The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1916-09-29

The fact that the crop is only
about 90 per cent of normal. while the
equipment was for a 100 per cent
crop is making the problem Of quick
t%hreshln@ an easy matter. The high
price of grain will more than offset
the shortage of the crop. and about
the only ones who will lose money be-
cause Of the shortage will be the
threshers. They will have only about
half their normal work to do. and
practically every bushel of grain
grown will be threshed and in the bin
weeks before the average end of the
threShlng season of normal crop
wears. The tendency Of the average
farmer. all over Montana is to take
advantage Of the present high price
of wheat. and let the future take care
of itself.
These conditions. meaning a quick
disposition Of the grain. will mean a
thirty days earlier start for fall
work. during which time the farmer
will have an ample opportunity to put
in large acreage in fall wheat. or do
fall blowing for spring preparation.
Ground plowed in the fall conserves
the winter moisture. and makes an
excellent seed bed for spring sowing.
Means Larger Acreage.
The additional time at the farmers
disposal this fall will also mean a
substantial increase in the total acre
age planted this fall, and should in
crease next years crop to a consid-
cradle degree. With this increased
acreage IN view. and under normal
crop conditions the total of wheat
marketed from the fields of Montana
next wear should be one to %astoniSh
even the most sangulne prophets OF
the states farm development. LII
conditions work out along these lines.
and the great war continues. as in all
probability it will. until after the har-
vest of next year. and for that matter
it would only have TO continue until
after sccdin" time. the price of wheat
should remain at a very profitable
figure, not as much as is being paid
now. but VERY much above normal.
This would rive to the Montana wheat
grower three very profitable grain
growing seasons. year before last, last
year and the present season. S.tfi-
Client to put him in a very strong po-
sition financially.
Possibly by the end Of ncNt year
he will be SO strongly eutrenchcd at
the bank that he will moi have TO take
advantage even of thc new farm loan
law. which is to provide cheap money
for tile farmers, but will he in Il posi-
ton 10 make a few loans himself. At
any rate he should have money in the
bank. with which to make Il start in
bloodcl stock. or build a new home.
turning the old ONE into a garage for
his new automobile. or r%cmolcIin@ il
into a comfortable barn dc luxe for
his growing herd Of blooded dairy
COWS. He will certainly be in a bet
ter position then he would he had he
gone through ten wears of normal
wheat at normal peace time prices.
Fair Crops; Abnormal Prices.
This is certainly a great period for
the Montana farmer. fair crops and
abnormal prices; plenty of room in
the best agricultural state in the
union 10 expand in, with a rosy, TO-
bust future.
But back to crop conditions:
The second crop Of alfalfa is in the
stack all Owe the state. and the third
cutting is we'll under way. The al
falfa yield is normal. with a consid-
cradle acreage planted last year com
in" in nice shape. Large yields of
potatoes and sugar beets are being
realized, and the yield of early sown
flax is heavy. Range grass in every
section of the state has maturcd well
and should 90 a long way towards
making an ample supply of stock feed
for tho wIntar Conn ubi.I &c ho;po