The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-10-17

$3.50
pUrtance OF Dry Farming ana Means
Of Supporting Ii. He said:
Ladies and Gentlemen: The sixth
annual convention Of the Internation-
"A Dry Farming congress has as
sembled this year under most favor
able auspices The time and place
We're well chosen. The r1id-autumr
season In this latitude is delightfully."-
lnVigorating and Colorado Springs,
nesting like coy maiden at the feet
Of the majestic Rockies, In addition
to q most generous hospitality, ar
tords her visitors an inspiring out
look upon section Of mountain archi-
lecture unapproachable i'm It's gram
deir. May those lofty peaks but
symbolic the motives ana purposes
Of this convention.
Within the shadow OF this vast
mountain range, we have assembled,
from many states and countries. to
discuss ways and means whereby
and with due difference to the influ-
ence those mountains exert in tho
matter Of limiting atmospheric pre-
cipitation over millions OF acres Of
whereby we may make them.
nevertheless, productive and habit
lble.
For surely. II nature unaided--in
Wild abandon--couId build up SOIL
Of such unexampled fertility. notwith-
standing the paucity of moisture that
rs Erudgtngly permitted TO pass above
these snow clad barriers, assurediy
science and skill-for beneficient en-
terprise- should be able to improve
upon natures processes to the extent
OF producing profitable crops of vege-
tables. fruits, and grains. And by the
same token, millions upon millions OF
acres elsewhere, In Mexico, In South
Africa, in Russia, India, or south
America--isnds naturally senai-arid
ON account Of limited rainfall. the re-
suit also of natural causes which
human agencies cannot remove. in
ike manner may be rendered produc-
tive.
Adapted to Humid Conditions.
TO overcome the apparent obstacle
OF limited moisture seems all the
greater because agriculture, as popu-
larry understood and practised In
most countries, Ia the product of
hunlid conditions. AS an art. modern
agriculture was Graded and nurtured
IN regions OF abundant rainfall. The
k4a ~
practice OF moisture conservation by
means OF tillage Is seldom resorted
70, Notwithstanding periodical droughts
nave Deen, In all modern grain grow
ing countries-humid though they be-
one OF the chief scourges OF the hus-
Dandman. The clouds are relied upon
70 water the fields when the crops re-
quire it, save in strictly arid coun-
tries where irrigation direct liz some
times resorted to. If the clouds fan
TO send copious showers In season. the
crops suffer or fall, regardless Of the
moisture that fails out of season. Tins
II occurs that within the tropics
where. sixty inches of water falls dur
ing the rainy season, crops frequently
suffer from drought during the dry
period that follows. The system
known as dry farming has a place
therefore, In all agricultural countries
and is not confined alone to regions
of limited rainfall
Worlds increasing Population.
The growth OF population III an
countries is bringing increased press
ure upon the land, for subsistence.
The humid regions, because Of In
suficient area, and in many districts
by areason of their failing vitality.
owing largely to mlsrnanagement are
no longer capable OF supplying the
needs Of the worlds increasing popli
lation. The sub-humid and the semi
arid countries will be drawn upon to
supply bread and other necessities as
rapidly and as largely as the teach
ings of science and human skin can
render them available for this pur-
pose. Not least among the tasks be-
fore us therefore, Ia to demonstrates
by actual practice and beyond ques-
tion that humidity is not an essential
requisite for successful agriculture.
The quantity OF water that ii actu-
ally required to mature any particular
crop has been so often aBoertained and
under such varying conditions that
within reasonable limitations the minis
mum is readily determined. Add to
this minimum the amount OF natural
and unavoidable loss on account OF
capillary evaporation and the prob
lem saoived as far A@ determining
the quantity Of moisture that Ia rev.
CURED during a single season for any
specific crop is concerned. This natur~
ally will vary with conditions OF soil
and climate. all OF which must be tak-
en- into account, for the problem va
ries with locality In short. local con-
ditions are the essence OF the dry
farming problem.
The average annual precipitation Of
different localities already. as a rule,
has been determined. The kinds OF
crops best adapted to any given sec-
tion Of the country however, iii many
instances. must yet he determined by
experimentation. Likewise. whether
the moisture is sufficfent to grow
crops annually or bi-annuaIIy, and
especially the tlllage necessary to III
sure the storage Of sufticient moisture
in the soil 10 support the crop during
the entire growing esason. And last
III, to disseminate this information
among farmers and to convince them
that successful agriculture will depena
absolutely upon their skill and fidelity
I'm thus managing their farms. are
among khe helpful agencies that must
be employed to introduce agriculture
successfully In every semi-arid eoun-
try.
Soil conditions vary widely, vet the i
scientific principles involved In dry
farming apply quite universally IN all
regions of limited rainfall.
Varying Conditions
The fact that conditions vary wide
" on account Or latitude, texture Of
the soil. egevation etc. each affecting
rapidity Of evaporation, involves the
dry farming problem with complex
tiles that call for Investigations 1T
once serious and exhaustive For not
aYR1v fhnTn r0ufeFs1 ssIaffnn settlement