The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1893-01-20

p - -
ures given were as follows:
Smoked meats. go. Sob 02.3i
Vegetables, small fruits, etc. 9,S00.0(
Flour Jl,434.0t
Cornmeal -. ...... 10000
Pork and lard. .....,..... ij,6OO.N
oatmeal .... ............... b.lo2.OI
Poultry. ....... $4,000
Cneese, 80. .p,jiO.UC
Apples Observation-Disclosures. 100000
Butter. ...... 100000
Potatoes .. ............... 100000
Total S36, J02.3i
These figures were a startling surprise
To- most of those present. and the farm
ers began to ask each other why they
could not raise these things and keep
tins nice sun of cash at home.
Farming without irrigation.
Washington Muzzy Is always interest
Ing when he writes on Montana farm
Ing. and as his paper on General Farm
ing II Northern Montana" has especial
significance at this time it is given in
full:
10 my mind. the calling together of
this convention of practical farmers at
this time makes this a gathering of more
than ordinary Importance that may pro-
duce far.reaching results for good in lay
ing the foundation of a prosperity that.
in the nature of things. must be perma-
nent.
The time is upon us that demands all
the agricultural products that it is pos
sible for this soil and climate to produce
and we are here to consider how best we
may satisfy that demand. And who can
estimate the influence this meeting may
have on the future prosperity of this
vast and beautiful region. seeing as we
do in this audience the Drawn. the push.
and the practical intelligence that al.
ways has and always will overcome diff
ticulties and conquer success in all the
great undertakings of life.
W have around us a region Of more
thar ordinary fertility. as shown by the
constant production of luxuriant crops
OF most nutritious grasses. and produced
too, under most Instantaneous con-
d%itlons, the land having Deer for CEN
turtles, trodden upon by vast multitudes
Of bison and other hcav! grazing ami
mails, at all seasons wet and dry. which
cannot but have resulted in the packing
of the surface soil to a degree that is
known to be most ~discouraging to vcge-
table growth.
I'VE have ID right therefore. to con
clude that a soil that will. under these
~unfavorable circumstances. continue to
produce bountiful crops of grass without
the aid OF production. or irrigation. will
under proper protection and cultivation.
grow something else. All the more may
we so conclude. when we consider the
times without number. that fire has
swept over these lands. leaving not a
straw OF natures covering for the soil
during the non-growing months. the land
naked and at the mercy of rasping winds
which has carried away the ash. and the
soil loosened by the grinding tread of
the herds. and has also carried off the
little moisture that the soil had been
able. through the aid of the standing
grass. to hold at the surface.
"A soil that a constantly. for cen
turtles. yield up its fertility IN rich crops
of grass. without ever receiving anything
back in compensation and still remain
productive. must he of far greater value
as farm lands. than we have been ready
to admit.
'These lands are already tried. and
have proven the conclusion to be correct.
even where irrigation could not be had.
These LANDS have long been reported to
be semi arid lands. and unfit for agri-
cultural purposes. unless they could be
irrigated. Now. it is time that the truth
WAS known. and some encouragement
given to enterprising farmers seeking
new fields, to make their homes on these
lands, and with Il good prospect Of sue
cess.
'lt is well understood that the lack Of
rainfall during many seasons is the chief
difficulty to be overcome in bringing
these lands into profitable cultivation.
But it is now known that "A large area of
these lands can be irrigated with a rea
! sonable outlay in leading water to the
proper points Of distribution. The large
yield Of grain produced by these lands
when cropped. and the good round price
the crops bring. i~ustitics d large outlay
in irrigatIng all lands that can be
reached with water. 1t is beginning To
be known that the higher bench lands
are where tried producing good crops
without irrigation. am fully convinced
by my brief observation and experience,
which covers the last four seasons. two
Of them excessively dry ones, that the
bench lands will soon lead all others in
general farming.
1T Is an interesting fact that those
lands hold IN store AN amount Of mois.
ture amply sufficient 10 mature crops,
when the ground is properly prepared
and seeded early in the season. So far
as ] now see. II only remains to learn
what method Of cultivation will hest
, preserve the moisture stored in the
ground for the use Of the crops III
short. prevent It's escape by evaporation
e. a.. Y.. 80. LOO. 100 l.
Iievc If IL decided that deep breaking uJ
~ the ground. either at the first break.
ing or soon after, il necessary. Then
keep the surface finely pulyeriled. Some
adYOcate rolling the land soon after seed
ing. but ! believe that the quality Of tho
gOil should govern all that.