The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1911-02-25

from real life In other cars grains
grasses. fruit and ornamental trees were
exhibited, by means of which it was pos.
slble to make concrete and readily in.
telligible what otherwise might have
been merely academic.
The entire responsibility. for the in
dustrlaL work rested with the Asricul-
turar- Colleges. who bore all the expense
OF providing the exhibits and fitting ur
the train. The special conditions that
exist in each state were thus met b,
those who were especially fitted fo1
dealing III an effective manner with the
problems involved: In North Dakota
Tor: instance, diversified farming, cror
rotations, soil conditions. seed selection.
weed eradication, treatment of diseases
affecting such field grain crops as wheat
and flax. home economics, the growing.
of trees for timber and protection
against wind, were. among the subjects
discussed and illustrated.
III Montana the methods of cultiva.
ton required under dry farming" con-
ditions We're emphasized in those regions
Of limited rainfall where irrigation is
impracticable, while in regions where
irrigation is practiced the uses of water
and methods Of operation. together with
Kinds OF crops and manner of cultiva
Lion found by experiment to be most
successful. received attention accorln.
to the local needs. In those regions.
where stock raising is a leading indus
'try,:. the adaptability of breeds to dill:
iercnt conditions and tastes. methods OF
breeding and feeding. were accorded due
emphasis. In Western Montana where
apple growing has come to he one OF
the leading industries, greater emphasis
was placed upon the consideration of
conditions that surround the cultivation
Of apple orchards. the protection of The
trees from diseases, safeguarding the
fruit from the ravages of insects. the
care of orchard trees. and harvesting and
shipping OF. apples. -.
In Eastern Washington. where the con
dirions 'as to rainfall and soil ma til,
problems to be dealt with peculiar to
that section of the country. the men
from the State College, trained by expe.
,ieHce and study to know the needs
Of the different, localities. met the eager
inquiries Of the farmers with prompt
answers and discussions of questions of
sine and depth of zploughins. methods
IT cn(tivat ion in order to secure the
greatest conservation OF moisture, sue.
cession, Of crops. the raising OF forage
crops, dairying. stock breeding and feed
ing. care of animals. construction and
arrangement of, farm buildings. sanitary
surroundings, and home conveniences.
The train was operated by the North.
ern Pacific Railway Company at consid-
cradle expense. and with no peculiarly
compensation. Professor d. T.. Willard.
Development Agent of the Company. who
accompanied the train. stated that the
Northern Pacific was glad to have this
opportunity of contributing to the deyel-
npment of agriculture in the Northwest.
The operation of the "Better Farming
Special the Company did not wish to
be regarded as a philanthropic movement,
but rather as a business proposition, the
Company having, the same purpose. and
acting with the same hope and cxpec-
iation that impcls: any progressive and
intelligent farmer to seek to increase his
yearly earnings by investing in improved
stock, by studying how to take advan-
tage of conditions. by learning new and
better methods. In short, the Northern
Pacific believes that it's interests are
inseparablv associate with those of the
producers in its territory, that what
contributes to the success of the farm
ers. whatever brings more wealth to the
producers from the soil, increases the
business that the railroad may do; that
more bushels per acre, and those bushels
Of better quality. more pounds of butter
and that of greater excellence, greater
diversity in farm products, and hence
greater security against crop failure,
greater wealth from any source. means
increased business both in amount of
freight hauled out and in commodities
hauled in, and increased numbers of pas
sengers to be carried; in fact, that the
relationship between the farmer produc-
ers and the railroads is that of an inter
dependent community or partnership;
that what helps one helps the other
Whatever, therefore, can be done to pro.
mote intelligent and progressive methods
of farming. whatever incentives can be
offered toward improving the quantity
and the quality of the products of the
earth, all these are of advantage to the
railroads as we'll as to the farmers.