The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1906-09-08
FARMING METHODS.
Prof. L. r. WaIdron Of the Dickinson Experiment
Station Writes of Dry Land Farming and the I'm
portance Of Good Seed.

The following article by Supt. L. R.
Waldron appeared in the North Dakota
Farmer of August IS:
The term "dry-land farming" pre-
supposes at least two conditions; linn
tied amount of rainfall and a peculiar
system of farming designed to supple
ment the deficient rainfall. In addition,
other important conditions must be con-
sidered, such as character of soil, quality
of seed, etc. A consideration of these
will be given later. The amount of pre-
cipitation that may occur in a region
which will allow that region to be desig
mated as semi-arid, varies much with the
soil. Districts having rainfall of from
ten to twenty inches are generally con-
sidered semi-arid. But a level valley,
with heavy, alluvial soil containing much
organic matter, located where the annual
evaporation is low, may have an abun-
dance of moisture for farming with Six
teen inches or less of precipitation. This
supposes the moisture to be we'll distrib-
uted during the growing season. On the
other hand, semi-arid conditions may
exist in districts having precipitation
of 80 or more inches. The semi-arid
regions of North and South Dakota are
highly favored in that the major portion
of rainfall comes during the growing
season. This compensates in part for
our severe winters which render pre-
carious the growing of inter grains and
make the growing of fruit difficult task
The problem before us, is to outline
those methods by which experienced
men have been able to meet adverse
climatic conditions. The methods may
best be discussed under three heads:
soil preparation, crop rotation and seed
selection.
There is no subject of more impor-
tance to farmers, whatever. the climate,
than that of soil preparation. So i'm
portant is this in the case of dry-land
farming that this method of farming has
often received the name of the "thoro
tillage system"
Two important things are demanded
of the plow. 1t should conserve moisture
and should lay the foundation of a good
seed bed. If, at the time of harvest,
there is any considerable moisture in the
ground, it should be conserved for the
next years crop. This is best done by
blowing Immediately after harvest, pack
ing we'll and leaving an earth mulch on
top Ground thus left is in prime condi-
ton to receive any fall rains that may
come which may be conserved by har-
rowing the ground. Three advantages
accrue from early fall blowing. Mois-
ture is conserved, more time is allowed
for weathering, thus making unavailable
plant food available, and finally the older
prepared seed bed will be warmer than
the one prepared in the spring. If, at
harvest time, the ground is very hard
and dry, it may be double disced after
a., - Tta ~
this is, that the discing will form dirt
mulch upon the surface and as the mois,
ture is brought towards the surface Of
where the dirt mulch begins and soon
enough moisture accumulates in the
upper six or eight inches of soil to enable
good blowing to be done.
Is fall plowing always to be com.
mended? Under certain conditions it is
held that spring blowing is the best
where the soil IS sandy or for other
causes, is easily blown, fall plowing is
apt to entail considerable loss during
the winter on this account Another
reason advanced for spring blowing is
that the stubble left from the last sea
sons crop will catch and hold enough
snow during the winter to more thar
discount the advantages gained by fall
plowing. 1t is believed that these two
reasons are the only ones assigned in
the north for spring blowing.
Nearly all successful dry-land farmers
advocate deep plowing. Deep plowing
brings larger amount of dirt in contac1
with the air, thus aiding the growth o
certain heterogeneous so necessary fol
the manufacture of plant food and alsc
brings about favorable chemical actor
in large degree. In short, a greatel
amount OF weathering is brought abou
in deeper plowed land. The above rea
sons hold in moist climates as we'll as ii
dry. In addition, deeper plowing fur
nishes deeper seed bed which will we
down more quickly and dry out les
rapidly than shallow seed bed. Thi
idea is carried out more completely il
subsoiling. There the ground is loosenet
to depth Of 1S inches or more, thu
allowing water to percolate into soil tina
was formerly too hard. In certain soils
subsoiling is certainly of benefit. Th'
Z hanofcio1 offArtR rnaIy ho noticed f0r