The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-04-02

winch was AWARDED nrSt nOnOrS In Jns
graded school division OF the public
schools contest. follows:
North Dakota, Her Resources and
Her Opportunities.
"A country of exceptional opportuni.
ties for grain raising, stock raising, and
dairying; where the man of limited
means as well as the man with capitfI
can secure good land at prices that viii
soon enable him to gain a home and
independence-such is the description
OF state that ranks among the first
In the production of wheat, corn, fax
alfalfa. coal. and many other things
This state Is North Dakota.
1T is not state that is to be sue
cessful, but one that is successful; one
from which men have derived their for
tunes and settled down TO improve their
state that 1t might be among the best
when they leave 1t to their posterity.
But where asks the easterner, as
he gazes on the broad prairie. are the
sources Of your opportunities? Little
does he realize that he is looking upon
the most important one. For here in
this prairie lies one Of the richest
farming regions OF the world. It has
a rich soil that with proper care will
yield the owner not only a bountiful
crop, but moderate fortune. North
Dakota may we'll be termed the Gold
field of the Middle West for this reason.
And itsis the most wonderful gold field
in the world, for the gold is on the
surface-golden grain-nuggets Of
wheat and corn. The only tools re-
quired to work these rich mines are a
horse and plow.
1.-THE greatest resource of all, that
which has caused the rapid growth and
prosperity Of the state, is wheat. Stand
ing forth as the greatest Of all grains,
it has led this land of wonderful OPP
portunities, to a place rivaled by few
In its production.
But while wheat stands first, it is
not the only yield OF North Dakota's
rich soil. Among other things, let us
mention only one-alfalfa, through
which the farmer has realized his
dream Of combining stock-raising with
farming. With her broad prairies
which may be used as pasture land,
North Dakota may in time boast Of
being one Of the greatest stock-raising
states of the union.
Fuel must be very scarce and ex-
pensive,' remarks the fastener.
mot bit Of it, answers the North
Dakotan.
"And he is right. for one of North
Dakota's greatest resources is her coal.
A'great area Of the western part Of the
state covers much coal, bituminous in
form. The making Of briquettes from
this coal is an industry which prom
ises well for Culture.
North Dakota, the land Of the Da-
cotahs, the land Of unlimited oppor-
tunities, Of great resources, today
stands forth as one Of the greatest
states of the union. Possessing ideal
climate conditions, excellent transpor-
tation facilities and a fertile soil. North
Dakota may well hope for a brilliant
future"
Rural School Essay.
The essay by Aron Quanbeck, Pilot
Mound school, No. 4, Aneta, N. D.,
which was awarded first honors in the
rural school division of the public
schools contest. is as follows:
North Dakota, Her Resources and
Opportunities.
Some fifty years ago North Dakota
was wild and lonely prairie with a
few claim shacks scattered here and
there. Herds Of buffalo roamed at
will and the coyotes staIked forth from
their dens and gathered for their night
ly raids.
GAS time went by only the whitened
bones told OF the passing of the
buffalo. The coyote cautiously creeps
out Of his den and shifts for the dread
ed scent of man and his terrible instru-
ment of death.
"Now we see the vast fields Of green,
waving grain, magnificent barns, large
silos, and good comfortable looking
residences. Long rains wind over the
same trails the red man had in years
gone by.
:, ''The total acreage Of farms in North
Dakota is about 100000. On ac-
count Of the short summers, the crops
are very hardy. In the year 1909, North
Dakota had the largest amount Of acre
age and Of wheat produced. One hun
dred sixteen million one hundred eigh-
ty-one thousand bushels valued at
$109, 000, 900 was her contribution to the
world. She has long been the leading
state in producing the variety Of wheat
known as No. 1 hard, which makes
the best -four,
North Dakota takes the lead in pro-
duction Of fiaxseed. the annual crop be-
ing about 100000 bushels. worth
$15, O00,0 The raising Of corn is fast
becoming popular also. In 1916, the
bushels, which shows that this golden
crop can be raised here.
North Dakota ranks high In the
raising Of livestock. The value OF her
livestock is about $110, 0OO, 900, of which
horses represent eighty per cent.
There are many creameries In our
state, and there is a great demand for
me excellent QuauLy OF DuLLer ana
cheese which they produce. Every farm |
has it's flock of poultry and vegetable
garden. The potatoes are much in de-
nand both for seed and table purposes. |
Much Of their popularity Is due to their |
freedom from disease.
North Dakota has great possibili- |
les as a milling state. Mills shoul[ be
quilt here to convert all our wheat |
INTO flour This wheat makes the best |
Jour in the world. If milled without |
ldmixture with softer wheats and SELL
ng on its merits. it would have no SER
GUS competition. Our Ignite coal
you'd supply the fuel to furnish steam |
power. The, bran shorts and dockage. |
ogether with the ensilage. would fat
en- all the livestock in the state. Then !
With a farmer controlled packing plant
o prepare the meat ready for con-
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