Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-07-14
THOMAS SHAW
WRITES FLINT
ON Nd. LANDS
Great Northern Agricultural Elk
pert Gives Some Interesting
Facts.
SOIL AND CLIMATE
OF STATE EXCELLENT

The following letter vas ecently
received by Commissioner OF Agricul'
ture L.. f. Flint from Thomas shaw,
well known agricultural expert OF the
Great Northern railroad. The letter
is OF particular interest, both 10 1aT'
mers and others in the state.
Dear Sir: 1t gives me- pleasure 10
respond to your request for an express
sion OF opinion with reference to your
state and its agricultural capabilities.
My view with reference thereto is
summarized in the following state
mentS: 81
In 10 state that / have visited is
there so large a body OF tillaDle land
in proportion to the amount that IS
u%ntillable. The proportion Of the lat
ter is exceedingly small. This In It.
self is a great matter, especially when
viewed from the standpoint of build
ing up a, strong commonwealth.
The land, taken as a whole, Is eX'
ceptiona1iy good and is easy Of tillage.
This follows from the naturally fri-
able character Of the soil and from the
nearly level or gently undulating char
acter OF the land. Rugged hills and
steep slopes that wash and that are
difficult OF tillage are conspicuous
only by their absence. o.
Variety Of Grains.
The variety Of the grains that may
be grown in good form is exceptional
" large. 1t includes rye, winter and
spring, wheat winter and spring, but
chiefly the latter, oats, barley, speltZ,
flax and Canada field peas. The soil
and climatic conditions are particu-
larly~ adapted to the growth OF all of
these. l.' "
Legumes may be grown with much
success. This is especially true OF
clover, alfalfa and Canadian tield
peas. These do not grow equally we'll
In all parts OF the state. While Glow
er in several OF its varieties grows
wen in many parts Of the state, espe-
cially in eastern portions where the
precipitation is greatest, alfalfa may
be grown with much success in all
parts OF the state. The bearing OF
these facts upon livestock production
viii be at once apparent, as will also
the influence of these crops On the
maintenance of fertility
Soil and Climate. %@i
The soil and climate are both we'll
adapted to the production Of field
roots Of all kinds and also Of potatoes.
The adaptability Of North Dakota for
the production Of potatoes is proven
bal in atsense. The growing Of field
roots has not been greatly practiced
in the past but its day is coming and
the bearing that it will have upon the
growth OF live stock will be at once
apparent.
In the eastern portions of the state,
where moisture Is abundant, mixed
pastures may be grown with much
success. Farther west where the con.
ditions are dry excellent pastures may
be grown by sowing winter rye in the
fall, in the spring. and also in the lat
ter spring, by growing sweet clover
and also bronze grass. The bearing
Of these upon livestock production
will be at once apparent.
The fact is no longer disputed that
in many parts Of Dakota cor for the
silos may be grown with much sue.
cess, where such growths are hazar'
dous small varieties as the sqaw corn
will succeed any year. These take
the place Of the bare fallow. They
may be hogged of and when thus
treated will yield a larger return than