The Dickinson press., 1911-03-04

THE DICKINSON PRESS SA'
corn belt states become. impressed upon
the minds Of the public that the opinion
was common that com could. not be
grown with marked success outside Of
these areas
Mr.. Randlett spoke Of remembering
the time in northern Iowa when wheat
and oats were almost the solitsry crops.
One year the wheat looked very promis-
ing. but a few hot. mugsy days just at
the right time brought on the rust and
made the crop an absolute failure. The
Iowa farmers knew of nothing else but
to SOW wheat the following year. 1t got
another good start, but along came an
insect. small but %voracious. and by its
odor reminding n of other insects
found. in North Dakota, but which are
probably not found in Gladstone. These
were the chinch bugs, and they took the
wheat. root and branch. The third year
wheat was again SOW by all those, that
could obtain the seed. and who had not
money left to fly the country. Again the
chinch bugs came. five times as n1mer-
GUS as the previous year. and again the
wheat crop was a complete failure.
At that time few of the more enter
prisina and daring, ventured to state
that they believed corn could be grown
and that hogs would falten IN it and
COWS produce milk. Mr.. Randletl's
father was one of these daring ones.
and 10 and behold. his prophecy came
true. and so. forced by dire necessity.
the farmers of Iowa oon went into the
work of raising corn and hogs.
It has been the same way with other
regions. They have changed from the
one crop system to methods of rotation,
only when absolutely compelled by
drouths. or insects or plant diseases. He
stated that he hoped North Dakota Would
never be compelled TO give up grain
growing, and he was sure it never
would as North Dakota is naturally a
wheat growing state. A few years like
1910 will teach the farmers that they
cannot afford to depend upon wheat
alone; they must diversity by introduce
ing forage and cultivated crops, and live
stock. 1t has been demonstrated that
North Dakota can grow corn-not for the
market, to be sure-as they do farther
south, but perhaps what is more impor-
tant-to feed to stock upon the farm so
that the soil can be increased in fertil-
ity the moisture conserved for the sue
ceeding grain crop and the land kept
clean of weeds.
The corn crop is the key 10 successful
diversified farming. The variety should
be. such as will ripen, yet fill the season.
The variety that requires more than 100
days to ripen is too slow. The variety
that ripens in 10 days is too small, and
hence is not economical. Gehu and
Wills Dakota belong to this class, but
they are excellent for early fall hog
pasture to finish off a bunch of shoats.
The Mercer, Golden Dent and Northwest
ern Dent are best adapted for this 40
cality. The idea of the big, un,ipe, So
called fodder corn is all wrong. Even
fodder corn should approach the ripening
stage, and one is best that does not 60
over the season more than a week OF ten
days. Minnesota No. 10 is we'll adapted
for this.
The purpose of corn in North Dakota
should be for feed to make pork, beef
and milk production. People are wax
ing up to the importance of growing corn
in North Dakota, and as an indication,
the First National bank of Fargo has
hung up ST.. 600 to be distributed in
prizes over the state. Stark county is
entitled to $3.50 of this if it is able to
produce the bes, corn. School pupils
contests in corn growing should be en-
couraged. The supervision of the Agri-
cultural College will be continued if
sufficient funds a be secured.
Corn growing means diversified farm
ing, more money, better buildings. bet
ter homes, a better country life and a
higher type of citizenship, and in the
last analysis, the better men and
women is really the final aim for all Of
the present day agitation in regard to
the better methods of farming.
Mr., Randlett was succeeded by N. J..
Cort, who talked diversified farming
and dairying right from the shoulder.
Before closing, Mr.. Maser gave an
excellent ten minute talk in German,
Explaining to those, who could not
understand the English language, the
Rist of the days work. The services
rendered by Mr.. Maser in this regard are
very important and too much credit can
not be given him. that he should devote
his time and services without recon-