The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-05-17
Wheat Production.

BREAD, meat and clothing are the chief
productions of the temperate zone of the
North. The northern half of this i'm
mense belt has been for centuries and
still is the source whence the civilized
world derives the largest share of its vast
supplies of good and substantial wearing
apparel. Within this belt the prodigious
transactions of inland and ocean COM
merce are chiefly carried on-the greater
activity being found throughout thenorth-
ern division Of greater production.
A commercial journal has lately stated
that the belt, or area, of highest wheat pro-
duction is changing toward the South,
and for aught VIC know the statement may
be true. Theoretically it is a valid con-
clusi0n, and probablya careful compila-
ton of facts will show it to be correct.
With all our boastcd advances in agricul.
ture we have not increased the average
production of wheat per acre. Our in
crease of the total production of this
cereal is owing to broader area devoted
to its growth. Another important fact is
connected with the assumed truth that
the heat-producing district is changing,
namely, that the inland commerce of the
United States is increasing on more south
ern lines and diminishing on more north
ern routes. These facts are enough to
arouse the country, for they touch the in.
terests of all classes-producers, carriers
and consumers-and demonstrate that
great changes are to be looked for in the
business interests of the country, or, at
least, of certain localities.
If the production of wheat is diminishing
in the North it is in consequence of soil
exhaustion, mainly, but in part owing,
perhaps. to climatic conditions which Of
late years have not been of the most favor
able character. In an hours walk we
could 60 to farms which twenty-five and
thirty years ago produced thirty and forty
bushels of wheat to the acre with common
culture, but which now do not yield over
fifteen to twenty bushels. 1t is truly the
province of the farmer to ask himself
what is the cause of this diminution of
yield, and what Is the remedy. Thecause
we believe will be found to be, first, loss
of soil fertility, second, exposuret to winds
and severe cold through the removal of
the forests.
The remedies then are already in the
readers mind. But are these the causes
If they are not, will some intelligent
farmer tell US what they are? Should the
societies for the promotion of agriculture
do SO worthy an act as to offer fifty dollars
for the best acre of wheat, there would be
dozen farmers in each county who would
grow from q single acre all team would
want to draw to market, and bring pro-
duction up to the old maximum standard.
The truth is we have become careless
about this important matter of keeping
the soil rich-thinking that clover stalks
and roots are going to preserve the fe,tili.
ty of the land forever. Farmers must
awake from this delusive theory.
Wheat production cannot be raised to a
maximum point without the business of
stock growing and stock feeding are CON-
bined with it. The farm cannot be
maintained in high condition of pro-
ductive power unless more animals are
kept to consume the coarser productions.
The proportions devoted to cattle or stock
food must be increased, and the proper
ton devoted to heat-growing be less
ened then we believe the farmers of the
northern division of the temperate zone
may grow more wheat rs we'll as more
stock, and retain their position ~ the
chief producers of bread, meat and cloth
ing for the whole world. "-Detroii
Tribune. -