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Show THE TRANS-MISSOURI DRY FARMING CONGRESS. The second session of the Trans-Missouri Trans-Missouri Dry Farming Congress is drawing to a close as this is being written. Of all the conventions which have met in Salt Lake City, this congress has been the most successful, suc-cessful, when the age of the organization organi-zation is taken into consideration, and very few have been its equal in many respects. The pressnt congress drew to 's deliberation; a greater number of the noted scientists and experts along the line of agriculture and kindred subjects, than have ever been con-greatcd con-greatcd together under one roof, ii. the west. There were also among the delegates many of the leaditnr. arid farmers of the country, who added the sum of their great experience experi-ence in this line of industry to that of the more scientific researches of the experts from the various bureaus of plant and animal industry connected connect-ed with the Department of Agriculture Agricul-ture at the capital city of the nation. The congress was also a most representative rep-resentative one, there being sixteen states and territories represented in the various delegations. . Each of these sent to the convention - the brightest minds connected with the industry. They were present for the purpose of comparing notes both to give and receive anything which could advance the science of arid land farming, and the good which' will accrue ac-crue to the industry will be of a most lasting character. Utah, which was the pioneer both of irrigation and dry farming, was extensively represented, and the attendance at-tendance was not confined to its accredited ac-credited delegation, but many of the farmers of the state were present to learn of the methods employer! to conserve the moisture in the arid soils and all the details which go to make a success of the industry. There is no question but that an impetus im-petus will be given to dry farming in the state in consequence of this, which will bear fruit in the rcclama tion of thousands of acres of land within its borders. To a great extent the congress owes the success of the present session ses-sion to the efforts of its retiring president, Fisher S. Harris, who though physically unable through the loss of his voice to direct the deliberations of the convention, was ever on hand to lend aid to thoe who filled his place, and in his quiet way to keep the ball rolling. His successor, Gov. B. B. Brooks, of Wyoming is likewise made of the right stuff, and he future of the congress con-gress is assured. Space is too limited to give in detail de-tail all of the many excellent and instructive in-structive papers which were read before be-fore the congress. Among them however how-ever may be mentioned that of Prot. E. C. Chilcott who has charge of the Office of the Dry Land Agriculture Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, Washing-ton, D. C. His discussion of Dry Farming, Past and Present, was a history of the industry in the past, and from date and experiments gathered gath-ered under his direction, the future was mapped out, which beyond all question will aid to the area capable cap-able of cultivating millions of acres in the arid and semi-arid lands of the West. The paper on Utilization of limited water supplies on dry farms, by Prof. Samuel Fortier, Chief of Irrigation Investigation Bureau Of Plant In-ustry In-ustry of the Department of Agriculture, Agricul-ture, was one of the most instructive instruc-tive of the congress. In it he discussed dis-cussed the manner in which homes could be made of the arid tracts and water enough .sitored for culinary purposes and for the use of the needed need-ed animals upon the farm. Dry land Tree Crops, was discussed by Prof. S. C. Mason of the office of plant life history, Bureau of Plant Industry, Indus-try, Washington, D. C. The climatic clima-tic and soil moisture conditions of the Great Plains was exhaustively treated by Dr. L. J. Briggs, who has charge of the Physical Laboratory of the same bureau. Possibly the most exhaustive study of any question discussed at the congress con-gress was that of Dr. John H. Widt-soe, Widt-soe, president of the Agricultura' College of Utah, while that of Prof. Alfred Atkinson of the Montana Experiment Ex-periment Station on a kindred subject sub-ject was deep and far reaching in its scope. e were very many other instructive in-structive papers read before the convention, con-vention, which will materially advance ad-vance the industry all over the arid region. Dry farming as an industry is so recent in its application over a large portion of the country that of a ne- 1 H cessity there will be. many things H where the action of the Government I H is needed to protect its interests. It H is to conventions of this kind that H the various departments must look H for suggestions along these lines. H Many of these questions have been H discussed during the pr'cscnt icon- iH grcss, and many more will be under iH discussion before its close. The iH Snioot Bill, regarding the securing 11 of government lauds for dry farming jH purposes was h'ghly commended, as jH it is one of the prime necessities of iM the industry. The relation of the dry farmer to the grazing industry, was M a question which brought out a great M amount of discussion, and from the M conclusions arrived at, steps will be M taken to harmonize 'he two so as to M conserve the best interests of both. H To all who watched the dclibcra- H tions of the congress, one thought M was pressed home. Arid farming is M no longer an experiment. Scientific M methods of cultivating the arid soils, M so as to conserve the natural mois- M turc for the use of the plants dur- M ing the rainless summer months; the M selection and the evolution of plants H which arc the best suited to uuirri- M gated tracts, and the sensible use of M the waters which arc available even U in the d scrt, will add millions of M acres to the arable lands of the M country. Where one acre has been M reclaimed by the means of irrigation, M five will be rendered productive by fl the means of scientific dry farming. The future of the congress is as- M surcd. It will and docs occupy a H place in the development of the arid H and semi-arid west that no other H organization can occupy, and it is H second to none in importance of it. H material well being. H |