The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1921-11-11
OGAARD TELLS FARMERS
HOW TO FARM DRY LAND
Says Farmers Must Depend Upon Annual Precipitation
For Moisture and Conservation Is Only Method
by Which Success Can Be Attained.

ZION OF the good years should be care
fully husbanded for the inevitable lean
season. If the dry land farmer would
apply this principle to the fullest
possible extent under his particular
conditions, the much needed stabiliza-
ton of income would ususally result.
The speaker her discussed the stor-
age and conservation of soil moisture
and explained the movement and be-
havior Of soil moisture. The main
point brought out was the Importance
of cutting down the loss of water
through surface runoff by the main
tenance of the proper surface condi-
ton through proper tillage with suit
able implements. Water had been
stored by summer tillage to the depth
of eight and nine feet but under the
average north Montana conditions, a
storage of from three to four feet was
very good and would afford consid-
cradle crop insurance. About one-third
OF the precipitation can be stored dur
ing the summer fallow period for the
use of the next seasons crop. Fairly
deep blowing was recommended for
good summer fallow but excessive
deep tillage with subscribers does not
usually pay.
Moisture is lost from the soil in
two ways, first through weeds and
crops, second through surface evapor-
alton. 1t was explained that the idea
of loss of soil moisture from the sub
soil capillary movement upwards, has
been discarded after thorough scien-
tific investigation. From the stand
point Of holding moisture, cultivation
was advised mainly to prevent weed
growth and to reduce loss from evap-
grafton by filling up deep cracks which
allow the free circulation of air.
Crops send the roots down for moist
ure, the moisture does not rise to meet
the roots. Wheat can go down six
or seven feet for water if necessary.
While the speaker stated that a d.
versified system is undoubtedly the
best and most efficient system and
the only permanent plan for the fu-
ture, the immediate emergency and
present conditions would require the
dry land farmer to make considerable
use of the summer fallow method. This
method has objections but these must
be disregarded for the time being. The
trend toward complete diversification
will of necessity be a slow gradual
development.
The policy of the state experiment
station and it's extension workers,
with respect to summer fallow is based
on the facts now known. Definite
rules cannot be laid down that will
tit all conditions but the fundamental
principles are made as definite as pos
sible. The speaker emphasized early
blowing as early in the rainy period
as possible. Fall blowing for fallow
leaving the surface rough over winter
has given equally good results on the
average. The blowing should be fair
ly deep in most cases. If n is
applied, summer fallow Immediately
before blowing, is an excellent time
for it. The cultivation subsequent to
blowing should be aimed at weed Grad
ication as soon after the seeds have
terminated as possible. The ordin-
airy spike tooth harrow and the disc
are used too much on summer fallow
after blowing. Implements either
manufactured or homemade, which
work under the surface without turn
ing over the soil or pulverizing, were
recommended. These implements are
more effective and thorough in weed
eradication also. They tend to create
the desirable clod mulch and a firm
seed bed.