The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1924-08-22
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 tna'
is confronting many OF our states Is
| that of diversified farming, says D. H
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 Investigation. The farmer
who raises nothing but wheat is I'M
wise, even foolish. He is one of the
worst kinds Of gamblers, one who
CANDLES 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 I
something to fall back on when wheat
8 plentiful and cheap. He is not
putting all Of his eggs in one basket.
Diversification for contentment
"In many of the states the frst
tep In diversified farming is to get
he farmer to raise sufficient live
took to feed his own family. He
eeds to get COW, SOW and a couple
dozen chickens so that his own
eeds can be supplied without going
ito debt at the store. Livestock used
furnish food for the family will |
'equently consume large amounts OF
sed that would otherwise go to waste.
livestock enables the family to set a
etter table and live under more
ealthful conditions. More work is
Finished to the family, making pos
Bile larger family income. II the
nm family is producing enough to
ed Itself, there will be much more
'ntentment and much less idle time
which to criticize the government.
The Agricultural Commission is do
g all In It's power to encourage a
ne system Of diversified farming.
le subject is being discussed at vari-
8 conferences, articles and edito-
lis are being published for the pur-
Sc OF acquainting bankers with the
portance OF this work.
Bankers Are Assisting
1t is encouraging at these confer
ces to find that the bankers are
cooperating the subject of diversi-
farming in their program and
Ing plans In every way possible to
Try 1t out. To this end we have
lords OF number of banks who are eli
Ting up money to their farmers to in
Fcnase livestock. They are en- IT;
lraging boys and girls to 60 into :.
b work. SCI
For the coming year we hope to II
~ On this work in greater detail ex
as far as possible hold conferences an
the officers and members Of the -,
icultural committee in each of the '''
pectlve states at the Agricultural
lege- We believe that In co-or.
ating this work with the college.
VIII reap the benefit OF team effort
are pleased with the hearty re- ou'
nse we are receiving from the yari-
colleges of agriculture and we be.
e that the opportunity is great for or
lencing various communities IN noe
er types OF farming and in i'm. you
.ea methods Of business manage ..,
------ lnsl