Omaha daily bee., 1911-01-23
MONTANA DRY FARM METHODS
Highest Returns Are Found to Come
from Mixed Farming.
FIELD PEA FOR STOCK FEEDING
USntains Large Amount Of hydrogen
ana f. valuable for FatteninE
Roth sheep and HOSTS
Soil Improver.

Soil Improver.
The experience Of Montana farmers In
the non-irrigated sections Of the state-and
these comprise by far the greatest agri-
cultural portion Of the state-has very
clearly demonstrated that the highest re-
turns come from mixed farming is the
opinion expressed by Mr 9. 3. Witter,
prominent member Of the Penwell com
paniep. which own many large and profit
able stock ranches as well as considerable
tracts Of farming lands.
These companies. at the head Of which
IL Lewis Penwer OF Helena have been
construction force in Montana stock grow
ing and agricultural development Their
stock ranches are managed along the most
approved modern lines and have uniformly
paid handsome dividends TO their share
holders with similar foresight, the opera
lions Of the Penwell companies In acquire
ment and handling Of agricultural lands,
have been along the lines OF developments
70 demonstrate the fertility ~ the lands by
putting considerable portions into crops.
ny these methods they have not only shown
their own faith in their holdings, but have
greatly assisted purchasers.
Live stock is being successfully fed on
the so-called dry farms" continued Mr..
witter 20 The Bees Land Show writer,
and this is making for the very highest
kind of returns 20 Montana farmers It
has been very clearly demonstrated that
the kinds and varieties of crops necessary
for the profitable feeding OF all classes OF
live stock may be raised all the bench
lands Of the state. oats, barley corn and
peas with alfalfa basic feed, are form
ing the balanced ration by which our farm
ers are fitting their beef pork and NUT
ton for the block.
Testing Oats.
Several varieties OF oats have been
tested, and yields ranging from twenty-fi five
20 1o4 bushels with an average Of forty
bushels to the acre. harvested. The sixty
day and Canadian white, two early matur-
ing varieties. have shown themselves ad-
mirabiy suited to the conditions and may
he counted on as reliable.
Two classes of barley, the hulless and
the two-rowed, have been grown. The
hulless barley is early maturing. and one
Of the best dry farm spring grains. II
Yields an average Of nearly twenty five
bushels 20 the acre and as its bushel weight
Is sixty pounds, this means lot of grain
II has high feeding value for all classes
Of live stock. The common two-rowed bar.
ley is a little slower in maturing and does
not yield quite so well as the hulless
However, 1t gives very profitable returns
one of the most promising dry farm
grain and forage crops is the corn. Tn,
earlier maturing strains have been grown
over the state and grain yields ranginl
around forty bushels, with forage yields O.
three tons TO the acre, have been harvested
This crop is destined to find large plac,
on the dry farms, and its presence indi
Gates the great feeding development that Il
sure to come
Field Pea Used.
"rhe field pea is coming into very genera
use in making up a stock feeding ration
Its general adaptabiity to soil and climate
and the very high value of the crop, boil
as soil improver and for the feeding
value OF the grain have been discovered
1t contains high content Of nitrogen an,
both grain apdrstraw are especially valu
able for the fattening of sheep and hogs
THE question Of forage on the dry farm
is not a difficult one Alfalfa bronze grass
tall oat grass, and corn fodder may b
profitably raised and furnish the mos
valuable forage. OF these crops tn
alfalfa will doubtless be the most I'm
portant. The crop has been grown in a
the sections OF the state and is we
adapted to the dry farm, During the las
five years alfalfa has been yielding fror
enc to three tons, with an average of al
proximately two tons per acre, harvested
This crop has a high protein content. an
when fed with the grains above mentione
makes an almost perfectly balanced ratiol
This corn is also adapted to pasture pr,
duction and as such makes possible Ii
very cheap growth of young animals.
"Brome grass and tall oat slass MAX
good hay crops when planted by then
selves or in mixture with alfalfa. The
are also valuable pasture grasses
Good Corn Fodder.
"As has been mentioned, good yields
corn fodder have been harvested. III
indicates good feeding possibilities and al.
suggests the great dairy development whiC
always comes where corn is raised.
In addition to the above standard stoC
feeding crops some Of the root crops iii
msngels and sugar beets are profitab
raised, and furnish cheap feed
From the crops l have discussed Il
most ideal balanced feeding rations m,
be made. The grains like oats, barley al
corn, furnish the elements for the buildiI
up Of fat and bone material while Il
protein features. OF the forage Gro
alfalfa is high in protein, while the 9th
crops mentioned contain the elemen
which build up bone and other parts of 4
body"
Mr., witter Is in charge OF one OF 4
large exhibit booths facing the Gre
Northern and Northern Pacific exhibit
and the showing his sections Of Monta
make in grains grasses and forages is
very attractive one.