The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-05-09
Double Offensive Far Behind
Lines on the Farms and
Ranches of Northwest
MORE WHEAT THAN EVER
States Returning to Bred Crop
John H. Rich Finds Cause
for OPTIMISM
JOHN H. RICH

and in very many counties the amount
of the oversubscription is large. Many
cities and localities have doubled their
official allotment. The official details
are now being completed and while
not vet complete will show total ov-
ersubscription for the district of at
least 40 percent and possibly so per-
cent.
The ninth districts answer to the
Kaiser's desperate drive on the west
ern front has been a double offensive
far behind the lines on the farms and
ranches of the northwest. As county
after county in the purely farming
sections has reported the heavy over
subscriptions of it's Liberty loan quota,
and as the district as whole has
been piling up a surprising margin ov-
er it's official allotment, reports have
likewise been coming in which Indicate
that there is not locality that has
not Joined in the heavy drive for a.
record production of crops and food
stutfs.
A Montana ranchman writes that he
made up his mind last fall to turn off
one million pounds of prime beef as
his contribution to food production for
1918, and that he is going to make
the figure he has set. Organized work
is in progress among the stOckmen to
increase the states output Of market
able livestock, and efforts are being
made to put cattle into the hands of all
the small farmers who are qualified
and equipped to feed and finish them.
Going in for Wheat.
Districts in eastern South Dakota,
southern Minnesota and Wisconsin
that for many years have paid COM
paratively little attention to the bread
crop, are going in heavily for wheat
and will add substantially to the dis.
trict's production tbs year. Farmers
have welcomed the very favorable
weather of the past ten days and have
crowded flax planting to a point FAR
beyond any expectations 80 days ago.
The western half of the district has
broken an unusual amount Of new
land, and is working from daylight
until dark to get it into crop. South
Dakota and southern Minnesota, both
Of which were expected to slbw de-.
creases in corn acreages, will plant
more heavily than has been anticipat-
ed, and some localities, at least, will
be able to bring the acreage up to
very near normal point in spite Of
the seed shortage. In every part of
the district fine spirit Of loyalty is
being shown by the farming popula.
ton, and the expression is everywhere
heard thai, I'VE must back up the boys
with the biggest crops that have ever
been planted"
farmers is far more important than
is ordinarily realized. They represent
an immense army Of trained special
lists in food production. Their strength
Is equivalent to % German army d.
Divisions, or approximately 45l 900
men, for the district as whole Their
farms embrace 113,92H.oN0 acres, of
which 7O,O0O,0O0 acres ma! be. consid
cred as improved land which will be
devoted in very large part to crop
production this year. They are imam
cially fortified with the active and Wig
orOus support OF nearly 1000 banks
and the weak spots have been bolster
ed up by numerous county seed bond
issues, the proceeds of which are
available to stimulate crop production
but which from present indications
will be utilized only in part and only
where it s necessary to supplement
the. existing banking facilities.
The NorthWest's Answer.
Considering the farm help that is
represented by those under employ
ment and by the members Of the farm
er's immediate family, it is very safe
to estimate that the onslaught of the
Kaiser's shock troops on the western
front will be answered this year in the
northwestern states by the drive of
attleast forty divisions that are deyOt.
ing themselves to providing wheat
and other small grains, corn, forage,
livestock, wool, dairy products, poul-
try, and garden products for the sup
port of the fighting forces at the front
as q contribution to our allies, and to
create q safe margin of foodstuffs for
the population at home
The reports by states are very en-
couraging. Montana has had very
favorable weather for spring wheat
planting, and the grain has gone in
fully six weeks ahead of last year.
Over the eastern half of the state
winter wheat acreage is increased ap-
DrOXimateiy 80 percent, with less than
10 percent winter killed, while spring
wheat may show an increase as great
rs 40 percent. A large amount of flax
has been planted on new breaking.
Rains and some snow during the past
howe hnoy nj
md moisture conditions are excellent.
The prospect for record breaking
reduction is such that representative
Montana men are now in New York
IN consultation with the Federal Grain
corporation regarding the financing
and transportation Of what promises
o be much the largest crop the state
las ever raised. The live stock out
'ook is good and wool is beginning
TO move at phenOmenally high prices.
Western North Dakota.
Western North Dakota, which has
ard hit by the crop failure last year,
ould hardly be better. In the portion
here winter wheat is grown, the in
ease in acreage is approximately 80
or cent In the western part Of the
ate many localities show an increase
spring wheat planting of 20 percent.
rye, barley and oats will be normal
rops. Flax will fall short of an aver
re this year. Taking the eastern half
4, the state as whole the increase
=. spring wheat will be at least per
mt and possibly 10 percent. The
outlook in the eastern half Of the state