The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-07-27
Sol. With the Associated Agricultural Possibilities

i and all round general prosperity has
probably never been equalled in agri-
cultural history in any country. This
was no doubt largely caused by the
new sense of individual existence in
stilled by that important event and a
determination on the part of our pa
triotic people to set a new high mark
in intelligent and wisely conserved
progress.
Our ruling body was quick to recog-
nize the great opportunity and by the
adoption of broad gagged legislation
started out the new ship of state we'll
found and furnished on it's mission as
an integrate part Of the union.
The real basic ground work Of the
state was at once given recognition
by the establishment of college Of
agriculture at Fargo, which has since
grown into one of the foremost insts-
tutions of its kind in the country.
Normal schools and other public IN
situations necessary for the comfort
and protection of an enlightened peo-
pie were founded and richly endow-
ed with land grants from the sale of
which perpetual funds were establish
ed and invested which will forever as
sist in the proper care and mainten.
ance Of the various beneficiaries.
Similar wise precautions were taken
in connection with the school system,
which latter now has an endowment of
land conservatively estimated as worth
$50, 900 900.
The. rural population were not slow
in approaching the many advantage
Gus privileges which had been provided
for them and
Development Proceeded Apaee.
Extend from Pembina county on the
Canadian boundary to Richland coun-
ty on the south the Red river valley
became one vast grain feld. Similar
ly, although to q less intensive degree,
the valleys of the James. Mouse and
Missouri rivers came under the dom
ination of the pillow and harrow.
The special suitability of the soil for
the growth OF wheat, particularly in
the Red river valley, was soon recog-
nized and this favored region came to
be known as the home of hard spring
wheat and one of the granaries of the
world.
The cultivation of other cereals such
as oats, barley, rye, speltz was also en-
gagged in and here again the soil prov
ed responsive to the profit of the
farmer. Corn, at one time deemed I'm
possible of successful culture, proved
a profitable crop in many parts, CIV
ing promise of a statewide range Of
growth which has since been album
dainty demonstrated.
In the meantime the eyes of the
ever advancing agriculturist became
fixed upon the trans-Missouri regions.
Heretofore the more western parts Of
this section of the state had been
given over largely to the ranchins
business in horses, cattle and sheep
and for many years the impression
prevailed that the higher altitude and
apparently light rainfall precIuded the
Possibility Of Successful Farming.
True, that in the county Of Morton
it had been shown for years that all
the grains mentioned above could be
probably planted, yet nevertheless
the general opinion persisted that the
western line Of that county practically
constituted the western limit of pay
ing agriculture.
Never was there a more erroneous
conclusion based upon more false
premises and the awakening came
when the practical exhaustion OF
government and cheap railroad land
east Of the Missouri compelled search
elsewhere by the on pressing crowd Of
home seekers.
1t was naturally to the sweeping
prairies and flowing contours Of the
western and southern sections of the
state. heretofore used only as pasture
grounds for the ranchmen that at
tention was directed, and soon the
4 breaking plow and harrow became ia
mRiar objects in those regions.
Success Was immediate.
and the fallacies of the interested pea
simists soon became apparent The
history OF the early Red river settle
ment in the 7O's was again repeated
and with equally profitable results.
For the past five years this move.
lnent has been continuous and 1t may
now be said that the agricultural O..
Il velopment of the state in its entirety
} rests upon a satisfactory and perma-
nent basis.
The old-time ranch has practically
disappeared and over the wide
J stretches Of fertile prairies, where once
4 -. c<xi1 <~...s.... ~