Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1916-07-07
PROFESSOR SHAW URGES FARMERS
TO SUMMER FALLOW BIG ACREAGE
!. CBy Prof. Thomas Shaw. Northern
| Pacific Agricultural Expertl


When journeying thru North Dakota
recently, the attention of the writer
was arrested by the very large amount
of land that was yet unploughed. The
date was May IL. Now all authorities
will concede that it is not safe to
SOW wheat or any other kind of cereal
after that date, unless it be barley. In
some years good crop may be obtain
ed, but the chances are all against it.
The late season has been caused by,
first, the unusual amount of snow and
frost; second, by the phenominally
cold weather that prevailed during the
spring months, and, third, by the unu-
sual amount Of rain that fell, which
hindered the early tillaye of the land.
These causes no human foresight could
prevent. But another cause was the
small percentage of the land plowed
i'll the fall of 1915. Human foresight
and effort might in many instances
have prevented this. Since it did not
what is to be done?
Too Late for Wheat
Why, the farmers after June Is
should not think of sowing or planting
any other crops than barley or flax,
corn and alfalfa. 1t is folly to sow other
cereals after the date mentioned. One
year in twenty cereal crops sown later
may succeed but not more frequently.
Barley may produce a reasonable crop
sown after May rs and before June 1,
but not SO large crop as if sown ear
lier. But 1t brings with it the advant-
age of aiding i'll cleaning the land when
sown this late, providing the land is
again plOWed as soon as the harvest is
reaped. The same is true of crop of
millet. With reference to corn, it usu-
ally does we'll in North Dakota when
planted about May rs. but the results
as rule from corn planted this late
will be better from fall plowed than
from spring plowcd land. The conclu-
sion, therefore, is, that after May 25
the crops that may be sown or planted
Of greatest promise are barley, millet
and corn. To SOW other crops would
be to invite the risk Of failure.
Urges Summer Follow
Under existing conditions why would
it not be good plan for the farmers
of North Dakota and Montana to sum-
mer fallow a large portion of the land
in 1916, and thus prepare it for grow
ing good crop in 1917. This sugges-
Western North Dakota and Montana
where the normal precipitation runs
low.
The farmers should not take chances
To do SO is in sense u gamble. If the
backward seasons forbids the sowing
of wheat ON time, wheat should not be
sown. Some other crop should take its
place. If that other crop, as for in
stance, millet, corn or alfalfa, cannot
he planted on time, then there is still
a resource. That resource is the sum-
mer fallow. The summer fallow is too
little in evidence in North Dakota 1t
is more frequently in evidence in Mon
tana, for the necessity for this was
impressed upon the farmers in the
first years of settlement.
Will Increase Yield
The aim should be where crops cam
not be planted on time, to summer fall
low the land. Such course will give
no return for the current year, but it
will bring an increased return in the
years that will follow from the same
land. The weeds of North Dakota, in
many places. are notorious. The bene-
ficcnt influence to the farmers in re-
ducing them by the summer fallow are
all too little understood.
Suppose piece of foul land is sum-
mer fallowed, what will follow when
it is plowed, say in June, and packed,
which 1t ought to be in all dry areas?
Why, weeds will grow and they will
grow apace. if unrestrained. What are
the restraining influences? Why. rum
ming the harrow or the weeder over the
land as soon as the weeds begin to
grow. Other implements, as the rod
weeder are good. A flock of sheep
given free access TO the summer fall
lowed land are excellent. The point
to he emphasized here is, that the Da-
kota farmers should not object to the
summer following of land that cannot
be planted In time Such summer fall
lowing will aid In cleaning the land.
That will in itself promise marked in
crease in the crop Of the following
years. Will not that be much better in
every way than sowing crops out of
season? What do the farmers say to
thio ,,rnpoSifion2