The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1891-08-29
SATURDAY. AUGUST %. 1891.
BENCH LAND FARMING.

The present season has witnessed q
revelation, and at the same time, worked
a revolution in bench land farming in
northern Montana. The revelation con
sists in the phenomenally heavy yieldso of
hay, grain and vegetables produced upon
will be noticed in the increased number
of farms that will be taken up and the
greater acreage that will be cultivated.
1t is true the season has been an eX-
tremcly favorabla one for bench land
farming. The rainfall has been plenti-
full and fairly we'll distributed over the
growing season. But no one was pre-
pared to witness the enormous yields
produced. For it will be understood
that the present year is the only one
during the past Il rec or four in which
experiments have been made in bench
land farming in this portion of the state
that grains and vegetables have had a
fair show. the previous years being I'M
usually dry.
But, as stated, the results this year
have been surprising, In proof of this
Il few individual experiences in bench
land farming will be noted. They do
not differ materially from others which
might be cited. The lands referred to lie
between Great Falls and Fort Benton.
The soil a sandy loan resting upon
clay does not differ from that which
distinguishes the bench lands surround
ing Great Falls. Alfalfa is grown upon
two farms. One patch Of nine acres was
seeded several years ago by Mr.. w. S.
Stocking. He has cut one crop this
yeHr; he will cut another next month.
The first was cut in June. 1t yielded
'~rty-onc large loads. When cut it was
80 heavy upon the ground it could not
be- rakcd. \ load was taken up from the
swaths without moving the wagon. This
may read like fiction, but it is absolutely
true. The wagon rack was of usual
size and each was well filled. The yield ,
was not far from five tons per acre.
Another field Of five acres was sown ,
a year ago last spring by Mr.. Daniel ,
1t took root and passed through g,
the dryest season ever known in north
ern Montana. 1t was cut last June and
six tons which We're sold at SO /
per ton. \ good crop could be now cut il
it Will be permitted to mature for f
the seed. Alfalfa is the most profitable f
,rop that can be raised in this section. d
{ requires but one seeding; it will yield Il
rom two to three crops each year and "
will grow and thrive upon the bench II
ands without irrigation or artificial c.
;aterlngs. /,
Mr.. W. o. Dexter has 12j acres in re
heat, oats and barley, One field of u
orty acres was sown in wheat. The d.
round was new and plowed seven inches ia
eep: narrowed twice with a disc h,
arrow. once with a common harrow; d,
ecd-No. l hard. bought at this place d;
'as drilled in and ground rolled. The II
icld will be ~ to - bushels per acre of
tine, plump wheat as was ever har-
from the earth. Oats and barley pc
Ill yield enormously. These yields ii
show what the bench lands of NJ
Montana can Go with sufficient W
az
The finest Of vegetables Of all kinds are tn
ispd upon these lands. Excellent 70
;cet corn, rich. mcaly potatoes, beans or
Ut peas, melons. c%uCumbers, squashes, mi
matoes, ca~bbages, beets, turnips and VII
.taDagas find their home in the rich sl
am of the bench lands. Mr.. Dutro has
rec acres of the white navy bean. The
ED will he very large. His sugar beets sV
rive we'll and have the true. saccharine '"
In fact, anything planted indi- o'
ties the a~daptability of the soil and eli ~
alto Of northern Montana to its highest ai
evelopment. Every vegetable grown u
the north temperate zone tlourishes '"
I'd reaches a point of perfection here
ldom reached elsewhere. This season
as shown what the great bench lands of -,
Montana can do under favora- -
C conditions. :.