The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1923-03-09

Inc dry Idnu farm success uoni
onstration trains trip through tn
north central Montana triangle
has been a greater success than III
most optimistic supporters had pre-
dicted At each point virtual hol1
days were enforced during its stay
and record-breaking crowds of farm
ers and their families attended the
demonstrations and listened to the
lectures given.
| Next in Importance to the large at
tendance of farmers In each town is
the manner in which these farmers
have received the information div
ulged and the principles expounded.
A person cannot visit one of the
farm success" demonstrations with
out catching the spirit of optimism
and determination which seems to
prevail here. 1t is safe to say that
a majority of the farmers at each
of these gatherings are men who have
no desire to abandon their land pro-
viding they can make living as well
as home upon 1t, and they are anx-
ious to profit by the experience of
others in order that this most salts
factory condition may be brought
about
The farm success" train was
made possible through the co-opera-
ton of the Montana State college ex-
tension service with the Great Nor
thern railway. 1t is disseminating in
formation gathered during an extern
sive survey of dry land farming in
the triangle" carried out last sum-
mer under the direction of M. l..
Wilson of Bozeman, state leader of
farm economics In the extension SER
vice.
There are three cars in the demon
stration train, two being flat cars
which carry homemade and other
kinds of dry-land tillage implements,
and one being a passenger coach
which has been remode1ed into an ex-
hibit car. Many of the implements
are those actually used by successful
farmers in the triangle" and we're
loaned for exhibition purposes on this
trip.
Everything about the demonstra-
tion train is arranged and placarded
to catch and hold the farmers eyes,
mutely driving home the salient facts
phasis is put upon certain methods
which, in majority of cases within
the triangle" must be adopted to in
sure permanent success.
Besides, Mr.. Wilson, who conduct
ed the survey and gives the principal
lecture upon 1t at all meetings, and
two assistants from the extension
service, there are always at least two
or three of the outstanding rs sue
cessful farmers of the triangle with
the train to discuss their methods of
farming with the farmers who visit
the demonstrations.
At each point visited, a two hour
program is given in a hall. This
includes an illustrated lecture by Mr. |
Wilson, two reels of motion pictures
and short talks by successful farm
ers. Evidence of the interest in this |
program is shown in the rapt atten-
ton given through it all and the |
many intelligent questions asked at |
It's close. Though real old-fashioned |
farmer hospitality and sociability per-
vades the meeting, there is nothing
Ill discussions.
u6I0 diO CiOS6 " f,UUU,UUU dCIeS
If land in the north central Montana
triangle" the base of which is the
Canadian border reaching from a
POINT east of Havre to a point west
If Shelby, with its southern apex at
he city of Great Falls. Livestock
'aising was the sole industry of this
erritory before 1908, cattlemen,
heepmen and horsemen contending
hat it's soil would produce only ma
i've grasses for grazing and that any
Lttempt to farm 1t would be fool
They made their money +,
With livestock roaming over the free
ange and they resented the intrusion
# the homesteader.
But this very thing happened, COM /
nencing with 1908, when for four |
ears home-seekers from virtually
very state in the union poured into !
What is now known as the triangle" {
Up until 1916 most all of the home {
leaders were fortunate in the mat I
err of crops, some years getting pro-
ific yields with little or no effort. {
,ut after that it was a different t
tory. Droughts, hail storms and 1
ests came with discouraging results,
,u0 NY Ouo, lie uOm0Sl0du6TS lOSt
II of the money they had made in '
heir earlier operations, but they t
till had confidence that everything /
Tould turn out all right next year." t
hey mortgaged their property and
orrowed at the banks. But hail and '
rought and pests continued to 4
lague them. Finally state and fed
raj aid was given them through '
BANS to buy seed, etc., to put in '
lore crops. But this did not save ?
lem. Their taxes began to go de- C
lnquent and then followed mort t
age foreclosures. C
The extension department of the Y
[ontana Agricultural college in the Il
BRING of 1922 decided an extensive v
lrvey should be taken to ascertain
lie exact conditions prevailing in the n
triangle" and to find out why some F
Lrmers succeeded and why some fail a
l; to learn If the district really is y
farming section and Is so, what p
ethods should be used to insure sue "
,ss. h
M. L. Wilson was put in charge. d
Q had a capable staff of assistants.