The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-06-26

Dakota and Iowa. Their instrument
was the Nonpartisan League. The
league got control of the state and
inaugurated a colorful experiment in
state socialism. 1t failed, but not
until Sl3 100000 had been added to
the bonded Indebtedness Of North
Dakota.
"The phantasies Of the Nonpartisan
League kept eastern capital away
from the state during the flush per-
iod preceding the depression and
stopped the land boom at North Da-
kota's borders. That was an excel
lent service. 1t saved North Dakota
people something-though probably
not $13.OOo,oo0. In Iowa, Minnesota,
parts of South Dakota and Montana
land values were inflated out of rea-
soma few good crops added to the
general fictitious war prosperity did
it. Farm land, which had been SELL
ing for 500 an acre in Iowa and
Minnesota, went to $4OO and $500.
No farm land is worth that much
year in and year out. The prices
and yields of its products cannot
sustain such values. So when yields
and prices slumped and on top of
that came the depressing influences
of post war deflation, those values
collapsed. Banks and others who
had underwritten purchases at such
prices were stuck.
Farmers and Methods Changed
"An odd situation now exists in the
Northwest with reference to land
values. A St. Paul banker put it to
me this way: Land has no money
value out here By this he meant
sale value. Land in southern Min
nesota, which during the boom sold
for $40O an acre, could not be sold
today for S75-not because it is not
worth it, but because there are no
! buyers. In Montana one farmer, who
has come through the hard times
learned his lesson and is now farm
ing intelligently, industriously and
profitably, will not sell for $25 ar
acre. The farm next to him may b.
/ abandoned. The bank which has fore
closed it or the owner who has de
serted it will sell for IS or $40 al
acre, according to how badly he need.
the money.
at is easy to be wise after the fact
|
writer to sketch in the foregoing
paragraphs an outline of the ills O.
agriculture in the Northwest in sucl
manner as to suggest to a laymal
the remedies for the situation. Fo
the farmers on the spot during tn,
dispiriting time of the collapse it wa
another matter. Bat, with their back
against the wall, they sized up tn
situation. developed courageous an,
able leadership and prescribed tn
medicines which have put them OF
their feet and assured their future
"There has been turnover no
only in farming methods but in farm
ers. In the light soil belt west o
the Tooth meridian the Napoleoni
To-day wheat farmers-the dentist
and soda clerks-have largely give
place to agriculturists Of the 365-da
year variety. Wheat is still tn
main money crop, but it is grow
scientifically. The land is summer
,, fallowed and worked before and afte
planting. Besides, wheat acreage
everywhere have been diminishe,
Crops are rotated and Oversize,
Rye, millet, alfalfa and flax hav
been introduced; dairy and bee
-, herds established poultry, bees an
vegetable gardens cultivated. Whe
wheat fails, as it must sometimes d.
spite precautions, there is somethin
E to fall back on. Thus the light so
q belt is turning the corner, thong
$ there is still road ahead to folio,
i Further east things are easie
S Older communities have greater r.
keting 10 working magic in Minnesot
e and is spreading through the Dakot;
and into Montana. Briefly, it enabl,
J. the farmer, who is both planter ar
u dairyman, to increase his profits {
u his produce without increasing IL
q prices to the consumer. 1t is Il
u only answer to declining yieios, ar
G the greater expense of administerir
J. the diversified farmland experien'
& has shown that this is the only kir
q of farming it is safe to try.
", Farmers have organized coope
y alive associations-stock compani
y managed by experts-by which IL
I: mac hinery for marketing butter, egg
u cheese, poultry, potatoes, and
y forth, has been taken from the cor
s. mission men and wholesalers and r
l. stored to the farmer. The prof
s. which formerly went to these middl
= men now go to the farmers. tt
s. Minnesota farmer once sold his crea
y at the county seat for the cure
g price of the day and that was the Ell
% of it. Now he owns stock in the co
l. Germs which make that cream in
e butter or cheese and markets it
Boston. Profits (which used to 60
81 others now are his. Cooperative whe
J. marketing is being undertaken, b
IS there is no widespread tendency
T., compete with millers in the manufa
=, ture of flour. The purpose is only
"a enable the grower to market h
le wheat methodically during the mi
# ing season instead of being oblig
l. to dump it at the close of harvest
3 the going price of the day.
u "In connection with the spread
F. the cooperative movement, a polite
IL economic map of Minnesota sho,
o. some significant things. 1t happe