Great Falls tribune., 1921-12-25
PRECIPITATION
in STATE FAR
AB0VENORMAL
Shows of November December
Point to Heavy Planting in
1922, Says J. Watkins.

Precipitation in Montana during No
yember was one-third above normal.
according to official report of the
United States weather bureau, and the
heavy snow storms that have prevailed
throughout December have increased
that precipitation to marked degree,
according to the report.
This presents cheerful outlook to
Montana wheat growers and Indications
point toward heavy planting of spring
wheat, J. Watkins, secretary of the
Northwestern Grain Dealers associa-
ton, has announced in a bulletin just
issued. His report shows that a large
acreage is already prepared and the
liberal amount of moisture now IN the
ground, the moderate price at which
good seed can be obtained, the
abundance Of hay, low price OF oats
and other feed for work horses all
lead to the prediction of heavy acre
age of wheat.
Mr.. Watkins further discusses the
grain situation in Montana, as follows:
Excellent Quality Crop
1.-THE 1921 wheat crop in the state
is Of excellent quality and sufficient
amount for seeding is still in the hands
of the farmers or being held in the
elevators so no shortage of suitable
seed is anticipated. In this connection
we want to call attention to the advice
of Hardy w. Campbell, the father of
the dry land system of farming. He
advocates among other things de-
cided decrease from the general GUS
tom in the amount of spring wheat
seed sown. claiming that 70 pounds per
acre on properly prepared ground is
enough. AS Mr.. Campbell is prac-
teal farmer, having devoted many
years to intelligent experimenting on
so-called dry farming (nOn-lrrigated) !,
we believe one cannot go far wrong in
following his advice.
Summer FaIIoWing
'The Montana Development associa-
tion has taken up and is thoroughly
advertising the matter of summer fall
lowing dnd planting of corn. They
have engaged the services of Mr..
Campbell. who is now covering the
state quite thoroughly delivering lee
lures on these two subjects and at the
same time forming summer fallow
clubs in many localities. While ne puts
strong emphasis on summer fallowing
he is also advocating inter-tllled crops,
such as corn, on a limited acreage on
eucn Iarm. That corn can be raised
successfully On practically all the prai-
rie lands in. Montana has been well
demonstrated The prizes taken by
Montana corn at the recent corn show
in Chicago was a surprise to our east
ern friends and was evidence beyond
question that corn can be grown in
Montana.
Reduction in Freight
"The press dispatches from Wash
ington under date of December 16 ad-
wise US that the order of the interstate
commerce commission will be effective
December q in all trans Mississippi
territory There is however a possi-
bility of the carriers taking an appeal
from the order of the commission.
There has been considerable agi-
tation in regard to the premiums on
Montana wheat. They are certainly
not nearly so high as last year and it
is questionable if such excessive
premiums are an unmixed blessing.
The contract grade in Minneapolis is
much higher this year than last, which
in itself has tendency to keep
premiums lower. Other factors are
the good milling quality this year OF
the wheats in Minnesota and the Da-
kotas. We believe the law Of supply
and demand is operative and that we
need not expect excessive premiums
except at such times as we have an
excess Of the class Of wheat which is
in great demand and when there il a
considerable deficiency of the same
class in other producing and competi-
tive sections.
Holding Wheat
"It is almost automatic that the grain
business has to be conducted on con-
seryative principles in order to be sue
cessful. The measure of success is
profits. Since ths war there has been
m unprecedented fluctuatfpn between