East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1910-09-05
TEN COMMANDMENTS
FOR DRY FARMING
PROMINENT AGRICULTURIST
LAYS DOWN THE LAWS
Prof. w. G. Palmer OF North Dakota,
Agricultural College Hands Down
Precepts for Successful Dry Farm
ing.

Spokane, Wash.-"He who obeys
these precepts shall reap abundant
crops. He who violates them shall
be punished by decrease in yield In
proportion to the transgression."
Professor w. c. Palmer, agricul-
tural editor of the extension depart
ment of the State Agricultural College
OF North Dakota, says this in a fore
word to "the ten commandments of
dry farming" submitted to John T.
Burns. secretary Of the Dry Farming
Congress, for adoption at the fifth an
nual convention in Spokane, October
to 6, in connection with the third
international exposition of dry farm
ed products. The commandments
follow:
l. Thou shalt plow deep.
Deep plowng permits rain to pene-
trate the soil easily and without run
off, also provides more feeding space
for plant roots and makes available
more plant food.
2. Thou shalt keep the surface soil
loose.
This prevents soil moisture from
evaporating and conserves the rain
inches or use weeder.
3. Thou shalt cultivate level.
Level soil affords the least expos
ure to the air and will take in rain
fall faster than ridged soil.
4. Thou shalt summer fallow.
This should be practiced in all dis
tricts where the annual precipitation
is less than 15 inches, as it conserves
two years rain for one crop and kills
weeds and plant diseases; land should
be cultivated. Where the yearly rain
fall is more than Is inches corn is as
good a preparation for a crop as the
bare fallow.
6. Thou shalt add organic matter
to the soil.
This holds moisture and plant food,
improves mechanical condition of the
soil and lessons washing. drifting and
blowing. Stable manure is the best
form. Plow weeds under while green.
6. Thou shalt keep down the weeds.
Weeds consume moisture and plant
food, crowd plants, shade crops, re-
tard plant life and make land work
harder.
Z. Thou shalt grow early maturing
crops.
Conditions for growing are best
during the early summer; winter
grains are better than those sown in
the spring.
Z. Thou shalt grow corn every
three to five years.
The cultivation required for corn
saves moisture, kills weeds and plant
diseases. Corn is the best prepara-
ton for a grain crop; it produces
more food and fodder per acre than
other crops. Do not hill up the corn,
as this wastes the moisture.
9. Thou shalt grow clover or al
falfa every few years.
Rotating with these grasses adds
fertility and organic matter to the
soil; kills weeds and diseases of plants
and produces an excellent hay and
valuable seed crops.
10. Thou shalt keep stock.
The most profitable way OF market
ing grain and fodder is through stock,
which produce the manure necessary
to the soil and bring prosperity and
plenty to the dry land farmer.
Professor Palmers presentation of
the principles Of this modern method
Of tillage in the shape Of precepts ap-
peals strongly to members of the To-
cal board OF control" said Secretary
Burns, land It is likely that sub
stantial prize will be offered for the
best ten commandments on dry farm
ing. The plan Is to submit all to the
executive committee of the Dry
Farming Congress to Gull the best
thoughts and prepare a set OF COM
mandments. to be incorporated in a
handbook as guide for dry land
farmers all over the world"