Grand Rapids Herald Review

STUMP TRUCK COMING HERE

Land Clearing Demonstration Truck Dated for Itasca County All Next Week-Experts in Charge.

WILL USE PYRATOL

Proper Use of Government Explosive to Be Shown-Two Communities Sign-Others Can Get Demonstration- More Explosives.

Notice has been received by A. H. Frick, county agent, that a land clearing truck, sent out under the authority and direction of the state university, will be in Itasca county next week, and will be here from Tuesday, July 7, to Saturday, July 11, inclusive.

The men in charge of the truck will be here to demonstrate the use of pyratol, the government explosive, in removing stumps from cut over land.

The truck is under the general direction of A. J. Schwantes, who has oversight of the land clearing demonstrations and work in all of Minnesota.

Two communities have asked for demonstrations from the crew that accompany the truck. These are Woodview, south of Pokegama lake, and McGuire lake, a short distance from Warba. Several other communities can secure these demonstrations while the truck is in the county, but application should be made at once through Mr. Frick, in order that the schedule may be all arranged when the truck reaches here.

A new allotment of pyratol for Minnesota is being made, according to word sent out by Mr. Schwantes. He also states that it is probable that there will be enough of this explosive so that it can be distributed to the farmers for the next two or three years, as they get their land prepared for clearing. Orders are now being taken through the Itasca Farm bureau, for a car which will be ordered about August first, and delivered to the farmers about a month later. These orders can be placed either with Mr. Frick, or with the officers of any local farm bureau unit.

Plans are being considered for the erection of a warehouse or storage place of some character, where a carload of the explosives could be stored after its arrival, so that all the farmers who order pyratol would not be compelled to come to town on the same day, in order to save demurrage charges on the railroad. There have been occasions when it was extremely difficult for the farmers to reach town, owing to the weather, and on such an occasion a warehouse would be very convenient.

The demonstrations which are to be held next week will be very interesting, as they will show how to load and shoot stumps, how to pull stumps with machinery easily constructed on the farm, and other things of practical interest.