The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-09-09
SATURDAY, SEPT. 9, 1871.
NORTH DAkorAs OPPORTUNITY.

The state seems to be waking up to
q knowledge Of its opportunities.
Various organizations are being form
ed to bring actual facts OF North Da-
kota's wealth and her opportunities
to the notice of the world. Whether
these consist of commercial clubs,
land shows. corn contests. develop
ment leagues or $500 per acre clubs,
all should be encouraged.
North Dakota has not had the
amount OF advertising which it Is en-
titled to. Cur citizens have been too
modest and the great advantages to
be obtained here have not been herald
nd broadcast over the country. 1t is
time that a change occurred.
Golfers Weekly recently contained
. statement that the per capita wealth
OF North Dakota was 1891 for each
individual in the state, being the high
est average Of any state in the union.
This is remarkable because of the fact
that the wealth Of the state is general
~ disseminated. There are no million
aires, but a greater portion of In
habitants can be found here who are
worth from $4,000 to $4,000 each than
in any other portion of the United
States. and consequently in the world.
The lessons OF the past in regard
to not conserving moisture, deeper
cultivation Of the soil, preparing
good seed beds. securing the best of
seed and the rotation of crops should
have their effect In increasing the
! productiveness of the state.
In every community there are farm
/, ers who have succeeded. even during
dry seasons, in raising good crops
where their neighbors have failed be-
cause of the improved methods, which
the former have practiced. 1t be-
hooves everyone to heed these lessons
and improve their own conditions.
i There are many farmers too who
are tempted to cultivate too many
acres. They should secure a greater
profit from carefully handling one half
Of the acreage which they now merely
scratch.
+ II a farmer raises wheat it takes
from FIVE to seven bushels to pay his
expenses and the number of bushels
which he can raise over the cost is
where his profit comes in. Suppose
every farmer in the state was able to
add one half bushel to his yield per
acre which would add at least $500, 900,
II net $4,000, to the annual product
Of the state, and that extra product
would add from Sc to Sc to every acre
Of respond.
When land produces annually a
crop worth from $40 TO $25 per acre
1t is nonsensicaI to consider price
of $50 or SIS per acre as extravagant
for its value. 1t is really worth all
the way from 800 to $3.50. and the
time will soon come when it will be
readily selling for these prices.
Is it not time that everyone In the
state, whether farmer, business man,
In professional occupations or laborer
make himself committee Of one
to have better farming methods pre-
vail and have more work done on the
lcuitivation Of crops. to have greater
diversity of product and encouraging
dairying and the raising OF live stock ?
IAN enthusiastic and united effort
along these lines can increase the
productiveness of North Dakota so
eper cent IL not 100 per cent, but even
ii only per cent OF additional profits
could be obtained the effort would pay.
North Dakota Is all right, 1t has the
soil. the climate and the people to
make 1t parexcellent the greatest
Horticultural state in the union. and
a united and enthusiastic boosting eff
fort win bring far greater profits than
Ehave ever been dreamed OF In the
past. Now is good time for every
one to wake up and assist his neigh
Dor az well as himself to bring these
results about. Who VIII be the first
70 push forward a concerted move
ment with this end in view2