The Lamar register., 1909-10-13
vEST-POCKET RANCH
Crops on Irrigated Farms Almost
Miraculous in Productivity.
Alfalfa 10 Sure Winner. Under IrrI.
CATION and Immense Yields Of Bar:
ley. Rye, Potatoes and Other
Crops Grown Probably.
BY II. A. BERGMAN, Editor Of Farm
arlS Notra

BY n. A. BERGMAN, Editor Of Farm.
ers' Voice.
For years there have been a mum.
Der Of small irrigated farms in the
arid section of the west, lying close
to the streams where primitive sys-
tens Of irrigation have been followed.
Their limitations of water and their
Isolation have kept them from being
desirable homes and no real develop
ment Of the country was possible, un-
til, In. large way. the government
segregated such lands as could be wa
tered and under the Carey act opened
them up for settlement. The crops
grown on the little., vest-pocket
ranches are almost miraculous In
their productivity. Wheat often runs
as high as 60 bushels and oats 1875
bushels per acre. Alfalfa is a sure
winner under irrigation and immense
yields OF barley. rye, potatoes and
other crops are grown wherever the
magic touch of water is applied. 1t
Ii hard for. farmers in the east to
comprehend these big yields. They
do not appreciate that these inter
mountain soils. are often a hundred
feet deep. waiting for centuries, UNI
touched in their virginity. for modern
irrigation methods to unlock the treas
ure house Of their wealth. II the av.
erage New Englander or corn belt
farmer were to visit some OF these
places he would never go back to the
old. inhospitable conditions. II they
would apply here the same careful
and painstaking methods they would
become little kings of the soil. In
stead Of working like a drudge six
months out of the year In order to
struggle through the other six months.
they would see the actual exemplifica-
ton OF the saying: Tickle the soil
with a pillow and 1t will laugh a har-
vest" Instead OF conserving the soil
and spending profits on fertilizers
they would find these irrigated soils
OF the intermountain region inexhaust-
ible.
Another peculiar fact which eastern
ers unacquainted with western life
cannot understand. Ia that western ag-
rlcultural products need not be shipped
to the great commercial centers OF the
east and middle west In order to find
a market.
One farmer sold $500 worth of but
ter a year from six scrub Hereford
Shorthorn cows with udders about the
size Of quart cup. Poultry. eggs.
malk. hay. grains. potatoes and every
garden vegetable grown north Of Ma
son and Dixon's line can be grown
with profit and the local demand is
away out Of proportion to the supply.
Range stock has fattened on the
heavy grass and the absence Of sage
brush will make an easy job for the
settlers In getting crops under culti-
walton next season. This country. ow-
Ing to Its good range and eQuable eli
mate. has been the greatest cattle
country In the United States. Hun
dreds Of thousands of horses, cattle
and sheep have been fattened here
and the cattle baron has been the lit
tie lord Of creation. Now that irriga-
ton has made SO much of these lands
for general farming. the land
Is too good 10 waste as range and the
wire fence and permanent homes are
driving the range cattle elsewhere.