The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-11-20
SEES A new
NORTH DAKOTA
THIS STATE Is BEING BORN
ANEW, SAYS COMMERCIAL WEST
"A BIG TRIBUTE IS PAID TO
FARGO BANKERS DIVERSIFIED
FARMING ADVOCATED.

Commercial West: The state OF
North Dakota IL being born anew, and
through the adoption of diversified
farming period OF the greatest pros
perity that 1t, has ever known. The
wheat crop of the Red river Galley this
year was only moderate and yet that
section is receiving more money for
its farm products than ever before.
This result Is due to diversified farm
ing in place of the old one-crop plan.
Tie crops of Grand Forks county never
brought 80 much revenue as this year,
and the banks of Grand Forks have
record deposits. The First National
bank of Fargo reports over S3,000,0O0
in deposits, the highest point in its
history. The reason is clearly indi-
Gated by the display OF farm products
In the banks lobby, which Is made up
of all sorts of grains, including SPLEEN
did samples of corn of different vari-
cites, and potatoes that rival those of
the Bitter Root or Yakima valleys.
The display is miniature county fair
exhibit and is duplicated in part by
exhibits the bank has sent to Minne-
apolis, st. Paul and Chicago banks
When Vice President Weiser and
Cashier Irish started their corn con-
test. Offering cash prizes for the best
samples of corn grown in North Da-
kota, they probably did not realize
that they would have such an agricul-
tural show on their hands. But this
enterprise has stimulated diversified
crops, which show a marvellous in
crease in money returns, as the re-
suits this season very clearly demon
strate. It also means no more crop
failures for North Dakota in localities
where diversified farming is practiced
This change will give the old farm
ing section of the state a lease of
life and will assure It's farmers money
returns that the old bonanza wheat
farmer never dreamed of even in the
palmiest days Of big wheat yields.
For instance, one OF these old valley
farms of 1900 acres in diversified
crops this year seemed to promise so
little during the hot winds period last
summer that wise old farmers free
ly advised the blowing up Of the fields,
yet the owners realized over 5000
when the crops were marketed. Few
people realize the transformation go
ing on in the eastern part of North
Dakota, and the foregoing instance
simply shows that even old North Da-
kota farmers themselves underesti-
mate the possibilities of their lands
These old wheat farmers can again
get into tho sDhirty and forty bushels
per acre class, by scientific farming
This is accomplished by putting in
crops that will retore the elements
needed for wheat and using cultivated
crops to free the soil of weeds that
now choke the wheat plant
So essential is this plant Of farming
these old lands that the most pro-
pressive land dealers are now stipulat-
ing in their sale contracts that 8
certain acreage OF potatoes and corr
be planted each year. In this way
they insure the future payments or
contracts, which has always bees 3
speculation under the one-crop plan
Some of the lucky ones have beer
able to pay for their land with the re.
turns on this years scrop of flax
barley or rye, but the sure thing
Is to have a good variety of crop.
When North Dakota gets well estab-
lished on a basis of diversified farm.
ing, crop failure will be as unknown
as it is in southern Minnesota wis.
consin or Iowa. Two successive sea
sons OF short wheat crops in some
sections Of the state have probably
done more to convince some farmers
on this subject than all the preaching
of the professors of the agriculture.
schools. This sad experience. alona
with the splendid returns this year
where diversified farming was car
ried on, should certainly leave ne
doubt as to the most profitable poIicy
for the business Of agriculture.