Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-07-20
STATES POTATO
ANDCORNCROPS
LARGEST EVER
Commissioner Davis Says Mon.
tana Farmers Are
Diversifying.

There will never be a year in Mon
good or wholly bad" according TO the
statement of Chester C. Davis, Mon
tana's commissioner of agriculture,
which was b~roadcasted by The Tribune
through its station, KDYS, Wednesday
night, through the courtesy of the Mon
tana Farmer, published at Great Falls.
This state slopes to the Atlantic
and the Pacific" continued Mr.. Da-
Wis statement. "Its actual farmed
land varies in altitude more than 1000
feet. it has irrigated and non-irrigated
land; it's production is varied and every
year crop conditions are spotted.
This Years Acreage Large
This year, while no exception to
the above statement, has been unusual
ly favorable to Montana as a whole,
although some sections, through de-
ficient June rainfall, were severely
damaged before the general rains of
early July. 1t is a convincing dem
onstration of the splendid courage of
Montana farmers that the total acre
age in crop in the state this year ex-
ceeds that of last year. the chief in
crease being in corn and potatoes,
both crops looking toward diversified
ton.
The July first report of the Mon
tana cooperative crop reporting serv-
ice indicated a wheat crop of 36.OOO.-
coo bushels. which if realized would be
the second largest wheat crop in the
history of the state. Corn acreage
showed a 20 per cent increase in the
state this year. from 100000 to 24O.-
600 acres. and this increase has been
general over most of the territory east
Of the Rocky mountains. Nearly 5O,-
600 acres of potatoes were planted
in Montana this year.
Cooperative Marketing Helpful
"Production looks fairly secure for
the farmers of the state this year but
there never has been a time when a
strong and profitable market was as
needed as this year in Mon
tana. along all lines. Notwithstanding
failures and discouragements. the
farmers Of this and other states must
not lose faith in the principle of CO.
operative self-help in marketing their
products. to the end that they may
bring to the market all the market can
most profitab1y absorb at the time it
is most needed.
Just a word regarding the situa-
ton of our potato growers this year.
The II states with which Montana
potatoes must compete on the market
show an increase over last years acre
age of potatoes amounting in the ag-
gregate to 33 per cent. Montana is
becoming more of a factor all the
time in commercial potato production.
Last year the state shipped ont 1900
carloads of commercial potatoes. If
growing conditions continue favorable.
we are likely to strike Improbable
potato marketing this fall.
Inspection of Potatoes
To guard against loss as far as
possible. the Montana department of
agriculture is planning to institute
state inspection at commercial shipping
points this fall. and l am happy TO
say that negotiations are practically
closed under which our inspectors will
be licensed as federal inspectors and
will issue a federal inspection c%ertifi-
cate at point of shipment. This will
be of incalculabIe benefit to Montana
potato growers in marketing this years
crop.
1T is unfortunately true that farm
organization in Montana is at a lower
ebb at the present time than it has
been at any time for several years.
There never has been a time when the
need was greater. His duty requires
every individual farmer. if he is TO he
true to his vocation and t. his family
to join and do his share in some active
farm organization. it matters not what
Its name may be-"