The Dolores star., 1924-09-12
DIVERSIFIED FARMING
vs.. ONE CROP GAMBLING
Agricultural Director Of the Amer
lean Bankers Association
Tells of Efforts to Solve Farm
erS' Problems.

One of the leading problems that
is confronting many OF our states is
that of diversified farming, says D. II.
Otis, Agricultural Director Of the
American Bankers Association.
During the past year the Agricul-
tural Commission of the association
has arranged for conferences in eight
OF the twelve Federal Reserve dis
tricts," he says. "At these confer
ences we have tried to get in touch
with the agricultural needs OF the re-
spective regions and advise with the
bankers and others interested as to
what the banks might do to help in
their solution. A resolution adopted
In the Fifth District serves as an ex-
ample OF what is needed in many
sections:
Encouragement OF a proper system
of diversified farming in which farm.
ers will grow as far as practical all
the food and feed crops necessary for
feeding the family and livestock of
the farm, and to keep on the farms
the requisite kinds and amounts of
livestock best to meet the economic
needs OF farming In this district
The conference in the Ninth Dis.
trict emphasized strongly the need of
greater diversification. The farmer
who raises nothing but wheat is un,
wise. even foolish He is one of the
worst kinds Of gamblers, one who
gambles on the weather on insects, on
drought, and various other things that
affect the quality of the product. The
farmer who raises wheat and along
with 1t the other crops and keeps a
reasonable amount Of livestock has
something to fall back on when wheat
is plentiful and cheap. He is not
putting all of his eggs in one basket
Diversifcation for contentment
"In many of the states the first
step in diversified farming is to get
the farmer to raise sufficient live,
stock to feed his own family. He
needs to get COW, SOW and a couple
OF dozen chickens so that his own
needs can be supplied without going
into debt at the store. Livestock used
to furnish food for the family will
frequently consume large amounts of
feed that would otherwise go to waste
Livestock enables the family to set a
better table and live under more
healthful conditions. More work is
furnished to the family, making pos.
sible larger family income. II the
farm family is producing enough to
feed itself. there will be much more
contentment and much less idle time
in which to criticize the government
THE Agricultural Commission is do
ing all in its power to encourage a
sane system OF diversified farming
The subject is being discussed at vari.
Gus conferences, articles and edlto
rials are being published for the pur
pose OF acquainting bankers with the
Importance of this work.
Bankers Are Assisting
1T is encouraging at these confer
ences to find that the bankers are
Incorporating the subject OF diversi
fed farming in their program and
laying plans in every way possible to
carry 1t out. To this end we have
records Of number of banks who are
putting up money to their farmers to
purchase livestock. They are en-
couraging boys and girls to go into
club work.
For the coming year we hope to
carry on this work in greater detail
and as far as possible hold conferences
with the officers and members of the
agricultural committee in each Of the
respective states at the Agricultural
College. We believe that in co-or
dinating this work with the college
we will reap the benefit OF team effort
We are pleased with the hearty re
sponse we are receiving from the vari
GUS colleges Of agriculture and we be
lieve that the opportunity is great for
influencing various communities ir
better types Of farming and in i'm
proved methods of business manage
mont