The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-01-13
(Official City, State and County
Newspapcr)
Foreign Representatives
SMALL, SPENCER, LEVINGS
& BREWER
UncorporateO
CHICAGO NEW YORK BOSTOl
A Thing of Today

A Thing of Today
Reams Of propaganda about the
benefit to North Dakota agriculture
OF the COW. the sow and the hen, have
led many Of us to regard this develop
ment 6 thing OF the future. A visit
to the Missouri Slope Poultry show,
which opened Tuesday in the World
War Memorial building, furnishes
ample proof that 1t Is a thing of to-
day, In 50 far as the poultry indus
try Is concerned.
Here we see clear demonstration
that poultry Is with us to stay and
that the quality as well as the guam
lity IS improving. From by-proIuct
Of the farm, designed to give the
farm wife pin money" poultry has
become . major product. Statistics
Of recent years indicate that poultry
returns rival returns from the wheat
crop in Importance and value.
In way 1t Is more important, for
returns from poultry are available at
practically all seasons Of the year and
the industrious hen has done much
to keep farm folk comfortably cloth
cd and fed this year.
Experts who have watched the de-
velopment of the Missouri Slope show
say the most important phase is the
improvement in the average size and
quality of birds displayed. and this
in turn. is REFLECTION of the increas-
ing importance which poultry plays
in the economic scheme.
When farm flocks were a by-prod-
uct they received by-product treat
ment. Now that they are major
concern they are receiving increasing
attention and study It seems safe
to say that the average farmer has
given more time in recent years to
learning the best ways of raising
poultry and of bringing it to market
than he has given to the question Of
how to raise and market wheat.
Exhibits offered at the show prove
the assertions Of local poultry en-
thusiasts and producemen that the
industry is in good shape in this ter
ritory. All of the better farmers have
kept their farm flocks and are striv-
ing to increase the quality, both from
the standpoint of egg and meat pro-
duction. The general tendency has
been toward a heavy type Of general
purpose chicken which will provide
income both from the sale Of eggs
and from the sale of the birds them
selves. ~
A review of the recent turkey mar
keting season shows that many farm
ers received more for these historic
birds than they received from their
grain crops. Compared to many other
farm products, the price was rela-
lively good and lower retail prices
for manufactured goods increased the
purchasing power of the turkey dol
lar. For many families. the market
ing of turkeys meant the difference
between actual want and relative
comfort.
The better farmers, we are told, are
preserving their foundation stock and
are making real effort to breed bet
ter birds. They see that it costs Just
as much to raise poor turkey or
chicken as good one.
Agricultural historians tell US that
the poultry and dairy industries al
ways have led the way up from agrt-
cultural depression. There Is no rea-
son to believe the present circum-
stance will prove an exception to the
rule.
But outside Of its really significant
phases. the poultry show Is worth
visiting, even for the man who has nc
direct interest In poultry progress
Beauty Is on display in the gres,
auditorium Is well Is colorful life anc
activity. Experimenting the chicken
and turkeys sof the commoner breeds
there are other birds which xtll 4t.
tract keen interest. The city man q.
wen as the farmer win find It vel
worth his while to spend . halt houl
81 more visiting the various exhibits