Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1891-08-07
Col. Nettleton and Prof. Hay are at
Present Investigating the
Water Supply
And Formation of the Aforesaid
Mountains in the Interest of
Irrigation.
The Probabilities of the Establish
ment of a Beet Sugar Factory
in the State.
RoLLA, N. D., Aug. 3, 1891.

RoLLA, N. D., Aug. 3, 1891.
EDITOR TRIBUNE: Members of
the special irrigation survey force are
here at the Turtle mountains. Col. Net
tleton and Prof. Hay are actively en-
gagged in the examination of the wonder
full springs and lakes of the mountains.
They are also Investigating the geologi-
cal structure and peculiar formation of
these uplands, situated midway between
the eastern and western lines of our
state. The principal object they now
have in view is to learn the relation that
the waters and rainfalls of the noun
tains have to the underlow and the arte-
sian supply of the state. They will prob
ably solve a number of important ques-
tlons bearing upon the work they have in
hand. The fruit of their labor and their
forthcoming reports will prove of very
great benefit to the state and the entire
west. 1 am attending to my duties and
making a specially just o of forestry.
I find here extensive forests of hardy
trees, which for the interest of the state
and west should be fully protected.
Throughout the entire state I find a
forest of grain, and many farmers are
taking a deep interest in the matter of
prevention of frost by use of smoke to
be generated by smudge piles, which are
being made in various parts around the
grain fields. Numerols farmers in On
tario, Noonan, Minnewaukan, Coulee and
other townships in Ramsey county, have
always put out smudge piles, and many
more will soon do the same.
The prevention of frost by smoke is
perfectly philosophical and in harmony
with facts. The smoke performs the same
office as the clouds. Even on a cold night,
if the sky is overcast or cloudy, there is
but little danger from frost because the
clouds prevent too rapid radiation of
heat from the grain and earth. I have
seen farmers who have used the smoke
and they declare it is a sure protection
from frost. The conditions are chiefly
these: The smudge fires are to be at the
right location; mainly to the windward,
and d complete flooding or covering of
the grain with the smoke. The best in
formed contend compliance with these
two conditions at the right time will
surely prevent the frost from injury to
the grain. The smudge piles can be
made of new mown grass or new hay, old
hay and straw, manure chips or any re-
fuse stuff calculated to support combus-
ton; all of which should be put in place
before the frost may be expected, and
thus be all prepared to fight and ward
off the chilly foe.
Let the work be thoughtfully and
properly done every mile and all the
grain in the county can doubtless be
saved.
Cannot the TRIBUNE devise a plan by
which there can be a concert of action in
the matter if there should be danger of
frost? The county commissioners or
chambers of or other officials
could cooperate and thus much property
could be saved to the farmers, for the
good of all the people.
The TRIBUNE has spoken of the fact
that the writer has committed his tim
ber-culture claim, and seemed to convey
the idea that I had abandoned the rails
ing of trees on my land. Not a bit of
that! 1t became my duty to get a title
the land. I have thousands of hardy,
thrifty trees on that tree claim, and I i'll
tend to make it a land of forests or
"bust." Yours in the name of forestry.
w. W, BARRETT.