The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1911-02-23
INTEREST
TO FARMERS
Some Valuable Hints and In
formation Taken From
Farm Papers
More Demonstration Farms
Wanted

NhoiS TdtioH arms
Wanted
To Dakota Farmer: After reading
the address by Prof. n. +. Hansen
on Northern plants for Northern
Prairies." and many other articles
which | find in YOUR most valuable
paper, | would like to send in a little
report from the battle of dry farm
ing.
wish to say that in my estimation
Mr. Hansen has struck the nail a
forceful blow on the head in manv
particulars. The idea is here:
Thousands of people who. like my
self, are settling on the semi-arid
lands IN western South Dakota, often
with very limited means and a vague
and imperfect knowledge of any of
the many lines of agriculture. are
brought face to face with many ser
ious problems
We have assembled from almost
every point of the com ,ass, and with
ideas and experiences fully as wide
ly differing: each one as Mr. Hansen
infers carrying on a minute expert
ment station Of his own, which is
not only expensive to the individual
but also to his county, state or ma.
ton, for we all know that the sue
cess and prosperity, or its reverse,
OF any state OF nation must be
brought about by the same prevail
ing conditions of the individual.
We are all mOre err less agreed as
tN the correctness of the foregoing
facts, but the remedy is what we
should most sincerely consider. In
the first place as has been advocated
by many of our ablest and most
Practical men, an increased number
of scientific demonstration stations
lone in each county would be none
too many would greatly improve
matters; where the proper way of
doing the proper thing in its respec-
tive locality and under local condi-
lions could be taught, observations
taken and encouragement given.
As for myself. | am satisfied that
with the right methods rigidly and
intelligently put into practice, with
the proper rotation of the right kind
Of plants. grains and grasses, toget-
her with stock raising. dairying,
etc, this part of the country where
sufficient rainfall for ordinarily
followed methods of farming cannot
always be depended upon; and which
Is looked upon by many (using a
common expression) as being fit
only for coy' <.s and Indians" can be
converted into one of happy ano
prosperous homes as becomes any
= part Of this glorious state and ma
ton. But here comes a subject no
often touched upon.
Back to the Soil'' is becoming
common admonition by those VIII,
have looked upon the distressing
conditions prevalent among tn
poorer classes in our large cite
and right here on these prairies arr
many who have needed this admoni
ton but now with last seasons un
preecdented drouth, in many case
limited mea to begin with, wit
the many other lnconvenIenceS an,
discouragements which confront
the first settlers of any country, an
let me say right here that with YER
few exceptions they are making
brave and relentless fight, for man
have come here with the convictio
that it was their last chance for
home of their own and individus
independence; they will not give uE
but some are beginning to wonde
under the stress of present cond
tons, whether they have nc
Jumped out of the irving pan int
the fire"
The idea is, are we as a grea
commonwealth doing all we can IN
practical way to help these on
brothers, for how can we except t
build up a great and pr0sperou
nation if we do not unitedly helI
and encourage people to helpthem
selves, which, failing to do isfofte
a shortsignted and costly saistak
for any commonwealth to make. :
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