The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-06-11
DRY FARMING
NEAR CULBERTSON
Interesting Article About Eastern
Valley County by Geo.
e. swan.
Culber.son. Mont. June 2.

cares 10 travel IN day, on all sides OF this
town dry farming land is taken up by
homesteaders and Culbertson is rapidly
taking on metropolitan airs. Within two
years culbertson has acquired new hotel.
several large store buildings and business
blocks with many. convenienees Of larger
cities and the advance in real estate values
in the last two years has made several
property holders on the main street prac-
tically independent
Culbertson owes its prosperity to the
development Of the surrounding country
which is essentially dry farming region.
Along the valley there are some efforts at
irrigation on comparatively small scale.
but even here many farmers are using So
called dry farming methods for conserving
the moisture. having found by experience
that by 80 doing they get better results
from less water than where irrigating has
been overdone.
The Cuibertson Commercial Club has
taken much interest in the work Of the Dry
Farming Congress and especially in the
Fourth sessions which will be held at Bill
ings. Mont. next October 26-aS. and will
have an exhIbi, of the crops Of this region
on display on the Second International
Exposition Of Dry Farming Products which
will be held at Billings in connection with
the Congress. Harry Dale, secretary of
the Club has taken up the matter of an ex-
hibit and has the cooperation Of c. w.
Tanner. !. 0. Slette. Zeno Bruegger. l. L.
Brooks. and other prominent business men
in arousing interest among the farmers IN
preparation Of products for the display.
The climate Of this region is much mild
er than that Of North Dakota, being subject
to the moderating influence Of the chinook
winds and compares favorably with that
Of Nebraska. The soil contains only a
slight degree Of humidity.
The soil varies in character from sandy
loan to heavy clay loan. II is ten to eight
cen inches deep and the subsoil generally
is hardpan clay. The lighter soils are
particularly adapted to the growing OF al
falfa and forage crops. while on the heavier
soils good yields Of wheat. barley, FAX are
produced. In all parts of the destrict po-
tatoes are raised with success and practi
cially everything in the way of garden
truck is grown in this vicinity. The entire
region is practically free from stone and
fully rs per cent Of the ground in the
eastern half Of the Valley County is suit
able for cultivation.
The average rain fall. according to the
reports Of the volunteer observer here, is
fifteen to eighteen inches the greater por-
tion Of the precipitation coming in the
spring and early summer when most need
ed for growing crops. During the last six
years. which covers practically the entire
period during which farming has been
prac,ised in this vicinity. it is said there
never has been crop failure.
Among the successful farmers here is
Edgar Williams. who is located in the
valley. but uses irrigation only upon a
small part Of his land. He has harvested
3a bushels Of wheat and as high as IS
bushels Of oats to the acre. the latter crop
the last two years being thir.y.five and
forty bushels He is summer following
10 acres and believes he can greatly in
crease his harvest by this method He be.
lieves that crop Of field peasei is almos, as
good as summer following. and this year
has four acre seeded to pease as an expert
ment. He planted the pease six inches
deep. Mr.. Williams said he though,
many farmers limited their crops by no,
seeding deep enough. He also thinks
trees can be grown successfully on dry
farms and to test this he has planted dia-
mond willow cuttings on four acres and fruit
trees on another tract. Mr.. Williams has
promised to send some of the results of hi.
work this summer. to the Dry Farming
Congress at Billings.
North Of Culbertson the bench lands
stretch to the Canadian line. about sixty
miles. The surface is rolling prairie and
for miles has been settled upon by home
steaders who are dependent almost wholly
upon dry farmin & methods. In the vicini-
ty OF Dane Valley. post Office recently
established in region where until two
years ago several thousand acres that is
now in crops was the range for live stock.
grains Of various kinds FAX. potatoes. corn
and other crops arr being raised. As far
- one can see in every direction. there il
a homssteaders house on every quarter
section. One claim which was taken up
by an ex-sold,er within the last two years
and for relinquishmens oi which il Is said
b refused a, 900 this spring. i IN example
Of the value at which I6o acres Of this dry
harm land is hsld.
From Culbertson nosthvard to Medicine
Lake. IS miles. the bench land Is settled