Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-06-04
SMALL FARMERS STATES HOPE, BANKERS TOLD

acres to 100 acres. not to exceed 16,
acres to the family-the production
would be thereby very materially in
creased.
What Small Farmer Can Do
The small farmer can produce a few
head of beef, keep q few dairy cows
n few sheep, five to 20 breeding hog
with a net result at the end of a yea
he has used up all he has grown il
the way of hay, grain. and root crops
he has marketed what he had for sail
largely in the shape of livestock. Tween
ty families on 1000 acres of land cal
produce 1000 to 1000 hogs, but on,
man running 1000 acres of land would
be pretty busy to raise 1000 hogs
There is no fairer or surer none!
than can be made from q few hogs wei
cared for.
1--WE in Montana have made the mis-
take of having too few land owners
In other words, the holdings in a few
hands have been too large. If W,
want to make a success in Montan,
from an agricultural standpoint tn
owners of large tracts of land must b,
willing to sell in order that it may b.
brought to the highest state Of produc
ton and in the long run it will be NOR,
profitable to the original owner ant
more profitable to the county and
state.
Montana Land Cheapest
More money and real progress car
be made on 80 acres carefully cult
waited, than on 100 acres poorly titled
Montana irrigated lands, and land in
those parts Of the state where rainfall
is sufficient to grow crops is the
cheapest land in the world, based on
production.
Our experience as bankers has
taught us that it is better business to
help a large number of men with a
small amount of money. than it is to
concentrate a large amount of money
among a few borrowers. Many men
can afford to spend $4,000 in one
season on farming operations.
1.-THE present season bids fair to be
n of good crops-splendid range con-
dition. The native grass looks better
than it has since 1915 and 1 am sure
that we all agree that within the next
80 days the situation in Montana will
be greatly improved, but we must be
sure that we are conservative in all
needs.
Show Profit in Production
IF wheat is going to be worth from
only so cents to $1.OO a bushel, try to
manage it's production so as to show
a profit on its production. If hogs are
going to be worth 8 cents a pound,
manage their production so as to show
a good profit at that price.
Now this is a message to take back
to your homes: The dividing up of land
holdings is essential-see that the own
erships of farm lands are not lodged
in a few hands. Give the fellow who
has a few hundred dollars and ability
to manage an so acre tract for himself
a chance to acquire it on a fair basis.
We should have more farms and farm
ers in Montana and insist that every
must have a few dairy cows. at
least five breeding hogs, and as many
as he can run profitably. Insist
that they vaccinate their hogs to pre-
vent cholera, and insist that they vac
their calves to prevent blackleg.
If you can help to divide I'D the
large tracts of tilable land in your
into small holdings and thereby
get into the hands of farmers who with
their families can more carefully cult
yate 1t, according to the best ideas of
farming. you will avoid the
necessity of paying out money for
hired help. You viii avoid concentra-
flon of money into bigger loans. and
you will increase production and re-
luce taxation. These things will spell
prosperity for your community. Mon
fana is a splendid state-we must give
Dur best thought to make her better"
The report of the secretary treas
lrer of the association was read by
\. Il. Matthews, president of the
State Bank at Stanford. The re-
port was accepted by the bankers and
he meeting proceeded with the report
If general conditions in the IL coun-
les represented in this district.
They are a cheerful lot, these bank
ers, and they are practical. There
ire no dollar signs hanging con-
ON them, but the money
is apparent enough when they
ak at any length. Generally, condi-
ions are improving and every banker
hat talked saved the crops in his
county. Winter wheat is good, spring
wheat showing in fine shape and the
well supplied with moisture.
They all admitted that there was a
tit of speculation as to the final show
ng except Earl Ogden of Augusta, who
represented Lewis and Clark county in
he official report. The big agricultural
.rop in Lewis and Clark county is
Italia and there is enough moisture in
he ground to assure results, he said.
Diversified Industries Help
The bankers representing counties
where the principal industry is dry land
are very hopeful for the future
md say that the farmers have the best
this year to make money that
hey have had for years.
G.. H.. Provin of Belt, representing |
county, pointed out that the di-
'ersified industries of the county were
the county on a firm financial
The potato industry has be-
ONE an important agricultural asset
nd will become more important, he
aid. The winter activities in the coal
mines provided a lot of employment
nd the strike situation is the one
fly in the ointment" for the county
summer. he said.
The bankers were unanimous in their
expressions of approval of diversified
Every farmer should grow his
'wn living for his family on his own
arm. the bankers agreed. There was
title said that wasn't optimistic for
prosperous future. The bankers
greed that hard times are gone, that
he future holds for every person n
neasure Of prosperity. They confined
nost of their remarks to the agricul- ,