The state herald., 1909-02-12
THE DISCUSSION
OF DRY FARMING
sEcRETARY BURNS CALLS ATTEN.
TIoN TO SOUTH DAKOTA EN-.
GlNEER's REPORT.
Meeting AT CHEYENNE
FACTS SHOWN BY RECORDS OF
THE TRANS.MiSsouRI DRY
FARMING CONGRESS.

Samuel H. Lea, state engineer of
South Dakota. devotes four pages of
his latest biennial report to the sub
ject OF dry farming, the resume in
Guiding q condensed but succinctly
complete review of the work accom-
plished by the second Trans Missouri
Dry Farming Congress and an an.
nouncement of the forthcoming third
Trans-Missouri Dry Farming Congress
to be held at Cheyenne, February 90.
"a and %, at which South Dakota will
be represented by large delegation,
according to reports received by Sec
retary John 7. Burns of the board of
control Of the congress. Mr.. Lea win
deliver one of the principal addresses
At the congress.
Engineer Lea's report says in part:
THE subject of dry farming is one
OF much interest to the people of the
West, especially those who are ada
cent to regions where irrigation is
practiced. In western South Dakota
supplied with irrigation water and
must, therefore. be utilized ultimately
for growing crops under existing condi-
tions. AT present those lands are
used for grazing purposes, but the ad-
vent Of settlers Is bringing an increase
In population which will ultimately
drive out the cattle and cause the oc-
cupation of the land by farmers.
THE area OF land that can be sup
piled with irrigation water is of small
extent when compared with the I'M
mense area OF unoccupied lands in the
state. II is claimed by the advocates
Of dry farming that the limit of irriga.
ton is not the limit OF farm extension,
especially In region where there is
favorable seasonable distribution of
rainfall.
Dry farming does not mean farming
without rainfall Where there is no
| rainfall there can be no crops. but by
saving the precipitation that does fall
crops can be grown with a remarkably
small rainfall,
There is no doubt that dry farming
In certain sections has become n dem.
onstrated success. This is true OF To-
calities in Colorado. Wyoming, Utah.
Montana and Idaho, where the prog.
ress of agriculture has been noted
since 1898. There is no doubt that 9th
er areas will be discovered where dry
farms will be successful.
Mr.. Lea, however. says Secretary
Burns. In spite OF this official indorse-
ment of dry farming, still evinces a
spirit OF caution which is not shared by
dry farmers OF practical experience
who have proven by their success that
there is no more danger Of failure In
dry farming II conducted along the ap.
proved aud demonstrated lines than in
any other form OF agriculture Mr.. Len
says certain amount Of supplemental
irrigation ls required to extend the lin
its of settlement In support OF this
he declares that dry farming does not
always present the attractive appear
ance that an irrigated tract does he
cause the home is not surrounded by
shade trees. green grass and other vc =
citation requiring plentiful use of wa
ter
! While II Is true that the formerly
barren prairie that has been turned
into a garden by the skin OF the dry
farmer lacked these esthetic attrac-
tions. yet the records OF the Trans.
Missouri Dry Farming congress con
tain many letters from dry farmers
describing their homes as thoroughly
attractive. For instance. In the arid
region north and northwest OF III Paso.
where the rainfall IL less than 10 inch.
os. flowers are raised. perhaps not In
the profuslon Of n greenhouse. but In
sufficient quantity to form beautiful
surroundings for the home OF the
farmer.
]. W. Reeves. who has dry farm
twenty miles north Of III paso. wherc
the rainfall IL practically the same M
that given for the city, has succeeded
In raising such flowers as cnlln lilies
and other flora with gratifying re-
suits.
A more convincing answer TO the
South Dakota engineers argument.
however. ls found on the ranch OF T.
II. Parsons, near Parker. Colo, n few
miles from Denver Mr.. Parsons has
an orchard Of more thnn 1000 trees
and Is steadily cnlnrgIng H. He he
gan with small family orchard. The
trees include apples. plnms and cher
rlcn. the last giving the best results.
The NTH year Mr., Parsons reports
his cherries and plums had paid all
the expenses Of trees and cultivation
to date,