The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1911-01-19

grams mere Drought y08et00Ts
The state Is to be congratulated on
the general excellence of the products
here shown. for 1t is q credit to any
which II developed to its greatest eff
hciency becomes q business requiring
more shrewdness than Law, more
technical training than medicine,
more brains and resoursefulness than
pedagogy and more uprightness than
Theology; and yet these are the so
called learn possessions. None Of
these however. are so vitality essential
to the state and to the nation "a 10
farming and the farmer.
But we have. however, already
sail that all those engaged In this
serious business have not as yet real
lied to the full its real responsible
ties; many Of us have been too busy
chasing the elusive but necessary dol
lar to stop and think Of our posi-
ton. In, other words some Of 10
have yet to arrive at the point where
We are farmers Of the highest grade
possible.
To each and every class Of farm
ers then. I want to say that the OBJ
servance. manipulation, and es far
as possible. the control Of the natural
factors which make for the produ4.
ton Of better corn will involuntarily
make Of Us a better grade Of farmers
and will help us to more quickly
catch the slippery dollar.
The four factors which are the
prime factors In better corn produc-
ton are the farmer. the season, the
soil and. the seed. We may for the
sake Of illustration put these in the
form Of q mathematical equation and
have them become. The farmer. plus
season, plus soil, plus seed. equals
corn. The greater the harmony exist
Ing between these factors the larger
will be the right hand member Of the
equation. that is the pile Of corn pro-
duced.
We have already spoken at some
length regarding the nrst factor mem
toned in the equation and since We
believe We have made It plain that .
large part Of the highest success lies
In our being in love and in sympathy
with our vocation we will not discuss
th3. nn1n% p.
The second factor. the season. is
one that is almost wholly and COM
pletely beyond our control. Doubt
less 1t is providential that is so.
much as we would like to change.
things during months Of unreasonable
weather. There r however. some
things the Farmer can do.to assist
nature and overcome the Ill effects
Of varying and untimely weather
conditions.
Among these aids may be mention
ed drainage. for the removal Of excess
sive moisture. and to permit and in
duce greater areation; early spring
|discing to prevent evaporation. The
establishments and retention Of soil
mulches throughout the season for
the same purpose. The Incorporation
OF more organic matter and humus
Into the soil that 1t may absorb and
retain q greater amount Of moisture
Ito be used by crops during a period
OF drought. Deeper blowing that
there may be . greater depth Of
loose soil for the absorption Of larg-
er amounts Of water, thus preventing
large run of. The use Of catch crops
to catch and hold winter snow that
this may project the soil and per-
haps be used in part Is a moisture
for the following season.
These few suggestions are but the
beginning Of helps the earnest, think
ing type Of farmer, desiring to pro-
tduce the largest yield Of best type Of
corn, will find OF assistance during
trying seasons.
The third factor, the soil, the farm
H IHEM ~
er controls to a large extent.
Soil must be kept in the best
physical condition and this can only
be done by proper rotation Of crops.
Every form Of agriculture, therefore,
every other ocupatoon or profession,
rests primarily on the fertility Of the
soil. Soils are made up of four
things: sand, silt. clay and organic
matter or humus. The only way to
change physical composition is to
change the amount of organic matter.
Easily done-to put 1t in or work 1t
out. How? Through rotation and
use Of stock. The grain farmer can
use one and the stock farmer the
other. Organic matter makes better
physical condition. Soil is more
granular, NOR friable. easier aerat-
ed. contains more moisture. drain.
more readily, darker color. warmer
soil, contains more plant food. Ro-
tation should always and Invariably
lcontain such crops az clover or al.