Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1911-12-08

Slope sound large when stated that
way but when 1t is put another way
it loses some of its attractiveness for
the average farm of the Slope has
but seven head of cattle and two OF
them are milk cows. Is that enough?
I say it is not. How many times
have heard farmers who came to the
Slope say that they wished they had
brought more cattle with them and
again how many times have farmers
said "our few cows have paid all but
store bills. When we consider how
dependent the average new settler Is
on the grocery store, the last state
ment means a great deal in the cow
favor. l have often wondered why,
when they found few COWS so aelp-
full they did not increase their herds,
but the temptation to try and go more
rapidly by the grain route claims It's
followers and the development Of
larger herds, in many cases, is neg
lected.
While there are some individuals
who act on their own convictions and
do develop larger herds and devote
more of their energies to farm dairy
ing, a greater number will take 1t
up If conditions are right and interest
can be centered in the organization
of a farmers cooperative creamery
| and a creamery erected. The dairy
Or live stock interest then becomes .
community interest, one neighbor en-
couraging and stimulating another to
larger herds and better methods to
their mutual gain-and illustrating
the working of the law of reciprocal
gain.
Creamerles Stimulate Interest.
Take the local situation as an ex.
ample. There was but little interest
In dairying, noticeable at least, until
we began to hold meetings and talk
dairying and creamery with the farm
ers. A company was organized and
Immediately farmers began looking
for more cows. The creamery began
operating In June, 1908. During the
first year Of operation the patrons re-
ceived $1O,662 for the butterfat they
delivered. How many additional
cows the patrons added to their herds
the first year l am unable to say but
I was informed that they built sixteen
new barns which indicated much
more than merely that their COWS
were to be sheltered. During the
second year the patrons received $13,-
270 or about IS per cent increase and
twelve more barns were erected.
During the fiscal year ending June
80, 1911, the patrons received $12.614,
making total of $36,546 for three
years.
A creamery has also been estab.
lished at Richardton in the spring of
1910 and for the first year paid pa
irons $7,501 %. Both of these cream.
cries, as has been the case with near
ly all creameries on the Slope have
operated continuously since they
were opened. The increase in the
number of milk cows from 1908 to
1911 in Stark county was IS per cent.
|. Butter Probably Sold.
From reports made to our Office
find that for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1909. there was made in the
creameries of the West Slope 767, 1913
pounds of butter. and that the pa
irons received $263,59S.36.
During the fiscal year ending June
30, 1910, $685. 2s pounds were made
and patrons received $277, 1924. For
the year ending June 30, 1911, 867, 05S
pounds were made and patrons re.
ceived $242,776.24.
In sections where dairying has
hoon ronducfnd tho lonrost ooc. ha
seen by its effects. I refer you to
the New Salem vicinity. question
whether any section of the Slope has
been harder hit so far as rainfall is
concerned during the past two years
as there, yet l am told by leading
banker. who knows conditions gen.
orally, that at no place are the depos.
its so nearly az large as they we're
two years ago than at New Salem
and he added I'VE can readily trace
the cause Of this favorable condition
to the creameries, the COWS, and the
regular monthly cash income"
Raise Feed For Stick.
When l came to New Salem twelve
years ago man was considered big
milk farmer If he had ten cows. Now
there are many with twice that
amount; some with three and four
times that number. With many their
central thought is on the stock; the
raising Of grain is secondary. I'VE
don't care so much about our wheat
just as long as we get plenty Of feed
for our stock we are alright" is the
frequent expression one will hear and
it offers pleasing contrast to the
other one IF it don't rain soon I'm
all r."
Mighty Power For Thrift.
Their cows largely come fresh in
the fall which enables the farmers
to provide employment for himself
and each of his family according to
their capacity during several months
of the year when the exclusive grain
farmer is practically, If not wholly,
idle so far as direct or indirect finan-
cial returns are concerned. It is no
rare occurrence for a patron of one
of the creameries in the vicinity of
New Salem to receive a monthly
cream check of from $50 to $500 in
February or March. I have observed
that when q farmer has an income
f,o.> ~1~,o o~l v~,1$-~v xh@ kn~A@~ax,