Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1913-02-04
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bring about better farming methods in
the Judith Basin, carrying with it the
hope that this movement may spread
all over Montana, was launched at a
meeting held at the Judith club We'd
nesday afternoon. f. A. Bennett, of
Benchland, an expert farmer, who is
familiar with diversified farming and
who is gradually adopting that prin-
clple at his own place, came to the city
wednesday solely to bring the plan
up and endeavor to get a start made
on it. Following a conference with
Manager Fl. ]. Kelly, OF the Democrat,
the latter arranged for the little meet
ing at the Judith club. At that gath
ering Mr.. Bennett explained his plan
and succeeded in thoroughly interest
ing all who heard him.
The Plan.
Mr.. Bennett said that when he came
here and had a chance to look over
the field and see what was being done,
he was struck with the difference be-
tween farming methods here and those
in the middle states and further west.
OF course the industry was in it's in
fancy here and the chief effort of the
homesteader, as well as of most 9th
ers, was to get in the largest acreage
in grain possible. The plowing was
poor in many cases and the general
cropping methods were careless, un-
scientific and there was little attempt
anywhere at diversified farming. The
result was that the Judith Basin farm
er, on land that would produce twice
the crops of grain grown in Iowa
and Illinois without as much effort,
was not getting as much revenue from
his land as were the farmers in Illinois
and Iowa, for example. The reason
for this was simply the careless meth
ods and the absence of diversified
farming. Every farmer ought to have
some livestock he said, and told from
his own experience how easy it would
be to grow the feed-hay, fodder and
so on. The addition of some cows
hogs, poultry or sheep would make a
great difference in the income of the
average farmer.
ers of the Basin would gladly adopt
out to him and the way opened to
adopt them. He wanted to present
the matter to the farmers who would
10 and then to those attending the in
stitute in this city beginning Feb. IL
| With some work of this kind he be.
lieved that an association of the farm.
ers could be formed that would In a
comparatively short time be self-sus-
tanning. He was willing to devote his
time and services to this matter un-
til the organization was perfected. TIC
do this, however, he would have to
employ man at his place.
In answer to questions, Mr.. Bennett
said he thought that the preliminary
work could be competed in about
three months. and after that they
could bring in DR.. Sudduth for a week.
followed by Mr.. Chamberlain, of North
Dakota, to advise the farmers along
practical lines. This was but the out
line and other features would develop
as the work progressed.
Mr.. Bennett said he would be will
ing to devote his entire time to the
work and travel about for the ensuing
three months, and the sentiment OF
the members of the Commercial club
present was that the offer should be
accepted and Mr.. Bennett be employed
by the club on this mission for the
three months.
President r. w. Reynolds stated
that he would call meeting OF the
executive committee of the club fol-
Thursday afternoon.
Second Meeting.
| The second meeting brought TO-
gether a large number Of representa-
tive business meen. Mr.. Rynolds pre-
sided and pushed the subject along
/ energetically with view Of securing
a full expression and not losing any
time.
Mr.. Bennett repeated his statement