The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1916-08-26
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AN AGRICULTURAL EMPIRE.
Remarkable Results Of Dry Farming In
s. Montana. = : Sc

81
Not many years ago the press of the
Rocky mountain states, especially those
having large areas of what is classified
as semi-arid land, printed enthusiastic
predictions concerning the future of
dry farming methods, says the New
York Sun: Much that was claimed for
the method seemed based on hope rath-
er than achievement even in expert
ments. Recent results in dry farming
If they have been published have es-
capped general attention. Therefore
there will be surprise not less than
qualification at the news that agricul-
ture is now the chief industry of Mon
tana, although that state is second in
the Union in copper production, first in
wool production, not far from first In
cattle production and in Miles City has
the largest horse market in the Union.
This was the assertion recently made
by Senator Myers of Montana, and he
fortified his claim with statistics of
crop returns. Without details the al
most startling story is told by the to.
tails of the farm value Of the crops of
wheat, corn, oats, barley, rye, potatoes,
hay and fax in 1900 and 1914, the total
for the former year being $500, 693
and for the latter 81, $4,000. <.s..
Montana's production per acre of ev-
cry crop just mentioned is greater than
the average for the United States and
greater with the single exception Of
flax In single state than any of the
twelve most productive agricultural
states. It is interesting to follow fur
Their these figures of comparison COM
piled from the department of agricul-
ture statistics. .>...-...
Montana's nearest competitor in
acreage average for wheat is Iowa,
with 17.7 bushels, to Montana's 25.4
bushels. Other comparisons in bushels
with the new agricultural states near
est competitors are: Oats, Montana
1872, Ohio 1877; barley. Montana 348,
Illinois 28.2; potatoes. Montana 148,
Wisconsin 80; rye. Montana 22.8; Min
nesota 1872. @S< s~
To- The strides Montana is making are
shown by this comparison: In the ten
years ended 1913 the total wheat crop
Of the United States increased 80 per
cent; Montana's increase was 900 per
cent, from 100000 bushels in 1904 to
21,O00,O0O in 1913. In 1914 she raised
Of oats 18,55O,OOO bushels, Of potatoes
$4,000 bushels. F..
Senator Myers referred to the areas
where these amazingly fine results are
being obtained as ''the vast tablelands
with dry farming areas in northern
and eastern Montana" but stated that
the totals were being added to in the
relatively small areas where irrigation
is: made possible by reclamation pro-
jects.
The great Importance Of the interest
ing story. however, is the revelation it
makes as to the possibilities of dry
farming methods. The Mountain State
is awake to her opportunity; many Of
her counties employ experts in dry
farming who instruct farmers in i'm
proved methods, and the states agri-
cultural college is graduating men
equipped still further, no doubt, to ex-
tend and perfect this new science.
In view Of the admirable results al
ready achieved and that there remain
many millions of acres of semi-arid
lands awaiting to reward the applica-
ton Of dry farming, it seems proper
that gentlemen who have alarmed US
with their warnings that this country
is rapidly approaching its maximum of
food production should revise their
conclusions.