Judith Gap journal. [volume] (Judith Gap, Mont.) 1908-19??, 1909-05-07
CHICAGO TRIBUNE BOOSTS.

An article appeared in the Chicago
Sunday Tribune Of recent issue, giving
the science Of dry farming and the third
Trans. Missouri dry farming congress
fine showing.
This article is quite at variance with
many vf the articles that have appeared
from time to time in eastern papers.
The Sunday Tribune presents the real
situation and facts.
1t calls attention to the fact that
though the dry farming congress is in its
infancy and has no tangible results to
show for its two previous meetings, its
Importance has already been recognized
by several foreign countries and it is
head of the agricultural departments of
those nations. Algeria. Turkey, Turke.
stan, Russia, Australia, New Zealand,
will no doubt have representatives at
Cheyenne. Wyoming. February q, at
the opening of the third Trans Missouri
dry farming congress.
The history Of dry farming and the
two former gatherings is delt with and
facts are set forth proving that dry farm
ing is not theory hut fact Of great
material consequence.
The farmer who takes to dry farming
in place of irrigation is culogized. He is
called the salt Of the earth A man made
Of such stuff-Abraham Lincoln, Web
stcr and Others of like caIil,er.
The article then lays bare the follow
ers of the argument brought against the
system. 1t shows that even the state
ments of the past were mistaken when
they called this great west "a barren
waste, desert of plains and mountains,
region Of savages and wild beasts ct
deserts"
The work Of the Trans Missouri dry
farming congress is to educate those peo-
pie who still believe the above. 1t is to
educate who believe in the system into
successful and practical methods.
The third congress will develop bu'
reau of information. 1t will undertake
to issue bulletins and other pnblicat ions
keeping abreast Of the progress made in
the development of the profitable meth
DDS Of dry farming. 1t will organize and
carry on great cooperative school for
farmers and experts. 1t is impossible to
give an estimate of the value OF this one
proposition to the dry farmer.
While dry farming has been practiced
in the United States for half a century it
is only within the past few years that it
began to he seriously considered. As a
rule the American people are not looking
for hard work unless forced by circnm'
stances. The east and the Mississippi
valley were becoming ovcrcrowded and a
place for the overflow emigration was
needed. There was lots Of room in the
west, hut the obscure rural editor and
the famous expert parlor car correspond
ent had their hammers out and said II
was not profitable for agricultural pu:
poses and their declarations were regard
Ell as being based upon facts until attcn
ton was directed to the success Of many
farmers in the so.called arid regions
where the rainfall WAS limited and ir:iga
ton impossible. But withx. tHcre exist
ed n general belief that such results wtr'
but the outcome of temporary conditions
such as abundant rainfall and clcserf!
manipulated small tracts Of land. hut n
real value or significance was attached I
these issOlated instances.
In Montana. u section recently brought
in closer touch with the centers Of trad
by the extensionI9f a railroad. the result
Of dry farnling> almost pass heIief.
comparison Of few Of the crops will sui
flee to show the dry farming advan .,e