The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-02-07

and land. The production of wealth on
n farm can be materially increased
through the adoption Of proper meth
DDS OF crop rotation, better tillage, and
the use Of livestock. II the experience
of other states is n criterion the gen
eral practice of the methods stated
would result in an increased income re-
turn of from % to 100 per cent.
That the cash income of the farm
may be increased through diversified
ton has been ~abundantly proved. For
several years figures were kept on a
group Of average farms in three Sec
tons of Minnesota to obtain definite
information regarding the cost Of op-
Grating the farm, cost Of producing the
various products, and the various
methods Of farm management. The
farms were located in the Red river
valley. in the southwestern part Of the
state and in the south central section.
In order to present this material in
readily retainable form the cost of op-
Grating the farm and cash returns
from the farms in the Red river valley
is compared with the farm in the east
ern section of the state where farming
was fully diversified. The average Ia
Dor cost per acre, this comprising the
cost Of all labor including the farmers
family, was 1878 in the Red river val
ley, and $5 in the eastern section of
the STATE NOCe LnAL LH6 uuSrSnCe
between the labor cost of operation on
the farm under the grain raising con-
ditions and on the diversified farm Is
only S1.25 per acre. A considerable
proportion of this extra cost was due
to care and feeding of livestock in the
winter. This same group of farms
brought in a cash income of $5.75 per
acre in the western part of the state
and 1855 in the eastern part of the
4 ufa}o a lffRowoaaa IN lnanVnn ~ al
most $11. Taking into consideration
the net cash returns it was found to
be 50 In the western part Of the state,
while under liberalization the net re-
turns were $11.65 per acre, or the ad-
ditional $1.25 labor investment brought
a return Of $685..
Should Be interested.
It is because Of the possibility of
greatly increased income upon the
farms OF the state that implement
dealers should be interested in better
farming. hTe mere possibility of an
increase in returns In this state aggre-
eating 81 per acre means an increase
in income slightly yer $50, 0o0, 900 a
year. If for no other reason the i'm
plement dealer should be interested in
better farming because Of the fact
that it means greater sales to him.
Under systems of crop rotation coupled
WIN the use Oh LV6SIOCh ClB equip
ment required per acre On the farm is
considerably increased. The average
valuation of the equipment on the
grain farm is $3.50 per acre-while un
der systems of diversifcation the av-
erage equipment value Is $4.70 per
acre. On this basis 1t is apparent that
the implement dealer may have a sell
fish interest in bringing about better
farming conditions within the state
and that he will be abundantly repaid
for any effort he may expend. DIVERSE
fication and better farming methods
will bring about a greater prosperity
to the state and to the individual. IT
must AFFECT all lines of business that
deal directly or indirectly with the
farm. The implement dealer must
consider himself as partially respon-
sible for the future of agriculture in
the state. He occupies a close rela-
ton to the farmer and is In position
to advise him and properly point out
the advantages that come from better
farming methods and the good results
that will accrue to the farmer person
ally. In carrying on a campaign for
better agriculture in the state Of North
Dakota it can be based purely and
simply on the fact that 1t will bring in
a better income to every individual in
terested and it will mean greater pros
! perity to the state as a whole.