The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1912-05-09
ADVISING TIE FARMER.


1t is easy to sit back ard tell the farmer how he
should make success OF his business. It often
happens that the man who has made the least sue
cess with his business is the most free to tell
the tiller of the soil how and when to spread
ure One expert advises the farmer to grow alfa
ia. We've lived in North Dakota for more than ten
years and we've seen mighty few fields of alfalfa.
although know Of scores of farmers who have
tried the experiment. North Dakota may some day
become one Of the great alfalfa growing states OF
the union, but the farmers to date have not made
a success of growing his crop. Perha ps they have
teen sold dodder grass seed for alfalfa At any
rate had they taken the advice Of certain experts
and sown large fields Of alfalfa. the mortgage COM
panies might now own their land while they'd
be splitting rails down in Arkansas.
We have watched the success of many farmers
during the last decade who to North Dakota
almost pennilesss. We'd rather study the methods
Of those men, who have delivered the goods, than
to adopt exclusively, the methods of the men who
are so free with their advice.
We have the utmost faith in our Agricultural col
ege We believe in the scientific methods OF farm
ing, yet what might prove to be a success on the
farms in the Red River valley might result in lis
in this section Of the state There is just ono
way to try out these advanced methods of farming.
A farmer had better fail with one acre of alfalfa
than forty.
There are going to be some badly disappointed
farmers who attempting to grow a large
scale this year. 1t is almost impossible to obtain
good seed. Many farmers have invested in high
priced seed that under the most favorable cond-
tons this year will yield none too good. Under adj
verse conditions poor stand is certain to result.
We after this
experience will be discouraged with grow
ing that they'll that North Dakota
intended by the Almighty as place to grow cor'
and yet, it is known that good under favor
able circumstances can be raised here. Right here
is where the farmers afford experiment
not too large sale.
Farmers are advised to hurry and crop every foot
Of their land this year, for the prospects are very
bright for bumper yield. But the flood gates Of
heaven have been open most of the time this
spring, and te impatient horny handed son of .)il
is taking his medicine in as pleasant mood as
possible. Advice doesn't pillow his land or seed his
land nor yet furnish him with the right sort of
seed for dong it.
Some of our farmers listened to words of wisdom
and invested in gas tractors. most worthy mod
ern implement under certain conditions, and worth
its weight in gold during the fall of the year, but
under the present conditions the gas tractor seems
to be elephant on the hands Of the investor.
One or two of the disappointed fellows wonder why
they didn't invest in gasoline launch instead,
while Worrying through the miry fields of muck
We all concerned in the success Of the far
mer and the advice that has been dished out has
been given with the most kindly intentions We
helped pay Campbell. the dry farmer, to tell our
farmers how to farm so the gentle zephyrs of North
Dakota could blow the seed out of the ground, and
one of our farmers followed the advice so well that
he the breezes miraculously blow an inch
two of the surface of his farm onto his neigh
bors land. The average farmer has heard so much
advice that he's bewildered. To him would say:
Halt! Right about fare! Combine little com
with hard work, and listen to the words
of wisdom, but-rake haste slowly with all expert
ments."
scientific farming. We believe that the salvation of
this country is in diversf1cation. We believe that
the farmers will change their methods to certain
extent the years roll on after they have learned
how and why by experimenting cautiously and
sanely. .sy
JOS Martin, member Of the British parliament,