The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1947-01-23
ANNUAL REPORT OF SOIL
CONSERVATION DISTRICT

plan, major acIlVlLlSS OF tnS LIS
trict include:
/. Operation of heavy equipment
in land clearing, and in construction
and cleaning of irrigation canals and
bitches.
2. Furnishing technical assistance
in establishing or improving irriga-
ton systems, control structures, and
irrigation practices.
3. Conduction of fertilizer and
grass tests to assist cooperators in
determining the most suitable land
management practices.
A. announcement of cooperative
programs for the control of rodents
and weeds.
The heavy machinery program IS
well under way, but many diff
culties have been encountered, and
heavy expense incurred during the
first season of operation have pre-
vented the supervisors so far from
balancing the budget. An RD-7
tractor was secured on loan from
the Soil Conservation Service IN
March. To equip this machine for
land clearing, the blade frame was
rebuilt and a comb blade was pur-
chased, at cost to the District OF
$780, During the season extensive
repairs were necessary, and, at pres
ent, the cat is out of commission
with a broken transmission case. As
? result. income at 81 per hour for
work done during the season has
not eoualled expenses. The at
tached statistical report, however,
shows that a considerable amount
of land clearing and ditch construc-
lion was completed. Under work
inc agreement with the Glen Lake
Irrigation District, a large earth fill
was constructed and extensive re-
pair and cleaning of canals and din
ches was accomplished.
Grass variety trails and fertilizer
test work was continued. Three new
sets of fertilizer plots, two on hay
and one on grain, were established.
Though some interesting results |
have been obtained with grass
trials, the fertilizer tests have been
inconclusive.
Emphasis on weed control has
helped to create interest among far
mers in this problem. This season
a cooperative chemical control pro-
gram supervised by the Extension
Service and finances by the county
was initiated.
Soil surveys have been completed
on the farms of all applicants, COW
ering about 1000 acres, and twenty
new farm plans. were signed this
year.
Plans are underway to assist a
group of cooperators in the Upper
Fortine Creek district in determin
ing the feasibility of establishing an
extensive irrigation project in that
territory.
The various accomplishments of
the District are covered in more
detail in the appended statistical
report.
Educational Program
Various means have been en-
ployed to interest farmers and other
residents of the valley with the
purposes of the District program
and the service rendered. Several
talks have been given at meetings
of farmer groups within the District
and in adjoining territory. Assis-
lance has been given to farm or
CARNATIONS in obtaining films fea-
turing conservation farming. A
tour of fertilizer and grass plots was
conducted early in the season. An
educational exhibit was set up at
The Community Fair in September
and frequent feature articles have
been presented in the county news
paper.
Conclusions Regarding the
District Program
/. In order to fully acquaint non .
with the District pro-
gram. our educational activities need
to be further enlarged and inten
sified.
2. There is need for greater in
terest on the part of cooperators
in methods of increasing the stock
carrying capacity of available lands
while preventing overgrazing and
soil erosion, establish
ment of irrigated pastures and re-
seeding of ranges are essential
needs.
3. AS a basis for efficient and
ADEQUATE fertilizer application on
Individual farms, field trials and
test plots under a wide variety of
soil and moisture conditions are
needed
4 Means should be found to slim
lIate greater interest on the part of
farmers in increasing productivity
IF present lands through the use
Of improved crop varieties, ade-
Iuate fertilizer application, thorough
weed control, and the use of adap-
ed rotations.
5. The Supervisors must devise
means of accomplishing their own
farming operations in less than 100
lours per week. so some time can
3e devoted to carrying out the Dis
rict program.
to Assisting Agencies
l. There is a definite need for
extensive research work in north
western Montana in the fields OF
oils, fertilizers, crop varieties, If
igation methods, weed control,
ange management, timber culture,
md related agricultural problems.
Is one means of carrying out this
esearch, we strongly urge that
,ranch experiment station be es-