The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1906-09-08

humus and organic compounds which
formerly aided in binding together the
various particles of soil. The remedy
for such state of affairs clearly lies in
the replacement Of organic matter. 1t
has been found that the easiest and SIM
plest way to bring this about is by laying
the land down to grass or a legume
and letting the crop remain for one or
preferably more years. The fine hbrous
roots penetrate the ground in every d.
rection and efectually hold the soil par
ticles together.
Thus, we have seen that in order to
obtain the greatest results from dry
land farm rotation must be planned
that includes cultivated crop and a
grass or legume. There are many ex
cellent reasons besides these given why
such rotation should be established
but those given apply with particular
force to the dry-land farmer. The rota-
ton is given only in its broadest out
lines and each farmer must fill in the
details to suit his local conditions. The
theory of the rotation is to put the ground
in such condition that the dirt mulch
can be used with the greatest possible
efficiency.
SELECTION OF SEED.
The dry-land farmer must not limit
his study to soil preparation and crop
rotations. The subject of proper seed is
of great importance. 1t is only within a
comparatively short time that system
attic study has been made of plant breed
ing. Most valuable results have been
obtained in the past as witness the many
valuable plants handed down to us by
our ancestors, the origin of many of them
being lost in remote antiquity. The
work, however, was not systematic.
The Ignorant Russian peasant has bred
for us wheat which withstands western
Dakota conditions better than most other
wheats. But the wheat was hundreds of
years in the making and its maker was
not conscious of any end to be attained.
We appreciate now the Elasticity of a
plant and are enabled to mold it nearer
to our hearts desire. We believe that 1t
is not only theoretically but practically
possible to breed wheat for western
North Dakota, for instance, that is even
better than the best strains of Kubanka
or Arna'tka in existence today. If it is
possible to bring about such a result
with wheat, it is also possible to bring
about similar results with other grains
In short, certain strains of grains may
become adapted to certain districts in
something the same way that certain
people are adapted to various pursuits
The farmer should recognize the truth OF
this. He should learn that there is moth.
ing in the old theory that an increased
yield is brought about by change Of
seed. 1t is quite possible that other
countries may furnish grains worthy, OF
introduction but the experiment stations
are the proper agents for testing them
There is no intrinsic advantage in z
change of seed.
In selecting seed the most important
consideration is yield. In dry country
one year with another, early maturing
varieties will contribute largely to t}iaI
end. Plant breeders for dry regions are
constantly aiming to breed early matur
ing plants, plants that will escape the
drought and hot winds of August and the
early frosts of September. The sixty
day and the Kherson oat are rapidly
coming into favor because they mature
so much more quickly than the majorit,
of other oats. They would produce
crops in seasons when other oats would
fail. They ripen ahead of the hot winds
The same rule applies also to othel
grains.
The three prime requisites of a grair
for any region are said to be produc
tiveness, hardness and quality The
dry-land farmer should certainly aim te
|secure as far as possible these three
characters, in marked degree, for the
grain he grows. Hardness means
really, the ability to withstand any ad
verse climatic condition, whether it bt
cold, heat drought or what not.
In conclusion, it may be we'll to say ;
word regarding the rate of seeding.
seems probable that the seeding in dr.,
regions should be lighter than elsewhere
This is evident for the reason that Sc
much moisture would be required for thu
early stages of heavy seeding that no
enough moisture would be left to mature
the crop. In regard to the exact rate j
is impossible to say as local condition!
would affect it very much.
The above ideas regarding method:
of dry-land farming are the modern con
servative ones. 1t is scarcely necessar,
to state that the science of dry-land farm
ing is only in its infancy and the mex
few years will see many advances along
this important subject.
CHAMBERLAIN'S COUGH REM
EDY ACTS ON NATURES PLAN