The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1916-12-23
GIT RID OF THE sTuMrs.

problem OF the American farmer Is a
fact beyond argument. The expert
observer sees the evidence on every
hand millions OF acres going 10
waste which might be ridded of
stumps, plowed, sowcd, and made the
focal points for new tidal wave of
farmer prosperity. IL Is no exagger-
alton to say that most OF Americas
logged-over land is rich in agricul-
tural possibilities.
There certainly is nothing new In
the idea OF Harvesting forest land TO
the pillow. American history makes its
start upon the clearing In the forest
upon that first scanty crop OF corn
which served for the initial Thanks
giving dinner OF the Pilgrim Fathers.
With up-to-date methods and ma
chinery OF stump-pulling at their dis
posal many modern American farm
ers hesitate 10 do the very thing
which our forefathers were Obliged TO
do with the slow, painful labor OF
| their hands.
! True TO the adage that history re-
peats itself, the first American land
/ clearing has found it's counterpart In
many subsequent feats Of daring land
! cultivation. For instance. there is the
/ interesting story OF the three Bene-
dictine monks, who some thirty years
ago. founded colony in the wilds Of
the ozark mountains Of Arkansas.
They were not equipped with mod
ern methods and machinery. They
dug up the stumps in the most print
tive manner. Yet, today, this colony
has 1850 acres of land under high
state OF cultivation And this land
has proved its ability to produce bet
ter than $4,000 worth of crops, dairy
products. poultry, etc. in a single
year
In Arkansas. in Louisiana, in Mon
| tana. Massachusetts, Connecticut, Wis
consin and many other states. humble
hut wise and thrifty immigrants have
bought hideous, barren stump lands
for a song and promise And by
patient industry they have redeemed
these lands and made them blossom
into sure means of independence
and prosperity. Thus they have put
! ia shame many less progressive
native farmer
The clearing and cultivation OF for
est lands, which has been an impor-
tant American industry from the day
that the first white man landed on the
shores OF Plymouth has yet to take
on the aspect OF great nation wide
movement But farmers as class
are becoming more alive to the gold
that lies under their stumps than
thew have been. And the next Few
years should witness much more
earnest and concerted effort on the
mart of farm owners TO increase their
holdings in good cut-over land. and
prepare il with whatever stump-land
they already possess for the sowing
and the reaping II is the next step
necessary to make the average Ameri-
can farm a better rounded and there
fore n better paying proposition.
II has been estimated that the
ground occupied by an average stump
and its roots will grow from % cents
10 so cents worth OF food crops per
year. Multiply the many billions OF
stumps which now occupy the UNI
cleared land in this country and you
VIII see that colossal treasure lies
beneath them.
Why lei the gold lie under the
stumps when the whole world offers
good prices for American food prod
ucts. Is question which deserves
the serious consideration of every
owner Of cut-over land.
The agricultural colleges and the
manufacturers OF stump-pulling ma
chinery are working, both individual
~ and in cooperation. tn simplify
land clearing methods and place them
on an efficient and economical basis.
A few weeks ago, the Wisconsin
College OF Agriculture conducted land
clearing demonstrations al various
points in northern Wisconsin A spe-
cial train was provided. and various
manufacturers OF dynamite and stump
lpulling machinery supplied men and
equipment for the exhibitions. Dur.
ing the course OF the tour, nearly
- 600 people visited the demonstra-
lions and acquired great deal of
valuable Information about landclear-
ing IN all It's phases. II is reasonable
20 expect that az a direct result. the