The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1905-03-01

mould I'm the shock when the fall
rains begin, and consequently every
farmer, under these circumstances, de-
sires his threshing done at the earliest
possible opportunity. Another adj
vantage in the use of header lies in
the fact that only the heads OF
the grain are removed from the
soil, leaving the straw, which when
plowed under, assists materially in re-
tanning soil moisture and fertility.
With header, from twenty TO
twenty-five acres of grain are cut and
stacked i'm one day. With binder 1t
is rarely possible to cut more than ten
acres. In this fact lies one argument
in favor OF the use of a header. Often
times the grain becomes very ripe be-
fore cut and it becomes desirable to
harvest as quickly as possible to pre-
vent Smelling. The closed boxes used
by the header also affords a much less
chance of loss from Smelling than
where the binder Is used and the
bundle is handled several times before
reaching the thresher.
The arid farmers In some sections
of the State have already realized
some Of the advantages which come
with mutual ownership of machinery,
and in purchasing headers, it is the
rule and not the exception, for one
header to be owned by from two to
six farmers. These farmers realize
that If wheat is to be grown at cost
below the average cost to irrigation or
humid farmers, and II results are to
be secured which will be fair profit
on the capital invested, the most i'm
proved machinery must be brought
into requisition, and this can be done,
In many instances, only by cooperative
ownership, definite business methods,
and by mutual confidence in their
neigh boring farmers. 1t is obvious
that where such small yield per acre
is secured, aud where an interest in
expensive machinery must be had,
that arid farming can be successful
only on large areas. One business
management can handle vast tracts
of land under arid conditions, and it
seems useless to engage in the industry
if this is the only source of income I'M
less 100 acres are under tillage. 1t is
more profitable il two quarter sec
tions can be used, because of the
necessity of summer following the
land every other year, and the same
implements, horses, ETC., that are
required to do the work for one quar-
ter, section can be the work on two
farms Of this size.
The energies of the arid farmers
have so far, in the main, been bent
in the direction of cheap production.
1t would seem desirable that this
same ingenuity should be exerted in
more systematic and profitable me-
thod of marketing. The wheat of the
arid farmer is sold miscellaneously on
the market, no efforts having been
made, through concerted efford to sell
In bulk and directly to the flour manu-
facturers. Advantages of combina-
tion in the way of tilling, blowing,
reaping, and marketing, which will
eventually come TO this industry, will
result in its rapid development. The
tendency on the irrigated farms of
this State, with its rapidly increas-
ing population, is toward small farms
with more intensive cultivation 1t
is not possible, however, on the vast
areas which can never be brought I'M
der irrigation, TO till successfully a !
few acres. 1t is to be hoped, however,
that homes will be built on farms Of
this character, and that no more land |
will be secured than can be farmed
well. If intelligence, industry and
good Judgment are brought to bear
upon the cultural methods, essential
10 this industry, we need not fear a
of soil-robbers, but the
farms may be made even better for
future generations.
1t is probable that the next few
years will witness the introduction of
steam machinery and combined har-
vesters and threshers on large arid
farms throughout this region. Or
dairying and sugar beet
growing will undoubtedly take the
place of wheat growing on the irrigated
farms and thousands of acres OF sage
brush land will be converted into fields
Of grain. Thus a source Of revenue
will be opened up which was UNI