The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1905-01-13
DAKOTA, FRIDAY JANUARY Ia,
THE QUESTION OF PURE SEED

Dakota Farmer: a peculiar and
unusual condition exists throughout
the wheat growing sections of the
Dakotas. The same conditions exists
elsewhere but as nowhere else is wheat
growing OF such paramount impor-
tance as in these two states, so no
where else in the northwest is this
condition frought with so great risks.
Owing to the ravages of rust, over at
least thrcc-fourthS of the territory
mentioned, there is an almost absolute
lack of sonnd, plump grain for next
springs seeding. The wheat is shrunk-
en-, testing all the way from thirty to
forty, and much not going this high.
Sucl, cllatlY grain is not fit for seed.
1t may Sprout readily and start a
weak sickly plant, and If everything
is very favorable. mature a light yield
uf poor grain, but IL strong vigorous
| plant cannot come from Il weak
inferior seed, no more than strong
vigorous offspring can come from a
Sckly, Stunted, inferior sire Common
sense tells us that, as we'll as many
experiment stations that since harvest
have tested this Sllrunken seed. In
every instance the shrlveled grain has
produced a weak plant, and plump
30 10 6o-pound grain has produced Il
strong one, and still the Shrunken
seed came promptly, though a much
smaller per cent Of it.
The difference between poor and
good seed in the Dakotas next spring
simply means millions of dollars to
our villages and Cities and many hun
dreds of thousands in freight charges
to our railroads. Ii means that farm
lands will stay up and go higher, or
that they will go lower, for five to
seven bushels of wheat will not pay
interest on S25 to $50 land.
Perhaps the most discouraging part
Of the situation is that a large part Of
our farmers do not seem to be aware
of the danger chat is Threatening
them. While accompanying this
"good seed special" we have repeated
ly heard farmers say that they had
sold all of their wheat the elevators
would take, and the balance they
were keeping for seed This may
seem incredible, but it is true-only
too true. There are spots. some Of
them large ones, all over the Dakotas.
where owing to favorable conditions,
90 and G0-pound where, plump and per-
| feet, can be found in considerable
quantities. There are other places in
tributary states where more good seed
can be had.
Now the Northwestern railroad,
under the direction and personal sup
ervision of General Agent A. c. John
son, proposes to do two things. First,
to convince, as far as it is in their
power, those interested in wheat grow
ing, that poor seed will mean poor
crops. possibly no crop. That plump,
vigorous seed will give them Il great
big start toward big crop. And next,
to put them in touch with the good
grain OF the country and then to lay
it down at their door for actual cost.
Some farmers are suspicious. that
| the railroad has a scheme in ali this,
and they have. They want a big crop
of wheat to haul. in place of half
crop as they have this year. Mr.. John
son tells the writer that the receipts
for grain hauling this year was cut
plump in the middle.
AS to freight for hauling IN seed.
which some seem to fear, there will be
no hauling in where it is possible to
avoid it, and what hauling of seed
there is, will be done for from one
forth to one-half rates. ELEVATORS
have agreed to charge nothing for
handling, SO the farmer who really
wants good scotland Will club together
with number OF his neighbors so as
to have ;lcar or more come to his STA
ton, can have it at actual cost, and
not one cent more. An effort is being
made to use as nearly us possibly all
Dakota grown seed, first because we
have found that the nearer home it is
grown the better, and second to avoid
long hauls.
We found thousands of bushels of
NO. fife wheat at Gettysburg, Il lot
of 1T at Conde and many other points
and whenever found Mr.. johnson at
once took steps to prevent it's going
out OF the country or to the mills.
We understand that the milwaukee,
road contemplates taking this matter
up in thc near future also, and We
sincerely hope they will. It's a most
vital question and means much tt
every man. woman or child living il
the Dakotas, or looking to them fo
their business.
Prepared pancake flour, Wisconsi,
Blue Cross Buckwbeat, Wisconsin
Honey by tie bulk or in GO puunt
square I'm cans H., rho bnct ,,t,;+