The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-01-18

of dollars to the business interests of
the state.
At present, these trees average if-
teen feet in height and already prove
an ~effectual barrier to hot winds and
drifting soil and also greatly mitigate
the effects of winter blizzards. In
five years from now, they will be from
twenty-five to thirty five feet in height
and worth their cost a thousand fold.
Another sensible law was passed by
the same assembly. 1t made it unlaw-
full to shoot prairie chickens. These
friends of the farmer are no longer
slaughtered to afford a pastime for
city sports. AS a result, and partly
owing to the presence of the wind
breaks, bird life has so increased that
insect pests are practically unknown.
Grasshoppers and crickets that made
such havoc with crops and garden
truck in 1910 and 1911, are now no
longer feared.
The Farm Home.
And what of the farm home?
Contrast the present with the past.
Then there was uncertainty. So many
drawbacks to farming; SO a dis
appointments. Not so now. Agricul-
ture is fairly certain. The element
of chance has been so greatly reduced
and old-time drudgery so eliminated
that the boys like the farm. Most OF
them are planning to, some day, own
and manage farms of their own. Since
the schools are now organized in the
interests of the country, for ountry
boys and girls, instead of being DOM
mated with urban attractions, h city
has lost its charm for them.
The mothers and their daughters
also are proud of their country homes
and speedy automobiles. They have
no desire to live in the village, for
the very good eason that they have
better schools in the country and, in
addition. have all the modern house,
hold improvements.
Since scientific farming methods
became practically universal, the
crons nave been so certain and 50
bountiful that farmers quite generally
have built ine houses and provided
them with every modern convenience.
Running water, bath and toilet, heat
ing plant with gasoline engine to fur
nish power for the churn and wash
machine are now quite common in the
country homes. Many country resi-
dences are lighted by electricity.
al scheme is now on foot to furnish
light and power direct from he great
briauetting plants located in the west
ern parts of the state.
Beautiful lawns, ornamented with
| flowers and shrubbery, rivaling those
OF the best city residences, cause fav-
orable comment from eastern travel
ers.
The heavy washing of many COM
munities is done at rural laundries,
| operated in conjunction with cooper
alive creameries which are scattered
thickly over the state.
The country homes, like the up-to-
date farms, have eliminated d~rudgery
and substituted models Of comfort,
sanitation and cheerful living. The
wife looks younger now than she did
ten years g
The Exhibit Of 1911.
The agricultural exhibits made at
ST. paul, Chicago and New York DUR
ing The autumn of 1911, followed by
the bumper crop Of 1912-and every
| year since thanks to better farming
turned such q tide Of immigration
to the state that vacant lands were
ali taken UP and most Of the large
farms were sub-divided into smaller
| holdings to accommodate insistent
purchasers OF land. There is but little
| demand now for hobo labor. The
| farmers have learned to cooperate,
both in work and in the distribution
Of their products. They sell grain and
live stock now only when the price
| suits them.
Good Judges estimate he population
OF the state at 1900, 600.
one Hundred and Fifty Dollar an
Acre clubs are being extensively Or
ganized.
The agricultural college enrolled
[, 700 students last year.
Since farmers took to good farming
and assumed an active interest