GRASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS OF THE DAKOTAS. 
GENERAL NOTES ON THE FORAGE CONDITIONS IN THE DAKOTAS. 
FEATURES OF THE FARMING AND STOCK-RAISING REGIONS. 
The distinctively farming and stock-raising regions of the Dakotas 
are separated by more or less widely differing geologieal and meteoro- 
logical conditions. In North Dakota the lands drained by the Red 
River of the North, the James River, and the Turtle Mountain slope of 
Mouse River are especially adapted to general agriculture. The rain- 
fall, temperature, and charaeter of the soil make this whole district 
peculiarly favorable to the growth of small grains. 
These lands include about one-third of the entire State, and are given 
over chiefly to the growing of wheat, though other small grains are 
grown in large quantities. Nearly all varieties of flint corn and the 
early varieties of dent do well in this region, and many varieties which 
will not ripen seed on account of the shortness of the season can be prof- 
itably grown for forage. The straw from the fields of wheat and other 
small grains furnishes an almost inexhaustible supply of “roughness” 
for stock feeding. Root crops are easily grown, and are fed with the 
Straw and the various by-products of small grain to a great advantage. 
In South Dakota the lands adapted to general agriculture are those 
drained by the Sioux and James rivers, those of the Big Stone Basin, 
the lower Missouri Valley, and the rich valleys of the Black Hills region. 
While, as with North Dakota, a considerable portion of these lands 
is devoted chiefly to wheat raising, many of them are well adapted to 
the growing of corn, flax, and other erops, and diversified farming is 
becoming more and more popular each year. Excellent erops of corn 
are grown in the lower Missouri Valley, the Sioux Valley, and the Big 
Stone Basin. 
During the past few years a great many creameries have been estab- 
lished in various parts of the State, and this industry is being earried 
on with a high degree of success. The excellent quality of the native 
forage enables the creameries to send out such a fine product that 
Dakota butter is becoming famous and commands high prices in the 
markets. 
What is said here n apply to soutl Minnesota, northwestern Nebraska, 
eastern Montana, and northeastern Wyoming. 
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