El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-03-26

of this discussion, we'll said that there
was very little in view for an increase
for the farming operations Of this coun-
try except by the extension of irriga-
ton and dry farming. Now, these ex-
periments that have been going on in
this land for several years have dem
onstra ed that we can raise a crop on
less moisture than we used TO be able
to raise it on in the past, because W.
understand better the atmosphere and
soil conditions under which it is neces-
sary to raise a crop. There is no other
place in the entire avenue of the WORK
OF the agricultural department whSra
its activities can be better used 70
bring TO utilization in the form Of farm
ing the millions OF acres that hereto
fore have been considered as practically
useless for agricultural purposes
Some ENLIGHTENMENT
Mr.. Cox. OF Indiana-Win the gentle
man allow me to ask him a question?
Mr.. Norris-Certainly.
Mr.. Cox, of Indiana-Was the e@v-
eminent the first to institute this dry
farming
Mr.. Norris think not.
Mr.. Cox, of Indiana-Has it been tried
by various farming people?
Mr.. Norris--It has been practiced by
others outside of the government serv-
ice. Mr.. Campbell, as 1 understand
was the first man TO start it, He has
devoted nearly his entire life 10 the
study of this question. He has travelled
all over the west, and the only reason
the entire country is not convinced
thoroughly about what is known as
the Campbell system of dry farming
is because the people have not had an
opportunity TO give the subject the
study that il demands
Mr.. Stephens, of Texas-HaS there
been any other system of dry farming
discovered than that which is known
as The Campbell system?
Mr.. Norris-I can state to the gentle
man from Texas that undoubtedly il
there has been any thought to be bet
ter discovered it will be used in the
experimentation to determine whether
it was the best.
Grows All Classes of Crops.
Mr.. Goulden-What class of crops are
produced in this way?
Mr.. Norris-All classes of crops. They
have gone on experimenting, and they
do this: In some cases they will raise
a crop every two years. Mr.. Campbell
has made important experiments in Ari-
IONA, where there was not rainfall
enough in a year. if conserved, to raise
one crop in a year. We can conserve
and raise a crop then 1t is practically
demonstrated at the present time that
the moisture in the soil can be con-
served. 1t is being conserved. It is
done under different conditions in diff
ferenf places in the country. There is
today, under this system, in parts of
the west and south. successful method
OF raising crops upon land that few
years ago would have been considered
as absolutely worthless for agricultural
purposes. 1 want TO say TO you. gentle
men, that in all the domain OF activity
OF agriculture there is no place where
IL can be put to more practical benefit
than in this particular item we are now
considering.
II is a mistake to think that all the
benefit comes to those sections known
as the dry farming sections. The les
sons that they have learned there when
put to practical use in New York, New
,ersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio and all the
stern states can be utilized to advan-
tcge to raise crops when they are not
getting the rain that they ordinarily
get.
Mr. Scott quite agree with all the
rentIemmen who have spoken in sup
port of the amendment as to the inpor-
lance of the work that is being done
under the appropriation authorized by
this paragraph, but I cannot agree with
them that it is necessary, or even adj
visable. to increase the amount of that
appropriation. I beg to call the atten-
ton q. the gentlemen to the fact that
the work provided for under this para