Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1905-01-27
Feeding Possibilities Of the Northwest
Written for The Farmer and Breeder By Andrew Boss.

The northwest has always been
looked upon as a grain raising center
and rs being not especially adapted 10
tive stock feeding. Possibly the reputa-
ton OF the states comprising what
could properly be called the northwest
has lent color TO the statement that
grain was the main crop. Times are
changing, however, and crop conditions
vary now from what they We're ten
years age. Diversification Is the motto
of the progressive farmer of the north
west. IL has been taught him by that
greatest of teachers, necessity, and en-
phasized by the experiment stations
and agricultural colleges. Stock rails
Ing and stock feeding are the most inn
portant factors in q we'll organized
northwestern farm at the present time.
The natural advantages of the north
west for stock feeding are many. To
begin with Is that well nigh inexhaust-
with good cultivation such luxuriant
vegetation. With proper treatment
there is no possibility OF depicting the
soil fertility below that needed for crop
growth. Where grain crops are fed
on such lands, and the re
turned TO the land. there is sure to re-
suit a largely increased yield OF forage
hAth pASAuIC AIOpS. ~ lew HtdIS III SUCH
cropping will lend largely TO the posi-
bility of rich returns from stock feed
ing. No other locality possesses a great
er variety of native grasses and
legumes than hat appropriately termed
Thea central northwest. Timothy, bro
mus, the clovers and many wild
legumes are hardy and prolific under
the conditions existing. insuring rich
pastures and nutritious hay. The ma
l. tive rrrnECaC nf tho taro trfaa ofxya ornI
crops of hay and forage that Is OF near
ly as great value as hay from the Gull
tivated varieties. The grass crops sup
p~lemented as they may be with numer-
GUS fodder crops offer unlimited sup
plies of palatable roughage. Add to his
the value OF an abundant supply of
good water, the natural advantage In
the way OF timbered shelter belts. cheap
lumber and intelligent laborers, and an
idea is gained OF the possible results
when all of the Of this vast
region are fully developed. II has often
been argued that the climate OF the
northwest is too severe for profitable
feeding. True, the winter season is
long, and short periods of extreme cold
prevail, but IL Is. matter OF common
observation that stock suffers less from
exposure TO the rigors of a northwest
ern winter than does stock fed farther
south, where a more humid atmos-
phere prevails. Sheep and cattle In feed
lots need protection only from snow
and cold rains. The thousands OF sheep
fed annually at South st. Paul, New
Brighton, Winona and other points in
the northwest make splendid gains and
give no evidence OF suffering from cold.
Dry feed lots are an important factor
IN securing good gains. Muddy yards
and moldy feed are scarcely known in
the section under ~discussiof.
The cool, pleasant mme on the
breezy pfairies are also conductive to
rapid growth and perfect development
OF live stock.
One Of the principles taught by the
science of feeding is that a mixed ra-
ton is better relished and gives better
gains than one composed OF a single