The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-01
Smaller Yields, But En-
hanced Prices Bring
Greater Returns
OUTLOOK FOR
YEAR rs GOOD
Farmers Rapidly Getting
Into Shape for Anoth-
er Years Work

The eight leading crops North Da-
kota produced in 1917 were worth
S2s, 1885, 900 more than the same
crops in 1e15-the states greatest
of all crop production years.
With an aggregate value Of $780,
$4,000, the 1917 crop value compares
with the 1915 crop value Of $1s2,-
10000, and up to this time, the 1915
crop, when North Dakota produced
its great 15s.OO00o0 bushel crop of
wheat, has been the record.
The United States department of
agriculture crop statistics, issued
several days ago by A. ]. Surratt, Of
Grand Forks, state field agent for
the department, reveal the fact that
the past year has been the real
money producer.
AS Mr.. Surratt pointed out in his
report. the 1917 crop was not so
valuable to the state as a whole. be-
cause 1t was so extremely spotted,
and the whole western district real
A3EAe comparatively AAltlCs
According to the federal figures
on production in 1915, 1915 and 1917,
the aggregate value of production in
the three years. has been $640, ,000,-
600. The 1916 crop was worth only
s131, 49,, 900, or nearly s1Oo. 900, 900
less than the crop of the past year.
The crop prospects for the COM
ing year are looked upon as gener-
ally satisfactory. according to re-
ports that come to The Forum from
various sections OF the state. with
the tremendous increase in rye acre
age, being double that OF the year
previous. and with the greater in
terest displayed by farmers in the
diversifcation OF their activities, the
states agricultural interests are
gradually and surely being placed on
a more substantial basis.
From many of the western North
Dakota districts, hard hit by the
crop deficiency come reports that
the diversified farms have saved the
day. High prices for cattle, high
prices for dairy products, have net
ted profits for the farmers who have
gone into the stock business. The
feed situation, 1t is true, creates
serious drawbacks in numerous To-
caiities, but the campaign directed
from the North Dakota experiment
station, aimed at keeping the cattle
on the farm, has been productive of
good results, according to reports
received at the station.
In many sections Of the state,
plowing operations are not very well
advanced, because the dry soil could
not be turned over This is not true,
however, OF the entire state, but only
Of certain localities.
Means Of solving the seed situa-
ton are being worked out as rapidly
as possible, and there is good pros
pect Of federal aid In the handling
OF the question. According to the
present outlook, the department Of
agriculture probably win take steps
to insure a proper supply of seed,
but the financing OF the same will
have to be done by the farmers
themselves. In Ward county, deci-
sion already has been made to issue
seed bonds for S250.000, and the
same step Is being contemplated inI
other counties.
The estimates by the seed stocks
OF the state, based upon
an accurate survey of the condition,
indicate that In nearly every coun-
~ in the west end Of the state, a
great amount Of seed must be inn
ported, IL there is to be no reduction
In the acreage.