324 



THIRD ANNUAL SESSIONS 



ture available. If any one or all of the other conditions should exist, 

 the importance of the last factor would be increased. 



Acreage Yields. 



It is absurd to believe larger yields can be secured under dry farm- 

 ing conditions than in the rain belt or irrigated sections, unless there be 

 other conditions which bear uron the results other than the amount of 

 water. It requires very nearly the same quantity of water to produce a 

 given product in the different sections, but the difference seems to be in 

 favor of the humid sections. To be just in our consideration of the mat- 

 ter, it must be added that there are certain superior conditions in the 

 semi-arid belt which tend to offset this difference, — cheaper land, easier 

 cultivation, etc. But after all is said pro and con it must be admitted 

 that dry farming crops are as a rule smaller, and ofter much smaller, 

 than those grown in the humid belt or under irrigation. 



It is far from my intention to discourage the practice of dry farm- 

 ing. Let the yields be smaller. Remember that these crops are grown 

 upon exceptionally cheap lands and in sections where large holdings are 



Estimated Profits. 



not only tolerated but must necessarily be encouraged. Profits, in the 

 end, must be figured upon the investment plus the cost of working force 

 whether it is man, beast, or machinery, and nio such yields are necessary 

 upon $10 and $20 land as upon $50 and $100 land in order to realize 

 a fair profit. A yield of 15 bushels per acre is much better on $20 land 

 than 30 bushels on $50 or $100 land. Furthermore, the conditions are 

 most favorable for extensive operations, whereby the profits may be in- 

 creased in proportiion to the area and investment. 



Harvesting and Storing. 



After the expense of growing a crop is borne, care and judgment 

 should be exercised in harvesting and storing. If crops are to be used 

 for hay, cutting should be done when the seed is in the early drouth stage. 

 If the -area is large and the force small then cutting must begin somewhat 

 earlier in order to care for all the crop before it has ripened its seed 

 sufficiently to shatter badly. The curing of hay should be in as thick 

 layers as practicable under the climatic conditions, so that there will be 

 as little exposure to the air as possible, and of course the operation of 

 gathering and stacking when cured should be as rapid as possible. 



If the forage is to be fed to stock on the farm, storage bams and 

 sheds will quickly i>ay for themselves. Crops, that are to be harvested 

 for their seeds should be cut somewhat before they are dead ripe. If 

 left until fully ripe before harvesting is begun much of the crop may be- 

 come too ripe before it is completed, resulting in a great loss of grain 

 by shattering when it is bei'iig" hauled. This is particularly true in dry 

 farming districts for the reason that the atmosphere is usually rather 

 dry, and therefore it quickly removes the moisture from the crop when 

 nearly ripe. It is important to provide granaries for the storage of grain. 



