374 DRY-FARMING 



to make a living, yet this conservatism has tended 

 to hinder the advancement of dry-farming and has 

 placed the departmental investigations of dry- 

 farming in point of time behind the pioneer investi- 

 gations of the subject. 



The Dry-farming Congress 



As the great dry-farm wave swept over the coun- 

 try, the need was felt on the part of experts and lay- 

 men of some means whereby dry-farm ideas from all 

 parts of the country could be exchanged. Private 

 individuals by the thousands and numerous state 

 and governmental stations were working separately 

 and seldom had a chance of comparing notes and dis- 

 cussing problems. A need was felt for some central 

 dry-farm organization. .Vn attempt to fill this need 

 was made by the people of Denver, Colorado, when 

 Governor Jesse F. McDonald of Colorado issued a 

 call for the first Dry-farming Congress to be held in 

 Denver, January 24, 25, and 26, 1907. These dates 

 were those of the annual stock show which had 

 become a permanent institution of Denver and, in 

 fact, some of those who were instrumental in the 

 calling of the Dry-farming Congress thought that it 

 was a good scheme to bring more people to the stock 

 show. To the surprise of many the Dry-farming 

 Congress became the leading feature of the week. 

 Representatives were present from practically all 



