Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1891-04-03

season. Millet can be raised, of course;
but for the past three seasons it has not
done we'll IN this neighborhood. Last
year, particularly, it was failure, while
the few experimental patches Of rye did
we'll. A farmer who intends to buy
sheep said to the writer recently: I'VE
must raise tame hay if this Is to become
a rich sheep country. If, under the wise
legislation of last winter, we can keep
the prairie fires out, there will be rankcr
growth of upland grass but, as the focks
increase, that will be needed for pastur,
age, and hay and fodder will have to be
grown on the Farms. Say man has $50
acres plowed. Let him raise 80 acres OF
corn the drst year along with his ether
crop. Seed that to rye or millet the next
season. Put in another fifty to corn, and
disk M the third fifty to grain. In
that way the ground would get deep plow.
ing every third year, and corn cultivation,
at similar periods, which is as often rs
soil in this dry climate should be plowed.
This rotation of crops would keep down
the weeds if the corn was properly culti-
vated each year. I would plant King
Phillip or some other early corn that
grows taller than squaw or Rec and bears
Its ears higher up. would cut 1t with
binder--as has been done in this neigh
borhood--and would have it thrashed.
II frost struck it before it was ripe, !
would cut 1t Immediately. would get
few posts and some barb-wirc and make
permanent hay and fodder yard, and
hay, straw and corn-stalks would be care
fully stacked there, straw being used to
top off the fodder stacks. wouldn't de.
stroy anything that would help to winter
the stock, and wouldn't sell the surplus
feed as the break of winter approached.
In rainy season l would prepare for q
dry season, always endeavoring to keep
good big stack or two ahead. In this
way am sure that every farmer could
carry fair. sized flock of sheep without
a pound of wild hay"
~
Whether the plan outlined above is the
correct one, the editor of the RECORD
leaves to the judgment of his fellow
settlers. But one thing is certain the
problem of winter feed is one that must
be considered soon. Experience right
here in the county has shown that sheep
with US are very profi,ablc--much more
so than cattle. Tariffs may come and
tariffs may 70. and Still these cheap
lands can raise mutton ard wool ut IL
profit. Some may predict overproduc
tion but such should bear in mind thu,
sheep are increasing only among the
small hockmastcls of the New Northwest.
and their output is only drop u. the
bucket toward satisfaction of the nution' 8
demand. Sheep are putting hope in the
hearts of the pioneers, and the hope will
not be misplaced if we can provide win.
ter feed. Besides the rapid natural in
crease, thousands of sheep will be brought
into Emmons county the coming season.
Two or three years from now there will
be 1O0, 600 of these mortgage-ralscrsw with
in our borders. The best und cheapest
method of supplying them with winter
feed is the question Of the hour. l, is !.
question that should receive the special
consideration of the public spirited gen
tlemcn who recently founded the Emmons
County Stockgrowers' Association, and
whose iufuenccs assisted largely in sccur.
ing wholesome legislation under which
spread of scab. II is matter for, tic dis
cussion of which by our stpcknen and
farmers the columns OF the RECORD arr,
wide oDen.