Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-11-18
GOOD CROPS BY LAW.

GOOD CROPS BY Law.
The head of a Chicago real estate
firm that has extensive land interests
In North Dakota, is travelling through
the state in the interest of a bill
that he wants passed by the Iegis-
lature compelling certain reasonable
conservation of the soil, by prevent
ing the continual cropping of land
In such a way as to destroy its fer
tility. Crop, experts tell us, with
much truth, that land can be ssex-
hausted by repeated cropping with
q Vigor destroying crop, and by TAX
ing out elements of the land that
so to produce fertility without put
ting anything back. The continual
sowing Of wheat on land results in
gradually decreasing crop of wheat
unless some of the elements taken
out are in some manner put back, or
unless the land is given an oppor-
unity to recuperate by crop rota-
tion. Thus it is proposed to insure
the best results from farming land
8 by compelling farmers to rotate their
crops.
The idea Of crop rotation is good,
but we do not think the end sought
after will be reached by legislation
but rather by education. There is
legal question as to how far the
state may go in regulating what
crops man may or may not SOW
on his land. Although nearly every
field has been invaded by legislation,
we think, there is no question but
ownership establishes some rights in
property. And the very fact that
It was sought by law to regulate the
control of land by the owner might
arouse an opposition that would him
der and not help the cause Of crop
rotation. u si5
At the same time, the whole sub
ject is interesting and the discussion
7 OF such q measure will bring the
matter of crop rotation to public at
tention, and that is the first step in
+ development and improvement. The
bill that It is proposed to introduce
Is worth considering, even though
the chance Of its passage is slight:
Section 2. It shall be unIaw-
full for the owner or cuItiva-
tor Of lands in this state to
plant wheat, oats, barley, rye,
speltz, flax, buckwheat, or other !
small grain upon any tract or B,
parcel OF land which has been
used for any one or more of
such products for the last year b
preceding. Exception that any
OF such small grains may be 4
used the next year as nurse
crop or legumes seeded in good
faith for fcrtilizing the land and
for harvesting or grazing such
legumes, and excepting that in
case of loss OF such nurse crop
by hail, drouth or hail, drouth
or otherwise, then such last
named planting as nurse crop to
Iegumes for said fertilizing, ETC.,
as stated, may be repeated until
such is not lost by hail, drouth
or otherwise.
Section 2. And it shall be un-
lawful for such owner or cultiva-
tor to plant corn, potatoes, sor-
ghum or other cultivated crops
upon any tract or parcel Of land
which has been used for any
one or more cultivated crops for
the last year proceeding.
Section 8. ANY such owner or
cultivator who shall violate any
provisions Of sections / and
Q Of this act shall be guilty Of a
misdemeanor, and shall be fined
not less than ten cents nor more
L than twenty-five cents for each u
acre planted in such violation.
And a Ike sum for each succeed
ing offense. 43s
In case such land is rented
land, then such fine shall attach
TO the tenant also In like amount.
Section A. All acts or parts OF
acts in conflict with the proyi-
{ 49, Ia