The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1906-07-13
FARMERS ARE RUSHING
PELL NELL TO
COTTON
JOE NORRIS HAS VIEWS
Says Wheat Acreage Will
be Materially Cut Down

'Because so many farmers In this To-
caiity are going crazy over cotton. there
will be falling or in the wheat acreage
for the 1907 CROP Is the statement
lnade by Joseph II. Norris Of this city,
known as the wheat lung Of Logan coun-
~. "otherwise. loox fc- about the
same acreage planted IN the territory at
large ss was harvested this year
The farmers Of the territory are al
ready turning over the ground prepar-
ing 10 the sowing Of the grain. ''Plow
in July and seed in September" IS the
motto followed by the wheat farmers
of the territory since the very first,
and in this way they win. BY seeding
early in September. the wheat land gets
the benefit OF the Septembr- october
rains which are almost certain IN the
territory and which give the wheat
start that as "a rule makes Of " rx-
cellent pastorage during the winter
months. Recent and general rains
throughout the territory nave put the
ground in good condition for plowing.
In 1896 the wheat yield Of Oklahoma
had reached proportions TO attract
some attention. and by 1897 it totaied
1900 900 bushels Throughout the older
wheat growing portions Of the United
States. these figures caused considera-
BILE surprise and for the first time the
wheat crop Of the territory was cousid-
cred IN the calculations Of those who
speculate on crop conditions. Since 1897
the crop has grown IN size annually un-
iii II aggregated 25,0O0 600 bushels in
1901, by which time Oklahoma wheat
a.. al a.. a.
The total yield for 1906 Is estimated at
3oo00,o0O with a s6O0o,Oo0 bushel yi'ld
for both Oklahoma and Indian Terri
tory.
According to statistics. prepared by
c. A. McNabb, secretary OF the Okla
homa board Of agriculture. there was
sown in this territory in the fan OF
1906, 5.O7 per cent less acreage than in
1904, although in the 2e counties OF Ok
lahoma ten showed an increase over
1904.
Ex-Governor Tom Fc=grson tells the
story. that an oklahoman abroad was
asked. What is the flower OF your
state" aud made the reply ~ Is a
fine powder made from wheat" This
Is borne out by the statement OF John
w. Hahn, ex-president OF the Ohio
Mllers' Mutual Insurance company,
and the owner Of several large flour
mills. For several years Oklahoma
has kncked us out on export busi-
ness, ana II the Oklahoma millers keep
mp their reputation much longer the
world viii be bidding for Oklahoma
flour"
While wheat has been so uniformly
successful in this territory yet there
are but few farmers who devote an
their land to that crop. In fact diversi-
ncation Of crops Is 9ractioed as large
" IN this territory az In any state in
the UDion. Those who have devoted
themselves 10 wheat raising on a large
scale, however, have made Il profitable
where the best methods and good bust
ness management were employed
When famous Chicago artist.
known best for his pictures Of grain.
desired sheaf Of wheat from which to
paint picture thst would be more
than typical. he made a search Of tho
entire country. II was TO be ideal His
picture was 10 be OF shear OF wheat,
the straws OF which should be long.
clean and Of beautiful rich color.
The heads should 6e loug and perfect
iy hlled. the yellow grain protrudine
from the ineshes and the weight Of the
sheaf 80 be so great that the fork
aandle would bend under It's weight.
His sheaf Of wheat was TO be beautiful
ana symbolic wealth and plenty In
vain did he search for a sheaf from
which 20 paint this masterpiece. I'm
ana down the qnairies OF Illinois, across
Iowa into tho Dakotas and then south
into Kansas De travelled looking in vain
for the perfect sheaf Finally. ne came
70 Oklahoma, Goa IN day ne secured
dozen. each one fully no 10 his ex-
pectations and some far In excess.