Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-10-29

regular line which marks approximately
the contour of the 5,OO0-foot level OF elti-
tude in the foot hills of the Rocky noun
tains In this vast territory, larger than
Germany. the government now maintains
II experiment stations for the investiga-
ton of methods of dry land agriculture.
These are situated: One in Montana, two
in North Dakota, one In South Dakota
two In Nebraska, two in Kansas. one In
Colorado and two in Texas. Through
these stations the government Ia gather
ing data which will show the number
of acres under cultivation, the amount OF
rainfall in each section. the regularity OF
the precipitation from year to year, tho
yield per acre in various grains. and 9TH
er incidental information. It Is not be-
! lieved by the experts, that II WI be pos
sibe to reach an accurate conclusion as
to the true value Of dry farming Until
this data has been collected fer a num-
Der of years.
Many Of the most successful Of the dry
farming operations have owed their pros
perity. in part at least, to excessive RAIN
fall. 1t is the purpose Of the dry farming
methods to make agriculture successful In
regions having from 10 to 20 inches OF
rainfall in the year. This year one sec
ton where dry land farming Is carried
on received 80 inches OF rainfall in the
first nine months Of the year, ard a
great deal Of the crop was lost because
there was too much rain. That particular
section has had great deal more rain
this year than has the state OF Virginia,
where farming operations are based upon
the theory OF humid agriculture. This
Of course is an exceptional case.
There Is no doubt but that the inyesti-
cations being carried on by the dry farm
ing experts, and the development of the
science of moisture conservation, will add
greatly to the productive agricultural area
Of the country Vast regions IN northern
were considered to be barren desert, are
now being prof1tably farmed. Every year
new agricultural tracts are being discov-
cred and brought under the control OF the
pillow.
One Of the most interesting instances
Of such discoveries is that of the Judith
basin in Montana. This valley was one OF
the earliest settled sections of the noun
tain state. Forty years ago a colony OF
pioneers moved westward from the Mis-
sissippi valley, over the plains, and set
tied themselves in this basin Graded high
up on the side OF the great range OF the
Rockies. They built the little town Of
Lewiston and devoted themselves to sheep
raising. After a generation had passed,
the railroad came and the Sheep which
had always yielded them a good living,
suddenly made them rich. The land in
the basin was considered too high. too
dry, and too barren to be farmed.
1t is the belief Of the men at the head
of the organization now holding its meet
ings in Billings that the value of the dry
farming process to the United States win
be much greater than the geld mines Of
Alaska and Nevada. The work OF the dry
farmer is still largely experimental, and
the situation demands the largest possible
extension OF educational and scientific
facilities. Already the dust overeoat has
turned many thousand acres OF desert
into blooming and fruitful gardens.