The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-10-30
SLOPEFARMERSA ARE
DEVELOPING FAVOR
FOR LARGER TRACTS
Power Farming and Livestock
Are Given Boost by 500
Agriculturists
SUPPLY EXCEEDS DEMAND
Better Quality Cattle and More
Sheep Recognized as
Economical

Outstanding trend Of farming In
Morton. Grant. Hettingcr and Slope
counties is toward larger farms with
power farming along with livestock as
an important part of the farm bust.
ness. according to the recommended
tons made by more than 500 farmers
who met In economic conference at
Mandan. Carson and New England
last week.
The general situation Is of an
increasing agricultural surplus for the
country, since production has IN
creased faster than tho population of
tho country since 1920, according to
Rex E. Willard. farm economist at
tho North Dakota Agricultural COL
lege. who stated that the volume OF
agricultural production in the United
States has increased Is per cent III
six years. while population has in
creased only 8 per cent.
Farmers Meet Situation
That farmers are meeting this stu
ation with increased efficiency in
tl,oir operations was apparent at each
Of the conferences. Larger farm units
and larger type power units and bet
tor cultural practices were outstand-
in- methods Of meeting the situation.
The use of combines and tractors.
particularly IN the western part Of the
state. Is now Of great Importance in
Increasing tho efficiency per man.
Competition between individual farm
ers and countries was recognized III
III. production OF many commodities.
Tho increase in the production OF
wheat. for example. in tho last few
wears in Canada. Argentina and Aus
tralia clearly indicates that If wheat
production Is n continue in this arca
it mus: b. done with the greatest
possible efficiency End the lowest pos
eihia cost.
While 1t vas recognized by the
farmers that livestock prices arc now
l.ic.,. no materially increased num-
tcTs of cattle were recommended. but
rather better quality Of the numbers
row raised Is most desirable. Sheep
we're recognized as the outstanding
profitable livestock enterprise. and the
conferences we're unanimous IN be-
licving that the relatively high prices
nrc likely to hold for q few years, at
lcaat.
Ill the production Of grain the use
Of com preceding tho grain crop and
the practice Of Guc!sfoot following
va carefully considered and moro Of
thcsc practices we're recommended. 1t
was generally accepted that more than
double the production per acre Of
Erain Is made BY theac methods COM
pared to the older straight grain
farming practices.
Vcmcn's Interest Keen
Very keen iatcrcrt was exhibited by
the women Of the conference. who
me- iii separate groups for the con-
s~sdc.ation OF clothing. food, and home
management problems. a careful sur
vcy Of nor than 100 homes repre-
scented by the women at the confer
cnccs indicated that there was a sur
p-ising shortage Of many simple but
important home conveniences which
could be supplied at small cost. Among
thcSc were mentioned inconvcnicnt
water supply, poor methods Of sewage
disposal, lack of cold storage such as
tho icclcsS well. The women were
unanimous that many of these could
&c supplied at small cost and would
add greatly to the convenience Of
hcrlc management, as well as to the
comfort OF living for the entire
family.
In all cases recommendations were
made that every farm family should
produce sufficient clean milk. meat
and garden products for home use.
whether any surplus was produced for
sale or not.
III all OF these conferences the ag-
ricultural college representatives and
local county agent acted as conveyors
OF facts. offering no advice or con-
ciusions. leaving the experience and
knowledge Of the farmers and farm
S;omcn to interpret the facts and
mako recommendations thercfrom.
Farmers in every county were
tilusiastic over the methods Of the
conference and the results obtained.