The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1905-01-17

ownership Of land and being unin-
/; tiuenced by speculative interests, they
NATURALLY view agricultural possibil-
tiles from the standpoint of the great
est good to the greatest number.
The natural pressure of population
upon the land will eventually bring in
the era OF quarter section farms, from
| sheer necessity. In addition to pres
| sure OF population, other forces are at
work, all tending in the same drec-
ton and fastening the movement
| Scarcity of labor at critical periods,
bad weather during seeding, harvest
ing and threshing seasons, and inn
| pairment Of soil fertility from con-
tinuous cropping without making am
pie returns to the land-conditions
which the bonanza wheat farmer finds
| difficulty in overcoming, but which eff
fects the small farmer but slightly in
comparison, will, eventually, make
bonanza farming losing proposition.
The more progressive and painstak
| ing wheat growers may continue their
large holdings and extensive opera
tions for longer period than their
less thrifty neighbors, but for econ-
| omic. reasons already apparent, the
| small farms will increase in number
and the bonanza farms become few
| and far between.
| Like any other business, farming
! will eventually tend to that system
which results in the largest aggregate
profits, even though distributed among
a larger number OF farmers. Every
acre. Of land must be made to pro-
duce its best to supply the demand
made upon it by an ever increasing
population. This necessitates not only
skillful cultivation and scientific rota-
| ton OF crops, and the application of
| fertilizers to maintain the fertility Of
| the soil, but also the elimination of
wasteful methods, and the substitu-
tion OF the best and most prolific
| stfains Of cereals and domestic ami
mails for so-called scrub varieties
| More money and more labor must be
expended upon fewer acres, and upon
smaller plots and smaller herds. To
do this with greatest economy, all
things considered, the small farmer
has aFTelatiye advantage RI -, =.
i He will in the main, be able to do his
Town work. But little of value will be
allowed to go to waste. Having fewer
acres to farm he will cultivate them
lintensively as matter of necessity, as
we'll as for profit. Not relying upon
Iprecarious help during seed time and
harvest, but doing his own work, or
Iemploying all-year men, he will be
move generally on time and do the
work at least to his own satisfaction.
4 The entire crop will not be in jeopardy
/ two or three times during the season.
| lNeighbors will exchange work during
/ the threshing season and at other
ftimes when cooperation will prove
lmutually advantageous &E$
i If four families can make living
i and create more wealth from sec
! tion of land than one family can, the
1 section will be divided ultimately into
flour farms, for the families will be
There, and natural law will operate iii
working out division of the land,
Lust as it has in the eastern states.
! Whenever it pays better to divide
Large estates into small holdings it
will Be done. But few will deny that
1.-THE time is near at hand, when the era
LOT small farms, or relatively small
farms, is dawning upon this north
western country. This era will tire.
Imendously enhance the wealth and
Aproductiveness Of the states. The
4 increase of rural population will b,5as-
B fit the schools and churches, enlarge
the volume of business in the towns
q and cities and in every way contribute
|, to the prosperity Of the country.
Small farms also will tend to a
i greater diversity Of crops Dairying
4 will become general and highly profit
able, and the raising of poultry and the
\ production Of poultry and eggs will
& add materially to the farmers annual
4, income.
IA few sheep will CLEAN the stubble
s fields OF scattered grain, and Of weeds,
Iand pigs will be fattened for family
3 use on what now is wasted. Eastern
thrift and economy will become popu-
y lar, and the savings thus made will go
ia long way toward supporting the
family. Eastern conditions are rapid
wv crowdine upon us and tie day IS not
| far distant when rigid economy and
i frugal methods must be practiced on
4 every northwestern farm. The soon
er we recognize these facts and con-
form to their requirements the better
/ for all concerned, and for the country.
i Speaking more particularly for
North Dakota, her agricultural ex-
Ipansion and productive possibilities
are almost boundless. We have not
yet begun to practice intensive or
scientific agriculture. And yet such is
the fertility Of our soil, that with pre-
Y vailing methods Of farming the pros
perity Of the state is but little short
of marvellous
4 The census Of 1900 credits the state
with q population of 3Io,I46, distrib-
utcd over 444 oIoo8o acres Of land. or
4 only AS population per square mile,
The value Of agricultural products for
Il 1900 was as follows:
Agricultural products S64, ,252,4o44, or
4 s$2oI per capita
Manufactured products $o,I83,Ir4 or
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