The Bismarck tribune., 1928-12-14
(Offieial City, State and County Newspaper)
DEvINE SURVEYS STATE DESTINY

DEVINE SURVEYS STATE DESTINY
The facts developed by the recent survey Of J. M.
Devine, state commissioner of immigration, to the
trend Of agricultural evolution in North Dakota, ndi
cate that this country is setting itself Alright for
expanding future in farming. Step by step agricul-
ture is going forward to greater attainments with
every adjustment in methods and every introduction of
new branches Of production.
Two primary lines of activity the paths Of prog
ress by which agriculture in the state is moving into
that greater empire of productivity One is the selec
ton Of the fttest in seed and in the purest breeding
stock strains. The other the trend to dversfcaton
the farm Tested seed has brought better grade Of
grains and increased yields the tending to obtain
higher prices in the of protein premiums and
the other to swell the total value Of the grain crops
Purebred animals embody the prospect of North Dakota
again becoming a great livestock state the small
farm basis the state in the old range and
ranching days. Already splendid herds being built
up at various strategic locations distributing
to the small herd who joins stock raising with
the activities of the plow and the reaper.
These are the two chief lines of North Dakota farm
ing unless separates dairyng, poultry raising and
other forms of diversfication from CATTLE sheep and
swine production which also have loosely been classed
with diversifcaton and regards them third de-
partment of the states expanding agriculture.
The interesting feature of the Devine survey is the
revelation that North Dakota grain growing is seeing
its primacy challenged that dverscaton is creeping
up it in the totals Of values. It that the
state will remain a great grain producing area-at
present the second wheat state in the unionbut also
that with the rise of diversfcation the of its
farm wealth will be multiplied. It has almost hap
pened that they have been doubled according to the
Devine figures With total dollar value for wheat
1927 Of 1921 900 and of 5000 in the present
year. diversified products showed total value of $172
776O00 in 1927 and Of this year. Thus the
gap shrinks between the two varieties of agriculture
the state But tits in which each group continues
forward for while grain values fell this year. that was
effect for lower prices for wheat The production in
bushels was greater. Had wheat commanded prices as
high last year. the story Of the survey which Com
missioner Devine has had to tell would have been still
inspiring AS it is it reveals the state moving on
to that stabilized and diversified future already attained
by the states eastward in the of their agrcu
tural evolution.
Commissioner Devine has performed a labor to in
spire every North Dakotan with faith in the ultimate
destiny Of the state by thus charng the trends of its
agricultural industry and showing the essential sound
ness of its development It is in line with his activity
As commissioner Of immigration. He himself needs
the vision with which such figures able to Undue
him. He has been putting unflagging faith and en-
thusiasm jointly into the administration of the public
post with which North Dakota has entrusted him.
What he has found out to prospects for the future
Of Dakota farming not fail but to increase his own
and the zeal Of every other booster for the state
AS commissioner of immigration, Devne has done
much to call the attention of settler prospects the
opportunities which North Dakota holds out to the
conner he be Of the right mete and that has been the
type OF he has sought to enlist in the further
making and shaping Of the commonwealth.
He has been good man in the right place.