The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-10-21
by :. H. Woss..)

In all regions Of limi..,d rainfall.
water is the determining factor that
controls the harvest. obviously, with
out scientifically conserving moisture
in such countries, the business OF
farming must be fraught with great
uncertainty. To depend upon timely
showers during the entire growing
season is to invite disaster so fire.
quently as to make the business of
eultivating small grains a precarious
proposition. No farmer can afford
to take unnecessary chances.
Such crops as wheat, oats. barley
n flax must have Il continuous sup
ply of soil water. from the time the
seed terminates until the crop is ma
tured. They cannot wait long for
showers: for. once the soil becomes
dry. they suffer Immediately and If
the drought continues for any length
of time. the crop is greatly impaired
or totally ruined.
Instead of depending upon timely
showers. therefore. a reserve OF mois.
ture should be stored up within the
subsoil and in sufficient quantity to
sustain the crop during such periods
as the clouds refuse to furnish water.
In fact. the sub-soil moisture should
be depended upon for the growing
crops and the spring and summer
showers rendered supplementary t.
this moisture reserve, instead of the
latter being relied upon entirely to
mature the crop.
No breeder of live stock will de-
pend upon summer rains to furnish
water for his stock. That would be
too hazardous. He depends. instead,
upon living water-upon springs or
streams that never fail-and vet all
the water that runs in. streams or flows
from springs comes from the clouds
In the form of rain or snow. But the
springs and streams represent vast ac-
cumulations of water. conserved by
nature, and hence generally present
in unfailing quantities.
I In a region, of which the greater
part of North Dakota is a fair exam
pie. the rains that fall in season are
not always sufficient to insure a pro-
titable crop. 1t is necessary to utilize
the rains that fall out of season as
we'll. To accomplish this end. a sys-
tenn of blowing and tillage must be
the soil the moisture that falls dur
ing h autumn. winter and early
spring and hold it in reserve for
future crops instead Of permitting it
to escape in the 'run-off' or to need
lessly evaporate into the air in any
thing like considerable quantities.
Briefly stated. four factors are es-
sSii'iot LUZ tAe SIoWtn OIL pants
namelys air. sunshine. fertility and
moisture. For air and sunshine we
need exercise no concern; and for
that matter. while the country is new,
we need exercise but little concern
about fertility. North Dakota soil is.
quite generally. we'll supplied with all
the humus and other essential ele-
ments necessary to produce bountiful
crops. On the other hand. water is
! the ono f9rfnp that Nannnf ho iOrnroG
without j~eopardizing the harvest. Wa
ter. except where irrigation is prac-
ticed. is the chief concern of the
North Dakota farmer. How to rom
serve it in sufficient quantity to fur
nish unfailing nourishment for his
crops. during the entire growing sea-
son. should enlist his best energies.
civilizations during the summer sea-
son will. as a rule. store up more
than sufficient moisture to insure a
crop the following year. Doubtless
by practicing the most up-to-date
methods of tillage. two or v three
consecutive crops. in most localities.
nay be successfully grown after one
ing. Moreover. corn and potatoes an
swer almost as good a purpose for
conserving moisture as summer fall
lowing.
But summer following alone is not
sufficient. Summer following adds no
fertility to the soil. It facilitates soil
exploitation and but little else. Where
permanent homes are to be estab-
lished and the foundations laid for
future social and political institutions,
an equivalent must be returned to tn.
soil for whatever. in the way of fer
tility, Is taken from it. Under such
circumstances and with the welfare
OF the future state in view, the farmer
must not be a soil robber but a build
er. a conserver. a promoter. A por-
ton of his energies must necessarily
be devoted to the rearing Of livestock