The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1914-01-24
EXPERTS REPORT
ON YEARS WORK
%. D. Center Finds Grounds
For Enthusiasm in Re-
suits Already Attained.
GREATER FIELD
is STILL OPEN
Suggests. in Statement to Board Of
Commissioners. Various Work That
can be Done-Staiistical Statement
of Achievements in the Year.

The average size OF Grand Forks
county farms ia too great, declares
District Supervisor o. d. Center, OF
the Better Farming association.tin his
annual report to Director Thomas
Cooper. A decrease in the number of
suit in greater development and much
larger yields and profits. he says.
Mr.. Center's statements are em-
bodies in Director Cooper's report.
which was presented to the Grand
Forks county commission.
According to Mr.. Center. there are
4 number Of things that affect pro-
gress in the county.
In this connection. Mr.. Center says:
Have Capital and Credit.
Grand Forks county farmers arc.
generally speaking. not handicapped
by insufficient working capital, OF lack
Of credit. Capital is adequate. but
poorly disposed. Credit Is too good.
and under present systems and man
agement, is used too freely, since used
unwisely and adversely to continued
prosperity. is
Decrease Size: More Farmers
1.-The average farm size Of the coun-
ty is too great. A decrease in the NUM-
her of acres farmed per farmer would
result in larger profits, increased
crops, fewer weeds, more stable and
lasting economic conditions. and a
wonderful impetus toward soil con-
servation. Either smaller farms or a
largely increased population in tho
county are grave necessities. y
Social Conditions Not Ideal.
Social conditions are far from
ideal. Old settlers living within three
to five miles Of -neighbors who are hy
mo. means newcomers know each 9TH
.evs -"n)y to, a. speakinE. aeQuadntnMrff.
,SuspicIon, distrust, jeAteuSy uhfs y76n
fear, feelings now common between
families in the same neighborhood,
cannot exist and lasting progress be
accomplished.
while these are slowly being re-
placed by a spirit Of mutual helpful
ness. the change is exasperatingly
slow. We look to the organization OF
more Farmers clubs as a means Of
more speedily bringing about better
conditions in these lines. In general.
the conditions that affect progress are
the same as last year. Without COM
ment farther. we shall give them as
they present themselves to our atten-
ton.
Home and social conditions.
"Size Of farms and type Of farming.
Grave necessity Of actual, not pre-
tended, rotation systems.
Necessity of more and better lfyo
stock.
STEADY employment and better
treatment Of labor employed.
"Consolidation Of schools and the
teaching of agriculture.
Road System Extravagant.
"a more intelligent system Of road
building, and a yearly supervision Of
all roads constructed. The present sys-
tenn Of road work under the direction
of ignorant OF unskilled road super
visors during June and July only. II
ruinous to good roads, and excessive
ly extravagant."
Both Mr.. Center's report and the re-
port Of Field Agent N. L. Jewett show
that farm conditions are greatly Inn
proved, however, and that the Better
Farming association is being recognix-
ed by the farmers as a vital force in
county development.
Alfalfa and Corn are Leaders.
MIR. Jewett's energy was devoted al
most entirely to the creation Of a
deeper interest in alfalfa and corn
production. "1n spite of the fact that
the season has been unfavorable," he
says. both crops have proven their
ability to Withstand protracted drouth
and farmers are convinced Of the de-
STABILITY of putting in small fields Of
alfalfa and increasing their acreage OF
corn
Not Willing to Pay the Price.
Mr. Jewett declares that his endeav-
or to promote interest in livestock has
been far from satisfactory. He says:
Last February. I had the money
deposited in a local bank to cover the
cost Of a carload of dairy stock, but
tleye were. not to be obtained at the
prices my farmers are willing to Day.
consequently we did not get them.
Between three and four thousand
sheep We're brought in and fed on the
stubble land due to my suggestion.
Next year. I plan on getting ten to
fifteen thousand scattered over the
territory in small bands" s7s
Center Finds Enthusiasm.
Mr.. Center declares the work In thS
district has progressed even beyond:
his most hopeful expectations. Farm.
ers with whom work has already baeis
started are the strongest sipportels
and the most enthusiastic workern
There is u healthy growing Sentf.,
ment in favor Of more work. closof ,0r.s
and more systematfc a.
than at any previous tiSn0s4l
he says. Written requests for i;anSi ~.
ance are not uncommon ana fNsl..iIs
quite Often state clearly the, fynHS
assistance desired. thus shCWfnE'
the farmers are recognizing their HS3@
flculties and are trying 70 ~ ~
them.'' - sssSs.;Sss
In enumerating some Of tho ~ - y ralSiSs
he says: IS So. "a 4s.
SSstematized Management AT Ii wa 3Sa
perhaps one of the most SfSf3SS