The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-03-09
BETTER
FARMING
IS LAUDED
Minneapolis Bank Sees Real
Profit Returned From In
vestment in Work

How the North Dakota Better
Farming association NOV m n {,
launched in 1912, has worked wonders
| in North Dakota is aptly portrayed in
the monthly finiI 1cial review issued by
the Northwestern National bank,
Minneapolis, and which has nation
wide circulation.
Frnakly admitting that the North
Dakota Better Farming association
had it's inception in selfish motives,
namely, the hope of increasing North
Dakota's farming interests, thereby
increasing. this states business and
the twin city share of such business,
The Northwestern National bank sets
forth the advantages that have &C
crued to this state by virtue of the
movement.
Here is what the Northwestern No
tional has to say:
The twin cities may quite safely be
accused of haviEg a sentimental in
terest in the fortunes Of North Dakota
Other states in the close federation of
interests designated as the northwest
may be equally necessary to the we'll
being of Minneapolis and St Paul,
and as highly esteemed. but because
of its situation and history a peculiar
attachment is felt towards, the wild
rose state.
In 1912 a group Of twin city men,
knowing the great possibilities Of
North Dakota. started a movement
for the systematic agricultural devel-
opment Of the state. They invested in
the future Of North Dakota. In other
words, they organized the Better
Farming association with it's efficient
system Of county agents. The tinan-
cial contributions were not extra
ordinary large in amount but the nee
essary impetus was given. It was a
selfish investment, in way, as a bet
ter North Dakota meant a better Min
nesota; but it was a selfishness touch
ed with the spark Of imagination.
In the five years that have ensued,
almost a revolution in farming meth
DDS has come about. Records Of live
stock shipments, both in and out, are
sure indication of the success or
failure of an agricultural country.
The history Of Stutsman county is a
fair sample Of that of most of the
counties of the state. It's outgoing car
load shipments Of livestock in 1912
amounted to $50 cars; in 1913, 1913
cars; in 1914. 1915 and 1916, the ship
ments amounted to 301. 473, and 636
cars respectively. The farmers Of this
county, which was once an exclusively
wheat growing section, are now get
ting more value for their livestock
and other farm products than from
Lnelr wheat.
Last year the shipments Of hogs
from North Dakota to the South st.
Paul market increased almost -25 per
cent over those Of tie year before. and
the number of hogs still on the farms
is practically the same today as a
year ago. In 1915 tho total number of
cattle shipped from the state increased
40 per cent over the shipments of 1915,
and the number imported showed a
decrease.
Previous to 1912, the ten-year aver
age Of gross sales of livestock in
North Dakota was about 100000 a
year. In 1915 livestock (butter-fat,
cream. poultry and eggs being in
cluded in these figures) brought in to
the farmers Of the state over $28, O00,-
600, conservatively estimated. This in
crease of 211 per cent is attributable
to the husbandry of the farmers and
the fertility of their soil, but, also, to
a measurable degree, to the selfish"
action of the originators of the bet
ter farming movement.
The increase in alfalfa and corn
acreage may also be cited. In 1910 this
acreage was 3.033 for alfalfa and 214,-
900 for corn. In 1915 the number Of
acres planted to alfalfa were 141,00O,
and $4,000 to corn. In 1910 the pro-
duction of mature corn was less than
100000 bushels; last year the total
production was between $4,000, 900 and
IA, 10000 bushels. =