The Glasgow courier., 1922-05-12

That Montana now stands up on the
threshold of a new era in her agricul
tural history and that the state will
soon enter upon sound and lasting
prosperity as a result of better farm
ing methods, was part of the mes
sage brought to Glasgow business men
by F. F. Runkel who spoke at the
Chamber of Commerce rooms last
Wednesday evening.
Mr.. Runkel who represents the Mon
ana Development Association and who
is now active in extending the organ
ization of summer tillage clubs
throughout the state, sounded new
note of confidence and optimism in
predicting far reaching results from
the present movement to promote
simmer tillage throughout the state.
He stressed the Importance of CO.
operation and an attitude Of mutual
helpfulness between the business man
and the farmer, declaring that the
business man as we'll as the farmer
must share in the blame for bringing
about present conditions in Montana's
agriculture.
directly or indirectly, every bust
ness man helped settlers into Mont
ana" declared Mr.. Runkel. We can
not sit by idly and see them carry on
a losing struggle. 1t is the duty of
every business man to interest him
self in the problems of the farmer,
join hands with him and help build
for better and more prosperous Mon
tana."
The speaker called attention to the
fact that today there are many de-
serted farm homes throughout the
state, each deserted farm house stand
ing as a monument to losing strug-
gle. He paid tribute to those farm
ers who still remain here, declaring
that they have shown the pluck and
determination to win.
He described in detail the approved
methods of summer tillage as adapt
ed to Montana lands and explained
how it is possible by correctly hand
ling the land to build up from year to
year a storehouse of moisture and
plant food which would be available
for the growing crop and which would
make failure a remote possibility.
Montana soil is as rich and produc-
tive as any in the country, he pointed
out. 1t is particularly we'll adapted to
storage of moisture and when farmed
properly will yield abundantly year
after year. He said that it has been
amply proven in all parts of the state
that this method will succeed and
that any successful agriculture which
the state may have, must have sum-
mertillage principles as its found
alton.
After pointing out the Importance
and necessity of change in farming
methods, Mr.. Runkel urged the busi-
nessmen present to go out in the coun-
try, talk to the farmers, and sign up
as many as possible to give summer
tillage a practical demonstration on
their farms. He stated that prizes
to the amount Of $4,000 had already
been posted to be awarded to Montana
farmers securing the high yields on
plots summer titled according to the
approved methods and reminded his
hearers that the results of this work,
as compiled after harvest of 1923,
would be the most valuable adver-
tising which any Montana community
could secure.
He asked the business men to re-
mind the farmers that this campaign
offers to them an opportunity to prove
the value of their lands through pro-
duction on definite and sound basis,
asserting that today Montana dry
farms have no value, as there has
been no production on which to base
such valuation.
Predicting a speedy return to pros
perity in Montana, the speaker de-
clared that it is not the failures which
prove or disprove the value and pro-
ductiveneSs of farm lands. He said
those who had made a definite success
of farming under Montana conditions
were to be found in an sections and
they have proved beyond all question
that Montana can and willtake high
place as an agricultural state, rising
from thirty-seventh place where she
stands today as result of too general
observance of incorrect methods of
farming.
The interest which is being TAX
en- in this movement in all commun-
tiles where tillage clubs have been
formed promises to make those COM
munities better communities" said Mr..
Runkel in conclusion. "The farmer
and business man are working hand in
hand, intellegently and purposefully
to build a. better community, better
county, and better state"
w. S. Schuck, editor of the official
bulletin of the association spoke brief
ly. following Mr.. Runkel. He pointed
out that the business man is essen
TALLY a salesman and declared that
the success Of the present movement
depended in some measure upon his