Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1928-04-13

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ply OF water Later ON; Flowing Under
Way in Many Sections
The first week I'm April. generally ac-
cepted rs the opening date for the crop
season in Montana, this year saw mois-
ture and soil conditions as good or
better than those which ushered in the
remarkable season of 1927. according
to the publicity division of the depart
ment of agriculture, labor and in
dustry.
Averages will be increased in important
crops. if intentions to plant as reported
by farmers of the state are carried out.
About one-third of all lands in farms
will be planted to crops this season, g.
225, 900 acres, as compared with 7.606, 900
acres actually planted last year. and pros
poets that a high per cent Of returns
from acreage planted were never better,
according TO farmers, county extension
agents, railroad field agents and Others in
touch with the situation at first hand.
The soil Is soaked with moisture. Snow
in the mountains is normal, or above,
and with warm days that have prevailed
recently. is sending down q large volume
of water into rivers and causing food
conditions along both the Yellowstone
III Missouri systems. The MIX river
HAS lldQ especially IllSi NNltTs AlQ Tile
Yellowstone, banked with ice gorges. has
been threatening. A branch of the Mis-
souri, near Bainville went over its banks.
flooding the surrounding country. Food
waters have damaged uppaved roads in
Silver Bow county. High water condi-
lions in western Montana generally will
depend upon weather conditions during
the next few weeks.
Flowing Starts
Plowing has started in a few localities
In central and eastern counties, farmers
are expecting to be in the field within a
short time. Following a season of good
yields uniform throughout the state,
farmers have ample seed reserves gem
orally, without needing credit extensions
for this purpose, as has been the case In
some sections of the state for the pre-
ceding two years" says j. G.. Diamond.
federal agricultural statistician, who has
just returned from Washington.
Many counties report III acreages
planted this year will double those OF
last year. For the state as a whole. inten-
tions to plant show an increase of 3 per
cent in spring wheat and 5 per cent in
hay. Flax will be increased about 80
per cent, corn 10 per cent. Durum wheat
will be about the same as last year. Con-
tracts for the 1923 bean crop are being
signed, says word from Yellowstone coun-
ty. Beet acreages are being contracted
around Missoula. Three carloads of seed
have been shipped in for the 1928 crop.
On of the strongest indications that
the acreage sown to crops will be greatly
increased in Montana this year is the
large number of tractors and other units
of farm machinery being brought INTO
the state. In all this year. nearly 1000
tractors will be sold along the high
line" say Great Northern officials. Ma
chinery companies estimate $500 tractors
Will be purchased in Montana during the
present season. One hundred tractors
have been received at Terry and nearly
100 at Malta. Power machinery, trac-
tors, cultivators. as we'll as trucks, all re-
corded considerable increase in sales in
1927. as compared with the preceding
year.
In addition to regular spring field
work, farmers in western and northern
Montana will have some threshing to do,
which fall rains and snow interrupted
last year. In the Bitter Root, threshing
that was started last August and aban-
doned because Of heavy SHOWS, will be
completed, say reports, as soon as fields
are dry enough to permit machinery to
go over them without miring. The value
of the grain in shocks in that section,
it is said, has not materially deterior-
ated.
Winter Grains
Winter grains generally are looking
good, say reports. Damage to winter
wheat will not be above normal. from
the present outlook. Late fields in the
Judith Basin country have survived the
winter better than those planted earlier
in the season. Winter wheat south OF
Hobson is reported in especially good
condition. In Lewis and Clark county.
winter wheat looks good, especially
where the furrow drill was used. Grain
had made a sturdy growth before severe
weather set in.
Landing has started in southern Mon
tana, with Sweet Grass county reporting
a good crop of large, strong lambs. Mild,
warm weather Is proving helpful. Wool
and sheep prices remain satisfactory.
Farm lands are moving. especially in
the eastern part of the state, and in areas
where railroad construction is under way,
Prairie, Rosebud, Roosevelt, Cascade, Gus
ter, and McCone counties report new set
tiers from eastern states. Many settlers
are coming from Iowa, Illinois, Nebras-
ka and Kansas, according to railroad re-
ports. Many farms which were aban-
doned during depression years will be
worked this year. A number of people
who left the state at that time are re-
turning to plant their land.