The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1914-05-06
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1914
BETTER FARM METHODS

In an article contributed to the
Northwest Farmstead by Professor
Linfield, of the Montana agricultural
college, the writer discusses methods
that would contribute to the success
Of farming without irrigation. The
problem of securing good crops, as
cording to Mr.. Linfield will vary in
different parts of the state, as the
climatic conditions, and particularly
the rainfall, vary, also the soil and
crop condition.
While there are some soils in the
state that will be difficult to reclaim,
yet these are quite limited in area,
compared to the whole area Of arabic
land. A very large proportion of soils
of the state are fertile and will pro-
duce good crops when a proper amount
Of water is available. Nearly all of
the soils of the state have an abun-
dance of mineral matter. Owing to
a light rainfall, there has been no
teaching, so that the more soluble
minerals are yet present. In most
parts, the lime content Of the soils is
high. In the higher valleys, and where
the rainfall is above the average for
the state, the vegetable matter in the
soil is high. In the lower, warmer
and drier districts, the vegetable con-
tent is less, though there is ample to
produce big crops for several years.
1t is in those districts where deficien-
cy of crop is first going to be felt, un.
less plans are soon made to maintain
the vegetable content of the soil by
artificial means.
Continued good crops from soil de-
ficient in vegetable matter are abso-
lutely dependent upon maintaining
the proper proportion of this consti-
tuent in the soil. The effect of vege-
table matter in the soil is threefold.
1t makes heavy soils more friable and
more easily penetrated by air and
water. 1t also improves the texture
Of the lighter coils. 1t improves the
water-hOlding capacity of all soils. 1t
is the main source of nitrogen supply
the most important plant food in the
soil.
If the vegetable content of the soil
IS to be maintained, farmers must
..ractice a more diversified agricul-
.ure than at present; more land in al
talfa and a larger proportion of the
rrOduce of the farm fed to live stock.
.Iy observation leads me to believe
that alfalfa will do we'll in all parts
Ct the state east of the Rocky noun
tain divide. says Mr.. Linfield. The
size of the crop will depend on sea-
sonable rainfall and the care taken of
the field. Thus, alfalfa, through its
heavy root system, adds a very large
amount of vegetable matter and nj.
trogen to the soil.
Alfalfa will find a place in the ra.
ton of all classes of live stock on the
farm, viz: horses, beef cattle, dairy
cattle, sheep, hogs and chickens. Very
much better returns r obtained from
the grain fed to all these classes OF
live stock when alfalfa forms a con.
siderable part of the roughage. Much
Of the straw on the farm could also
be fed to live stock and the remain.
der. used as bedding, will absorb a
large proportion Of the liquid manure
The manure from the feeding of live
stock should be carefully saved, and
is best used fresh from the stable
Fresh manure will add more plant
food and it is better to have the ma
terial rot in the soil than in the ma
nure pile.
1t is worthy to note that in addition
to keeping up the farm, the live stock
grower and feeder will get larger
yearly returns from his crops and
his labor than the man who sells
grain, alone, providing he breeds the
right kind of live stock and takes
proper care of it. ! do not believe
there eve has been a time in the his
tory OF the state when there was az
wide difference between the price o.
grain and forage on the farm and the
price of all classes of live stock anC
livestock products, as at the presen,
time. This removes effectively any
objections to farmers starting into
live stock production. l am firml,
persuaded that permanent success OF
most of the dry farm areas of thu
state can only be maintained by thu
growth Of alfalfa and other forage
crops, az well as Of grain. The feed
ing of these to some or several classe:
of live stock and the returning of al
the manure to the land are impera
tive.