The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1908-12-09
INSTITUTE
BIG SUCCESS

this city last Thursday evening unQer
the auspices of the local citizens. The
afternoon meeting which was sched-
uled to begin at 2:30 was postponed
until evening on account of the small
attendance. However, in the evening
the citizens of Malta and vicinity did
themselves proud by turning out in
large numbers and the spacious hall
was we'll filled. Interest and enthu-
siasm abounded freely thrOuhout the
evening while the lecturers glowingly
outlined the future prospects and
probabilities of the Milk River farm
er.
The first number on the program
was a piano solo by Mrs. Homer
smith. which greatly delighted the
audience.
The first speaker was Prof. Alfred
Atkinson, whose subject was Dry
Land Farming, and was perhaps the
most interesting subject discu ssed
from the farmers point of view. He
stated that there is about 100000
acres of land in this state that is
classed as dry land and that it was
the intention of the state agricultural
college to do everything in it's power
to promote successful farming upon
these lands. In his opinion practic-
ally all the irrigated lands in the
state will be taken up in the next year
or so and that when the irrigated
homesteads are all gone the settlers
will eagerly take to the bench lands
and inaugurate permanent homes for
their families, and prosper equally as
their brethren with the great if
rigation works. Their prosperity
and success will lie in the stock grow
ing industry, as the vast open range
which will, for years to come. serve
as an excellent summer pasture while
the dry farms will be their winter
quarters where the stock will have
shelter and plenty to eat. The dry
land farming will have tendency to
place the stock business of this state
on safe and conservative basis and
will greatly increase the number of
stock in the state. He stated that
splendid crops are being grown thru
out the state where the annual rain
fall is only about l2.lS inches without
irrigation. He recommended sum-
mer following on all dry land farms,
as the secret of success lies in holding
the rainfall of two seasons for one big
crop, and recommends only from two
to three pecks of seed per acre and
very early sowing will result in
bumper crops. Turkey Red, Gold
Coin, dollhouse wheats, siXty-day
oats and white hulless barley have
succeeded best on dry land. Inter
titled crops. such as corn, potatoes,
beans, etc, are good in rotation. AL
falfa, bronze grass and barley make
the best forage. Flax succee DIS well
on dry land. AS a last bit of advice
it was stated that alfalfa, which is
the best forage crop, should not be
sowed until the second or third sea-
son after breaking, making sure of
good filth and moisture, then SOW
the seed without a nurse crop, as
early in the spring as possible. At
the conclusion of his lecture he was
roundly applauded by the audience.
The next number wasa vocal solo
by Miss Elizabeth Kilduif which was
beautifully rendered.
f. II. Metcalf of the celebrated Bit
ter Root Valley was the next speak
er. Mr.. Metcalf is a practical man
and the lecture he gave the farmers
on raising forage crops, and especial
ly that of alfalfa, was worth coming
great many miles to hear. He was
very much surprised to find that the
dairy business was so neglected thru
out the Milk River Valley and hearth
~ urged farmers to embark in the
dairy business, stating that there is
a large market for that product at
the very door Of the producer. He
was astonisled at the great future of
the valley and stated that within five
years, or perhaps little later, the
Milk River Valley would be the
strongest competitor of the Bitter
Root Valley. The talk he gave the
people carried considerable weight
for as he concluded his remarks he
received rousng applause.
Abeautiful vocal solo was next
rendered by Miss Alene McGregor.
Immediately following, lecture was
given by Professor Cooley, su perrin
tendent of the State Agricultural Col
lege. Professor Cooley is no strang-
er in this part of the state, and while
his subject was more intricate and
deeper than the others he, neverthe-
less, received the rapt attention of
everyone present, and during the
course of his lecture he frequently
told a story that kept the audience in
the best of humor. Much credit for
tho SucrpSS Of tha Meet inc is dine to