The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-10-30

/ Lack Of moisture caused Is per cent
Of all damage to corn in this county
| from 1917 to 1923, while frost caused
22 per cent damage and hail II per
cent Nduring the same period, as re-
| ported by the Agricultural College.
The southern half of the county is
favored with Is to IL inches Of rain
fall while the north half Of the
county has approximately two inches
less of precipitation. This, coupled
with the fact that the soil in the
south half is more sandy and re-
spends more quickly. probably ac-
counts for the fact that most Of the
corn acreage is in the south half Of
the county.
A premium for good seed has been
an inducement to many farmers for
large corn acreage but with most
farmers corn has meant diversifica-
ton of farm business, j. G. making
more than one source Of income
Where we find corn produced we also
find livestock, especially hogs. Ac-
cording TO the last u. S. census the
hog population Of Burlcigh county in
creased III per cent from 1920 to
1925 or from S,2lO to 1892 head.
Some of the livestock men Of the
county raise no wheat but most of
them do mixed farming All are
agreed that the surest method with
profit is corn, hogs, cattle and
small grain.
Corn Gro~in is Essential
why Is corn necessary to good
farm management?
/. A cultivated crops helps to keep
the land clean. In any farming com
munity where the one crop system
Of farming is practiccd. the fields
gradually become badly infested with
weeds such as quack grass. thistle,
mustard, wild oats and others. Only
a cultivated crop such rs corn or
potatoes will rid fields Of the pests.
2. A cultivated crop conserves
moisture. Through clean cultivation
all moisture is available for crop
use, not for weed growth. In an
other paragraph we stated that As
per cent Of damage to the corn crop
is caused by lack of moisture. Sixty
two per cent Of all damage to wheat
is caused by lack Of moisture. Corn
land, therefore, If it tends to con-
serve moisture, is a good insurance
against insufficient moisture for the
following wheat crop. Reports from
farmers in the county indicate that
wheat on corn land on an average
yields % per cent more per acre
than continuous cropping Of wheat.
Some farmers claim 80 per cent in
crease and few even more. II is
good practice to have every field on
the farm in cultivated crop ut least
once every five years. Oftener is
better, of course.
3. Corn is a valuable feed. AS a |
general fattening feed, corn has no
equal. Silage, fodder. ear, or shelled
corn have most valuable feed place
on every farm or. as in this locality,
Tor seed. For silage corn will yield
from two to 20 tons per acre. 1t is |
an excellent succulent feed for cattle
and sheep. The fodder makes good
ioughage for cattle in winter. The |
hog man usually plans on harvesting
part Of his crop by hogging it. This |
method Of making pork is economical. |
1t requires little labor and requires
about per cent less feed to make
hundred pounds Of pork than pen
fattening. Beef cattle are usually
started in the corn field and then
brought to the feed yard where they
are finished on corn, silage. hay and
perhaps some oil meal. Corn in all
fattening operations forms the major
part of the ration. Good barley.
which has about 95 per cent of the
iced value Of corn, is the only SUBJ
stltute for corn in this locality.
increases Small Grain Yields
The livestock farmer as well as
the grains Warmer finds that growing
corn has tendency to increase the |