The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-02-08

CONTINUED from Page Three.)
we are troubled very little with II.
We disk as early as possible i'm the
spring. then to harrow after each rain
or If the soil becomes to compact we
disk again. Our object at all times is
to keep the mulch in condition, and
keep the weeds down as they use the
moisture TO the detriment OF the next
years crop. Then in July we plow
about eight inches deep, subsurfaca
packing Immediately and then harrow
ing, then we harrow and disk as need
ed 10 keep weeds down and keep the
mulch in condition all summer.
Amount Of seed.
Then in the spring We put in seed
at the rate OF about twenty pounds
per acre and harrow as before de-
scribed.
We have found If more than half a
bushel Of seed is used per acre that
1t grows to straw, lodges and does not
I'LL well. But by seeding only one
half bushel per acre we get we'll filled
heads, sitter straw and seemingly
strange to say, we find IL about s.
thick as If three times as much seed
were used. This is caused by an ideal
seed bed and prolific stooling. Under
these conditions one can expect over
thirty bushels per acre-frost, hail and
insect pests excepted.
On my fathers farm at Buffalo, OF
this state, where was born and raised,
one year a field was summer cultured
by the Campbell system unlntention-
ally and the result was a thirty-four
bushel crop Of wheat per acre. But
II was attributed to luck and uncon-
troIlable conditions. This was a good
many years ago.
Then during the drought of 1900 we
noticed many other unaecountable
things that were though Of as freaks
Of nature and dropped without much
thought For instance, one field was
fall pIowed dry, then as weeds ap-
peared in the spring we double-dIsked
II all over and seeded fax. Thus max
ing the land loose. The result was
prolific crop OF pigeon grass and other
weeds but not enough fax to pay for
threshing This was caused by dry
fall blowing and as dry land won't
pack, It lay loose all winter, then was
loosened up again by the disks thus
causing very dry, loose seed bed.
We also noticed many times that
year that the crops stood good In the
deadfurrows and were entirely burnt
out on the rest Of the field. This was
caused by the deadfurrows being Arm.
Now this did not happen west on the
Missouri slope but within forty-fi Ave
miles of Fargo.
We have found conditions about the
same out there as here except that the
rainfall is less. But we know by past
experiences both here and there that
these conditions can be remedied and
that these losses can be guarded
against and a large yield obtained
each year, frost, hail and insect pest
excepted.
The Value Of II.
We believe that by this system OF
farming, if strictly followed, as much
crop can be produced on 100 acres as
is usually raised on 500 or 400 acres
and at far less expense. Then con-
slider the extra running to farm all
over the country, how much time we
lose. In fact we always figure we
can farm three acres near the build
ings as easily as two at a distance.
extensive idea cut down to more ra-
tlonal proportions we would be gain
ers in money and many other things
that make life worth living.
BY applying these methods to the
humid regions and emitting the sum-
rner culture of summer fallow as It Is
usually called, or rather following the
every year rotation It is sure to great
Al tell
putting the possibility Of drought and
it's dissappointments for ever out Of
our category.
I don't mean for you to work night
and day with lot Of cows and chick
ems for we know that is what the
average Dakota farmer abhors and the
writer no less than the rest Of YOU,
but the Campbell way.