The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-06-28
Good Farming and It's Relation
to the Bankers Of North Dakota

milk can, only they were after the
farmer; but the good Lord decreed that
Tan the cream should not be taken with
rev milkings. This particular form
Oh dalrying was short-lived. The farm.
er round the state good place In
"hich to live, and instead Of movinr
out, stayed. More came, not as for.
tune hunters, but home builders. The
total number Of farms In North Dakota
In 1900 was 45,332; in 1910. 74.ls5: ar
increase OF 81 per cent, with an i'm.
proved acreage of s.645. 900 in 1900, and
1V'4Ss'oOY In 1910; an increase of IL:
per cent. But these home builders
We're not all educated in farming. Some
nave studied, and by knowledge ac-
CURED through literature and exper-
renee nave succeeded as scientific
farmers.
Catastrophies In Disguise.
Some catastrophies are blessings in
disguise. The results of the civil war
the Galveston food, San Francisco
earthquake, and more recently the
great forest fire in northern Mime
sofa, when thousands Of acres were
cleared practically ready for the plow,
al furnished great evidences OF bless
ing.
only last year your short crop was
"a blessing catastrophe" IL I may he
permitted to call IL such; an educa-
tlonal campaign for better farming
Followed in its wake, such as you
never before experienced. Everyone
IN the state took an active part in II.
through your efforts, lecturers on sci
entifc farming were secured. Some
81 you hung up corn prizes to stfnu-
late better farming, and as a result
OF that one item the corn acreage this
year will be double possibly treble
that OF any previous year. Last spring
our company sent to each of our hor-
foWers a circular containing a few,
concise meaty suggestions on scienti-
nc farming; and / wish to thank YOU
now Tor the assistance you gave US in
distributing these. In all, about 90
600 were distributed through North
Dakota. The newspapers copied il and
published many other excellent articles
Tor the better education of the tiller of
the soil. Best Of ALL the farmer was
not only in a receptive mind, but was
eager for knowledge how to improve
ms metnods and increase his income.
Scientific Farm Methods,
AS result of the campaign last
winter and spring, thousands of farm
ers adopted scientific methods. The
seed bed was never better prepared
and 1t is the general consensus of opin-
ion that better farming methods have
been general throughout the state.
with the farmer, it wasn't the cues
ton OF how little can 1--WE dod this wear
70 get the crop in, but how well can
we DO it, 1t is the general opinion
OF experts and business men that with
the same atmosphere and moisture
conditions from now on as prevailed
IN the same season last year, the state
Will harvest a fair crop as the result
OF the better farming. Every business
man realizes the initial work in an
advertising or educational campaign
brings small results and it is the fol-
loW-up work which is effective in pro-
portion as he keeps hammering away
at the same subject.
A great majority of farmers are tired
of the original milk can" brought into
the state thirty years ago He is look
ing into the future and wants to leave
complete producing and increasing
productivity farm for his sons and
daughters. He doesn't want to 90 into
his grave with the predesigned epitaph
on his tombstone: "A Soil Robber !,
He has more time and greater incIina-
ton to devote to study and scientific
experiment than he did years ago, In
the matter of wheat production. from
1880 to 1894 the time of human labor
required to produce one bushel of
wheat declined from three hours and
thirty minutes to ten minutes, The
heavy, clumsy plow of 1880 had given
way TO the disc pillow that both Moved
and pulverized in one operation: hand
sowing-displaced by the mechanical
seeder drawn by horses; grading and
threshing with fails, and and hand
winnowing. now performed by the
combined reaper and thresher;-each
year produces new time-saving farm
machinery. The farmer has imbibed
the spirit of the times. we are all
seeking better and more efficient
methods, and he doesn't propose to be
left out of the game.
Guardians of Prosperity.
AS guardians of the prosneritv of
this great state, you want to assist in
mis- soul awakening. He is seeing the
light You have reflected. He is en-
thusiastic now. The iron is hot and
the "follow-up' work must be carried
on IL you want permanent dividends
from the investment already made.
Because Of my belief In this system /
am here today.
1t is to be hoped that the abundance
Of moisture which has fallen over the
northwest this season will not make
the farmer over confident, but YOU
know human nature is optimistic. and
while the farmer is fred with an anbi-
tion to reform, he must be nursed by
you not only with moral but financial
support.
The educational campaign conduct
ed during the past eight or nine months
has been In a way spasmodic. Each
of you are interested in IT, and only
through concerted and continued ac-
ton will you secure the best results.
Unfortunately, the agricultural college
is hampered through lack Of funds in
its desire to continue it's extension
work. Scientific farming is being
stimulated by the young men who are
being educated in your agricultural
college. He goes back to the farm.
realizing that to succeed. farming must
be carried on intelligently and in a
business. way, with brain power be-
hind the enterprise to just the same
extent as any other business.
A Glorious Future.