El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-03-26
Science Of Dry Farming; How To Do 1t Successfully
Able Men Tell Congress Of Dry Farming

The spread Of the propaganda of the
dry farming or scientific farming as IL
is correctly termed, has been rapid
few years ago. only faithful few be-
lieved in il. Today dry farming has IT'S
advocates everywhere Recently, 1t had
an airing on the floor Of the house OF
representatives of congress.
The following extract from the Con-
gressional Record contains the discussion
of dry farming which followed the in
PRODUCTION Of a proposed amendment by
Mr.. Martin, of Colorado, to increase
the appropriation for dry farming ex-
pertinent work
The clerk read as follows:
Amend line q, page is. of the bill
by striking out the words thirty-one
thousand seven hundred and thirty"
and inserting in lieu thereof the
words fifty thousand six hundred and
forty-four.-
Dry Farming.
Mr.. Martin of ColorSdo-Mr. Chair
man. in support of the amendment which
has just been read, desire TO say that
the agricultural department has estao-
lished and is now carrying on IA dry
farm experiment stations. for the pur-
pose of making experiments in the cul-
tivation of soils and the production OF
crops in the regions where there Is
neither sufficient rainfall to raise crops
nor sufficient water from natural
sources for irrigation These IA stations
supply a territory about $50 miles IN
width by HOO miles in length, grand
total area of about 100000 square
miles For the purpose of carrying on
these highly important experiments last
year there was appropriated the very
modest sum of $31,760, which In the
pending bill is reduced $50, very MI
croscopic piece of economy. indeed.
Dry Farming Experiments.
A comparison with other features OF
this bill and comparison of the bill
with that of last year, however, does
not indicate the same parsimony In
dealing with other branches Of the agri-
cultural department work; and say
this without any intention OF casting
any reflection whatever upon the very
distinguished gentleman who has the
honor of being sponsor Of this BILL be-
cause / believe there rs no member OF
this body who is more heart and soul
interested in the great work that is
carried on by the agricultural depart
ment or has az better appreciation or
what that work is. But there are some
things that the author evidently had to
take as they came to him, and this ap-
pears to be one Of them / notice, for
instance. that while the appropriation
for dry farming experiments in that
great section of the west to which he
says the people of this country must
look for any increase in the area OF
arabic lands has been reduced from
s3l76O 10 s5173o the forest service
has been increased from s4,e4s,2o0 to
s5.043,7OO Thirty dollars less for the
work Of dry soil crop experimentation
and instruction, and $780,, 500 more for
the forest service!
Small Appropriation.
And here is another interesting item
in this bill as going to show the rela-
tive difference and Importance in some
one's mind between these two branches
of the government service; There has
been appropriated only $31,730 to cob
duct all OF the dry farming experiment
stations in the agricultural depart
ment, but the sum of 1929, 420 is pro-
posed to be appropriated for tree cul-
ture, which creates a suspicion in my
mind that if the late DR.. Pinchot had
been divinely commissioned to make
two hills OF corn grow where only one
bunch of soap weed grew before, in
stead of keeping one tree where it was,
the figures might have been slightly
different
But we are not asking, Mr.. Chairman,
TO place the arid prairies upon the
same high plane with the timbered
mountains. We have selected more
moderate basis in fixing the amount
in the pending amendment. It appears
from this bill. Ar. Chairman. that the
map of the United States is now or
namented with $50 national forests and
every one of these forests carries a
separate appropriation.
Mr. Cox, ofN&ndiana-Will the gentle
man yield for a question?
Mr.. Martin, of Colorado-Yes
Mr. Cox, of Indiana-What is the |
gentleman's opinion as TO whether or
not these dry experiment stations have
met with any success or are sue
cessz
Dry Fnrming a Success.
Mr.. Martin, of Colorado-It is my 4
opinion, viii say, in reply to the ques- !