The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1913-05-15
THE SILO THE FARMERS
GOLD MINE, AND WHY

Good prices are now being paid for
farm products, but we hear our. City
Cousins complaining of the high cost
OF living, and thru their complaint,
we are fearful lest in some way we
lose these high prices. The farmer is
not inclined to believe he is receiving
any more for his produce that he
should. In fact, he maintains his
profit is still too small, and he should
receive more. As we are an agricul-
tural people and prosper as the farm
er prospers, we certainly should re-
joice in these high prices of farm, pro-
ducts, but at the same time, wes.ex-
pect the farmer to use economic meth
DDS in his production. To illustrate:
we would hear a storm of complaint
if the cloth-makers were using the
spinning wheel and charging prices
accordingly. We could not afford to
pay for manufactured goods, if they
were turned out by old methods. We
demand progress in every deartment
Of our industry, for the lager pulls
back the leader. If beef and butter
arc too high, it may be because they
are not being produced economically.
a right to complain if the farmer does
not use economic methods in his hus-
bandry.
There is produced every year in this
country sufficient forage to feed lib
orally all the live stock of the land,
and leave a good balance. The short
age each year is due to the spelling
and wasting of forage already grown.
The means Of preserving this forage
will solve stock problems of the coun-
try. The principal waste is in the
corn plant. 1t is most noticeable in
the corn belt states where over 80 per
cent of the stalk and leaves of this
most valuable forage are wasted. AS
economic stock production is deter
mined by the proper use Of forage,
the silo furnishes means whereby
all farm forage can be preserved in
the best possible condition for feeding.
The silo is too well known to require
description, but its use is certainly
sadly wanting. 1t can be safely said,
on any farm where ten head of cattle
are kept, a silo is a necessary equip
ment, and Of great economic value.
Besides corn, excellent silage may
be made from alfalfa, clover, oats and
peas, rye, sorghum, kaffir-corn, mil
let and milo maize. While corn is the
principal crop for silage, it is often
made from other plants, especially
during drouth seasons, when excellent
sorghum and kaffir-corn can be grown
as catch crop. The first cutting Of
alfalfa hay during a wet season is
often lost. This could be put in the
silo and saved, and by feeding out
during the summer months, the silc
can be refilled in the fall with corn
and kafir-corn.
During recent years we have noted
a steady increase in the price of hay
in fact all forage is higher, and it is
necessary for the stock breeder tc
produce forage at less money thar
hay, if he wishes to realize good
profit on his stock. In this capacity
the silo comes as great boon.
Experiments have shown that thu
silo will save 10 cents on the cost Of
producing pound Of butter and $3.50
on the cost Of producing 100 pounds
of beef. With this advantage the silc
becomes the stock farmers gold mine
The Unity Ladies' Aid Of brady
will meet at the home Of Mrs. n. j
Herzog Thursday afternoon. Nav ~