The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-05-11

result OF poor feed. This condition
was said to be general throughout the
western part of the state.
In a statement at Fargo, Ben Kien-
holz, federal agricultural statistician,
said the condition of hay and pas
ture lands throughout the state as q
whole on May was the poorest since
federal surveys were begun in tho
state.
Since then dust storms and lack
OF rain have aggravated the condi-
ton.
From several sources. however.
came indications that the government
would extend aid to hard-pressed
farmers IN their struggle for existence.
Will Extend Allotment
George E. Farrell. head of the wheat
section OF the farm administration,
announced at Washington that the
production control campaign would b.
extended to May Is to allow more
farmers to sign. He said this would
act as sort Of crop insurance to farm
ers who may get nothing from their
land.
AS he spoke clouds Of dust, swept
eastward from the drouth-stricken
area. swirled high over the national
capitol. partially obscuring the sun.
He expressed the view that, in some
cases. allotment payments would rep
resent the sole income of some farm
erS.
University extension officials OF
Minnesota. North and South Dakota
announced a meeting at st. Paul for
Saturday at which the situation will
be canvaSsed with view to recon-
mending feed and seed relief measures
to the government. There was pros
pect. too, that government consent
might be asked to use land retired
under the wheat allotment for the
production Of forage, including corn
fodder.
A Minnesota official said many
farmers had borrowed money to buy
seed and, facing the need for replant-
ing. were helpless.
Kienholz' estimate was that on May
! tame hay was 80 per cent OF nor
NAL and pastures were "a per cent
Of normal.
Rye Outlook il Poor
His report also estimated the con-
dition Of rye at 49 per cent of nor
nal. with All indicated harvest OF
100000 bushels. Last fall, tentative
federal figures show, North Dakota
farmers harvested 3,7l2,OO0 bushels as
compared with 1885 900 bushels in
1881 and 1908, 900 in 1882. There
was heavy rye acreage in 80 with
favorable weather conditions.
Reports to Kienholz indicated that,
as OF May l. $4,000 acres planted
last fall to rye would be harvested.
Conditions here were paralleled by
those in other parts of the north
American continent from Canada to
Texas. Everywhere the story was the
same, bringing worry to farmer and
city man alike. The prairies and plains
were parched and sunbaked and swirl
ing "black billiards." filled the air.
A note OF hope was the forecast OF
local showers Friday night in Me-
braska and North and South Dakota.
and in Iowa Friday.
Elsewhere no relief was in SIGHT.
Freezing temperatures ACCOMPANIED
the decline Of Thursdays dust storm
in Eastern North Dakota and Minne-
sofa. the minimum temperatures be-
ing % at Pembina and a at Grand
Forks.
Light showers have fallen In the
Chicago area-the first in % days
and IN Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas,
but they were regarded as Of little
value. The Chicago board Of trade
took cognizance Of the situation ard
the prices Of all future deliveries OF
wheat skyrocketed five cents THUS
day.
Strong Winds Cause Havoc
Whipped by strong winds, the dust
clouds from the vast plains Of west
ern Canada swept across the border
with undying intensity Thursday,
befogging the entire area from Nom
tana on the west, Texas on the south
and the Ohio valley on the east.
So thick were the floating sheets Of
Continued on Page TWo)