Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1895-12-27
FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
Burleigh County Farming Interests
Have Undergone a Change the
Past Few Years.
Shipments of Stock the Past Fall
Have Been Larger than Gen
orally Supposed.
Other New Industries Being Develop
ed, to the Benefit Of the Agri-
cultural Classes.
The Stock Industry.

The Stock Industry.
The farming interests of Burleigh
have undergone a considerable
change in the last few years, and for the
better. The ideas of the county and it's
classes are no longer de-
voted to the single wheat crop plan.
There has been a gradual Investigation
in the agricultural interests and pro-
ducts of the county, until the products
OF the farms are more varied and profit
able than for years. This change has
come about gradually, and has not yet
reached it's limit. Each year sees farm
ing operations conducted more intelli-
gently and scientifically. And there is
food for much deep and earnest consid-
Grafton by the farmers Of the county, in
this gradual change Of base, upon the
part Of the agricultural interests.
The live stock belt Of North Dakota is
gradually moving eastward, beyond the
Missouri river, and nearer the Red river
valley. 1t may be stated in this con
nection that the past fall there have
been shipped from Burleigh county
points, between IT'S and 200 carloads Of
stock, principally fat cattle. Not many
years ago, and the stock interests of the
county, SO far as shipments to outside
markets were concerned, was practically
nil. But the farmers of the county
have gradually added to their herds,
until the stock interest has become a
considerable one. The value of the
shipments this last fall have been in the
neighborhood of $4,000. This, of
course, has not been evenue wholly to
Burleigh county. It has been distrib-
uted among farmers and stockmen in
the counties of Burleigh, Emmons, Nc
Lean, and other slope counties. But it
is the revenue of an industry which has
been build up from practically nothing
"a clear gain to those interested and
the outcome of profitable d~iversifcation
of product.
There is another consideration in this
matter, which should not be overlooked.
The ranges in the western part of the
supply a vast number of cattle, but they
60 to market at a time when there is
a rush of cattle from all feeding grounds
in the country, during the months of
July, August, September, and October.
Earlier than this, or during the spring
months, these supplies Of beef are not
available. In Burleigh county, there are
ample opportunities for the farmer with
a moderate herd, to raise feed for his
stock. Silos are practicable and will
come with time. And with these re-
sources at hand, there is no reason why
the provident farmer should not have a
carload of fat cattle to ship to market
when prices are exceptionally high, as
they were last spring.
Nor is this the only means Of revenue,
which is coming to be adopted by the
farmers of the slope. There has been
built up in the past year or so, a local
market for pork, which means another
substantial benefit to the provident
farmer. It is not rare in these days to
see a farmers wagon deposit four, five,
or six dressed hogs at some local market.
This mean a twofold benefit, for it is a
revenue to the farmer, and it keeps
money at home, which would otherwise
go to some eastern producer. The same
is true of lard, and of packed products
of pork. The amount which is paid
alone for freights on these products
shipped in would be surprising. And
yet this draining process has gone on for
years, and not until lately has there been
a realizing n of the loss which is en-
tailed to the county thereby.
Another change which has come about
but lately, is the %patronizing of home
industry in the way of fuel supply. A
steady line Of coal wagons have come
into Bismarck this fall, from local mines.
Every ton which is produced and con-
sumed here means me ton less shipped
in, the value thereof kept at home, and
just so much done to build up a home
mining industry. A great share of the
fuel used by the capital city this year is
produced at home-and this is true to a
larger extent than ever before. It is in
line with the policy Of extending sup
port to home industries, and is, in con
n%ection with the other rapidly develop
ing industries above mentioned, an
augury Of good for Burleigh county and
the Missouri slope.
Electric Bitters.
Electric Bitters is a meo.- inc suitedto
any season, but perhaps better in the