The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1910-09-06
DECALOGUE
FOR DRY FARMERS
(Suecial Tn Silver State.)

SPOKANE, WASH, sept. D. lie
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. G. Palmer. agricultural
editor of the extension department at
the State Agricultural College of
North Dakota, says this in a foreword
to "the ten commandments of dry
farming submitted to John T. Burns,
secretary of the Dry Farming congress,
for adoption at the fifth annual conven-
ton in Spokane, October 3 to 6, in con-
.~nection with the third International ex-
position of dry farmed products. The
commandments follow:
1. Thou shalt pillow deep.
Deep blowing permits rain to pene-
'trate the soil easily and without run
off. also provides more feeding space
FOR plant roots and makes available
tnore plant food.
2. Thou shalt keep the surface soil
bose.
This prevents soil moisture from
eYaporating and conserves the rainfall.
Harrow grain after it is up two inches
orr use weeder.
n. Thou shalt cultivate level.
Level soil affords the least exposure
to the air and will take in rainfall
faster than ridged soil.
4. Thou shalt summer fallow.
T'his should be praeticed in all dis
|tridts where the annual precipitation is
Ilessl than Is inches, as it conserves two
veats rain for crops and kills weeds
and lplant diseases; land should be cul
tivatled Where the yearly rainfall is
more tlan Is inches corn is as good a
preparation for a crop as the bare fal.
low.
6. rhou shalt keep down the weeds,
the soil.
Tbisl holds moisture and plant food,
improves mechanical conditions of the
soil aid 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, retard
planf life and make land work harder.
III Thou shalt grow early maturing
Conditions for growing are best dur
ing the early summer; winter grains
are better than those sown in the
spr4ng.
So Thou shalt grow corn every three
to five years.
Yhe cultivation required for corn
moisture, kills weeds and plant
disbase. Corn is the best preparation
fol a grain crop; it produces more food
and fodder per acre than other crops.
Dol NOT hill up the corn, as this wastes
moisture.
T.. Thou shalt grow clover or alfalfa
few years.
Rotating with these grasses adds fer
1 Pity and organic matter to the soil,
kills weeds and diseases of plants and
an excellent hav and valuable
seed crops.
10. Thous 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 Palmer's presentation of
the principles of this modern method of
tillage in the shape of preeepts appeals
strongly to members of the local board
of CONTROL said Secretary Burns,
"and it is likely that a substantial
prize will be offered ror the best ten
commandments or dry farming. The
plan is to submit all to the executive
committee of the Dry Farming con
gress to Gull the best thoughts and pre-
pare a set of commandments, to be in
corporated in a handbook as a guide
for dry farmers all over the world" -.