The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-10-04
DIVERSIFIED
FARMING IN
STATE GAINS
Real Progress Is Made in
North Dakota, Governor
NestOs Says in Statement
QUOTES FROM REPORTS
Bankers Writing From Vari-
GUS Parts of the State Tell
of Gains Made

Real progress is being made in
diversified farming in North Dakota,
Gov. X. A. Nestos said in state
ment here today, his statement be-
ing based upon compilation of an
swers to questionable broadcast
throughout the state. The governor
said:'
"One Of the most hopeful signs of
the times is the splendid progress
made in diversified farming, and the
increased amount of revenue that
comes to the farmers of our state
from cream and poultry products
especially. When we learn the re-
suits where any community during
the past four or five years has cut
its wheat production in two and has
replaced the one half with corn, al
ng cows, hogs, sheep and poultry,
We are impressed with the fact that
any group of business men really
interested in the welfare of their
community and the future stability
, and prosperity of their section of
= the state can we'll afford to take the
necessary time to make systematic
canvass of every farmer in the en-
tire territory to ascertain just what
additions he can and will make dur
ing the next year in diversifcation,
and to keep an accurate record of
what each farmer in such commun-
ity is doing and the results of his
efforts.
Note of Optimism.
"The answers received from the
banks throughout the state to the
circular letter sent them about the
desirability and need of diversified
farming and more balanced pro-
gram of production furnish very
,dc..sant sGfpfise. Almost withOa.
exception they carry note of hope
fulness and optimism and furnish
information upon which such optim-'
ism may we'll be based. Let me
quote a few sentences at random
from almost every section. Of the
. state, each separate, quotation being
fro ma different letter:
"'The majority of our farmers the
last three years have made their liv-
ing from dairy products and are
gradually getting their affairs in bet
ter shape by cutting down the wheat
acreage and depending more on feed
crops, stock, poultry, etc.
( "'Nearly all the farmers have from
10 to 20 milch cows and a number of
beef cattle for marketing purposes
"'Farmers here have some cattle
, and are getting more. They are rails
ing hogs quite extensively. The
=. wheat acreage has been reduced 35
= per cent n
"'Milch cows are becoming more
numerous on every farm and it is
pleasing to note that the families
livelihood is obtained principally
from cream money and from sales of
pouldtry products
"'Last year we had shipped into
our town one carload of Holstein cat
tie and distributed them among our
farmers. Most of these have proved
very satisfactory
"'This is, German community.
Diversifcation is in progress. Five
years ago. cream checks were small
and far between. This summer we
have paid out on the average $4,000
:. to $4,000 per month for cream
checks
During the past two weeks we
have had occasion to cover q great
deal of territory on all sides of town
and nowhere did we find the gloomy,
pessimistic feeling which seemed to
be in the air last fall. Our farmers
are turning to corn, hogs, potatoes,
sugar beets and other small crops
which is giving them products to sell
every month in the year.
~. Only Few Hard Pressed.
x "Our records show that out Of our
list of customers, about 200 in num-
Der, only per cent are hard pressed.
Z This community has in the past car
ried the better branches Of farming,
such as dairying, corn and hogs
The farmers have now increased
their cows and chickens to such num-
Der that they are paying cash and do
not have to get small loans from the
Dank IN order to get along: Each far
mer has from ten to twenty acres
of corn.'
"'We take in on the average about
$40 worth of cream checks per dav.
while in 1916 we did not cash more
than $40 worth Of cream checks in q
month. Nearly every farmer has
from ten acres up Of corn planted
During the past summer the Re.
turns Of the average farmer in this
vicinity from dairy. poultry and i've
stock sources, averaged between $500
and $1,000 each. We are confident thai
this amount WIN be doubled within
the next two or three years. !,
"'Our creamery il, doinr fine. and
besides we have four cream-bnvinc
stations. This shows they are worf.
ing in the right direction. hi.
bank is trying to ship in a\carload
of blooded stock and will place them
with good farmefs who, ara, ,ehuipJed
to handle them. asn I
/ tcontinasd "a u ~ !,