The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1905-01-06

origin and mode Of formation from the
original rocks, the source from which
they have been derived, and the proc
esses by which they have been formed.
The problem Of drainage is one not
merely of ditching and disposing of ex-
cess waters. The present drainage
conditions, which have so much to do
with the agricultural value of lands,
have come about as the result of long
continued processes of change and the
long continued action of many forces.
The whole vast problem Of glaciation.
one of the most profound and complex
In all geology, is involved in the ex-
ploration of the soils and drainage Of
one single acre of land.
What best to attempt to raise, how
to obtain the purest water supply and
the necessary amount, how most sue.
cessfully and economically to drain
the lard, what methods of cultivation
will be the most successful, are ques.
tons that often find their true and ul.
innate solution and answer in geologi:
cal investigations that to the unthirik-
ing mind have no practical value what.
ever, and hence are sometimes. criu-
cised by such persons as useless ex-
penditures of time and money.
What is this all for?' "What does
the government care about how deep
our well is, or. what kind of rock was
passed through in digging it?" are
questions that are asked over and over
again by blank-faced tillers of the soil
of those who are conducting investiga-
tions of the character contemplated
by such geological survey as that
which has been undertaken by the ag-
ricultural college survey by direction
of the lawmakers of the, state Many
times those same farmers who criti-
else the state or the federal govern
lnent for wasting money sending men
around to find out how deep the wells
are, and whether there is clay, sand
| or gravel in the wells, are working
overtime trying to make a living OF
their farms, wasting time and energy
trying to get water, for domestic pur.
poses where none can be obtained (as
a little simple geology would show).
trying to raise grain on alkali land
that could only be made productive by
skillful management in cultivation and
drainage, trying to raise wheat on
land that does not contain the neces-
sary mineral elements for wheat
growth, or which contains them but in
such condition that they cannot be
utilized by the growing plant because
of some condition that the unsuspect-
! ing farmer has not thought of.
| What can and what cannot be. done
successfully are matters of quite as
much Importance for the farmer to
know often as it is necessary for him
| to tell by the sweat of his brow. "This
kind can only be cast out by prayer
and fasting" was once said by the
| Great Teacher. So some difficult prob
| lens in agriculture can only be solved
by long and diligent study of causes
and conditions which to the unthinlling
multitude seem far removed from the
tasks of every day farming.
| The agricultural college survey is
attempting to solve some of the many
problems that confront the farmer in
North Dakota. The second biennial
report shows what investigations have
been undertaken during the past two
years. Some of these will seem to
many to be remote from the dread
and butter question" Of practical agri-
| culture. To such it can only be said
God helps those who help them
selves" To those who see in the soil
of the farm something more than dirt,
in the we'll something more than wa
ter, in the river something more than
stream, in the drainage something
more than ditch, in seed sowing
something more than throwing grain
upon the ground; in short, those who
go back of effects to seek out causes,
will, it is hoped, be able to gather
some grains of knowledge from the
published work of the survey that will
help in the great task of making the
earth yield up her treasure, and in
bringing to the husbandman his in
crease.
The biennial report is published by
the state. which means for the people
of the state. Any person who desires
a copy of the report may therefore
consider himself entitled to-. receive
one, and will be. ,cheerfGlly given his
own upon request, sent to the director
of the agricultural college survey.
Fargo, North Dakota.
~ ~~~O>~~.e~~~~e~ o~.e~e~~~~~~~.
the invitation hut will try and make