Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-04-20

sheep. Thus the conquest of this great
plains region was wrought by the
rancher and grazer, preparing the way
for the more intensive agriculture Of
the crop producer, AT an early date
trials were made with the production
Of cereal crops. These frequently re-
suited in partial or complete failure,
owing 10 the usC of varieties unadapt-
cd 70 The soils and the climatic con-
ditions. n also i'm large part to the
crudity of the cultural methods on
ploNed. Grain production was mere
~ occidental to the main business OF
grazing, ana under these circum-
stances can scarcely wonder that
no pronounced success met the early
attcmpts. With the demonstration that
dry-farmed grain would succeed dur
ing seasons Of average rainfall a few
ranchers who had been disappointed
by unusually heavy losses in their
herds turned their attention to farm
ing. With the same vigor which had
characterized their ranching opera
tions they turned to the tilage of the
land aud the success attained by these
pioneer farmers becoming more wide
~ known at The time when the more
Attractive prairie lands farther to he
east had been occupied, the first rush
of the hOmcstcadcrs was made for the
prairies Of the Dakotas.
The majority of these early settle
ments We're made in the vicinity of
the larger rivers. Nearly all of the
early farms included some bottom
land along the rivers, as we'll rs the
upland in the prairies. For twenty
years the agricultural settlement of
the country has been slowly but stead
lily progressing and north of the MIS-
Z.s 49, E.rs., s,r lAn. I.,.[t outline
lv displaced the stock raising indus
try during The past few years. Prae-
tically All Of the desirable lands sub
ject to homestead entry have been
taken up within the past twO years
and settlement is now making inroads
upon the more broken and less Access
sible lands lying south and west of
the Missouri.
The introduction of varieties of
wheat which could he grown upon
these upland prairies with a minimum
amount of rainfall during the grow
ing season ana the development Of
dry land methods of farming have rem
dered available for cultivation thou
sands Of acres which 10 years ago
were considered to be Of no value
except for the ranging of
cattle and sheep. Agriculture is still
in its early stages of development
the principal crops are those which
can be produced upon newly broken
prairie land by extensive methods of
farming. Wheat, flax, oats. barley,
and potatoes, together with Wild hay,
are the principal crops, while cmmer.
or speltz, and corn are also produced.
Between 1892 and 1906 the acreage
devoted to wheat production in North
Dakota rose from $500, 600 acres to
nearly 5000, 600 acres and the wheat
production for 1906 amounted to
nearly $4,000, 900 bushels. This vast
both in acreage and in pro-
was due chiefly to the eN-
of agriculture into he west
srn portion Of the state, covered by
his soil survey.
Under the conditions Of extensive
farming which prevail q yield of II to
Is bushels per acre Of wheat is con
sidered profitable. The average yield
Tor the entire state amounts to 1875
bushels. and even in the western por-
ion. under favorable climatic condi-
ions Yields of 30 and 30 bushels per
have been recorded. The re-
Introduction and demonstration
If the drought-restitant m%acaroni. or
lurum wheat, has led to an increase
the average yield per acre, ana this
is particularly well adapted
o the soils and climatic conditions Of