Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1914-07-15
THE VALUE OF l...sl
s:~-.:. 81 THE HEAVY RAINS

drouths occasionally occur that grass
turns brown and fails to grow in mid
summer, hay is too short to cut,
grain produces but little more than
what is needed for the next years
seeding, and such crops as corn and
potatoes simply dry up and burn.
Looking back on such periods in
those regions they appear now as
mile-posts pointing the way to the es-
tablishment Of systems of farming
under which such apparently. disas'
trous seasons were virtually changed
into successful ones.
During such seasons alfalfa stayed
green and continued to grow when all
other crops suffered, drouth resistant
crops were discovered and introduced
and farmers began to build silos that
crops which would otherwise be lost
could be utilized, and If the cows
could not get fresh June grass from
the pastures they could get just as
good feed any time it was needed
summer or winter.
Periods of heavy rainfall are quite
as disastrous to some crops as are
in this section during June has caus'
ed damage to some crops, has delayed
cultivation of corn and potatoes, and
will make it impossible to save a
large quantity of wild hay on the low
lands. These immediate losses will
work hardship to some and are to be
regretted, yet these losses can be
abundantly made good for in the fut
ure, if as in some of the regions OF
drouth, the lessons of the unfavor
able conditions are observed, and
There are put in operation some Of the
practices that will prevent losses un
der similar conditions.
One problem which needs furthe,
consideration in some localities is the
continuance of construction of pro
,jects that will secure better lane
drainage. 1t is encouraging to know
that action has already been taken or
this question in number of localities
since the recent rains. In one county
during the past three weeks four petit
tiOns were circulated for the construc
ton of large drainage projects and ir
this particular county and elsewhere
there is agitation for the filing o
more petitions for similar purposes
In one respect, there is no better Ian;
for agricultural purposes than the
lower lands after they have been Civ
en- good drainage, for when we'll drain
ed neither flood nor drouth can cause
crops thereon to suffer seriously.
Another valuable lesson to be oh
lserved, is how beside fields of ser
iously damaged grain there stant
high, and growing Justify, immense
crops of clover and timothy that hav.
every evidence Of yielding from ont
and one-half to two tons per acre will
EVERY chance for second crop eithe
for hay or pasture.
Likewise is to be noted the pros
pect for corn. Corn is a crop tina
stands adverse conditions well and re
covers rapidly. Though it has be
come weedy on account of the impos
sibility of giving proper cultivation
and it's growth is somewhat RETARDED
as a result, yet lost time is bein
rapidly made up, and considering tina
corn can use the abundance Of sol
moisture to advantage, a big crop j
assured. All of it may not fully ripe
yet the silo will furnish the means G
making the best possible use of wha
may not fully mature.
From alfalfa, too, great lesson
: to be learned. Joseph E. Wing say
that successful alfalfa growing is
cure for the blues. There can hare
: ly be imagined a surer cause for de-
pondency Of the farmer than to wor
hard throughout a season and the
: see his crops lost or greatly damage
+ in just day or two, especially if hi
l. farming is given over to one crop an
he is entirely dependent on it. B,
; to leave damaged field of some Gro
r that cannot readily recover and ente
J. a good field of alfalfa will fill one wit
+ wonder and gladness. It is Gro
0 that helps make the future sec,r
drouth Notwithstanding, for if on
j. cutting is somewhat damaged it is 4
e cause for serious worry as there al
e two other immense crops that ma
be secured the same year.
t Finally, the lesson of the heav
+ rains not only emphasizes the nece
j. sity of subduing undra1ned land, an
It furnishes further evidence Of the in
portance of modifying still more o,
S system of farming, so as to cut dow
the acreage of grain, increase til
d acreage of corn, tame grasses and a
falfa, and with the latter and the si
l. make possible profitable productio
Of more live stock, but it also make
clear the value to be gained throue
e greater Investigation, in that thu
e better distribution of farm lab<
d thruout the year, better living cond
y tons may be secured both for tt
d farmer and his family and those who
he must employ.-Frank E. Balme
l, Supervisor Co. Agents, Morris, MINI
ell TIME TABLE.
l. ARRIVES.
Arrival and departure OF trains ,
N the Willmar Station:
l. No. 3 from st. Paul. ...... 2:O5 q. T
IL No. 13 from st. Paul. 900. 1870 p. I
No. 81 from st. Paul. 900. $40 p. I
No. 9 from St. Paul. 10: As p. Z
No. 81 from Duluth. ...... 700 p. q