Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 74, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 December 1914 — AlbeVt Bouk Prospering in North Dakota. [ARTICLE]

AlbeVt Bouk Prospering in North Dakota.

Norwich, N. D., Dec. 7, ’l4. Editor Democrat: I have yours ot recent date asking for a two to five hundred word letter—five hundred words don’t go far when you talk about North Dakota. To begin my story, I don’t think that this is the best place on earth, but I do think it is the best place I ever lived in and the longer I live here the better I like it. One big reason for liking it is that we have a uniformly rich soil that is easily farmed and that will produce nearly all kinds of crops raised in the north half of the U. S. This land responds readily to good treatment and since it is now a proven fact that this is the real home of the best alfalfa on earth and that sweet clover and diversified farming will keep up the fertility of our land, why haven’t we got something good? Nearly every farmer here this year raised good ripe corn that aver aged from 25 to 60 bushels per acre Many silos were built this year and each year v r ill seee an increased number of them. Wheat farming is the principal business here as yet, and though the crop was cut short about one-third or more. of what it would have been by black rust, the county bad the biggest crop ever, save one, that of 1912, and business is good and money easy. There was a big acreage out but the average yield was only about 15 bushels, but the price being good helped out. I was Just a bit lucky in having a new w'heat—the Marquis—which yielded much better owing to its earliness and being more hardy, for me'lD to 20 bushels.'’ I raised 4§26 bushels of wheat this year. During the seven seasons 1 have raised wheat here, I have raised an average of 3,094 bushels per year and the’ average selling price has been ,90 cents per bushel. Most of the time I rented some ground and usually had tb give one r half of the rented crop. I have raised some good flax also. One year r had SI,BOO worth of flax on 46 acres. If given a chance oats make goo a here, often going 60 to 70 bushels per acre. It’s poor oats that won’t weigh 38 to 40 pounds per bushel

here. Barley is usually a good crop if put in well. Millet will mgke two tons per acre most any year. Potatoes will make 100 to 300 bushels per acre any ordinary year most any place you put them on the farm. Owing to distance from market toes are an uncertain money crop. Many hogs were raised here this year, but farmers - jre discouraged about the prices. Early in the fall they were worth $7.25, now only $6. Good young cattle are worth about 6c; good average cows S6O and up. Horses any price up to $175 for a topnotcher. Produce in Minot: Eggs, 35c; butter, 35c; potatoes, 40c (market full now); turkeys, 15c, dressed; chickens, 10c; veal, 12c. Recent prices of grain: Wheat, northern, $1.04; Duram, $1.14; rye, 92c; barley, 50c; oats, 38c. We pay now for sugar $5.60 per 100 pounds; coal oil, 1114 c gallon in 50-gallon lot. We paid $1,25 for fancy box apples, 40 pounds. Usually pay $1.65 to $2.25. Farm machinery, etc.: Deering 8-foot binder $160; corn binder, $140; Deering Giant mower, SSO; John Deere extra heavy gang plow, $65 without hitch 4 lays; wagons, from $75 to $9 0, owing to kind. Farm hands cost S4O per month for season. Harvest hands cost $2.50 per day; threshing hands, $3. Fuel comes pretty high. It costs me S6O per year, but it seems easy and worth it—no labor. Our lignite is nice and clean, and hard coal, so easy to care for the fire, costs $11.50. We use 2% tons per winter.

North Dakota school laws and standards are very much like those of Indiana, but owing to scarcity of competent teachers school officers often have to hire inferior teachers for small schools. Our township has consolidated schools and good teachers. Expensive but perhaps best in the end. The weather for 1914 has been the best since I have been here except it was a little too hot during July. Last winter was a fine one and this one is starting in just like it. Nearly everybody got done plowing this fall. That means a big acreage of early wheat next year. I had a man plowing about 40 days and he got 275 acres plowed. Have over 300 acres ready for crop. Having exceeded the word limit, I will close, wishing old friends a Merry Christmas and a Happy New

Year.

A. L. BOUK.