The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-01-26
STATE AGRICULTURE
OF PRESENT CAUCED
AS EARLY AS 1906
Letter Written by President
DanieIson Forecasting d.
versified Farming Read
PREDICTED DAY OF cow
3assd Prophecy Of Experience
on Minnesota Failure to
Thrive on Wheat Alone

Mandan, N. D.. Jan. 26.-A quarter
of q century ago, men who now direct
he activities Of the Greater North
Dakota association had q clear vision
If North Dakotaas future and were
Urging less dependency on wheat and
greater diversification Of farming in
this state. This developed at the
quarterly meeting OF the associations
BOARD Of directors here, today. when
a letter written January 81. 1906, to
the Fargo Forum by G. E. Danielson,
OF Minot. president of the Greater
North Dakota association. was read.
Mr.. Danielson. now engaged in the
hotel business and long prominent In
state development work, was ut that
time q travelling salesman with the
entire state as his territory. He knew
the years Of great wheat yields we're
numbered and he sounded his warn
Ing day after day to farmers and
business men. Twenty-three years
ago next Thursday he sat In q hotel
at Mandan and outlined his views In
a letter to the Fargo Forum. The
letter appeared Feb. 3, 1906, and re-
vcals how accurately Mr.. Daniclson
had the future difficulties Of North
Dakota agriculture analysed.
Foresaw Turn In Road
will North Dakota's future" Mr..
Danielson wrote, rest on one princi-
pal industry. the raising Of wheat, or
will 1t be necessary for us to turn our
attention TO other. sources Of income?
Is our soil so constituted that We shall
be able to produce bumper crops Of
wheat similar to those Of recent years.
or will we be confronted some Of
these days by q problem Of what is
70 be done to save ourselves?"
"Some Of US who are familiar
through experience with conditions as
they have existed and now exist in
older states like Minnesota know that
wheat was their main support and
they continued to grow poorer the
longer they stuck to 1t. Many families
had to leave their farms and home
steads because they were unable to
continue to produce wheat at q
profit.
NcGIeCte0 the Cow
How much longer are we going to
be entirely dependent on wheat rails
Ing in North Dakota? Shall we con-
tinue until we are forced to make q
change or profit by the experience Of
our neighbors to the east and make
preparations now that will make us
less dependent on grain? What is to
be done? What did they do in Min
nesota and other Of the older states?
They discovered friend In need in
the old dairy COW they had MIXED
and cursed and sighted for years.
1T may be too early to start build
ing creameries In some parts Of North
Dakota but 1t is not too early to
prepare for what Is sure to come.
Take It for granted that wheat can
be raised successfully for the next few
years. But when the necessity Of q
change In our farming system comes,
will We have the proper quality Of
stock to make q success Of balanced
farming? Too many North Dakota
farmers pay no attention whatever to
the breed Of their cows or to COW
testing. Many cows are being kept
ana fed the year round at an actual
expense to the owner instead OF being
source OF revenue. I would venture
to state that only q small percentage
Of cows being MIXED in this state to-
day would not be acceptable to "A ex-
perienced dairy farmer.
Pointed to Butter Trade
Under these conditions we are not
IN q position to make mixed farming
pay and something must be done to
bring about q change. We may not
desire to make 1t radical change.
but It would be gradual so that North
Dakota will be prepared when the
wave Of short wheat yields hits Us.
Do not be afraid that the bottom win
DIP out Of the butter market IL our
farmers 60 into the dairy business.
Immense quantities Of butter are ex-
ported to foreign countries. Farm
land In . dairying section IL worth
from go to 500 an acre. Why not
make North Dakota Z dairy country?
Time will tell what It will be
necessary for us to do, but In the
meantime, improve Is much as nos.
stble on Old Brindle' and make her I
Pct instead Of looking upon her g Z
nuisance"
WIN Conclude with Banquet
The board meeting will be con-
cluded with . banquet tonight ct
which number OF visiting newspaper
nlen and state officers will be guests