The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1894-03-30
DIVERSIFIED FARMING.
An Article Replete with Facts and
of Great Interest to the
Farmer,
Read by Jerry Collins Before the Farm
ers' Convention at Great Falls,
March "a.

The following paper was read by
Jerry Collins before the farmers con-
v~ention of northern Montana on March
Oath, 1894, at Great Falls. The con-
v~ention was so impressed with the value
of the article that, at the earnest request
of many of its members, The TRIBUNE
herewith presents its readers with a
complete copy. No necessity exists to
introduce Mr.. Collins to the public, his
reputation as IA journalist is known
throughout the state of Montana, and
Great Falls is proud he was once one of
her citizens.
Generally speaking Montana is keep
ing pace with the progress of events. All
that science and experience have taught
has been utilized in the working of our
mines and in the reduction of the ores
to the refined metals. SO that the state
easily holds the place at the head of the
list of mineral producers and justly bears
the title of Treasure state"
The range industry of Montana has
made all the advancement that could be
expected in that direction, and as a re.
suit our beef and mutton in Chicago and
wool in Boston command the highest
prices for CRASHED products of these
classes.
The remaining principal industry Of
the state is agriculture, destined, in my
judgment, to add vastly more to the
wealth and prosperity of this common
wealth than all others combined, but
up to the present writing it has not been
] keeping up with the procession: in fact,
has allowed the band wagon to get clear
ont of sight. The truth of this state
ment is forcibly shown by the present
condition of agriculture, which may be
illustrated by the following:
While we have one of the best dairy
ing countries under the sun where free
lands, free range, highly nutritious
grasses, water in abundance of the
purest quality, soils teeming with the
life-giving elements, and a remunerative
market at home. offering pressing invita-
ton to the dairyman and suggesting to
every farmer a means Of making q small
portion Of a living income, the remark
able fact remains, that the bulk of the
butter consumed in Montana from
the creameries of the Mississippi valley,
or perchance from the malodorous pack
ing houses of Chicago: while poultry of
all kinds thrives here and is in demand
by a large non-producing population,
fresh eggs are still regarded as in the
nature Of a luxury (the cold storage or
case article being shipped into the state
by the weekly train load almost) and our
Thanksgiving or Christmas turkeys
strutted their brief day in the barnyards
Of the older western states; while our
ranges and our ranches can produce as
sweet and juicy beef or mutton as ever
pleased a palate, the principal hotels of
the state supply their guests with choice
cuts from the packing houses of Chicago
and at certain seasons Of the year the
general markets are to a large extent re-
couped from the same source; while the
grain and forage productions of Montana
will make as good pork as even the land
OF corn and pumpkins can boast, the
effort to supply the same in it's various
forms is not worth mentioning, 80 infin-
itesimal is the amount of the home pro-
duct as compared with the importations;
while our wheat and -four are of supe
rior quality, wholesome and nutritious,
the mills of Minnesota and the Dakotas
still supply (although not to as great an
extent as formerly a goodly share of our
breadstutfs; and the money for all these
products of the soil, whether it is dug
from the mines, nipped from the ranges,
cut from the forests, CLEANED from the
soil, accumulated in trade, or otherwise,
goes to the east, never to return, by the
hundreds of thousands of dollars an
nually.
While this situation obtains in a state
famous for the extent and richness of its
agricultural areas, with water in abun-
dant supply to fructify and gladden. the
soil, it is idle to say the Montana farmer,
speaking in a general way, has grasped
the opportunity afforded him, or that he
is fully abreast of the times, for he is not.
He is allowing the tide of opportunity to
60 by him at full flood and as q result of
this neglect, to use the S~hakespearian
words as we'll as figure, "the voyage of
his life is bounded in shadows and in
| miseriee."
1t is clear enough:that::as long as pres
emit methods prevail, agriculture in
Montana is not likely to be elevated
into a great industry nor are we in the
way of developing another Arcadia in
this mountain realm. A change of
methed is imperative and that change,
to express it in a few words, must con-
template the production from the soil Of
those products for which there is a
market and from which the greatest
profits may be realized, in which is also
involved the idea of diversified farming,
so as to open to the widest the doors Of
demand and supply. Herein lies the
hope of extended and successful agricul-
ture in Montana, even in a greater de-
gree than in other regions, because we
are remote from the centers of popula-
ton and the great markets and must
depend, though not altogether, on the
home demand for what we produce. And
just here is where the successful farmer
brings his intelligence and good Judge.
ment into play. He studies to produce
a variety Of crops, 30 that If one fails he
has the others to fall back upon, and
further, to put the crops into such fern
as will realize the greatest returns for
his labor and investment. OF what
avail is it to fill your graineries with
oats, for instance, il you can not sell the
same at a price that will pay for your
labor? But if that grain can be turned
by natures alchemy into high-bred
horses, fat steeIs, mutton and pork,
poultry, eggs, cheese, butter, etc, all of
which command q ready sale at remuner-