Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-11-17
wHEAr rHElMAIN CROP.

Speaking in Minneapolis at a gathering OF rep
men of the northwest, W.. Spillman,
of the federal department of agriculture, gave some
sound and timely advice to the farmers of the
northwest on the subject Of crop selection. He
maintains that in spite of the unfavorable condi-
tons which prevail this year, and which are to be
expected occasionally in any industry, the north
western farmer will be wise If he sticks to wheat
as his major crop, at least for some time to come.
He presented a concrete illustration OF his point
by referring to the experience of some of the cotton
growers in the south. Partly because of general
market conditions, and partly as a result of con-
tinued cropping with one crop, cotton growing had
become an Improbable crop through large sections
of the south. A movement for dlverslt1catlon was
iinaugurated and gained Roadway. To many d-
versifcation meant abandonment of cotton and spe-
cializing in something else. Plantations that had
been devoted exclusively to cotton were turned
over bodily to other crops, and because no proper
foundation had been laid in the form of preparation
for handling and marketing large losses were sus-
tanned under the new practice.
Mr.. Spillman would guard against a similar
mistake in the northwest. Soil, climate, and facili-
ties for handling and marketing make wheat one of
the natural staples, and for an indefinite time, the
greatest staple product of this section, and he be-
lieves that it cannot be relegated to an inferior po-
sition without great risk to- the farmer.
Rational Investigation does not mean the sub
%stitution of one main crop for another. 1t does
mean the distribution of risk by not placing all Of
ones eggs in one basket. But it means much moro
than that. 1t means the maintenance of fertility by
a carefully planned rotation. It means the reduc-
ton of cash outlay by the production on the farm
for farm consumption of all the commodities that
can advantageously be produced there. 1t means
the solution Of the labor problem by providing per-
rnanent employment for the best class of farm help.
And it means also the more intensive culture. of the
crop, whatever it may be. which experience has
shown to be the best suited to the territory, and the
surest producer of cash. In certain sections of the
south that crop is cotton. In Our part of the north
west it is wheat.
We have occasional instances of men who have
p~rospered for a generation by raising wheat and
scarcely anything else. There are a few who have
prosperedb by raising scarcely any wheat at all. But
for the majority Of our farmers wheat offers posi-
bilities as a main crop. which are not equaled by
any other. Wheat acreage in North Dakota can be
cut in 5two-notcall at once, but within a few years
without lessening the states total production.
That will reduce the cost Of production per bushel
to a point where loss may be turned into profit. 1t
will @liberate valuable acres for the production of
other crops. And it will be accompanied by the
production of live stock which will also contribute
to the farm revenues.
The solution Of the farmers problem does no.
lie in the abandonment of wheat, nor in plunging
on corn, or potatoes or cattle, but in an intelligent
mingiing Of the various branches. of the industry as
each can.be reached without iemoralizing the bust
ness Of the individual. 5@aa
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