USA > Indiana > Hancock County > Prairie Farmer's directory of Hancock County, Indiana, 1921 > Part 3
USA > Indiana > Hancock County > Prairie Farmer's directory of Hancock County, Indiana, 1921 > Part 3
USA > Indiana > Hancock County > Prairie Farmer's directory of Hancock County, Indiana, 1921 > Part 3
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FARMERS AND BREEDERS, HANCOCK COUNTY
KNOTTER
BILLS
DISC
there can be found on each other machine a part similar in function, very similar in shape, and often very similar in position. This is particu- larly true in the knotter head or that portion of the binder head which ties the knot. In discussing these troubles then, let us bear in mind that every make of binder has in some form each part shown in the second illus- tration, and that the functions of these parts are the same though the position and shape may vary slightly.
The disc is that part which holds the end of the twine while the bundle is being formed. The bills, also shown in the illustration, are those parts which tie the knot. It is the function of the needle to bring up the needle end of the band, place it over the bills and into the disc where the disc catches it and securely holds both ends. The bills then revolve, forming a loop about themselves, and after revolving part way they open, seize both ends of the band, as shown in
the illustration, and hold the ends of the band while the stripper arm pulls the loop off the bills-hence the ends of the band are pulled through the loop and the knot is tied. If these operations are kept clearly in mind the operator will find his tying trou- bles greatly simplified.
Each operator should be able to tell just where his trouble lies by ex- amining the failing band and noting where it is found.
In the third illustration, Figure 1 found clinging to the bills with the simple knot tied around the bills and the loose end cut square and smooth, indicates that the disc spring is too loose and the twine tension is too tight.
The same band found cast with the bundle instead of clinging to the bills would indicate that the disc is but slightly loose, yet too loose. The band indicating such trouble is shown in Fig 2.
Fig. 3 found clinging to the bills
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PRAIRIE FARMER'S RELIABLE DIRECTORY
TOUNO
FOUND WITH BUNDLE*
FOUND ON 87718
FOUND WITH BUHOLE
FOUND
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4 1 -1
Fig. 5
Fig 8
Fig. ?
Fig. 8:
Fig. 10
AROUND BUNDLE
Fix. 9.
TO NEEDLE
but with the free end crushed and ragged indicates that the disc is too tight and that the twine tension is also too tight.
Fig. 4 found cast with the bundle instead of on the bills indicates that the twine tension is perfect but that the disc is slightly too tight.
Fig. 5 found with the cast bundle and with both ends crushed and ragged indicates that the disc is very tight.
Notice the bent crinkled ends in Fig. 6 and that the band is formed with the bundle. The ends have been in the knot but have pulled out. The bills may be too loose or the "hump" on the underside of the upper bill may be worn away sufficiently so that the bills cannot hold the ends of the band securely enough when the loop is pulled off. This probably has caused a loose knot which pulled out when the bundle spread. If the bills are too loose tighten the bills spring. If the little "hump" is worn away file away a little of the stock behind the hump, using a rat-tail file.
Fig. 8 is the familiar band which seems to be tied perfectly when the bundle is first cast, but when the shocker grasps the bundle the band gives way and appears as shown. If the disc is at the proper tension, then the trouble is probably that the bills do not open wide enough to grasp both ends of the twine in the disc. If the bills cam roller on the back of
the upper bill is worn one-sided, sup- ply new parts. If the whole bills shaft has dropped down due to wear below the bills, pinion gear, place a very thin washer under pinion to bring the bills up against the knotter head frame where they belong. It sometimes happens that a very loose twine tension allows sufficient slack - in the twine to arch slightly over the bills instead of being pulled down tightly over them. The upper bill will then nose in between the bands' ends instead of grasping both of them and a simple slip knot is tied instead of a hard knot.
Fig. 9 indicates a needle trouble. For some reason the needle has not placed the twine in the disc. Most likely the needle has carried up some green stuff of some kind which mo- mentarily clogs the disc. If this band occurs frequently, however, then prob- ably the eye of the needle has be- come so badly worn back, due to too tight a tension, that the needle can not advance far enough to place the twine in the disc. The needle should advance until it just barely touches the stripper or breast plate. If it does not advance that far it is prob- ably slow and the needle pitman should be shortened slightly.
Make all binder head and knotter head adjustments gradually. A quar- ter of a turn of the studs on the disc and knotter bills springs is ample to remedy most troubles in those parts.
22
FARMERS AND BREEDERS, HANCOCK COUNTY
The Story of Frank Mann's Wonderful Farm
(Reprinted from Prairie Farmer.)
Systematic Use of Limestone, Phosphate and Clover Have Given Him Steadily Increasing Yields
So many of our readers have asked us for a complete story of Frank Mann's farm that we have asked him to prepare it and are publishing it herewith. The increase in crop yields, following his methods of soil treatment, are shown in the following table:
First Rotation
Second Rotation
Third Rotation
Fourth Rotation
Highest Yields
Corn
72
75
81
85
93
Oats
70
81
93
98
115
Wheat
32
41
51
57
63
B OIS D'ARC farm consists of nearly 500 acres adjoining the city of Gilman, Iroquois county, Ill. The farm lies near the edge of what is called the Iroquois Lake basin, and though in its natural state it was too wet for all the land to be successfully farmed, it was not wet enough to be classed as swamp land. It is essentially the undulating prairie land of the Corn Belt.
Previous to 1878 considerable sur- face drainage was secured by means of open ditches following the natural water courses, and farming had been done on the higher parts of the fields. Considerable tiling was done between 1878 and 1886, when the land was in- cluded in a drainage district, which provided better outlets, with large tile laid in some of the old open ditches.
Tiling was continued for a few years until most of the fields were supplied with lateral strings about four rods apart, and with mains and submains, with a capacity to remove standing water within about 24 hours after a heavy rain. Most of the mains and submains are laid with a fall of about one inch per hundred feet, while the laterals have from one to several inches fall to the hundred feet.
The farm is divided principally into 80-acre fields, though there are some subdivisions of these, because of the difference in the soil types, and for convenience in operating.
Many Types of Soil.
There are a large number of soil types on this farm, and a soil expert would probably classify them into about 17 different types, though in farming only a few general differences are recognized. In general, the soil is called the brown silt loam of the Early Wisconsin glaciation, and it varies from the light phase to the heavy phase of brown silt. Of the surface soil on the farm there is a light sandy silt, light silt, medium silt, and a heavy phase, approximating black clay loam. There are many variations in the subsoil; sand, several feet in depth; a pervious mixed clay and silt; yellow silty clay; a rather tight or impervi- ous clay, and a dark silty clay.
Most of the farm is of the level or gently undulating land with but a few feet difference in elevation be- tween the higher and lower parts of the fields; and as a rule, the higher the ground the lighter the soil. On the high portions there may be about a foot of dark colored soil,
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PRAIRIE FARMER'S RELIABLE DIRECTORY
while on the low portions there may be two to three feet of dark earth.
About a hundred acres is of a different formation and lies higher than the rest of the land. This higher land is mostly a light sandy loam with a sandy subsoil, and the dark colored surface varies from a little less to a little more than a foot in its natural condition.
The Soil Analysis.
Analysis of various samples show- ed there was limestone in the surface or subsoil in the level and lower portions, in the subsoil of the higher portions, but none in the surface; and no limestone in either the surface or subsoil of the higher land with the sandy subsoil. The phosphorus varied from 1000 to 1200 pounds per acre in the surface soil of the level and undulating land, and from 800 to 1000 in the higher sandy land. The potas- sium in surface and subsoil is about the average of corn belt soils, and largely in excess of any possible re- quirements.
In 1866 not a single tree was grow- ing on the whole farm, but in the few years following large plantings were made of young trees of several kinds for nursery purposes; a number of ash, maple, walnut groves were plant- ed, some of which are still standing.
More or less livestock has been kept on the farm since about 1880. For about 10 years there were from 30 to 40 colts and horses, 100 to 200 hogs, and from 40 to 50 cows-the second herd of pure-bred Holsteins in the state. From 1900 to 1912 from 40 to 50 dairy cows were again maintained, and since that time only about a dozen cows, work horses and a few hogs comprise the livestock. As the fields nearest the barns had the poorest soils, practically no manure was ever hauled to the fields farthest from the barns; and one of these 80-acre fields has never had a load of manure, though it has been cropped every year since 1878 -42 crops in all.
The writer commenced farming operations in 1878, and by 1879 enough drainage had been provided to permit farming in 80-acre fields without much interference from the open ditches.
Rotation Started in 1879.
On four 80-acre fields a rotation of
clover, corn, corn, oats was started,and clover was seeded with the oats in . 1879. With but two or three breaks, due principally to grasshoppers, this rotation has been maintained ever since. The west 20 acres of two of these 80's included so much of the light sandy type of soil, which would not grow good clover, they were separated from the rest of the half section, and operated in a different method in connection with the rest of the light sandy types.
The fields with the thin sandy type of soil were used for pasture a part of the time. After two or three years of pasturing grain crops were grown for two or three years. After about three years the crops became so small they were again seeded to timothy and clover for pasture. Since 1904-8 these fields have been cropped regu- larly in rotation, because with the use of limestone and phosphate large crops of clover can be grown in rotation.
On the half section, where clover grew in rotation, common red clover was used for a few years, but later some alsike and timothy were included in the seeding. The first crop of clover was cut for hay, and the second crop was plowed under late in the fall, though frequently it was necessary to defer some of the plowing until early spring, and if possible before much growth had been made.
Until mineral treatments were com- menced in 1903 the average yield of hay was from one ton to 11/2 tons per acre, in first crop; and the growth to plow under, consisting of the second growth and residues of first years growth, was about a ton.
With the use of phosphate there came a large increase in the amount of clover grown, and the hay crop was increased from 2 to 21/2 tons, with a corresponding increase in the late growth. The mixture used became common red, alsike, alfalfa and timothy, as
this gives larger growth after the hay crop for plow- ing under.
What Is Clover Worth?
What is this clover worth when plowed under as suggested? Com- paring yields on land where corn and oats have been grown without clover, with yields on similar land where clover has been in rotation for many years, shows that the
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24
FARMERS AND BREEDERS, HANCOCK COUNTY
clover has been worth 40 bushels of corn and 15 bushels of oats in each rotation. Corn without clover yield- ed 34 bushels as an average for five years; oats without clover in the rotation, yielded 32 bushels. With clover in rotation, the corn yield was 54 bushels and oats was 47. When corn sold at 50 cents per bushel this gave a value of at least $12 to $13 per ton for the hay plowed under. With corn at a higher price the value of the clover would be correspondingly higher.
Trials have been made to see whether more clover than the second crop plowed under would give any increased value. In some cases the first crop was clipped and left on the ground for plowing under with the second crop; and in other cases mam- moth clover has been grown and the whole crop plowed under; but the effect of the larger amount of clover has been more or less injurious. It has induced a larger growth of stalks and straw, with shallower root sys- tems and more injury from drouth; later maturity; more smut, mold and scab, and more soft corn. It has caused more excess nitrogen with all of its attending evils.
Soybeans were grown when grass- hoppers destroyed the clover, but it was considered that when soys were allowed to mature, they were worse than a grain crop from a fertility standpoint The weight of the soy nodules was 500 pounds per acre (based on what was taken from a square rod), but in these nodules there remained but about 31/2 pounds of nitrogen; as, in maturing, the soys had so completely withdrawn the valu- able food materials from the roots, they were more exhaustive to the soil than would have been a grain crop. These soys probably took about 80 pounds of nitrogen from the soil and another 80 pounds from the air, but it was nearly all removed in the mature crop.
Something More Needed.
For years it was considered that nothing more need be done than to grow clovers in rotation, but with the continued use of clover there was grown large stalks and rank straw, but without any material increase in the quantity of grain produced.
Enough stalks for 150 bushels corn per acre, and straw enough for as large a yield of small grain were fre- quently grown, and with yields ap- proximating 50 bushels. Farming was discouraging, as it seemed as if nothing could be done towards in- creasing actual yields, as about every improved plan had been tried.
About this time the Illinois Experi- ment Station began the systematic study of soils, and it was found that some soils responded to limestone, some to phosphorus, some to nitrogen and some to potash.
Fertility Experiments.
To parts of a field to be in second- year corn were given various applica- tions: 10 tons of Chicago yard manure per acre (manure contains all), dried blood to another part, rock phosphate, limestone and potash to other parts, in a spirit of inquiry to see what the soil wanted.
The manure gave an increase of 10 bushels of corn per acre; bone meal and rock phosphate 17 bushels in- crease; dried blood, limestone and potash had no beneficial effects in the following crop.
As the nitrogen of blood did not seem to be needed, it was assumed that the nitrogen of manure was not needed; as phosphorus in either form gave good returns it was considered that the phosphorus of the manure was the main cause of the increase it gave.
As the one crop removed about as much phosphorus as was applied in the manure; and as most of the phos- phorus of bone meal and rock phos- phate remained in the soil; and as the rock phosphate cost much less, it seemed to be the best remedy for the conditions. Its systematic use was commenced and has been continued ever since without missing a treat- ment in regular order.
In the first rotation on each field there was applied 1,000 pounds of raw phosphate per acre, and by operating the distributor while spreading, heavier applications were made to the higher parts of the fields, and lighter applica- tions to the lower. In this way there seemed to be better values returned from an application than if it had been distributed evenly
Since the first rotation, the regular application has been one ton per acre
25
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PRAIRIE FARMER'S RELIABLE DIRECTORY
in each four-year rotation; the appli- cation being made to the clover field before plowing. Intermediate applica- tions have also been made during the rotation on some fields, so that now the tilled fields have from 312 to five tons per acre as the total amount ap- plied.
Yields Go Up.
During the first rotation on the half section where the crops are corn, corn, oats and clover, the average yield of corn was 70 bushels and- Oats 70 bushels. In the second rotation, with the second applica- tion of phosphate in connection with clover, the corn yield was 74 and the oats 78; in the third rotation, the corn was 81 and the oats 89 bushels; in the fourth rotation, with the fourth application of phosphate the corn yield was 85 and the oats 93 bushels. A few fields severely injured by extraneous causes, such as hail- storms, have not been included.
On the remainder of the farm, the fields contain more or less of the lighter sandy soil, and the rotation has been corn, oats, wheat and clover. As most of this ground has no limestone in either surface or subsoil, or a large humus supply, it was necessary to apply limestone as the first step to
grow clover, and from three to five tons per acre were applied as an ini- tial application.
Most of these fields had been given considerable manure in previous years, though almost none since the rotation was started. There are four fields in this rotation; one of 30 acres, one of 35 acres, one of 40 acres and one of 20 acres. Parts of some of these fields have grown alfalfa for a number of years, though a part of each field has been in the rotation.
Regular applications of phosphate have been made to the clover field before plowing in each rotation, and extra applications have been made to the oats stubble before plowing for wheat, so that these fields now have had four tons of phosphate per acre, and one field has had five tons.
Some of these fields have been in pasture for several years before the rotation was started, and manure had been applied. In the first rotation the corn yield was 72 bushels, oats 70, wheat 32; second rotation, corn 75, oats 81, wheat 41; third rotation, corn 81, oats 93, wheat 51; fourth rota- tion, corn 85, oats 98, wheat 57.
In two favorable seasons the corn made 93 bushels, the oats 102 and 115 bushels and the wheat 6212 and 63 bushels.
FRANK I. MANN Prairie Farmer's Soil and Crop Editor
26
FARMERS AND BREEDERS, HANCOCK COUNTY
Hancock County Farmers' Association
The early history of the Hancock County Farmers' Association dates back to the early spring months of the year 1919 when several of the more progressive farmers of the county saw the need of an organized body to advance and promote the agricultural interests of the county in an or- ganized manner. The work of the Association the first year was only general in nature and offered too, its support to county agent work in general. M. E. Cromer. No regular pro- gram of work was planned and followed yet, some very good results were evident at the close of the year's work. Although the associa- tion was organized on the 50 cent yearly membership basis only, and was supported by about 500 farmers in the county, yet when the Indiana Federation of Farmers' Associations was organized later in the same year in Indianapolis, the local asso- ciation took an active part therein and gave valuable assistance in the formation of the same. It was one of the first counties to affiliate with the state federa- tion and became a charter member by the payment of $200 into the state association.
Realizing the opportunities of such an organiation and seeing the need of a more permanent organization' the constitu- tion was so changed at the first annual meeting which was held on December 13, 1919, so that the membership was raised from 50 cents to $5 yearly and carried with it at the same time a three year guarantee.
Upon this new basis the association which stands for the protection of farm interests and the promotion of agricultural interests, and for the good of all the people, is taking an active part in the ad- vancement of community life both in the townships as well as in the county at large. Following the county-wide meet- ing, revision of the constitution and elec- tion of officers, the several townships in the county proceeded to meet and or- ganize their respective township units until
now all nine of the townships are fully organized having officers elected including president, secretary-treasurer and in many cases, a township board of directors, or comitteemen, who assist the officers in the management of the local affairs.
Following the completion of the or- ganization the third week in January a special campaign for membership was waged in all the townships which was later supplemented by another drive the last week in August, both of which resulted in a total membership of more than 1300 in the county.
Following is a list of the townships showing their respective membership rolls to date ยท
Sugar Creek township .. . . 192
Center township. 182
Buck Creek township. 168
Jackson township. 166
Vernon township. 153
Blue River township 130
Brandywine township .110
Green township. 114
Brown township. 86
The organization is being made as demo- cratic in nature as possible thus insuring the interest and co-operation of as many of the farmers in the county as possible. Each township association elects their own officers as well as their representatives on the county board of directors, which board includes the representatives from the several townships as well as the county president, vice-president, and secretary- treasurer.
Many of the townships held special meetings early in the spring to consider important work which should be put over during the year in an effort to advance the agricultural interest of the members of the respective communities; especially was this true with Buck Creek, Sugar Creek, Brandywine and Green townships.
The directors of the county association meet monthly and direct its plans and policies, as well as assist the agricultural agent in his work. The association backs the agricultural agent in all phases of the work. The financial obligations associated with the agent's office are borne by the association and a permanent stenographer is maintained by the Farmers' Association for the office.
27
1
PRAIRIE FARMER'S RELIABLE DIRECTORY
With the co-operation of the Farmers' Association the county agricultural agent has been able to carry on some very satisfactory extension work in the county.
During the past year several very im- portant and successful projects have been directed, some of which includes work covering livestock, crops, cereal disease control, poultry, club work and home betterment.
A purebred pig club was completed in which 19 purebred gilts were distributed to as many boys and developed for win- ners in the state fair as well as in the county show. Treatment of 505 bushels of seed wheat by the hot water method for the control of loose smut resulted in an average increased yield of five bushels per acre.
In the five acre corn growing contest nine of the 11 men finishing won medals in the state contest for having produced more than 75 bushels per acre. Four of the nine produced more than 85 bushels per acre, while one produced 109 bushels per acre. This speaks well for these men when the average yield for the county was 41 bushels per acre.
Poultry is given no small amount of at-
tention in the county. More than forty farm flocks were enrolled in the state egg- laying contest and the standard of produc- tion is being annually raised by poultry culling demonstration campaigns. Annual poultry and corn shows are held which command the interest of the entire county.
Although these represent the principal lines of work in an agricultural line the association has taken on other duties which stand for the general advancement of the county. Active co-operation has been made with the Business Mens' Asso- ciation and other organizations standing for community development.
A home tour which had as its aim the stimulation of interest toward better rural homes created a vast amount of interest over the entire county and a marked im- provement will be seen in the standard of the rural homes as a result of this work and tour.
The county agricultural agent work was started in Hancock county on May 1, 1918 and the office has been maintained con- tinually since that date with the result that the county is rapidly coming to the front in all lines of endeavor.
WE BUY AND SELL
CLOVER SEED
ALSO
Alfalfa, Timothy, Alsike, Millet, Rape, Soja Beans Sweet Clover and Other Grass Seeds.
POULTRY AND STOCK FEED
No Grit Scratch and Chick Feeds, Laying and Fattening Mash, Meat Scrap, Crushed Oyster Shell Hog and Cattle Feed
4
When In Need of Seed or Feed Ask for Prices The Indiana Seed Company
368 S. Meridian Street
INDIANAPOLIS, IND.
28
FARMERS AND BREEDERS, HANCOCK COUNTY
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