The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-03-31

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North Dakota Weather
Awake, North wind; come thou South: blow upon my
garden."-Song Of Solomon.
paraphrasing Oliver Cromwells advice to his soldiers.
"Trust in God and keep your powder dry" Orris w.
Roberts, the veteran weather observer at Bismarck, IS
on record this year as advising farmers that it is per-
tectly proper for them to put their trust in God, but
they should, at the same time, strive to keep moisture
in their cultivated acres by constant and thorough TIL
lage.
One Of the valuable items of local climatic history
pointed out by Roberts IS that North Dakota has had four
wet and 10 dry years since 1917, during which time the
state has accumulated a net deficiency in moisture OF
1852 inches below normal. Stating 1t another way, the
four wet years produced 7L50 inches more precipitation
than was normally expected, but the 10 dry years &C.
cumulated a deficiency of 2432 inches, making a net
loss for the period Of 1852 inches, as stated above.
The past winter in North Dakota has been one of balmy
weather and sunny skies, which has allowed its citizens
to go about their work and play out OF doors IN Shirt
sleeved comfort, and to boast Of North Dakota as a
winter resort comparable to sunny southern California.
This is something that can be used in combating the
untruthful reports about North Dakota winters.
However, when it is considered that the mild and COM
paratively snowless winter Just past put very little mois-
ture into the soil, the satisfaction often expressed 0Vsr
this kind Of weather is not SO convincing.
There was a glorious lack the past winter OF cold. snow,
rain, and slush in extensive areas of the state. The
absence of these elements gave the people q greater de-
gree Of comfort, less work in the care OF livestock, and
smaller fuel bills. On the other hand, It left the soil
in a powder-dry condition, which would have proved q
serious drawback for the 1881 growing season, had not
March come in with more bluster than any lamb could
make. 1t is now taking its departure like a roaring
lion.
To those who are disposed to growl a bit over the un-
seasonable hangover of winter into March, 1t should be
said that such weather Is better late than never" It has
made good much of the deficiency in moisture. It is the
kind of weather which produces that perfection Of plant
growth which has become the wonder and admiration
Of the rest of the country.
1t is the kind of weather which makes possible No. l
hard wheat with a high protein content; healthy and
hardy potatoes and other vegetables that are eagerly
sought as seed stock in warmer ATTITUDES; legumes that
are capturing the nations seed markets; dairy and meat
products that grade No. l wherever they enter the active
field of competition, and a large variety OF fruits that
rate among the best in sweetness and flavor.
It is also the kind of weather that kills disease germs,
stops the growth of weeds. mellows the soil, rids the
country OF tramp life and last but not least, produces
the healthiest race of people known anywhere In the
nation of the world.
Following the general rain Sunday. Director Roberts
and his helpers at the weather bureau made q tour
of Burleigh county to ascertain the depth to which the
million dollar rain" had penetrated the soil. The aver
age was found to be Is inches, which puts this area on
the safe side as far as moisture is concerned.
Conservation of this moisture is a science which every
farmer should learn if he does not know, or knowing
should put into practice, is the conviction expressed by
Mr.. Roberts, who looks upon the branch OF govern
ment he serves as almost wholly an auxiliary Of agricul-
ture. Speaking on this point, Roberts says:
"You will remember that last spring I urged farmers
= - ~.J,~~ >I>S~ -La- ~~.-~ ~-L a Il 4 -
learn that many farmers over the state followed that
advice; but from a census Of the 1880 crop acreage IN
North Dakota we find that a great many did not-in fact,
many increased their acreage, believing that II q general
decrease took place 1t would be well to add . few acres.
This was not as common In North Dakota and other hard
wheat raising states as in the winter wheat regions.
II wish to emphasize again this spring the necessity
for a greater than ever reduction In spring wheat. Diver
sify; cease to be simply . grain farmer; feed your crops
to cattle, hogs and sheep. Then II you do not have more
than the normal rainfall, you will have suffered no loss.
and if the coming season Is dry. your crop will have been
well put in and you will have your share to make your
work q success"
It is not the amount Of rain Or snowfall within .
State that counts in the long run. but the way this mods-
ture is conserved. according to Roberts. He points to
Iowa, with its 32.15 inches Of normal precipitation Is an
example. There the fields often get so dry that the
farmers are forced to almost drag the corn out OF the
ground" to stop the rapid evaporation.
AS North Dakota's annual normal precipitation is only
1884 inches, or half that Of Iowa, the farmers here nsed
to be exceedingly watchful and resourceful In getting the
full benefit Of this moisture.
In his essay on compensation. Emerson points out that
"every advantage has ito tax and every disedventage
its compensation" It might be considered that one OF
North Dakotas disadvantages i that It dos not re-
ceive as much rainfall rs other states. but Roberta points
out that three-fourtts Of the moisture recstySd here
comes during the planting and growing season. This fAc'
~ ,#.... - ~ 49, - cAAe.s~ q - no>u0AdlAtAAN
which should gladden. ths hsart d evefy citizen d Nettf
Dakota.
Business on the up and Up
I'VE are climbing with tears in our eyes" = the cap
zion over ! recent article in the DRY Goods Economist
which urges . more cheerful business outlook. Pau
naock. eastern publisher, In f~ront-pass editosies apDsar