The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-12-01
HARDY CAMPBELL
ON R FARMING
DESCRIBES SYSTEM OF SOIL
MANAGEMENT HE. HAS
PROVEN SUCCESSFUL

Wednesday night, Hardy w Camp
bell, pioneer in the dry farming in
dustry and exponent of summer til
lage, explained the system of tillagt
which he believes will enable the dry
land farmers of Montana to grow
good crops consistently.
While admitting the desirability
of Investigation in any system Of
permanent agriculture, he outlined
a plan which has proven successful,
in the growing of crops in parts OF
Montana and elsewhere. In his plar
there are four fundamental prin-
ciples, plowng when the ground is
moist, packing the under surface OF
the plowed layer in such a maner that
it makes a perfect union with the
subsoil, light surface cultivation to
prevent the growth of moisture de-
vouring weeds and holding all pos
sible moisture from rains, and thin
seeding.
Plow When Moist
Mr.. Campbell advises the blowing
of the ground only when it is moist
either in the fall or in the spring
as early as it is fit, but always when
it is moist. He is opposed to deep
blowing and recommends blowing five
or six inches deep. Prior to the
blowing, however, he advises the use
of a disc to pulverize the top soil in
order that there will be no air space
between the subsoil and the plowed
surface, when the latter is turned
over by the pillow. AS soon as pos
sible after blowing the ground is
packed by a Campbell packer, which
is composed of a number of thin
edged wheels to insure the union Of
the plowed layer and the layer be-
meath and to destroy the air pockets
between a still better implement
for this purpose, he said, is an or
binary tandem disc set one notch off
of straight.
Kill Out Growth
During the spring and summer a
light surface cultivation of the
ground is maintained tt kill all
SIOWbll vi Ille SUI anu ~l1IIlculdL6ly
after rains to retain the moisture.
In the case of spring seeding he ad-
vises frequent cultivation until May
in order to kill all growth and at
which time the ground is in good con-
dition to terminate the seed.
A common mistake, he declared, is
the planting of too much seed to the
acre. He advises about 20 pounds
of seed to the acre for spring wheat.
This, he said, enables each plant to
receive plenty of plant food and
moisture.
Encourage Soil Bacteria
The advantage of this system of
summer tillage, according to Mr..
Campbell, is that it not only con-
serves all possible moisture in the
ground, but also encourages the soil
bacteria engaged in the manufacture
of plant food. in his surface cul-
tivation he advises against a dust or
a clod mulch, preferring a granular
surface that prevents soil blowing
and enables the better absorption of
moisture
Governor Interested
Following Mr.. Campbell, Governor
Dixon was introduced by H. A Tenn
who presided "Mr. Camp
BELL" said the governor, eff you can
accomplish the results on the great
of Montana east of the Rockies
you have evidently accomplished
those pictures you have shown here in
Montana-we will raise to you the
monument in the state.
Frankly, however, l am partial to I
The cows. Those sections of the
where the farmers are dairying |
and selling their cream or butter are 9
their bills, and l am inclined q
% believe that if we can combine :
with grain raising by this sys- :.
EN- we will have solved a great |
problem. We must get back to the :
I'D time thrift in private living as =
veil as in public affairs" !.
Dixon Suggests Corn !
Governor Dixon expressed his II
loubts as to the actual profits in =
traight wheat raising when all costs o
ncluding the loss of the necessary y
lements in the soil, are considered, ="
stated that on his own place last
ear on a dry land plot of Is acres 4,
nough corn had been harvested to u
II a 100-ton silo. Il am wondering .
this does not have a bearing on the l
olution of our farming problems" /
e said. !"
c.. w. Fowler, secretary of the e
Development association,
Explained briefly the purpose of the ~
of Mr.. Campbell, who is making =
tour of the state under the auspices ~
T the association. VI
eve are for diversified agriculture OF
he said, "but an emer-
ency has arisen which demands an
mediate remedy. The business !.
en- of the state have a very real ev
,ssibility in this matter. w
Have Definite Program