The Bozeman courier., 1921-11-09
MONTANA FARMERS
REPORT CONDITION

1OnCaud FARMERS Is ABOUT as low as
it has ever been in the states his
tory, according to questionnaires re-
ceived from county agents in II Mon
tana counties by the department of
agriculture, labor and industry. The
financial condition of Montana is bad
and in most instances is worse than
it was year ago. Their courage,
however, is better than the state Of
their finances. Where the financial
condition Of farmers in one county is
reported good, and fair in two others
in IA other counties it is reported
as "broke," ''bad" or Critical" In
twelve counties farmers are reported
to be in worse financial shape than
a year ago, in two their condition
is the same, and in two other coun-
ties their condition is better than a
year ago. County agents were asked
to state the prevailing frame of mind
of farmers. This was reported as
pessimistic in nine counties and hope
full in seven others.
Grounds of dissatisfaction held by
the farmers are against the district
IN II counties. In nine replies dis
satisfaction with farming generally
was expressed, chiefly because of
economic reasons. Listed among these
nine are some counties where dis
satisfaction was also harbored
against the district.
County agents were asked to state
the grounds of dissatisfaction that
in their judgment were well founded.
Seven list insufficient moisture or
land that should not be farmed and
eleven give economic reasons. Prac-
tically all the others believe faulty
financing, too high interest rates, low
prices and high freight rates are
valid grounds of dissatisfaction. One
county agent believes the fault lies
primarily in the lack of business
sense displayed by farmers and anoth-
er that too many farmers are trying
to raise crops on ground that should
not be farmed.
Financial condition of farmers
caused by drouth, lack of system
of credit" says one agent. Finance
and the individual is our problem
here" says another. "a man owing
more than he is worth and in a dis
couraged and hopeless frame of mind
has a hard proposition to overcome"
Writes another agent from a county
that had crop this year after sew
eral years of drouth. Farmers II
general are not dissatisfied. They
, have made up their mind that witt
proper soil cultural methods and live
stock-the milking shorthorn, sheel
and poultry will make them salts
' factory income on every farm"
"When good farmers who own goo
land can barely break even on fai
yields of hay, grain and potatoes g
L present prices, it is difficult for tn
{ man on anything but the very bes
. land to know which way to turn
> have a chance to pay his interest
~ states a county agent in an irrigate
u district. "His money is already tie
IL up in hay and livestock and other pr
.. duce which cannot be moved at al
VI figure. This necessitates his makiI
a time until way out presents itself
~ Glow prices for wheat and catt
nc and too high taxes" are val
's' grounds Of dissatisfaction in the Opt
v ion Of another county agent" "Po
u management is. perhaps responsit
us for more failures than any other o
~ thing" opines another agent. "T
''S farming system is at fault" Sa
III another. eve must have balanC
farming, diverisfication and crop
'u- taticm. Farmers are beginning
rec realize it and an encouraging numl
As are trying to make the change" S
ceo another agent asserts: "What is m
9IV needed is an extended and continu
on campaign among farmers along
vas lines of fundamental principles
put business"
hat All but three counties report
he'd hay surplus. Two counties estim
'aId the surplus as high as 10000 t.
Ian The surplus is reported from OF
hes counties in terms of percentage.
ing One of the most significant thi
All in the county agents reports Is
rats value of corn. Where the aver
Mr.. yield of winter wheat for II coun
900 is estimated at IL and two-fifths
con- shells, and the average yield of sp
ting wheat in Is counties figured 'out
the average of 1O.5 bushels, the avel
adj yield Of corn in nine counties
dent 1876 bushels
In A big shrinkage in livestock