Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1907-11-28
WRITES ABOUT
RED RIVER VALLEY
Rev. Skossbers, of Minneapolis,
makes Observations and
Valuable Suggestions.

Valuable Suggestions.
Rev. e. A. Skogsberg, the promin-
ent and much esteemed pastor of the
Swedish Mission church at Minne-
apolis, visited Red River valley few
weeks ago, and in his paper, "The
Weekly' he writes entertainingly of
his trip. AS he is familiar with
conditions both past and present in
the valley, and besides is close
abserver, his remarks are worth
considering. This is what he says:
1t has changed. considerably in the
Red River Valley since I was there
last. The-whole of this vast and
fertiless essvalley extending for couple
hundred miles--on both sides of Red
river, and which is level and fiat like
a pancake, has been cut through
with enormous bitches, from to 30
feet wide which carry the water
down into Red river. These bitches
are paid for partly blythe state (the
larger) and partly by the counties
and townships. From the earth that
is thrown up is constructed high. and
magnificent roads, good enough for
automobiles.
Because much rain and occasionally
overflow have often delayed harvest
ing, these bitches are necessary, and
ought to have been built twenty
years ago. Because the soil is so
rich and heavy in itself, it has in
wet years been made almost un-
cultivable, especially for wheat,
which has been the grain raised al
most exclusively. Wheat, wheat,
wheat-has been the song of the Red
River farmers until they nearly COM
pletely have robbed the soil of it's
power to produce wheat-at least not
to such an extent that it pays.
Besides the weeds, such as Canada
thistle, wild oats and Quack grass,
almost want to take the upper hand.
They also suffer up there Of another
Inconvenience, and it ls--too much
land. They have generally too much
land in comparison to the working
force at their disposal. The result
is, that they cannot cultivate the
land as they should. Notwithstanding
they, or rather their teams, nearly
work themselves to death. 10 me it
is clear by the observations l have
made that if the Swedes in the Red
River valley do not farm in the
following manner, they will have to
give way:
l.: Divide up and sell part of their
big farms when they have not
sufficient working force.
2. Quit seeding nearly the whole
farm to wheat, but instead adopt
diversified farming.
8. To seed part of the farm from
time to time with clover and
alfalfa, which are said to grow well,
and thus on one hand eradicate the
weeds and on the other restore to the
soil it's former power to grow wheat.
4. And lastly, as consequence Of
this change, to keep more COWS and
pay more attention to dairying,
whereby the farmer will secure for
himself an even and steady income
which will cause him to have money,
not once year when he has sold his
wheat, if he gets any, but the whole
year.
If the farmers will make this
change, after they have ditched the
valley, I am certain that after ten
years the Red River Valley be will
a paradise, as richer and more pro-
ductive soil is not found in the
whole of America, and it Will make
the farmers enormously rich if they
only let it and assist it little.
And so, my dear farmers in
Americas IS richest corner, take my
advice: work less and use your
intelligence more, the knowledge
gained by experience, also pray ana
fear the Lord more, and more
heartily, and it shall 60 you we'll.
ESTPAV NOTTCE