The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1909-03-25
Clover, Wheat and Sheep Should
Be Raised in North Dakota


sounty), in Fargo Forum.
the pastures. In North Dakota it is
folly to continue any good wheat land
in pasture more than two years. Lay
down new pasture on your worst
worn soil, pillow up that old pasture
and you will get enough more wheat |
to pay for the new fencing, and good
fencing at that.
Is Cloverlea farm DOING these things
or simply talking them? Last spring
we put up four miles of fencing, the
posts being set the previous fall. and
we now have the posts set for three
miles more, and I really had a fair
amount Of fencing before. All this
fencing should have had ten years
earlier. Like few others farmers in
North Dakota, did not then have the
money to spare. but should have bor-
rowed it. The increased crops would
long have paid the loan and presented
me with the fences. Some will re-
mark that it is easy to say borrow
it." Well, we can find way in re-
spect to pastures as we'll as other
things. II we want pastures we can
get them. No farmer is too poor to
find seed wheat to put into that land
has already yielded ten to twenty
crops Of grain. We are all so indiffer-
ent to the dollar that goes into the
production of wheat, while we so "sit
up" in the presence of the dollar, be-
come big as a cart wheel, that is to
go into grass seed, pasture fences.
etc.
In conclusion, regarding pastures,
will say that our pasture land wheat
has helped to save the day in sew
eral of the trying years that we have
lately encountered in the Red river
valley. To be more definite, think
it safe to say that since 1899 my
wheat on pasture land three years in
crop has averaged at least a total of
ten bushels per acre more than wheat
on equally good but unpastured land.
l mean an average increase of three
and one-third bushels per year, which
consider very low estimate. The
profit in the sheep l estimate as fol.
lows: Assuming that they benefit the
land enough for their feed, the wool
will more than pay for every item of
labor and other expense, as found by
carefully kept accounts. and the lambs
will be clear profit.
| l have said that some preparation
must be made by the man who would
keep sheep. The winter quarters must
be dry and cool, that is. we'll aired,
but almost any place having those
conditions will answer. have known
a small flock to have excellent accom-.
modatons in shed mostly filled with
machinery. l used various old build
ings at the start; several years ago
we built great straw shed, but is
could not be kept entirely dry. So
two years ago built sheep barn at
a cost of $4,000, and have devoted the
straw shed to other purposes. Ac-
cess to clean water the sheep must
have once a day. On dry pasture
they will drink much, while on rich
clover pasturage they will drink but
very little.
l advise every man to begin with
but a small flock. Sheep will run
safely in the same pasture with cat
tie, and believe with horses as we'll,
If not crowded. Sheep will craze in
any kind of pasture: in a weedy piece
of land saved out for summer fallow;
I and they will roam the stubbles Until
we'll into December; that is, till the
snow Is too deep, and they will thrive
at it. But remember this: A healthy
sheep has a very healthy appetite, es.
pecially manifest when your pasturage
is short. Bear this, too, in mind: It
will not pay to keep land in pasture
for sheep when that land is renewed
and ready to be restored to wheat
raising. Look ahead as to pasturage.
l had once to materially reduce our
flock because l had not looked ahead
far enough in the respect just men.
toned.
There are many things l would say,
more in detail, IL there were space,
but will close with this: If you are
not already doing so, SOW some clover
early next spring and SOW some clio.
yer year; unless you dislike sheep,
start with them as soon as you can
provide pasturage; start in a small
way, for you can learn good deal
from few sheep, but don't forget to
start. Perhaps should add that in
my judgment, based on experience.
herding sheep, save under very excep-
tional circumstances, is improbable
on any wheat farm in North Dakota.
You must have mostly inclosed pas.
turage.
Point Of View.