The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-01-06
Governor Sorlie saTells
the World" About
North Dakota
Continued from paee one)

Continued from page one)
nized as corn producing state, hut
as the corn belt has advanced north
ward North Dakota farmers have
added this croR to their diversified
list, and the Constantly increasing
acreage attests is success. Reports
Just out show that in 1926 North
Dakota produced "a million bushels
OF corn OF as fine quality as that
raised in Iowa. The steady increase
bids fair to continue until North Da-
kota, like Iowa, will may be rated as
the state where the tall corn
grows
1--WE raise an enormous crop Of po-
tatoes Of quality that cannot be
excelled anywhere, and not only sup
ply the eastern markets with choice
potatoes, but supply the southern
markets with high priced certified
seed stock.
"In recent years experiments with
alfalfa and clover crops have unques-
tionably shown that the fertility Of
the soil and the long hours of sun
shine combine to produce luxuri-
ant growth OF these crops. The fact
that the fields allow of cuttings, two,
three and four times a year, and the
steady market demand for North Da-
kota grown seed, makes these leg
luminous crops profitable.
Sugar Bcets Grow In State
More recent experiments show
that North Dakota, and particularly
the Red River Valley in the eastern
section of the state, is we'll adapted
to the production Of the highest
grade of sugar beets. 1t is safe to
prophesy that this crop will continue
to increase in the state as others
have done.
1.-THE large acreage of sweet clover
and the long hours. of Sunshine are
responsible for the fact that for the
past four years North Dakota has
held high place among the states
in the production Of honey. The
average production of honey per
colony in this state is, according to
reports Of the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture, more than three
times that of the average of other
states, making bee-keering profit
table source of income.
Farmers realize that to be profit
table farming cannot be exclusively
devoted to the growing of small
grains, excellent though such crops
may be. During the past ten or
twelve years progressive farmers in
stock. raising beef and dairy cattle,
sheep and hogs. Their success has
demonstrated beyond questions that
livestock production in North Dako-
tn is one Of our greatest possibili-
ties. Since 1924 there has been an
increase of 90 per cent in the num-
Der of hogs and sheep; beef cattle
have increased per cent, and dairy
production has increased 10 per
cent, and this is . very conservative
estimate. Higher prevailing prices
for these products at the present
time, in combination with the in
creased quality, have resulted in an
immense revenue to North Dakota
farmers than 100000, 900,
from sources which in the prewar
period were considered of such slight
value as to be disregarded.
Diversified Farming On Increase
"As vet we are still lin our infancy
rs regards diversified farming in
North Dakota, but rapid progress is
being made in this direction, and
there is ample proof that the state
is we'll adapted to the same diversifi-
cation that is practiced in the Gen.
trail states.
although North Dakota is gener-
ally considered 100 per cent agri-
cultural state, and although she
stands without peer in this respect,
her future need not be confined SOLE
ly to agricultural interests. In the
western section Of the state are al
most limitless and inexhaustible de-
posits Of Ignite, variety of soft
coal, easily accessible for fuel and
other purposes. These vast beds of
lgnite-billions of tons-have as yet
barely been touched. In the next
few years this coal, of rich gas pro-
ducing type, will be converted
through electricity into power and
heat and transmitted throughout the
state. We are living in an age of
wonderful inventions and achieve
ments, and ! venture to prophesy
that before many years have passed
every farm in western North Dakota
will have it's own electric power
plant, and that great transmission
lines will furnish electricity for heat
and power throughout the state at
low cost.
IAN inexpensive and successful
process has been worked out by the
school of Mines Of the University of
North Dakota by which the Ignite is
converted into carbon briquettes of
high fuel value and, Of q convenient
size for handling and storage. The
field is open for the development
of this natural asset OF our state
through the establishment Of bri-
quoting plants in the Ignite Sec
tiOnS.
Vast Clay Beds
"In addition to the coal we have
also in the western section of the
state vast beds Of clay, both the
high grade pottery clay and the
coarser brick clay. These clays have
been fully tested in the School Of
Mines and have been found to
possess the same elements in their
natural state a. that found in the ar
officially prepared clays used in the
great potteries for making fine
china. These fine clays have been
used in the Ceramics Department. Of
the School of Mines to make refrac-
tory materials, drain tiles, earthen-
ware, and very fine grade of beau
tiful art pottery. These have been
made for exhibition purposes to
demonstrate the value and beauty Of
North Dakota pottery clay. Here al
so there is opportunity for business
enterprise and capital to transform
%h;r r,rno< uaturol 0coar IF thu state