The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1911-01-26

upon the wisdom of growing winter
wheat: First, it is virtually the sur
est grain crop that can be grown. 1t
is seldom winter wheat kills in any
part of the state. 1t is sown and
reaped at a different season from
that in which spring crops are sown
and reaped. thus dividing the labor
season more advantageously. 1t
natures before the season Of great
est drouth, which is a point greatly
III it's favor. 1t gives much larger
yield on the average than the spring
wheats. l have frequently said that
ere many years go by, this state will
produce more than 100, 600, 900 BUSH
els of winter wheat in a year, Ev-
cry month that passes strengthens
this conviction.
Fifth. One great peril threaten
ing the agriculture of the state is
the extent to which grains MIX on
NJ ontana lands. TO this peril may
be added that of the extent to which
noxious weeds are gaining ground.
The mixing OF grains is largely the
outcome ofgrain volunteering, which
means that grain from the previous
crop that has scattered out Oh the
land will come up and mature in the
grain crop that may follow the for
mer. Unless careful attention is
given TO this matter, the grain of the
state will soon become so mixed that
its market value VIII be seriously in
terfered with. The remedy is, first,
to SOW pure seed, and second, to SOW
it Oh summer fallow, or after a cul-
tivated crop. That noNiOus weeds
should be already common OH even
the new lands of Montana is a sad
comment on the lack of care taken in
securing seed. In nearly all instan-
ces the weeds present have been
SoWil on the land in the first place
ny it's owners. 1t is now almost i'm
possible to get seed oats that are el1-
tlrely free from wild oats. Much
Watchfulness should be eXerci SEQ
when purchasing seed flax, lest it
should contain wild mustard or the
germs OF that dread dieease known
as flax wilt. To make sure that the
disease is not present in flax it may
be wise thing to treat the seed with
formaldehyde. Wheat, also, should
be treated before it is sown, if any
suspicion exists that smut may be in
any degree present in the seed.
There never will come a time again
IN the history of Montana agricul-
ture, when the fight against these
evils can be so easily and effectively
conducted as now.
Sixth. 1t is quite possible to grow
forage crops on Montana bench
lands to supply the needs of the far
mers. This problem has given anx-
lous thought to some. They have
looked forward to the time when the
native grasses would be virtually a
thing of the past, and have asked
where the supplies of hay and fodder
are to come from. That question
can be answered in great part al
reday. 1t is now safe to say that the
average bench land soil will grow
from one to two tons of cured alfalfa
every year. In some localities snch
grasses as timothy and bronze may
be grown along with it, thus assur-
ing to the farmer supple of hay.
The fodder will come from corn.
from the straw OF cersals, and il
may be from certain combinations.
as the sand of hairy vetch and winter
wheat. Straw in Montana is so
bright and good that it's feeding val
rs ton for ton, is far in advance of
the feeding value of the same in
lamp climates in which abundant
lews are present during the devel-
opment of the grain crops. The
same line of argument will apply
% fodder corn.
Seventh. The producing power of
he pastures may be greatly increased
~ growing certain tame grasses.
The growing OF these has not been
veil worked out, but it is certainly
'afe to say even now, that bronze