The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-08-03
DRY FARMING RODS
DROUTH OF DAMAGE
Secretary lanes Wilson Says
Nations Crops Are Not
Greatly Injured.
WON'T DISCUSS POLITICS
HAY WILL REACH PROHIBI-
TIVE PRICES IN WINTER.
Especial to The Herald -Republican)

Especial to The Herald-Republiean.)
Ogden, Aug. 2.-Secretary OF Agricul-
ture James Wilson arrived in ogden to-
night unattended from an extended trip
IN the northwest. where he has been
comforting with forestry officers with
a view OF getting comprehensive idea
of the effect the unusual drouth has
had on the vast areas or farm lands IN
that section Of the country.
The veteran secretary OF agriculJure
was willing 70 talk about crops ana
crop prospects, but he automatically
avoided making any reference to ma
tional politics. He declined to have any
thing TO say as TO the probable out
come of the Baliinger- contro-
versy, and in order that no deductions
might be taken. he refused 20 have any
thing to say on the government con-
servatiOn plans.
The nations crops will not suffer
20 any great extent from the IONS
drouth. which is still prevalent said
Mr.. Wilson Spring wheat was MI
hard, but winter wheat will be better
than usual and, on the whole, so TAR as
u concerns the products or the SOIL Is
good enough.
Dry Farming "A Boon.
Luckily. the problem of farming dry
soil without Irrigation or rainfall is
one sufficiently solved TO rob the drouth
OF much OF its devastating force. The
west which is used TO such condition,
is little affected. except in several 10
calities OF 10 great extent. Wherever
there has been poor farming there have
been heavy losses.
The hay and grass crops viii be hard
er hit than ever. which viii result in
almost pFOhibitiVe prices this winter.
Corn Will suffer, but 10 no great eX-
tent.
ION account OF the excessive drouth
this year. the problem OF forest fires Is
a vital one at present. investigation
has shown that many or these desJruc-
tive fires have been due 10 sparks ig-
hitting the dry grass along the railroad
rights OF way. The loss this year Will
be very heavy. We are concerned
chiefly just now in trying TO induce
the railroad companies 10 exercise
every precautiOu. The man who Will
invent a mechanical cOntrivance 10
prevent sparks flying from the smoke
stacks OF locomotives viii be a public
benefactOr AID Will make millions out
OF his invention"
Adjust Differences.
Secretary Wilson's tour has chiefly
20 do with adjustment OF differences
between farmers and the forestry serV-
ice. An important conference is planned
for tomorrow on the subject, when
Henry Il, Graves. chief forester, is due
10 arrive in ogden 10 meet Secretary
Wilson.
Regarding the rumor that the two
officials were 10 meet here TO inquire
into the possibilities OF a great gov
eminent Irrigation project TO conserve
the waters Of ogden river, Secretary
Wilson declared that he had no cODnec-
ton with such An undertaking, and
that IL was a matter for the reclama-
tiOn service. Secretary Wilson looked
over the situation eight years ago. The
estimated cost OF the project al that
time was Sl0,GO000O
r. 4. Sherman, The local forester,
called on Secretary Wilson at the lat
ter's hotel tonight and had a short
conference. The Weber club Is plan
ming a reception for Secretary Wilson
tomorrow night.