The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1914-07-30
PROFITABLE DRY FARM
POSSIBILITIES OF THE GREAT
AMERICAN DESERT.
Great Thing ls to Learn How TO Put
Land In Proper Condition TO Alb
sorb Molsture-Also TO Know
Which Crops Are Suitable.
cBy v. T. cooKE)

The results of the experiments a
ried OF during the recent years in the
state OF Wyoming have demonstrated
beyond cavil the great possibilities OF
utilizing the immense areas of land,
commonly known as part of the Great
American desert. On the experiment
and demonstration state farm, n
and one-half miles EAST Of Cheyenne,
the following crops have been raised
successfully:
Winter and spring wheats, winter
and spring rye, emmer, commonly
called speltz, several kinds Of barley.
oats. Canadian field peas, sorghum mil
let, kafr corn, potatoes, sugar beets,
alfalfa and bronze grass.
The past seasons have tested the
work. The question as to whether
we can make dry farming pay Is, In
my opinion, determined by the men
who have to do the work. These men
must learn to do their work intelii-
gently. Hit or miss farming will not
do. There are certain fundamental
rules which, II followed, will give good
returns, year In and year out, even II
the seasons are not just as we would
like them to be.
We must put our land in the proper
condition to absorb moisture and
learn when and how to cultivate 1t,
SO a to keep this moisture In the
land. We must find out which crops
do the kaat nm nnR farpnQ All QnilQ
are not alike. We must learn to ro-
tate our crops and improve the fertil-
ity Of our land. instead Of depicting
II.
The more | see OF the state and find
out the character of its soils. eli
the more | am convinced that this
state is going to be filed up with men
who will make good in farming. But
to be successful, these lei will have
to realize that they must use an intel
ligent system; must make their sol
in that condition that no moisture runs
off, but acts the same Is a dry sponge
would, and absorbs that vital necessity
to vegetation, moisture. Our Wyom
ing soils r extremely fertile; oul
climatic conditions, although erratic
give US crops that are unsurpassed
elsewhere In quantity or quality. An
other phase in our farming which will
be better understood by and by is, W,
can mature good crops with less mois
ture than at lower attitudes. Cattl,
and sheep fatten on our native grasses
get fat without being fed any kind o
grain. This proves that these grasset
are VI superior nutritive value. Thu
conditions which make them So, neces
sarily make our cereals, alfalfa AM
bronze grasses also Of superior qual
ity. Our growing season is short, blu
what is the difference whether GU
crops mature In so, 80, or 100 days
1t is the crop we are after, and II W,
get large ones Of superior quality, tina
is what we want. There is no doub
we can raise Canadian field peas I
perfection. Just think what thi
means to any state. First, as a feet
ing and fattening proposition; secont
improvement in fertility Of the lane
Any kind of farming to be ~successf,
must be done intelligently. Therefor,
/ say to the careless man. who expect
God Almighty to do seventy-hve pc
ZEN of his work. and he to do twent,
tive per cent, to keep away frol
Wyoming. The results Of dry farm
ing, as seer by me the last four yeai
carried on In different parts of tn
state prove that men with the niece
sary capital can dry farm here an
that It will pay. The motto Of ii
newcomer should be. Brains al
M.aal u 4. Ahn n-dn. unnntionna