The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1909-07-10
WARD COUNTY IS
IN GOOD SHAPE
ACREAGE is GREATLY INcREAs.
ed AND GRAINS ARE SHOW
ING UP FINE.

Minot, N. D., July 10.-Though the
late spring has necessarily cut down
the natural increase Of cultivated
acreage in Ward county, the crop ex-
perts are unanimous in their belief
that the crop this year will rival, IL
not surpass, any Of the preceding
years Upon the weather of the next
few weeks will in a great measure
depend the success of the wheat sup
ply. Moist, fairly cool weather has
given the grain ample opportunity to
get well rooted and week of warm,
but not hot weather will allow a
growth that will insure protection
against any climatic change later.
While there Is still a natural risk, in
Cured by the ten to twelve days of
hardness, of a possibility of frost in
the fall. no uneasiness is felt by the
farmers in this district
Increase in Wheat Acreage.
Ward county. which for years has
taken the lead among the wheat pro-
ducing counties of the state, shows
an increase of fully 25 per cent in
wheat acreage over last year. It is
estimated conservatively that in Ward
county. which comprises $500 900 acres,
100000 OF which are under cultivation,
$4,000 are in wheat The increase In
wheat acreage was not largely affected
by the late spring nor was that OF
oats. 10000 acres being the estimate
for that grain. The falling off Of the
expected increase comes largely in the
fax acreage which is estimated this
year at 175,000. AS is usual, part of
the fax acreage of last year was put
into wheat and there was not sufficient
d time to break up the new ground plan
ned for this seasons fax. Ward
county raises but little corn and that
not for export, what is produced be-
ing used for fodder.
A prominent crop expert Of Minot
saws: There is every expectation that
we will have a bumper crop in Ward
county this year. The farmers, since
the spring before the monetary furry,
have been conservative in their buy
ing, the machine houses report col
lections the easiest in years, and II
this fall brings a large crop there Will
not be a farmer in the county WHO
will not be able to look the world IN
the face and shake off his debts, which
are always so prevalent in a newly
settled country"
In TIE Neighborins Counties.
The condition in the surrounding
counties is largely similar to that ex-
istinr in Ward, though the increase
has not been as large. In Williams
county the acreage of wheat has in
creased about Is per cent and the con-
ditions for a good crop are ideal II
Mckenzie the increase has not beer
great. as the settlers there are for the
greater part new homesteaders whC
have not broken much more than the
law requires.
Land in Ward county Is moving ent
at good prices. A 600-acre tract TIVE
miles from Minot was sold this weel
with over 800 acres broken. New set
tiers are coming in each week ant
the landmen are confident of yea
that will surpass in sales the RECORD
OF any previous twelve months.
While in the past the farmers o
ward have feared the hardships of
drought, the experiences of the pas
two wears class these anticipations a.
groundless. and they are wearing tn
smile that shows unbounded faith II
the future of the northwest.