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Show TIIE UINTAH BASIN FARMER 8 SNOW IX UINTAH Farmers Should Plant Sufficient Wheat for Needs By (Dirt J. P. celled as egg producers. One of the hens of this strain held the worlds record for egg production for a long time. In general, it might be stated that the Barred Rocks rank next to the Leghorns, Minorcas and in laying qualities. It is generally conceded that there is onbreed the ly one ''general-purpos- e Wyandotte that is superior as a layer to the Barred Rock. Many prefer the Barred Rock, however, as the eggs are considerably largWy-andott- es By G. P. BARBER. 83 84 85 MAY 86 Farmer and Optimist) 87 89 spirit of pessimism and doubt among farmers is very apparent to the casual observer this spring. This doubt, uncertainty, in fact it is almost glcom among a few, is caused by tbe light suow fall, fol- lowing the dry year of 1924. After the 1924 drouth farmers have a right to be cautious, but should they become gloomy? There is reason for apprehension, but there is no grounds fcr pessimism, for dreadful fear. This doubting mood has become so pronounced that many farmers are planting little or no wheat, notwithstanding the fact that we have enough snow in the Uintah mountains to insure a fair acreage independently of any rain. This is also despite the further fact that we have every reason to beliefe we shall have much more rain than last year, because on the Wasatch range and in the valleys on its western slopes A there is ample snow. Breeds of Poultry For Uintah Basin MOUNTAINS 90 91 92 Charles DeMoisy, Supervisor . , , Jr., re snow this year ports that while the at the close of March is lesscon-in depth than last year the water tent is considerably higher and he believes there is nearly as much The measurewater as last year. ment taken last year followed a heavy snow storm and before the snow had packed Mr. DeMoisy also cites the fact that in the dry spring of 1913 when scarcely no snow was in the mountains at this time of the year, was one of the very best crop years the Uintah Basin has ever had as the rains in the mountains during the sumemr were more than sufficient for the irrigation purposes of the He is farm lands of the Basin confident there feels and optimistic will be sufficient water for an average crop in the Basin, particularly as many acres are producing alfalfa seed and not nearly so much water is required for the seed crop, ? The valleys and mountains well supplied with noisture on the west almost guar- antees good showers on the east side because this moisture is driv- en his way. Last year we had lit- tie ram and there was very little DAX H HILLMAN STILL IS moisture, either as ram or as snow TO MINGLE WITH REES on the Wasatch range or in the valleys on its western slopes. Reorganization of the state hoard While the alfalfa seed man feels was effected at Salt of safe, as a ru,e, yet this is not Lakeagriculture city recently. David F. Smith enough. We are shipping great cf Centerville was elected to sucquantities of corn into the Basin. ceed Henry Moss as president. L. This corn shoud be produced right C. Iverson was secretary appointed We we can produce it. here, and have the water, the climate, every- to replace Ed T. Jones, who has held office for four years. In the thing except optimistic farmers to dairy and food bureau Hugh plant it and to intelligently handle turns it affairs over to it. During the last few months we " Southwick of Lehj, while have shipped into the Basin a large ?war rHendricks of Richmond amount of wheat and flour, mostly state becomes to replace veterinarian Is not it flour. verp humiliating to see car loads of flour come from Dr. A. J. Webb. Heber J. Webb, Grand Junction, from Spanish Fork, Dan H. Hillman and Thomas Redfrom Brigham city, and the Good mond were retained for tle presLord only knows from what other ent in the capacities of state agritowns in Utah and adjacent terri- cultural inspector, apiarist and. chief tory? This very flour could have sheep inspector. Appointment of J. been produced here last year. We A. Robinson to replace A. M. as agricultural inspector for fail on the wheat question for sevMillard county was the only field eral reasons, principally the followmade. change on We too wheat spring ing: rely much. Fall wheat is much safer. Last fall was too dry for good fall terials much greater Pulverize cultivation and even for good the soil, otherwise your efforts are growth, hence this exceptional seas- wasted to the extent that a good on we must admit justifies some mulch or pulverized condition is shortage for the present, or ensuing lacking. season of 1925. Most farmers plant However, the great question right wheat too late in the spring, and now is OPTIMISM. Farmers are many are very careless as to depth AFRAID. Our supply of snow in planted, uniformity of covering, the Uintah mountains justifies opwhen not drilled, and then mark- timism. Writer has talked with ing. off is carelessly done. Plant- many farmers recently who are ing and irrigating wheat is not all planning on corn acreage but little the preliminaries to a good crop, yet or no wheat. They believe water quite a number handle the matter shortage does not justify wheat. as though these were the principal Such attitude is not Let justified. factors, regardless of how planted us try to produce our own bread or how irrigated. chicken feed, and feed for our cows. Preparation of the seed bed is A few farmers who have made big very vital. Uniformity and depth of money on alfalfa seed are too inThe dependent to follow old time farmplanting is quite important. average wheat field, just after it ing they want the big cash crop has been sowed, will show 25 per and they are willing to buy their cent planted too deep and about the flour and wheat. It seems same amount merely covered, leav- that several of these influentialto me men ing possibly half covered about are having a retarding influence ou right. Plant spring wheat early, ir- wheat for 1925. They should show rigate it as soon as possible when more desire for diversified farming, water seems to be a question, and and wheat for our own demands is you are sure to beat the weeds, not difficult to produce. Unless get the grounl shaded before ex- some important work is done by tremely hot weather comes, and some of leading citizens a great beat drouth conditions. But prep- - wheat shortage will surely be our aration of the land mut not be re-lnext fall and winter Lets have A as garded secondary good soil optimism, and then some deep plow- 13 ll ls not in fair ing ltt,e ?,lue time pulverizing, and evaporation is ful planting, and trust to increased and the wheat rootlets favorable water conditions already to materially retarded, besides prove. three aevraae rain making the struggle tor food n, a- - storms will m.L us s.te j . - Mc-Om- Mr. Orson Madsen, county agent of Carbon and Emery counties, who had charge of the poultry section of the Club Leaders school held at Roosevelt recommended the Barred best Plymouth Rock as being the Basin Uintah for breed of poultry farmers to keep. Mr. Madsen was formerly assistant in the poultry department at the Utah Agricultural College and is an experienced therefore his recommendation of the Barred Plymouth Rock should carry considerable weight with Basin poultry raisers. There may be some readers of THE UINTAH BASIN FARMER who are not very well acquainted with the Barred Rock and the purpose of this article is to describe this breed of poultry and point out some of its outsanding merits ag a general-purpose fowl. The Barred Plymouth Rock is of American origin and belongs to the general-purpos- e type. In other words, it is just between the type and the meat type. The Barred Rock happily possesses the best qualities of both without being handicapped with their deficiencies. This popular American breed of fowls is medium in size. The males weigh in the neighborhood of 9 about 7 pounds and the female The color is grey with pounds. black bars. The shape is more o less triangular, lacking the full breast and fluff of the Wyandotte. This fowl is inclined to be somewhat lanky, that is, the carriage is erect and upstanding. The single comb is medium in size, the wattles and ear lobes are red and the eye poul-tryma- n, so-call- ed egg-layi- is ng usually prominent. The Barred Rock is an active fowl and a good forager. It is one of the very best layers among the Barren general - purpose breeds. Rocks have made some excellent records in the egg laying contests. Prof. James Dryden, formerly head of the poultry department of the Utah Agricultural College, and later head of the same department at the Oregon Agricultural College, developed a strain of Barred Plymouth Rocks that at one time was unex ie We Value Your Business i but we MOST. value friendship attention. It doesnt make any difference how much or how little business you transact with us, that business is important to you and important to us. Bring your financial problem to us our officers will be glad to advise with you. $ U:intah estate Vernal, Utah on, im-ha- your We are never too busy to pass a few words with you. Never too busy to give your requirements the best of ot cart-conditi- er. The Barred Rock hen is an exShe is cellent sitter and mother. inclined to be less awkward than the Rhode Island Red, hence does not break so many eggs and kill so many chicks by stepping on them. The flesh of this breed is of excellent quality and Barred Rock capons are unexcelled for roasting. The cockerels develop rapidly and make broilers at a comparatively early age. The breed is hardy and some Barred Rock fanciers say that it resists the disease better than most other breeds. There are several varieties of the Plymouth Rocks the Silver Penciled, the White, the Partridge, etc. The Barred variety, however, is by far the most popular. The Barred Plymouth Rock is very well adapted to Uintah Basin conditions. It is of good size, sits rand mothers the chicks well, is an excellent layer of large eggs, makes good broilers and capons, is hardy, rustles for a good part of its livwell and ing, stands confinement It is a question matures early. whether it would pay to produce eggs for the outside market in the Basin most experts say not which means that the general-purpos- e type of fowl is the most profitable to raise. The Basin can produce capons as cheaply if not more so than any section in the state and when this practise becomes more general the merits of the Barred Rock will be more appreciated. In the same class with the Barred Plymouth Rock are the Wyandottb, the Orphington and the Rhode Island Red. All except the Orphington are American breeds. This breed is of English origin. None of these breeds appear to rank with the Barred Rock in popularity and there is every reason to believe that the Barred Rock Is much better adapted to Basin conditions than any or the other breeds. ve nr ir e ANIL ? |