The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1910-06-30

Just now in some parts OF North Dakota. the
farmers are a little down in the mouth" because
the earlier crops do not look well they
have in former years. In fact, it is said that in
some localities, the early sown crops may not be cut
at all. The later crops look much better tnan
those earlier, and with fair amount of rain
soon, will yield WE'LL Flax is all right and ought
to turn out we'll. Oats should yield we'll in those
localities and those who have corn and quite few
lay claim to considerable corn acreage, say
the crop looks excellent. There is no in us
claiming that this is going to be bumper crop
year in North Dakota, for it is not The rains have
been entirely local. Some sections of the state have
had plenty of rain others have not. North Dakota
is not one iota different from Minnesota, Wisconsin,
Illinois and Iowa and might mention several
other states, to say nothing Of Canada Montana
is in a great deal worse shape than we are. The
farmers there mostly new settlers who are de-
pending this years crop to carry them thru,
and the loss of it will be keenly felt. In North
Dakota it is different. While no farmer invites d
shortage of crops, farmers prepared for It,
perhaps better than those of the other states Now
we do not want our readers, whether you be resi-
dents of North Dakota or of some other state, to
take it from this that everything has gone to the
dogs for this is not the case. North Dakota ought
to have from so per cent to Is per cent average
crop this year, depending largely upon the condi-
tons from on. The prices will be better for
the products that are raised, and those farmers
who have grain to sell will make perhaps much
as they do in bumper crop years. Our farmers
are not at all discouraged-far from it.. We have
talked with Of them, many of whom will have
the shortest crops and they say they prepared
for the worst, if it comes. They say they have
farmed here for eight or ten years, and have had
excellent crops every year. and would not be at all
surprised to find short crop in many years
One old farmer stated the situation pretty we'll to
the Editor of the Independent, when he said: "A
farmer who can't stand short crop once in ten
years does not deserve to call himself farmer"
We are glad to see our farmers so optimistic. They
show that they are made of the right stuff, this
is the stuff that will always succeed They sa,
their land is not for sale, and the price will not go
down one red cent. The Independent understands
that the report has gone out that the conditions
alarming in this state In justice to North Dakota
want to state to just what extent the crops have
been injured.
Within a radius Of ten miles of Minot, the
early sown crops, quite seriously damaged. East
of Minot seven miles, in the Surrey country, the
grain looks We'll several fine rains having fallen
that passed around From Velva to Mnot, the
conditions of the early grain are none too promls-
ing. The crops from six or eight miles south OF
Mnot received number of refreshing rains recent
ly which put them in good shape. From there on
across the hills, the yield promises to be good
one From a point ten miles west of Minot and on
west the conditions are said to be most favorable.
while good heavy rains visited the country from
point five or six miles south CT Glenburn and on to
the north and east The country to the northwest
of Mnot for distance is about the same as that
in this immediate vicinity This does not mean
that right around Mnot Will get no crop, but
we cannot expect much from that sown early. In
short the crops may be said to be spotted. Con-
sentative estimates are that will get from half
to three fourths of regular crop.
Minot is indeed dry town. The last of the pigs,
grown weary under surveillance of the viligant Off
Gals has closed its sleepy and blind eyes. The
farmer hot and thirsty from his long drive in from
the farm, cannot even quench his thirst with
drink of water unless some merchant friend gives
it to him. If he would give his tired beasts drink
he must place himself under obligations to the liv-
eryman, or unhitch his team and lead them down to
the river We are thankful that the street
sprinkler, however, is still doing business at
the old stand and that the big red light
still shines from the top Of our water tower to
guide the farmers to the city which apparently
does not care enough about them to furnish water
for themselves or their beasts Minot has HUI
name Society, whose object Is to SEQ that cruelty
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