The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1918-03-14
MANY new LAWS IN
INTEREST FARMER
NOW ON S. D. BOOKS
Doane Robins0n Writes Summary
In Reply TO George
Dtxon's Letter.
RURAL CREDITS LEADS
Letter Presents Work Of 1917
Legislature In Handling
Farm Problems.

Pierre, s. Especial: Setting
forth In summarized form the bills
passed by the last legislature which
are Of direct benefit to the farming
interests OF South Dakota, Doane
Robinson. state historian, has writ
ten an interesting letter to George
W.. Dixon OF Watertown, master
OF the state grange. Mr.. Dixon
wrote requesting such an outline.
and Mr.. Robinson In his reply puts
the subject matter into concise
form for ready reference.
The reply OF Mr.. Robinson en-
bodies the request, and Is as fol-
lows:
Mr.. Robinson's Reply.
have received your request OF
January 18th, as follows:
"Will you kindly send me a good,
clear, brief resume OF each Of the
bills passed by the last legislature
which were particularly beneficial to
the farmers Of the state and the
benefits expected to be derived from
them by the farmers. and informa-
ton concerning the amendments TO
be voted upon at the next election"
In reply | will say that 81 acts OF
the last legislature especially affect
agriculture and are exclusively In
behalf of that interest. without
discussing each of these in detail I
will mention some Of them that
appear to be OF Importance.
4. Rural Credits-Chapter 335
and 334 give effect to the amend
ment approved by the people In
1915 and provide for loaning money
to operative farmers, by the simplest
procedure consonant with safety,
under proper limitations up to 70
per cent of the appraised value Of
their lands and 40 per cent Of the
insured value Of their structures, at
5k per cent interest, payable upon
the amortization plan over thirty
years. The annual payment to thus
sink the loan is $8.2S for each one
hundred dollars borrowed. Though
the legality Of the act was not es-
tablished by the supreme court until
September /. n million dollars
have already been loaned to farmers,
largely in regions where they form
erly paid ten per cen or more for
farm loans. 1t now appears this
amount will be increased to Ave
millions during this year.
2. Market COMMUNICATIVE
department was created to give its
undivided attention to securing and
improving the markets for farm
products. IL Is conceded that this
commissioner induced the federal
authorities to advence the guaran-
teed price Of wheat from $500 to
$3.50. The department is actively
inquiring for favorable markets for
perishable farm products from this
for which there has not been in pre-
vious years, a stable demand. 1t is
also giving Its attention to the cor
rection OF abuses in weighing, grad
ing and docking grains. Chapter 81
and 255 this department.
B. Registration Of Alfalfa Seed
South Dakota has proven herself as
m Of the most dependable produ-
GERS of alfalfa seed Of high vitality
and has a reputation in the worlds
markets so enviable that u%nscrupu-
lous persons are placing inferior
seed upon the market as South Da-
kota seed. Chapter 10 provides a
simple method of registration and
ce~rtiication which will protect GU.
producers against this fraud.
4. Pure Seeds-Chapter IL il a
very drastic pure seed act for the
protection Of purchasers OF seeds In
this state. II establishes standards
Of purity with which all seed offered
must comply.
B. Observation-Disclosures 282 is a
| uupy pnnpnhnn trtwn. -
giving effect to the amendment to
the constitution approved in 1915.
II is subject OF vital importance to
large sections of South Dakota.
Chapters 283 and 284 likewise are
Of Importance to irrigators and
those preparing to irrigate their
lands.
@. DrainaRe-While irrigation ID
vital to some sections of this state,
drainage is equally vital to other
portions and Eve acts OF the last
session bear upon the subject. Chap
tiers EOS, 206 and 207 modify and
simplify the existing procedure.
Chapter 208 provides a means for
joint drainage districts In two OF
more counties, but where the dis
trict lies chiefly in m county, that
the commissioners of the county
shall have full Jurisdiction through
out the district. This saves the ex-
pense of advertising and hearings
in the separate counties in cases
where but little land is affected, and
SO saves much expense. Chapter
20s likewise provides for interstate
drainage districts.
z. Health of Animals-Chapter
$50, 361, 3S2 and 353 enlarge the
powers of the State Livestock SAM.
tary board. Chapter 40 provides
$4,000 additional for the Hog Chol.
era Serum plant. Chapter $40 pro.
vides penalties for bringing u~nsound
stations and jacks into the state.
8. Trespass Of Animals-Chap.
tiers 371 and 372 afford protection
against trespassing animals.
o. Pocket G0phers-Chapter las
gives to the farmers some assistance
in lighting the pocket gopher pest.
10. Noxious Weeds-Chapter 81
Is practicable. workable, noxioul
weed act. Perhaps the FIRST effec.
tive one.
II. Dairying-Chapter 24o and
241 ara for the enlargement and
protection Of dairymen and to pro
taex hta from cam ~tstSc~