, everything on his farm was thoroughbred. We have in our town a company of State militia. They thought now it would be an excellent plan if they took their men out to camp for several days before they went out to Riley to get some instructions — and so they did that; the company went out to camp on Mr. Thompson's farm exactly where we wanted to hold our boys' encampment. You can see the bearing it had on the en- campment, but of course we impressed on the officers not to work their boys too hard — two or three days would be enough, and we would not need the tents until Thursday; and so on Thursday morn- ing we took possession. We had the camp in a beautiful place, with everything laid out in military precision, and we had all the paraphernalia of the militia for going into camp. We had three colored cooks and a commissary of the company, so that every- thing was carried on in military style. When the boys arrived that morning, we formed them into companies ; each township in a com- Corn Groivers' Association. 209 pany by itself, and we thought best to elect a captain for each company so that he would be responsible for the presence of the boys at the lectures and for their conduct while in camp; and I want to tell you men right now that in all my experience I have never seen a better behaved, more orderly lot of boys than we had. We had a bugler from the militia who called the boys together for meals. The boys marched to their meals assembled in com- panies. Each township, as far as possible, was given a tent to itself. The tents were big and roomy, holding about twenty-five boys each. The biggest representation from a township was from Summit, from which thirty-five boys came; and I will say that the young man who took the short course here last winter was in- strumental, with the help of two or three of his friends, in bring- ing in that large number from Summit township. There were 268 boys registered, and not a boy within the corporate limits of Butler was allowed to register — they were all farm boys. A school teacher in the northeastern township took his whole school (four- teen boys) and loaded them up in a wagon and brought them to the encampment for the whole three days. That shows what an influence the teachers throughout the country districts can have for the good of agriculture. When the mess call was sounded, we issued each boy, after he had registered, a tin cup, a knife, fork, and spoon, and told him to look out for them, which he did. The companies were arranged in military style at a long table, and each boy was given his food on a wooden plate (those plates don't cost very much and are extremely handy in camp life) and then went to his tent and ate his meal. If he wanted more food, he went to the table again, and if he had all he wanted he took his plate to the cook's tent and it was burned, which was quite an idea in a sanitary way. Then the boys had time to play games. One method we had of punishing them if they did not behave in strict military style was to throw them up in a blanket. When the bugle sounded, they all came to the big assembly tent, which seated about 800, and were instructed in different lines of farming. The encampment lasted three days and the boys re- ceived a great deal of instruction. Mr. Jordan was there and talked to the boys on soils and corn and farm life in general; Mr. King was there and gave the boys instructions in judging horses and cattle and hogs and sheep. As A-14 210 Missouri Agricultural Reioort. the cattle and stock of all kinds on the farm where we were camp- ing were purebred, we had good stock to judge. Mr. Chandler was there to talk on horticulture. The time was all occupied from morning to night, and the boys were much interested. We did not work them too hard, but mixed in a little fun as we went along. On Friday night the bank invited all the boys to come down town to the show and paid their expenses, and the boys behaved beautifully. everybody's day. On Saturday we invited everybody to come to the encamp- ment — that was Everybody's Day. We had a big crowd and a grand picnic. We served dinner that day to the boys, and I suspicioned that most of the mothers sampled the food to see what the boys had been getting to eat. They had an abundance of things to eat. We furnished them an army ration of coffee, snap beans, bread, meat, potatoes, tomatoes, and one night we served ice cream. We had a general picnic on Saturday and had a basket dinner. We were fortunate that day in having with us Mr. Robinson, a great horse breeder from Kansas, and he gave us a splendid talk on horses and what he had done and what the boys could do if they follow out legitimate lines of breeding. And so we had a very interesting time with the boys. More of us ought to take up this plan in our towns. You ought to induce your bankers and business men to finance it. The people at Sweet Springs held an encampment after we held ours and it was very successful. There are some things that you ought to look out for. In the first place, the sanitary conditions ought to be good. Our camp was located in a place that drains well, so that in case of rain the boys did not suffer from the wet ground. Then, we had our boys under military discipline and none of them could go away from the grounds without permission. While that was not absolutely necessary, it gave them a touch of militay life which they liked. All the boys were required to be at the lectures when they were in progress, and we had no trouble with them after they understood the proposition. The expense of this encampment was considerable, and I am sure that the boys appreciated the efforts of the banks in their behalf, and the unanimous opinion of all the boys is that they want another encampment next year. It is my opinion that if we have another encampment next year we will have 1,500 boys, and it seems to me that the University here could arrange with the State Corn Groivers' Association. 211 Board of Agriculture and the Agricultural College to send a de- tachment of its cadets out to the various parts of the State and let the boys at the encampments see a touch of military life and get in touch with the University. It is impossible for a boy to get enthusiastic over anything until he is brought into contact with it. I will give you an illustration of how the trip to Columbia impressed one boy, who was up here last winter. At our encamp- ment this fall, I asked him if he had some corn to bring to the fair and he said, "No, I haven't." (He did not have any that he thought good enough,) I told him he had better bring some along and we could find some place to put it underneath the rest, and so he consented to bring some. I found that his corn was not good show corn, and I showed him where to put it. After the show I asked him if he wanted the corn, and he said he did not. The last night of the fair when everyone was packing up corn and taking it away, I noticed a man standing outside. I knew that he had no exhibit there, and I asked him if he was looking for some corn. He pointed to the corn that this boy had brought and said : "I want to find the owner of that corn so I can buy it." I told him that I knew the owner and that it would be all right for him to take some of it home with him. A week after- ward I met the boy on the street who had exhibited that corn, and I told him about the incident, I told him the man said that was the best corn he ever saw and he wanted to grow it. "Humph,' he said, "He had better go to Columbia and learn something." So you see the good the bank did in sending that boy up here ; he was in Columbia just one week, but he learned that he did not know what good corn was. He told me that he was going to raise some corn for the next fair, and that the other boys would have to grow some good corn if they beat him. So you can see the good influence that the Agricultural College had on the boy. I hope this idea of the Farm Boys' Encampment will grow. It is one method of reaching the farm boy, and in my opinion it is one of the best. It makes them enthused with the agricultural ideas, and they don't want to leave the farm and go to the cities, but they want to leave the cities and go back to the farm. 212 Missouri Agricultural Report. THE BREEDING PLAT. (S. M. Jordan, Institute Assistant, Missouri State Board of Agriculture.) I do not know the chapter in which the text may be found, but these are the words — "You may be able to get show corn by selec- tion, but you must look to breeding to get the yielding corn." If there is truth in the above statement, is it not plain that we are greatly in need of more breeding plats? No man can tell by an examination of two or more ears of corn as to which of them will be the greater yielder when planted in the field side by side and cared for in every way the same. Would you not rather be able to go to your field or crib and be able to select the heaviest yielders than all the other things that you do know about corn? A man who could do that would be an expert indeed, would he not? No man can pick out the yielders, and no man can tell when he has picked out his corn which of the ears will grow the more vigorously when planted under the same identical conditions. What would you give if you could go to your seed pile and pick out the ear that would yield the most and those that would grow with the most vigor? Can you think of any two things of more value than those two things would be? If you should imagine that you can do either one of these things, I will bet a coonskin against your old hat that if you will just try it and then plant these ears in a breed- ing plat, one ear in each row, and care for them the same, and give each the same chance, you will wake up to find that you will be sadly fooled, and you will have much less faith in your judgment. Now, if these things are so important should we not find them out, if they are to be found out? Is there any way to tell the heavy yielders from the poor ones, and the vigorous growers from the weak ones? If this can be done, will it not pay us to go at it as that is the road to corn improvement? We can find out just these things. The object of all this talk in the above lines is to start us to thinking right, and to let in light on the importance of "Corn Breeding." So the breeding plat will be the discussion in this article, and I shall endeavor to make it as plain as possible. There are some few methods as to the way certain things are done by different breeders, but the essentials are all the same. The first thing that will be considered is the ground for the plat. I am inclined to the opinion that it should be rather good Corn Growers' Association. 213 soil as it will take reasonably good soil to put good vitality into the corn to be raised. If the soil is the richest you have, it might not produce seed that would stand adverse conditions of poor soil. Also, the ground should not be too thin as that will not produce vigorous seed to plant in the richer soils. It will, no doubt, be best to select soil that may be the nearest an average to that in which your general crop is to be planted. The ground also should be as nearly alike all over as possible. If soil differing to any great extent were used it would not give all the ears an equal chance, and that is important as that will be the only means of a true comparison, As to the amount of ground to be used, that will depend much on the amount of seed you need for your general crop and on the help you may have to do the work. From a half acre one can generally get enough seed to plant at least from 80 to 100 acres, and that is quite enough for our average farm. The same mistake that I made in the start is the one that is common in nearly every case, and that one is that we attempt too much. Do not try more than a half acre to start on, and you are more likely to get satis- factory results. Don't try more than one-half acre at first. As to the selection of seed will say, that it is now too late to do that the very best way. To begin the selection before the corn is fully ripe is best, as an examination and a study of the plant can be made at that time, and the plant is the machine that makes the ear. By getting into the field before the corn is quite ripe and marking certain plants that meet the requirements it will be a great advantage. An ear should not be taken for the breeding plat that has not grown on a plant that has a good root system — and that can be determined to a great extent by the system of brace roots that appear. The corn plant cannot be any better than its root system makes it. It is further desirable that a stalk have strong short joints as that will give to it a better leaf system. The }'oot system takes of the plant food as it is in solution in the water in the soil and it is thus carried to the leaves and there combines with the plant food in the air and in the leaf is where the plant food of the soil and of the air is manufactured into plant tissue. It is then very evident that the plant is well worthy of study to the corn breeder. A well-developed plant is necessary to vigorous ears. I prefer that the stalk also be of only medium height as that makes it less likely to go down in winds, and grows an ear lower down, which things are very desirable. The ear should be in height from the elbow to the shoulder, and when ripe it indi- 214 Missouri Agricultu7'al Re'port. cates that the shank is too large, which indicates a large cob, and also makes the ear hard to break off in husking and thus retards the rapidity of that process. Again, when it points upward the husks will often open up enough to let the rain into the ear and that will, no doubt, injure the vitality of the ear. I would start with as good seed as could be secured as that will hasten the results that much. Any corn by selection and breeding can be made a good corn, but the better it is to start with the sooner will big results come. There are many corn growers in the State that have most excellent corn, and good seed can in most all cases be obtained from them. Now, I would especially test every year and use no ear that had not shown in the test 100 per cent germination. Your work would be much of a guess after all if you used some ears that were weak in vigor or vitality, and much of the value of your work might thus be lost. Then after the ground is well warmed up the planting will be the next thing in order. Many breeders prefer to drill, but I rather like to place it in hills. There are the good and bad features of both ways, but I think I prefer to hill as it will let me know that I get exactly the same number of grains in each hill and the same number of grains in each row. I think best to mark off the ground and drop the seed by hand, putting the same number of grains in every hill, then it may be covered with a hoe. So far, you see we have no guess work. When the planting is ready to begin, I have my ears ready and plant one row from each ear, or as some prefer to plant at least two rows from each ear, as that will make us doubly sure as to the fact of no accident, for if results from the two rows somewhat remotely planted are similar, we feel that it is no guess work again. Shell enough corn off the ear to plant the row, leaving the butt and tip and some rows entirely on the ear. Now take a small piece of card board and mark the number of the row on it and with a nail put into the butt of the ear fasten the cardboard to it, and that will keep the ear so that it may be found at any time for reference and comparison. Treat all the ears the same way and then lay them away in a box where mice and rats cannot get to it, and it will be a source of pleasure as well as surprise in many cases to see the ears that have made a good record or a bad one, as the case may be. We find in many instances that the ears that we thought our very best have proven to be perhaps our very Corn Groivers' Association. 215 poorest, and some that we thought only common will surprise us by being among our heaviest yielders. Now, the next thing in order is to arrange a chart of the plat, that anything of importance may be noted on the chart. After the corn has been planted two or three days it will be well to see the plat every morning and it will be seen that certain rows will be coming up much ahead of others. All the slow rows should be marked on the chart, and mark them to be among the ones to be detasseled. No breeding is desired from the plants that lack vigor, neither should any seed be saved from such rows that are lacking in vigor. It will also be noticed that certain rows grow and thrive much better than others — a fact to be noted on the chart. Also it will be noted that some rows seem to grow much taller than others, and if the height becomes too great, that row also should be marked for detasseling. As to the rows to be detasseled it is evident that that fact cannot be determined until the work is about ready to be done. Many seem to prefer to detassel alternate rows, and for certain reasons that would be well, but in many cases a row intended to be left as a sire will be found to be sadly wanting in the things most desired in a sire. Others allow the ears at planting time to determine the rows to be detasseled, but it is evident that that will not be best. It might be well to state that the object of taking the tassels out of certain rows and stalks is to prevent undesirable breeding. The pollen or dust from the tassel is the male element of the corn plant, and the silk is female organ, and it is necessary that if the elements come in contact that the grains may form. When the tassel is removed from a corn plant it is the same as when the knife is used in our live stock. In our herbs we take out the bad individuals and thus prevent breeding from them, and the same laws hold in our corn work, and the results will be just as gratify- ing. The time for detasseling will now need to be considered. It will need to be done as soon as the tassels begin to appear from the blades, so if the pollen has become dry enough to fall it is then too late, and the work will be of no consequence and perhaps work an injury in the bargain. At best the detasseling may do some harm to the yield as well as injure the growth of the plant, as it is a wound and the plant is very likely to suffer to at least a small degree on account of it, especially if the weather conditions 216 Missouri Agricultural Report. are not favorable. It will be necessary to get into the plat every day for a few days at tasseling time, as they do not appear all at the same time, and it is not desired that they do all appear at t^-'e same time as that condition would prevent the corn from filling well, as all the silks do not come out at the same time, and abo the weather has much to do in the complete pollination of the corn. The most approved way to detassel is to pull it out. It comes off at the last joint very easily, but the reaching up so long is a very tiresome job. I have found a good and an easy method is to take a gentle horse, muzzle him, and by riding at the side of the row it puts one in easy reach of the work. Now, as to what to detassel will have to be determined by the record as shown by what the various rows have done, any row lacking in vigor or showing anything not to be desired is to be detasseled, as no breeding is to be done by such. It is agreed that all undesirable plants should be detasseled, as that will eliminate the scrub individual. There are other rows also that we will want to detassel; at least half that show fine performance, as wg want some seed that is not self-fertilized. There is a wide discussion as to what the effect of self-fertilization may be in the corn plant. It is naturally a self-breeder to a certain extent. Some of the pollen fertilizes the ear on the same stalk, and to limited degree will be inbred. The fact that it is naturally a self-breeder makes it best is very flimsy argument, to say the least. Only a casual glance at the things in which man has made improvement by diverting or changing the current of nature will settle that line of argument. It is the generally accepted idea that from the highest quality of the detasseled rows we will get our strongest breeders, those that will give us the most vigorous producers. The seed from all the rows of high quality should be carefully cared for, as the poorest are far better than the seed taken from the general field : All the bad breeders have been removed and that cannot be said of the rest of the field. Then for the ears for a breeding plat next season, let us have the seed from the highest detasseled rows. When the detasseling is done no further note need be taken save to watch for the effects, perhaps, of the detasseling, until the time comes to search for the ears for the next season, as is mentioned toward the former part of this article. At that time we should note the time of ripening, the position of the ears, and anything else that we may see that might be of interest or profit. Now in looking forward to the harvest several things should be Corn Growers' Association. . 217 considered. Count the stalks in the rows and determine how nearly a perfect stand has been matured. Note the number of ears as compared with the number of stalks in a row. The num- ber of suckers may also be noted, and many other things that most any one will notice that may be of interest. One of the most im- portant as well as one of the most interesting parts is yet to be played, and that is the harvest. Each row should be gathered separately and a careful weight taken, and a record made. Note the number of well formed and well developed ears as compared with those of inferior shape and quality. The highest yield of the best quality is the issue. It will be found that some of the "pet" ears, some that we may have taken to the show, and on which we won a prize, have fallen below the "dead line," while some of those that made no great pretensions have won out in the final and crucial test. Folks are sometimes that way, you know. The corn that has given us the best results should be well dried out and put away for the general crop next season, and the finest and best ears should be carefully preserved for the breed- ing plat next season. There is no question but that this method of work carried out for a few seasons will be a great help in vastly increasing our corn yields. I have tried to make this lesson in corn breeding plain enough that any of the boys can understand, and it is hoped that many will go at it and put out a breeding plat this season. This has been a source of a big profit to me, and it will prove so to others. First prize bushel of Boone County Wliite exhibited at the State Corn Show, held under the auspices of the State Board of Agriculture in Columbia, January, 1909. State Dairymen's Session. Tuesday, January 5, 1909. PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. (By P. P. Lewis, Crescent, Mo.) Members of the Missouri State Dairy Association, Ladies and Gentlemen : It is with a great deal of pleasure and not without some pride that I am permitted, at this time, to call your attention to a few of the many good things that this Association stands for and has accomplished during the nineteenth year of its existence. In the beginning, those who fathered this Association ap- preciated the adaptability of this grand old commonwealth for dairy purposes. They felt that in the organization and coming together of the dairymen at least once in each year, great and lasting good would be accomplished in the exchange of ideas, experiences and observations, and in this manner they would be enabled to secure the best results from their chosen avocations in the shorter route of experience, in that they would profit from that of others. Since this organization was launched, the best men in this splendid work have met together and have accomplished great good for themselves, their neighbors, and their State. By con- stant agitation and by advocating this phase of farm life they have brought it to the attention of the thinking men in every walk of life, having lifted themselves, with others, who have engaged in this business, from the common "mossback" or hayseed to what is now considered to be one of the most scientific — and when prop- erly handled — profitable businesses in which a man on the farm can engage. Year after year this Association has brought into our State men who are abundantly well qualified to speak upon the various (218) state Dairy Association. 219 sides of the dairy business, men who are recognized leaders in their several lines. Those who have been fortunate enough to attend these meetings have been caused, by coming into contact with and hearing these able men, to return to their homes and take up their work with higher ideals and a better appreciation of their business and with a desire, not only to make money out of the business, but to accomplish something that will be of more value to their homes, their communities and their State. Through this Association and its influence our young men have been encouraged and made to look upon the farm and its work, not as an irksome and undesirable task, but as an avocation of which they can be proud. In fact, they have been lifted out of their former selves and made to feel, that after all, the farm means far more than drudgery, bent backs, aching hands and endless toil of an unremunerative nature, and that which has heretofore been looked upon as undesirable can be made, through proper applica- tion and enlightenment, which is afforded by the experience of others who have from time to time been before this Association and through our Dairy Department under the able and efficient Prof. C. H. Eckles, a splendid source of uplifting and upbuilding, not only from the financial standpoint, but from that higher stand- point which we all love to feel, that we have accomplished some- thing which stands for good. This Association has advocated laws that have been enacted for the control and the protection of a clean, pure and honest product, whether it be the manufactured product — butter, or the pure milk for the consumption of the thousands within our larger cities. It has advocated and has succeeded in having a dairy commissioner appointed, whose duties tend to the instruction and uplifting of the dairy interests. Those interested in dairying in Missouri at this time number something like 35,000, about 5,000 having embarked in the dairy business the last year. While in the past we have accomplished may good things, it seems to me that we are now just upon the eve of an awakening of greater interests and opportunities, and that this Association must zealously push forward advocating and protecting the interests of this great business. I feel that the needs of this hour are educated dairymen, men who understand the feeding and caring for the cow and making and marketing the product, and this Association should advocate a change in our present laws covering the dairy and food work, 220 Missouri Agricultural Report. and should ask our Legislature to separate the office of Dairy and Food Commissioner, giving two or more dairy instructors who are competent and able to teach the business from all its standpoints. Year after year we have passed resolutions asking for an appropriation for the building of a dairy barn commensurate with this great interest, also other needed improvements, and we should now insistently demand an appropriation covering these import- ant points and should give our every effort to the end that we may accomplish these results. During this year we were unfortunate in losing our able and efficient Dairy Commissioner, as well as Secretary of this Associa- tion, Prof. R. M. Washburn, who accepted a position that suited him better. We should remember his work in our behalf and should at least tender him the thanks of this Association. We have been fortunate in securing the service of Mr. F. L. Austin, who has taken the position vacated by Mr. Washburn, and who has so industriously given us his time and labor without any remuneration excepting the sincere desire to do good for our As- sociation. I would suggest that, as this office is important and entails not a little work and some expense, as well as an ability to do the work, this Association should take some steps to secure for this important office some remuneration of a pecuniary kind, at least for the services rendered. Our Association is also greatly indebted to Mr. George B. Elhs, Secretary of the Board of Agriculture, and to this Board for its interest in our behalf, not only for experience and ability to impart same, but also for financial aid. I believe also that this Association should advocate a larger display of its interests — cows, butter, milk, cheese, and other products at the State Fair, held annually in Sedalia, to the end that the people of this great commonwealth may see the growing developments in the dairy business. Last year I noticed a very poor display of our business, so poor, in fact, that our agricultural papers have commented on the lack of interest evidenced by dairymen in this great work. In closing, I wish also to add that we, as an association, should bring out the undesirable side of our business in a manner that will leave no wrong impressions, and should profit thereby. There seems to be a tendency on the part of our people, and es- pecially is this true of the daily press in reporting our meetings, that the lot of a dairyman is one of roses without thorns. Every business of any moment has its reverse side and to accomplish any- state Dairy Association. 221 thing- one must fit himself for his chosen avocation. Education is a need in every line of work. The successful dairyman is the one who takes an interest in his business, who tries in every manner to improve upon his pres- ent surroundings, and who studies it from every side. The im- pression that an old cow turned loose upon the commons, brought in at irregular intervals, and milked cnce or twice a week and curried with a milk stool, with a milk can and a small farm wagon for transportation, is all that is needed to embark in our business, it being only necessary to take life easy and draw dividends — is a wrong one. Our work in any line is exactly what we make it. Our ef- forts in this business are to bring it to a higher plane and to take from our paths some of the many thorns that are now strewn therein, and in this manner make our chosen vocation brighter, better and grander from every point of view. I thank you for the honor you have conferred upon me, and can only ask your indulgence in my expired term of office, stating that I have tried to fulfill the trust as best I know how. I shall now turn over the mantle that I have so poorly worn to my suc- cessor, promising him and the Association my continued support and interest. FEEDING THE DAIRY COW FOR PROFIT. (By A. J. Glover, Associate Editor Hoard's Dairyman.) There is probably no question that is any more perplexing than the subject of feeding the dairy cow for profit. It is not enough to state the kind and amount of feed to give, but we must take into consideration the individuality of the animal, the amount of milk that she is giving, her care, her environment, her breed- ing and her owner. It is a dairy-bred cow, to be sure, that we shall have under consideration, but there is a great difference in dairy cows, not only in the production of milk, but in disposi- tion and otherwise. It is a well-known fact that breeding for a special purpose tends to develop an animal that will be in har- mony with her function. The dairy cow whose function is to make milk and who has for generations been bred for that pur- pose, does not retain and carry as large an amount of flesh and fat as the beef animal. This is due to the fact that her energies, and those of her ancestors, have been turned to the production of milk. 222 Missouri Agricultural Report. and flesh has been made subservient to heat function. Because of these different functions, the dairy animal tends to become sparo and angular while the beef cow tends to become square and blocky. Temperament governs form, and form governs functions. The dairy cow does not need very much meat or fat on her back in order to perform her function of making milk. If she carries much flesh it is an indication that she will consume a large amount of feed for the milk produced. In other words, the cow that car- ries more flesh and fat than is needed to indicate a thrifty con- dition is using more feed than she ought to for maintaining her body. The cow is not always to blame for this condition — the feeder is sometimes over-anxious to see his cattle look fat and sleek, and feeds them more grain than they are capable of manu- facturing into milk. This practice is more or less injurious to the cattle, and it is a costly luxury. It is the observing feeder that watches these conditions and does not feed any animal more than she will consume economically. I A MAINTENANCE RATION. Every living creature requires food to sustain life, whether it works or not. The loafing man eats, the resting horse consumes a certain amount of feed and it is none the less true of the cow. The steam boiler requires a certain amount of fuel to maintain the steam to a given pressure when it is not working. The cold air which surrounds it is constantly cooling the water, and in order to keep up steam some feed must be added. In animal life the surrounding atmosphere is constantly cooling the animal's body, and to maintain the body at a normal temperature, fuel must be constantly added. Moreover, it takes a certain amount of feed to supply energy to do the work the animal has to perform in extract- ing the nutriments from the feeds and to carry them to the differ- ent parts of the body. The fuel which the boiler requires to keep up a given pressure of steam corresponds very closely to the feed that the animal demands to sustain life, and bodily health, without gaining or losing in weight. The feed thus used is called the maintenance ration. THE WORKING RATION. When an animal is fed enough to support her body properly and the steam boiler enough fuel to raise and sustain a given pressure of steam, if either is required to do more to exert additional energy. state Dairy Association. 223 each must receive more fuel. As soon as the engine is started :t begins to take the stored-up power from the boiler and transmits it into active energy. The boiler will supply steam for some time to the engine without the addition of fresh fuel, but the time is short, and, if continued power is needed, more coal must be added to the fire. The harder the engine works, or the more steam that it uses, the more fuel will the boiler require. It is just so with the cow, for as soon as she begins to produce milk she requires more feed, and the more she produces the more feed she will demand. There is a limit, however, to the amount of work that can be done in either case. For instance, if the boiler is only 10 H. P. and there is a demand for 12 H. P., it will be necessary to crowd the fire with coal and increase the draft in order to produce the extra amount of energy. Every engineer knows that that is a wasteful way of producing energy. It is not only extravagant, but the boiler lasts only a short time when it is crowded to and beyond its capacity. It is generally understood that any piece of machinery should be stronger and capable of doing a little more than it is required to do under ordinary conditions. The cow should have the capacity of producing more milk than she is called upon to pro- duce in ordinary herd work. It is not profitable, as a rule, to force a cow to the limit of her capacity. She should be fed all the feed that she will economically convert into milk, and at the same time retain her health and produce a strong calf. The working ration therefore does not mean crowding the machine continually to its normal capacity, and sometimes beyond, making it short-lived, and the cost of production unnecessarily high, but rather a ration that keeps the animal in good physical condition, produces a strong calf, and gives the most economical flow of milk. A BALANCED RATION. A balanced ration is the proper amount of feed to sustain the animal for 24 hours and supply her with ample nutrients to do her work economically. In calculating a formula for a balanced ration there are no hard and fast lines to follow. We have tables, to be sure, that are based upon the results of experiments ; they are help- ful in calculating our formulas for rations, but they cannot be fol- lowed to the letter or we will make serious mistakes. A few years ago, I was on an institute tour through the Red River Valley of Minnesota, and I advocated the balanced ration, as it was taught to me in school. In other words, I formulated a ration, for a cow weighing 1,000 pounds, containing from 2.25 to 224 Missouri Agiicultural Report. 2.50 pounds of digestible protein, 12 to 13 pounds of digestible carbohydrates and .75 pounds of digestible fat. The next winter I visited many of the same places and I found from the questions that were asked, and through the discussions, that very few farm- ers had increased the flow of milk by feeding the ration that I had proposed to them the preceding year. What was the trouble? After investigation and considering the subject, I discovered that the cows to which this ration was fed were not dairy cows nor kept under dairy conditions. It was a waste of good feed for men to give much to a class of cows that were not bred for dairy purposes, nor cared for,by men who had no knowledge of handling dairy stock. If I had told them first to put their cows in a warm, well lighted and ventilated stable and give them all the hay they would con- sume and from four to five pounds of ground feed, I would have given them some information that would have started them on th'j way to become successful dairymen. But a ration containing from 10 to 12 pounds of concentrates, and roughage accordingly, was altogether too much for a cow housed in a poor barn and giv- ing from five to ten pounds of milk per day. A balanced ration is correct enough, but it must be balanced to meet the condition for which it is fed and according to the amount of work that the animal is doing. FEEDING ACCORDING TO YIELD OF MILK. There is no better system of feeding the dairy cow than to give her a ration according to the work she is doing and to nourish properly her body. Let us be specific in order to illustrate clearly this point; supposing we have a 1,000-pound cow that is giving 25 pounds of 4 per cent milk daily, or is capable of doing this with- out crowding, and there is on the farm clover hay, silage and corn, which is worth $13.00 per ton, and barley worth $18.00. In the market we can purchase bran for $15.00 per ton; gluten feed for $25.00; oil meal for $30.00. In calculating the amount of feed necessary, we first refer to our table to see what kinds and amounts of nutrient are required on the average for a dairy cow weighing 1,000 pounds, and pro- ducing one pound of fat per day. We find it requires 1.8 pounds of digestible protein, 12 pounds of carbohydrates and .5 pounds of fat. The next question: What combination of the named feeds will supply these nutrients the cheapest? We know from experi- ence that corn silage and clover hay are good feeds for dairy cows, and they supply a large part of the nutrients at a reasonable cost. state Dairy Association. 225 An allowance of 40 pounds of silage is none too much for a cow weighing 1,000 pounds, and in 40 pounds of silage there is 10.6 pounds of dry matter containing .53 pounds digestible protein, 5.6 pounds of carbohydrates and .28 pounds of digestible fat. An animal of this size will consume in addition from five to ten pounds of clover hay, consequently, we will suggest that seven pounds of clover hay be added to our formula. In seven pounds of clover hay there is 5.9 pounds of dry matter containing .48 pounds of di- gestible protein, 2.50 pounds of digestible carbohydrates and .12 pounds of digestible fat. By adding the total amount of nutrients in the silage and clover hay together we find that we have 16.5 pounds of dry matter containing 1.01 pounds of digestible protein, 8.11 pounds of digestible carbohydrates and .40 pounds of digesti- ble fat. So far, our ration does not contain enough nutrients to support the cow and make one pound of fat, or 25 pounds of 4 per cent milk per day. The question may come to you, why not increase the silage and the clover hay, until enough nutrients are supplied, for these feeds are cheaper than milk stuff's. A cow cannot eat enough of these feeds to produce the most economical flow of milk, unless the prices of milk feeds are exceptionally high and the price of butter fat comparatively low. Under such a condition it might pay better not to feed any concentrates but feed all the silage and clover hay the animal will consume without waste. She will probably keep up in flow of milk for a short time by drawing from her system the stored up energy that she created when dry, just as the boiler with a pressure of 150 pounds of steam will run the engine for a short time, without putting in coal enough to supply the engine with all the steam that it will use to advantage. The cow, like the engine, will adjust her work to the amount of latent energy or feed that she is given. Therefore, under ordinary con- ditions, some grain should be added to this ration. Experience and tables which have been tabulated from the results of experi- ments show that from seven to eight pounds of grain will have to be added in order to supply the cow with ample nutrients for do- ing her best work. What grains shall be added? In our silag(- and clover hay there is 16.5 pounds of dry matter containing 1.01 pounds of protein, 8.11 pounds of digestible carbohydrates and .40 pounds of digestible fat and we need for this cow about 1.80 pounds of protein, 11.94 pounds of carbohydrates and .47 pounds of fat, or there is needed the difference between the nutrients in the silag-:: and clover and the amount required; which is .79 pounds protein, A— 15 226 Missouri Agricultural Report. 3.84 pounds carbohydrates and .07 pounds of fat. Since we have learned from actual feeding experiments that corn has about the same feeding value as barley, and one can be substituted for the other, it is only business-like to note which is the cheaper. Corn costs five dollars less per ton, which makes considerable difference for* feeds so nearly alike in feeding value. This indicates that it often pays to exchange some home grown grain for milk feed. How is it to be determined that barley or corn or any other feed stuff is needed at all? This is largely ascertained by chemical analysis and digestion experiments, the results of which are com- bined in feeding the tables found in books and periodicals, and is one of many illustrations of the benefits conferred upon the farmer by science and scientific investigations. Whenever clover or alfalfa is fed it requires at least half of the concentrates to be rich in carbohydrates. Corn and barley contain a high percentage of carbohydrates and are comparatively low in protein. We take four pounds of the corn chop, for I said we needed from seven to eight pounds of concentrates. In 'the four pounds of corn chop there is 3.6 pounds of dry matter, con- taining .32 pounds of digestible protein, 2.67 pounds of digestible carbohydrates and .17 pounds of fat. Corn chop is a heavy feed, and since a ration for a cow should be made bulky, a rather light feed ought to be added. I have as- sumed that bran is worth $16.00 per ton, gluten feed $25.00, and oil meal $30.00. In order to determine the total amount of nu- trients that is already in the feeds which have been chosen, it is well to put them in table form and the formula so far is as follows : Feed Stuffs. Dry Matter, lbs. Protein, lbs. Carboliy- drates, lbs. Fat, lbs. Silage 40 lbs. 7 lbs. 4 lbs. 10.6 5.9 3.6 .53 .48 .32 5,60 2.51 2.67 28 Clover hay Corn Chop .12 .17 Totals 20.1 1.33 10,78 ST This supplies enough nutrients for a cow weighing 1,000 pounds, and giving 15 pounds of 4 per cent milk, but not enough for an animal producing 25 pounds of 4 per cent milk. The cow may for a time produce even more than 25 pounds of milk on this amount of feed, but she will draw on her system for extra nutrients and will, in time, decrease abnormally fast in milk flow. To make this ration complete for the cow in question, we need about a half of a pound more protein, and a little more than a state Dairy Association. 227 pound more of carbohydrates. In four pounds of the gluten feed we have .93 pounds of digestible protein, 2.03 pounds of digestible carbohydrates and .11 pounds of fat. This amount of gluten feed furnishes more nutrients than is needed, so let us try three pounds, and we get the following: .70 pounds protein, 1.52 pounds carbo- hydrates and .08 pounds of fat. This would do very well, but it gives a little too much protein and costs a little more than four pounds of bran, which has 3.5 pounds of dry matter, containing .50 pounds digestible protein, 1.54 pounds of digestible carbohy- drates and .12 pounds of fat. This gives the proper amount of nutrients needed to balance the ration for a cow weighing 1,000 pounds and producing 25 pounds of 4 per cent milk. It gives the following formula: Feed Stuffs. Dry Matter, lbs. Protein, lbs. Carbohy- drates, lbs. Fat, lbs. Silage, 40 lbs 10.6 5.9 3.6 3.5 .53 .48 .32 .50 5.60 2.51 2.67 1.54 ?s Clover hay, 7 lbs Corn Chop, 4 lbs Bran, 4 lbs .12 .17 19 Totals 23.6 1.83 12.32 57 If the animal produces more than 25 pounds of milk add omt pound of the grain mixture for each three pounds increase in milk. It is probably well to consider a ration made up of timothy hay and corn stover for roughage in order that we may note the kind of concentrates that will have to be selected to supply the proper amount of nutrients to a cow producing the same amount of milk. I will not go through the process of formulating this ration, but I will give the formula, which is as follows : Feed Stuffs. Dry Matter, lbs. Protein, lbs. Carbohy- drates, lbs. Fat. lbs. Timothy hay, 10 lbs 8.7 2.6 1.8 1.8 .9 .28 .38 .47 .17 .29 4.34 1.06 1.14 1.33 .33 14 Bran, 3 lbs 09 Gluten feed, 2 lbs 05 Corn chop, 2 lbs Oil meal, 1 lb .09 07 Totals without stover 15.8 6.0 1.59 .17 8.20 3.24 44 Corn stover, 10 lbs 07 Totals 21. S 1.76 11.44 51 Corn stover, as a rule, is fed ad libitum, but I have shown the amount of nutrients in 10 lbs. This makes a ration nearly as well 228 Missouri Agricultural Report. balanced as the one containing clover hay and silage, but it is not as good a ration, notwithstanding it contains more expensive concentrates. It lacks a succulent feed, which is much appreciated by the milch cows. Moreover, timothy hay is not as good as clover when there is an abundance of corn raised. It is perhaps well to compose the composition of clover hay, timothy and alfalfa in tab- ular form in order to see why timothy is not a good hay where there is plenty of corn, and why alfalfa is such a very valuable hay for all kinds of live stock. In the following table we have shown the amount of digestible nutrients contained in 100 pounds of timothy hay, alfalfa and clover. Dry Matter. Protein. Carbohy- drates. Fat. Timothy hay 86.8 84.7 91.6 2.8 6.8 11.0 43.4 35.8 39.6 1.4 Clover hay Alfalfa hay 1.7 1.2 Clover hay contains about 21/2 times as much protein as tim- othy, and alfalfa 4 times as much. In 100 pounds of corn there is 89.1 pounds of dry matter, containing 7.9 pounds of digestible protein, 66.7 pounds of digestible carbohydrates and 4.3 pounds of digestible fat. Since corn contains such a low per cent of protein and a high percentage of carbohydrates, it goes well with alfalfa, because it is richer in protein and contains much less carbohy- drates. Let us make a ration of alfalfa and corn for a cow weigh- ing 1,000 pounds and giving 25 pounds of 4^ milk: Dry Matter, lbs. Protein, lbs. Carbohy- drates, lbs. Fat, lbs. 18 lbs. Alfalfa 8 lbs. corn chop 16.5 7.1 1.98 .63 7 . 03 5.34 .22 34 Totals 23.6 2.61 12.37 56 Corn and barley are about the only grains that will make a balanced ration with alfalfa. Corn and alfalfa not only make a balanced ration, but the combination seems to keep the cow ia exceptionally good order. It is generally thought that it is better to feed at least two kinds of concentrates, not that the ration will be balanced better, but for the sake of variety. If corn is the only concentrate fed with the alfalfa it is well to mix some cut alfalfa with the corn, for the cow does not do well on so heavy a feed a;-5 corn if fed alone. She is built for a bulky ration. state Dairy Association. 229 We should note that there is enough protein in this ration to produce 35 to 45 pounds of milk, but only enough carbohydrates for 25 pounds. It is not so objectionable to have an excessive amount of protein as it is to have too much carbohydrates. To illustrate this let us make a ration of timothy hay and corn chop : Dry Matter, lbs. Protein, lbs. Carbohy- drates, lbs. Fat, lbs. Timothy hay, IS lbs 15.6 7.1 .50 .63 7.81 5.34 ?5 Corn Chop, 8 lbs 34 Totals 22.7 1.13 13.15 59 In this ration there is enough protein to produce only 10 pounds of milk, or about one and one-half times less milk than the ration containing 18 pounds of alfalfa hay. A yield of two tons of timothy hay per acre is considered very good — at this rate an acre will produce enough timothy hay, when fed with corn, to produce 2,200 pounds of milk. It is not uncommon to grow four tons of alfalfa per acre, and four tons of alfalfa, when fed with corn, will produce 11,000 pounds of milk. In other words, an acre of land, when sowed to timothy, will produce 2,200 pounds of milk, and if sowed to alfalfa, it will produce 11,000 pounds of milk; that is, one half an acre of alfalfa and 888 pounds of corn will produce 5,500 pounds of milk, and one acre of timothy and 888 pounds of corn will produce 2,200 pounds of milk. Does not this illustration show that it is more profitable to raise alfalfa than timothy hay? There is another point which we have not consid- ered, and it is this, that the timothy hay and corn make a very poor combination, not only for making milk, but for keeping the. animal in good physical condition. Feeding the dairy cow for profit involves the study of each animal in the herd ; it requires that a man should know the amount of milk and fat that each animal is capable of producing; the dairyman should grow alfalfa and clover hay, instead of timothy, to feed with corn silage and home grown grain; a farmer should understand the relative composition of feeds, so that an intelligent combination can be made; the relative market prices should be ascertained in order to know whether it is advisable to exchange home grown grain for mill feed, and it is well to understand the relative prices of feeds and dairy products that we may know whether to feed concentrates liberally or sparingly. High-priced feed and low prices for milk or its products is an undesirable com- 230 Missouri Agricultural Report. bination, but it is sometimes economy to submit to a present los.3 if probably profit in the future will more than counterbalance it. Bear in mind also that the food of maintenance must be supplied and only that which is fed in excess of this should be considered when the market runs the wrong way. DISCUSSION. Q. What breed of cows have you? A. We have the Guernseys; but I don't think there is any- thing gained in a meeting of this kind by discussing the different breeds — I would rather say dairy cows. It is a matter of your own personal taste; you should select the breed you like best. And I don't think we should pay any attention to fancy points about the cow, either. Professor Spillman spoke to you last nighc about the cow with the stripe around her body being so much in demand. Now, that stripe doesn't mean anything. We have a cow in our herd which is almost a solid color, and some buyers would pass her by when looking through our herd ; and yet she stands there year after year with a record of 400 pounds of fat — 449 last year. Now, that's a pretty good cow, and she is one of the most economical producers we have. Last year she only ate $50 worth of feed, and returned a profit of $100; and yet if you were a Guernsey man you would not consider her at all. She is willing to take the grains that we raise on our farm and those that we buy, and give us over and above all the cost of her feed $100 in profit. Now, we should not let a little thing like that stripe in- fluence us. Q. In speaking of the profit from a cow, you do not in- clude the cost of labor, do you? A. No; just the amount of feed we put into that cow and take out so much milk. Q. How can we tell when we are feeding too much? A. You will notice that the animal is leaving part of her feed. And then you will notice it in the excretion — you will no- tice that the cow is not right constitutionally, that there is some- thing wrong with her digestion, Q. Does clover hay answer the purpose of alfalfa ? A. Yes; clover hay is also rich in protein. Alfalfa contains 11 per cent and clover practically 7 per cent. But don't misunder- stand me to say that carbohydrates are not important. But here in Missouri, where you have plenty of corn, you are more con- cerned with getting protein feed, and when you buy feed you think state Dairy Association. 231 of buying that which is rich in protein. But those of you who raise alfalfa are more independent; you don't need to go to market to buy. It very often pays to exchange home-grown grain for mill feeds. These glutinous feeds are improved in many ways by hav- ing the starch taken out. Very often the selling of home-grown grain and the buying of mill feeds can be done at a great profit. Q. In figuring the profit on your cow, have you figured in the value of the skim milk? A. Yes; at $15 per cow. The manure is not taken into con- sideration. Q. Do you think that testing a cow once a month for 12 months and weighing the milk, is a fair test? A. Yes; a very accurate test. Q. I should think that there would be a difference in the re- sult by weighing the milk every day and weighing it only once a month. A. Your cow will not vary very much from month to month. She will not give this month 50 pounds and the next month drop down to 20, but will produce right along the first few months 30 to 35, then perhaps 29 and then 28 — there is a gradual decrease. We had one cow that produced as much in the 12th month as in the first; she produced 49 pounds the first month and 40 the last month in the year. There is not very much chance in making a great mistake in that cow. If you go all over our records you will see a gradual decrease. Q. Will you give us a balanced ration? A. Six pounds of bran, 6 of corn and oats, 6 gluten feed, 3 of oil-meal, 12 of clover hay. We feed corn silage and alfalfa hay, 30 ta 40 pounds of the first and 10 of the last, and what corn stover she will eat out of that given her for bedding. Q. How much grain do you feed a cow? A. The most grain fed any cow last year was 10 pounds. Our average is 7 pounds of grain per cow. Don't crowd them. But you must remember that the feeding of good alfalfa hay in connection with silage gives a lot of nutriment; and you can get along with 1 pound of grain to 4 pounds of milk — that's enougli here in the corn belt. In Wisconsin, when we get an inquiry as to that, we tell them to give 1 pound of grain for 2i/^ pounds of milk. 232 Missouri Agricultural Report. CLEAN MILK— WHY?— HOW? By Dr. Geo. M. Whittaker, Dairy Division, United States Dept. of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Few people know what the word clean means. They think they do but they are mistaken. How many of you have a carpet on your Hving room floor which the good house-wife goes over daily with a sweeper, and which you take up and beat for her once a year — or two? Do you consider that a clean way of living? Contrast that method with a system of rugs which can be rolled up and taken out of doors weekly for a thorough sweeping. Not many weeks since, I stopped at the leading restaurant in a bright enterprising city. The day was warm and the whole front of the place was open. At the end of the lunch counter not a dozen feet from the street gutter stood a row of uncovered pies. They were in the same air as that of the street; whenever a pass- ing car or a natural breeze raised a cloud of dust, with all which that implies, the particles would settle on those pies. But more than that, a host of flies having taken a hearty meal on street manure and refuse were having pie for dessert. As far as I could judge I was the only one of those eating at the restaurant or passing on the street who considered the conditions as bad. If I had told the proprietor that he was running a dirty place, he would have resented the charge, possibly to my physical injury, for was not the white tile floor scrubbed every morning? How often do I hear dairymen boast of the number of times they strain milk as proof of their cleanliness, ignorant of the fact that the more milk is strained the dirtier it may become. In defining the word clean, we must not belong to the class who having eyes see not. Our visual organs must be alert to visible dirt, even in out-of-the-way places ; but we must also under- stand that there is such a thing as invisible dirt and lots of it; it is there just the same even if we can't see it. The demand for cleaner milk has been a familiar sound in my ears for a long time. Many years ago, when connected with the Massachusetts Dairy Bureau, I frequently heard creamery buttermakers grumble at the dirty product sometimes furnished them and complain that they could not make Number One butter if even one farmer in twenty furnished dirty cream. More recently the subject of cleaner milk has received in- creased prominence, and has come to the front all over the country. state Dairy Association. 233 This comparatively new movement has been inaugurated by physi- cians rather than dairy leaders; its official machinery has been put in operation at the instance of health boards rather than agri- cultural departments; and its object has been better market milk rather than higher flavored butter, although clean milk helps one as well as the other. This modern dairy agitation is not in uni- versal favor with milk producers. The attitude of antagonism where it exists is to be deprecated because it is sure to end in de- feat, for the agitation in favor of cleaner milk is based on proven facts, and truth always prevails. Further than that, these milk producers place themselves in a false light before the general public and create a bad impression by facing backward and oppos- ing progress; though it is only natural that a milk movement originating largely outside of agricultural circles should be viewed with suspicion. It is a principle of law and logic that the pre- sumption is always in favor of the existing order of things and the burden of proof is on those who would make a change; but many health officers know so emphatically the danger from contaminat- ed milk that they do not make plain to others what they see so clearly themselves and they enact radical regulations without taking the producers into their confidence. In addition, the en- forcement of these orders is sometimes entrusted to people lacking tact and employing unwise methods. Milk producers as a rule are reasonable, intelligent people who desire to produce a proper article. But they don't under- stand why customs and conditions which have been approved for generations should suddenly be forbidden; the 2vhy of things should be explained to them. They can be led better than they can be driven. They should be approached in a friendly and help- ful way rather than with the bearing of a policeman. But they must be in a receptive frame of mind. The successful farmer is receptive; is on the alert for new facts and is ready to receive and adopt them. Let us receive the new light about milk in the same spirit. Let us remember that physicians know more about health matters than we do, and receive their assertions as we do the statements of other investigators and specialists. WHY CLEANER MILK. What are the facts which warrant such increased attention to the Nation's market milk supply and so many new rules re- garding its production and distribution? Speaking broadly this new phase of dairying rests on bacteriology which is a compara- 34 Missouri Agricultural Report. lively new science. It is a science which has thrown a flood of light into many hitherto dark places, and has revolutionized a number of lines of work — notably surgery. The old time surgeon would perform minor operations with his jackknife — if he were very clean, he would wipe it on his pocket-handkerchief. Such things would not be tolerated today. As the search light of the bacteriologist is turned on to dairying, we see why the word clean is so misunderstood, why conditions that existed unnoticed a few years ago are condemned today, and that dirty milk produces worse results than giving a bad flavor to butter. What has this knowledge of bacteria shown us in regard to the milk supply of our towns and cities? First, it is now an established fact that tuberculosis can be conveyed through milk from the bovine to the human race. This was the unanimous conviction of the delegates to the recent Inter- national Tuberculosis Congress in Washington, D. C, as shown by their vote. Second, it is now absolutely proven that typhoid and scarlet fever and some other ailments are due to specific germs, and that many epidemics of these diseases have been caused by the scatter- ing of the germs through a community, in the milk supply. Third, and by far the most important of all, it is now known that the presence in milk of excessive numbers of bacteria even if they are not specific disease germs, may cause derangements in the digestive tract, specially of infants and invalids. It is proven that much of the mortality of babies is caused by undue Quantities of bacteria in the milk they consume. "Often the action of this milk with infants is not that of milk but of poison" says Dr. Jordan, Boston's milk inspector. One-third of all the babies who are born, die before they are five years old, says one authority, and Dr. Darlington estimates that one-fourth of the entire death rate is due to the bowel and stomach diseases of infants. Vital statistics of Rochester, N. Y., showed an average for nine years of 222 deaths per year, during July and August, of children under five years of age. The introduction of a better milk supply cut the number down to 89. At the infant asylum on Randall's Island, N. Y., the death rate before attention was called to the milk supply was 40 per cent; with better milk the rate was reduced to 16 per cent. Hence the question you have asked me to discuss is im- portant as a dairy problem, but it is also one of broad economic and social concern. McClure's Magazine for December says: "Barring the anti-tuberculosis movement, there is no line of hy- state Dairy Association. 235 genie endeavor that has enlisted as wide-spread and hopeful ar interest in this country as the problem of obtaining pure milk." The milk of healthy cows is practically sterile on leaving the udder, and much of the subsequent contamination comes from the dust or dirt always floating in the air even in the cleanest places. Other bacteria get into the milk from unclean utensils and many from fles. Many of these bacteria are harmless in their proper place, but there are weeds in the world of bacteria as in the world of visible plant growth — a weed is merely a plant out of place. The forms of bacteria which are particularly active in causing intest- inal and digestive disturbances are intimately associated with the so-called harmless ones. You cut your hand and bandage the wound because you say that if the air gets at it healing is delayed : really it is the bacteria in the air that do the damage. The cut may develop into an ugly sore