Great Falls daily tribune., 1920-04-01

While not venturing to prognosticate
as to what the coming season will
develop in the way Of crop conditions,
w. Il. Smith, general superintendent for
the Great Northern's central district, is
not adverse to being quoted as saying
chat spring is opening with every pro-
spect for an excellent year with the
business Of agriculture. Moisture, the
superintendent states, has been received
there has not been no winter killing OF
wheat and nothing remains necessary to
big returns except warm weather aud
the usual precipitation during the grow
ing and maturing seasons.
We have an excellent method OF
estimating the amount of moisture in the
ground" said Mr.. Smith, land it is ac-
curate to say that at the present time
the soil has received more water than
on any previous season in q number OF
years. The Great Northern has large
number of storage reservoirs over thu
state, used in supplying locomotives
with water, and when these are filled
we know that the precipitation has been
heavy. At Chester our reservoir is now
filled to the brim, but ,or the past two
years it has been absolutely dry. This
reservoir has capacity of 47.ONOO
gallons and when it is remembered tina.
such an amount of drainage water has
accumulated there this early in the
season the fact is established that the
ground throughout the country has been
thoroughly drenched. The same illustra-
ton could be given at all places where
we have reservoirs.
I'VE have formed a habit of saying
that when the reservoirs are filled be-
fore spring opens heavy rainfall is
forecasted and while the rule may not
be infallible it is certain true that We
are all optimistic over the prospects for
a big year Business is better than it
has been at this season for the past two
years and there is much activity through
out the Great Northcrn's territory. The
optimism We feel is reflected in the
communities l have visited over the
system. evidenced by preparations for
extensive field work and enlargement Of
operations.
Farmers who were badly hit by the
drouth last year will be given every pos
sible assistance in all localities. Mon
tana's reputation for backing her own
judgment is going to be demonstrated
this year as perhaps it never was be-
fore and without distinguishing between
the classes of people one meets it is
impossible to be not impressed with the
splendid spirit everywhere evident. The
and that is exhibiting itself this spring
in the form Of assistance for those who
suffered such serious setback in 1912.
II do rot know how many individuals
I have heard announce that their IN
tention to stake farmer this spring.
but there have been great many. The
instances in which reduced acreage
will result from lack Of operating funds
will be almost negligible at any place in
the state Banks are making efforts to
supply needed funds that have perhaps
never been equaled before and in great
many counties relief bonds were issued
as means of meeting the emergency
Superintendent Smith states that the
Great Northern is this spring undertak-
ing only one large construction project
and that no further work in this depart
ment will be announced for several
months The one job is the lining OF the
Painted Robe tunnel, No. ,, with CON