The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1910-01-06
DRY FARM CONGRESS
Much Objection Made to Term at
Recent Billings Conference.
Conveys Idea Of Farming Under High
ly DisagreeabIe Conditions and
Conveys Nothing as to What
is Necessary.

Recognition Of the fact that the
term dry farming" is unfortunate and
misleading was brought out at the re-
cent Dry Farming congress held at
Billings, Mont, when Gov. Norris OF
Montana gave 1t hard rap, and was
followed by Louis w. Hill of the Great
| Northern, who pointed out that the
use of the term dry farming" con
veyed an idea of farming under condi-
tions highly Objectionable, and that
because of this the exploitation of
| dry farming under that name is do
ing more harm than good. But the
most serious objection to the name
was that 1t relates to symptom
rather than a cure. II conveys moth
ing as to what is needed to carry on
| agriculture in the dry country. In
fact it was evident that almost any
thing and everything passes under
the name of dry farming. But as no
body could suggest any name that
would be better. the name will con-
tinue.
But as to just what to do to make
farming profitable in the dry land re-
gion, there was much discussion
among the farmers present. Secretary
Wilson sent a letter in which he ex-
pressed some views not entertained
by the mass of those who attended.
He reiterated his well-known view as
to the inefficiency of cultural methods
in solving the dry land problem and
required again to the necessity for
either importing or developing new
plants and varieties suited to dry re-
gions. He denounced openly the sys-
tenn of cropping every other year, or
the use of the summer fallow, and in
dicated that instead of doing this the
farmers should grow clovers and sim
liar plants and fill the subsol with
plant roots as the basis for humus.
That this view was not shared by
the plow farmers was shown when
there was the heartiest applause of
the congress for Hardy W. Campbell,
when he vigorously defended the
farmers and declared that in this mat
ter the secretary did not know what
he was talking about Campbell is
himself one Of the plain farmers and
what he has gained has been by work
out In the fields without any govern
ment aid or encouragement. He is
sometimes called the father of dry
farming" and he was certainly the
hero of the day at Billings, for the
farmers present deserted the main
convention and packed the institute
hall when Campbell stood up for three
hours and talked of farm experiences
and answered questions as to tillage
and soil culture methods. AS fur
ther tribute to the fact that by and
through tillage great things are really
being done, the winner of the James
J. Hill silver cup for the finest district
display. presented the cup to Mr.
Campbell in recognition of his emf
nent services in pointing out the way
to make a success of farming in dry
regions. The minister of agriculture
for Alberta also put himself on rec
ord as in direct opposition to the view
entertained at Washington by stating
In substance that until the tillage
method of dry farming was adopted
in Alberta they were pretty much in
the dark, but now they are making
wonderful strides.
AS a matter of fact there was no
room at the congress for any discus
sion as to the merits of tillage meth
ods in producing results in the dry
country. 1t may. that, as Secretary
Wilson has said. the system is wrong
and will result in depletion of the soil
fertility, but the experience of vet
eran farmers at the congress was to
the contrary and every actual farmer
who reported any progress whatever
In his farm operations reverted to the
methods of tillage and cultivation as
the basis of his success.
There has been an impression
abroad that the farmers have tried to
fix some absolute rule as to farm
methods for the dry country. This is
not true. The best thought is direct
ed toward general principles of tillage
and the soil conditions to be secured
use any method" said Mr.. Campbell
to the congress, fdo the work in any
way, MAKE use OF any lOOl OF lmple-
laent or device. All insist on is that
the farmer know what soil conditions
are necessary to bring about the re-
suits he desires and that he shall go
by the most direct route to obtain
those conditions. 1t is the physical
condition of the soil at seeding time
and maintained throughout the grow
ing period that is essential, rather
than any regular system followed in
getting it,"
This idea does not preclude that of
making use of new crops, of seed and |
plant selection, of rotation and Of add, /
ing humus to the soil by we'll recog-
ni2ed means; but it does insist that /
first and above all else there must be
l little different and a little better
illage of the soil than prevails else
where
Peas on Dry Land.