The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-10-25
AGRICULTURE is
NEARING DOORS
OF PROSPERITY
Livestock Raising Big Stride
in Improvement of Farm
Conditions
CORN ACREAGE LARGER
No Danger of Overlooking
Domestic Market, John Lee
Coulter Says
CORN ACREAGE LARGER

rargo, N. D., Oct. 25.-While agri.
culture has been passing through q
serious period of readjustmcnt since
1921. it is the soundest industry in
the United States and at the same
time is at the very threshold of its
period of greatest prosperity, in the
opinion of DR.. John, Lee Coulter,
president Of the North Dakota Agri-
cultural college.
Ten years ago, at the close Of the
world war, North Dakota was en-
gagged practically 100 per cent in
the production of farm materials
which were in the surplus farm pro-
ducts group. That group was in d.
rect competition with the new, rich,
cheap lands of other countries which
had low costs Of production and low
ocean transportation expenses to
reach the world market. But dur
ing the 10-year period just passed,
North Dakota farmers have made a
tremendous stride toward improving
their situation, he said.
while raising of beef cattle,
dairy cattle, sheep and hogs, poultry
and bees have been almost at a
standstill in other parts of the Unit
ed States, North Dakota has moved
forward by leaps and bounds, and
now has livestock industry produc-
ing annually a return of $116,OOO,-
OOO," he continued. "This is SUBJ
stantial item for North Dakota but
is only a drop in the bucket as it
would be only 81 for each person in
the United States.
"In order to build the profitable
livestock industry it has been neces-
sary for North Dakota to increase
its corn acreage from practically
zero to more than 100000 acres in
1928. 1t has been necessary to in
crease the alfalfa and sweet clover
from almost zero to a figure SINH
lar to the present corn acreage. BY
this process North Dakota farmers
are beginning to get control of
weeds, plant diseases and other in
furious enemies Of agriculture and
have commenced to produce more
profitable crops.
IF North Dakota continues this
magnificent trend during the next
10 years, it not only need not fear
breaking the domestic market, but
on the other hand the income from
these profitable types of farming
may be brought up to $4,000 per
farm on the average, while at the
same time eliminate Improbable
competition with peasant. labor and
cheap lands of other parts Of the
world"
To illustrate further that agricul-
ture is at the threshold of its great
est prosperity, DR.. Coulter makes
some comparisons in livestock and
livestock products figures of today
with 25 years ago. In 1900 there
were approximately 100000 cat
tie, excluding young spring calves,
in the United States, and there were
at that time 100000 people in the
States. Farmers received from 3 to
4 cents per pound for beef cattle and
from Is to 16 cents per pound for
butter. In 1925, according to the
most accurate federal statistics,
there are still 10000, 900 cattle and
there are row 116,OOO,O0O people.
AA~AS At0O OSVA ~ 0OtIC0l1y IlO Ill.
crease in cattle, while the people
have increased 4O,0OO,OOO. Prices
for beef and butter range nearly
three times what they were in 1900,
or 8 to IL cents per pound for beef
and from Is to SO cents for butter
fat, he said.
I'm 1900 there were 100000
dairy cows in the United States.
This number has not increased" he
declared. "Butter and cheese are
being imported into the country. The
surplus problem has been eliminated
in this case and providing the in
dustrial, commercial and profession
al classes of people continue pros
porous and use dairy products there
is no little danger of excessive pro-
duction Of dairy products, is the
opinion of DR.. Coulter. There is al
so little chance for extending the
dairy industry into new areas.
Dairying cannot be efficiently de-
veloped in the dry areas Of the west
or in the extremely hot areas of the
south. The dairy industry is not
likely to expand more rapidly than
the increase in population, as the
population in the United States is
increasing at the rate of 100000
per year."