The Bismarck Tribune from Bismarck, North Dakota • Page 3

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1911 WASHINGTON, D. Sept. Census Director Ourand gave out today an. important advance statement from the Bureau of the Census containing figures and details of the agricultural staBtistics of the continental United States collected at the teenth Decennial Census, April 15th, 1910. It is based on the preliminary comparative summary submitted by Dr.

LeOrand Powers, chief statistician for the Bureau of the Census and it supplements a brief preliminary notice issued in July last. The figures here given are subject to revision, inasmuch as there is a small number of farms, the returns for which are incomplete, which will be included in the final tables. Such additions, however, will not materially modify either the amounts or the rates here stated. Further information with regard to the acreages and yields of the various 'crops and numoer and value of the domestic animals in the United will be yubished later, when the tabulation of th" material has been completed. Slow Increase in Number of Farms.

During the ten years which followed the census of 1000, the population of the United States increased 21 per cent, but the number of farms did not keep pace with the increase in population. From 5,737,372 in 1900 the number grew to 6,340,357, an increase of or 10.5 per cent. For the whole United States thiB is the lowest rate of Increase which has been noted since the number of farms was first recorded inl850. Measured by the number of farms, agriculture exhibits a diminished rate of increase, and in large areas of the country is practically stationary. Land in Farms.

The small growth in the number of farmg has not been compensated by any growth in tits size of the farms, the average number of acres in farms having decreased from 146 in 1900 to 138 in 1910. The increase in the total acreage devoted to agriculture was only 36,137,000 acres, or 4.2 per cent. The actual area in farms was 838,502,000 acres In 1900, and 873,729,000 acres in 1910. Increase in Improved Land. Improved land, however, increased more rapidly than the total farm acreage or number of farms, the advance being 414,490,000 acres In 1900, to 477.448,000 acres in 1010, a gain of 62,049,000 acres, or 16.2 per cent in ten years.

Yet this percentage of increase was only about two-thirds the growth of the population, showing at the best the number of acres under cultivation and used for the production of crops had not kept pace with the increase in the number of people. Increase in Farm Values. In striking contrast with the slow growth in the number and acreage of farms and the area of improved land during the ten years is the enormous rise which has occurred in the value of farm property. Farm land, exclusive of buildings, which was valued at $13,058,008,000 in 1000, had more than doubled before 1910, being then returned as having a value of $28,386,770,000. The enormous Increase here recorded of $15,328,762,000 represents an advance of 117.4 per cent in the value of all land in farms.

It is immediately evident that the relatively small increase in' the total acreage of farm land, 4.2 per cent, was one of the least important of the factors causing the great increase in aggregate value. The average value of farm land per acre increased from $15.57 in 1900 to $32.49 in 1910, a gain of $16.92 per acre, or 108.7 per cent. Of the factors contributing to this increase in the average value of land the most important is doubtless that of advancing farm prices of agricultural products. This has increased the income-producing power of the farm and correspondingly influenced the selling price or value of farm land. It is probable also that In calculating the value of farm lands it has become customary to capitalize the incomeproducing power at a lower rate of interest than formerly.

This might be true, despite the fact that interest rates in general have probably not fallen, because of the reduction in the risk of farming business. Another important factor operative in the increasing total and average value of the farm land throughout the United States has been cost of improving what was previously unimproved land, including the for the irrigation of dry land, draining swamp land, tiling and constructing surface drains for wet lands' removing stones and stumps, clearing away brush, breaking up prairie land, building fences and making other improvements exclusive of buildings. cording to the census report these changes affected 62,949,000 acres. In addition the farmers expended much labor and money for increasing the improvements of various kinds upon land which had been reported as improved Jn 1900. Allied to the foregoing expenditures were those made by the farmers in the form of taxes for securing improved roads, building bridges, constructing schoolhouses and making other community improvements, which have doubtless increased farm values.

The fact that desirable free land has practically 'disappeared, resulting in an increase in! the number of buyers, and that this number has been augmented by an increased demand for in the open country, has caused an upward movement in values. At the same time the owners of farm lands are less willing to sell than formerly, appreciating as they do the lower cost of living in the country as well as the growing importance of land ownership. They place a value on the farm as a home as well as a place to work for a living. Tn connection with the increase in the average value of farm land, it is interesting to note the fact that in the past decade, as for many decades previously, there has been a much more rapid increase in urban than in rural population. The population classed by the Census Bureau as urban constituted 46.3 per cent of the total in 1910 as compared with 40.5 per cent in 11900.

In several states, and in many counties in other states, there has been an actual decrease in rural population since 1900, and in most areas where this is true there has been a remarkable increase in values of farm I Farm Buildings, Implements, and Machinery. It is not alone the farm land which has increased in value. Farm buildings valued in 1900 as $3,556,640,000 'have increased to $6,294,737,000 in 1910, a growth of 77 per cent. Implements and machinery show a corresponding but slightly less pronounced growth in value. In 1900 they repre1 sented $749,776,000 and in 1910 $1,262,022,000, an increase in value of 68.3 per cent.

Expenditures for Labor and Fertiizers. Hired labor on the farms of the United States absorbed in 1900 an expenditure of $357,392,000 and in 1910 $645,612,000, an increase of 80.6 per cent. Expenditures for fertilizers are much less important, being in 1910 $114,277,000. Compared, however, with an expenditure of $53,432,000 in 1900, this represents an increase of 113.9 per cent. White and Colored Farmers.

The number of farms operated by white farmers was 5,422,892, or 85.5 per cent of all farms, while the number operated by the negro and other non-white farmers was 917,465, or 14.5 per cent of the whole. This is a slight increase in the proportion of negro and other non-white farmers, the proportion of farms operated by them ten years ago being 13.4 per cent. this increase in the proportionate number of negro farmers means any increase in the relative extent of farming conducted by the negros cannot be determined till further tabulations are made showing the size of the farms, by the color of farmer. Ownership and Tenure. The total number of farms operated by the owners, including those owning only part of the land operated by them was 3,933,705 in 1910 compared with 3,653,323 in 1900, an increase of 280,382.

The total number operated in 1910 by tenants was 2 349,254, a against 2,024,964 in 1900, an in crease of 324,290. The number conducted by the hired managers was 57,398 in 1910 and 59,085 in 1900, a decrease of 1,687. The farms operated by the owners constituted 62 per cent of the whole number of farms in 1910 and 63.7 per cent in 1900 those operated by the tenants 37.1 per cent in "1910 and 35.3 per cent in 1900 and those conducted by managers 1 per cent at both censuses. In 1890 the percentage of farms operated by those conducted by managers, was 71.6 per cent. This indicated that the decrease in the proportion of farms operated by owners was less during the last ten years than during the preceding ten years.

Farm Mortgages. Of the total number of farms, 3,933,705, operated in 1910 by owners, there were 2,622,341, or 66.7 per cent, reported as "owned free from debt," while 1,311,364, or 33.3 per cent, were reported as mortgaged. There' were 45,975" farms for which no mortgage report was secured, and these are included in the farms reported as free from debt. Tlje Census Bureau has no information respecting the indebtedness in farms leased to tenants or operated by managers. In 1900 information was secured concerning the "owned farm homes." At that time 2,545,239, or 70 per cent, were reported as "free from debt," while 1,093,164, or 30 per eent, were reported as mortgaged.

There were 126,059 farms in 1900 for which no mortgage report was secured, and these were included with the farm homes reported as "free from debt." There has thus been a considerably greater increase in the number of mortgaged farms than in the number of farms free from mortgage. The increase in the proportion of motgaged farms from 1900 to 1910 however, was less than that from 1890 to 1900. Farms Distributed Into Size Groups. The statement relating to farms distributed according tc size groups shows that those '19 acres and under." numbered 829,303 in 1910 and 673,870 in 1900, a gain of 155,433 those "20 to 49 acres," 1,410,992 in 1910 and 1,257,496 in 1900, a gain of 153,496 those "50 to 99 acres," 1.435,743 in 1910 and 1,366,038 in 1900, an increase of 69,705 those "100 to 174 acres," 1,513,235 in 1910 and 1,422 262 in 1900, a gain of 90.97^ those "174 to 499 acres." 976,579 in 1910 and 868,020 in 1900, an increase of 108 577 those "500 to 999 acres," 124,883 in 1910 and 102,526 in 1900, a gain of 22,357, and those acres and over," 49,604 in 1910 and 47,160 in 1900 a gain of 2,444. The farms of each size group thus increased in absolute number, but the increases w-ere at dif ferent rates, so that there are some appreciable changes in the proportion of farms failing in the respective classes.

Acreage Group Proportions? Of the whole number of farms those "19 acres and under" formed 13.1 per cent in 1910 and 11.7 per cent in 1900 those "20 to 49 acres." 22.3 per cent in 1910 and 21.9 per cent in 1900 those "50 to 99 acres," 22.6 per cent in 1910 and 23.8 per cent in 1900 those "100 to 174 acres," 23.9 per cent in 1910 and 24.8 per cent in 1900: those "175 to 474 acres," 15.4 per cent in 1910 and 15.1 pef cent in 1900 those "over 500 acres," 2.8 per cent in 1910 and 2.6 per cent in 1900 There has thus been a stigbt relative decrease in the medium sized farms. namely, in the two groups falling between the 50 and 174 acres in size, I as contrasted with a slight relative increase in farms below as well as in' farms above these limits. UNWRITTEN LAWS Man Dare Not Place Them Upon the Statute Books. THE SHIP CAPTAIN'S CODE. Demands That the Skipper Shall Go Down With His Vessel if She Be Lost, and It la Held Iron Law of the Army and Navy.

There is a class of unwritten law which does not and cannot become written law. says Case and Comment, because it approaches so near the danger line that man dare not recognize it to the extent of publishing it and declaring it as a part of the positive law. It is the unwritten law of the sea that a captain must go down with bis ship. Men dare not write it into the contract, and nations dare not incorporate it in their navy or marine regulations, yet the tyrants of the sea know the law and believe that to obey it betters their service, and there are few instances of its being disregarded. It is the unwritten law of the army and navy that an officer shall not seek cover, or at least shall not show apprehension of danger to his person In time of battle and in the presence of enlisted men or common sailors.

In the Franco-Prussian war nearly 4,000 officers of tbe German army were killed, and tbe great majority of them gave up their lives because they believed in this law of conduct In obedience to this law Farragut bound himself to ttte mast. Lee rode at tbe bead of his charging column at the bloody angle, and Lawton walked coolly in front of tbe line and was shot in tbe presence of his men. Tbe law of the right of revolution has been much talked about and much written about. Every intelligent believes that be has the right under certain conditions to oppose the established government of bis own land and Join in an effort to establish another in its place. Just prior to and daring tbe war between tbe states there was much discussion in this country by learned men on either side of tbe right of revolution and the "higher power" and the "greater law." Tbe law justifying one person in tbe killing of another has required tbe serious consideration of every country.

Every criminal code provides certain punishments for homicide, and many of them graduate tbe punishment with minute particularity, according to tbe circumstances of tbe killing, so that any one of six crimes may be involved in a single tragedy. Such codes also attempt to define what killing is justifiable and what is excusable and with their interpretation by the courts attempts to describe tbe only conditions under whicb one human being can kill another and nor be guilty of crime. Tbe Hebrew code almost stands alone in its recognition of man's desire to kill and bis right to have that desire and that climax of all satisfactions ivbicb come to him who under great provocation slays another. It is not at all strange that in this branch there should be au extended code of unwritten as written law. unwritten now and always to be unwritten for the reason that tbe recognition given by its embodiment in the statutes would be taken as a license by dishonest men and would result in harm rather thau good It is au unwritten law among tbe officers of the army that if a subordi nate officer kills a superior officer because that officer has publicly degraded him by striking him or by other action equally humiliating then the court martial will uot convict.

During the war between tbe states on a memorable occasion at Louisville. General Nelson said to General Davis: 'How many men have you?" General Davis replied. an approximate number. Nelson said: "You an army officer and say Why don't you 'know' bow many men you have?" And with that be struck Davis in tbe face with his glove. Davis shot and killed him.

and the court martial acquitted Davis. BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA DRY FARMING MAKES GOOD The reports from the 1911 threshing machines are not such as to make the average farmer jubilant, yields were not expected. Many farmers thought they had fair yields, but some of the estimated yields have had to be cut down 50 per cent or even more. At the Dickinson experiment station we were figuring on some of our pieces going from 10 to 12 bushels to the acre, but find instead of that, yjelds nearer five or six. Some of the old timers have told us, who have recently started in farming, that they guessed this was their last year of farming, the yields were not encouraging enough for them.

It js unfortunate that we have such years as this but they seem to occur most everywhere. Crops fail from some cause or another when it is not drouth it is something else equally as bad. However, if the dry weather js not too severe it is possible to avoid some of the il effects of drouth. And to learn how to do this was one of the reasons for establishing fie experiment Dickinson. This is realy the first year where the conditions have been good for determining whether some of our dry farming theories would work out jn a really dry year.

We are glad to report that at least some of them have worked out to our great satisfaction, and it may be a good idea to give some of our results. The yields of wheat after corn were generally decidedly disappointing. We had hoped even in a dry year that wheat after well cultivated corn would show pretty wel, but thjs has not been the case in 1911. The average yield of wheat after corn has been around 5 bushels per acre. Our land that was farmed strictly according to dry farming methods tells a different story.

As many readers know our beBt looking wheat was grown on cleanly cultivated summer fallow. During al of 1910 the land was kept cultivate after rains, providing a soil mulch which kept in the moisture. Wheat on such land did well in 1911. We have one four year rotation, growing three crops in four years. The rotation is as follows: Corn, oats, summer fallow, wheat.

Wheat on thjs rotation yielded 25.8 bushels per acre. The average wheat yields on our summer fallow plats yields 22.1 bushels per acre. This is certainly very good considering the season. Please do not forget that these yjelds were secured not because they were grown at the experiment station, but because certain methods were followed Any farmer that followed the methods that we followed would secure as good yields. It is to be hoped that in the future farmers will pay more attention to moisture conservation than they have in the past, and as' soon as they do this they may figure on securing larger yields.

not be wise to lay down any hard or fast rules asto tbe methods that should be followed. Fut certain principles must be well considered, if farming is to be made a success in this district. It would smttheeaaie It would seem that jt might be a good idea for the farmer to insure a certain portion of his crop upon cleanly cultivated summer fallow, barring any unforseen accidents, he may rely on getting a good yield. In certain years yields may not be enough better to make the system pay, but. in wheat yielding 25 oushels per acre such a year as 1911.

20 SO acres of would be a godsend to many farmers. The Whole Thing. "I suppose." said the nbseowlinj: cashier to tbe friend w.ho had run across bim in parts unknown, "that there was a good deal of talk about me after 1 disappeared." "I should think there was!" answered the friend. "Why. man.

tbe weather wasn't mentioned at all for two A Popular "She made a bit with me." "She makes a hit with most people. Always bas a crowd dancing attendance upon her." "She evidently knows bow to bunch her Pittsburg Post It is by presence of mind In untried iM-h's Mint Hit' tin five metal of a l.i'Wt'll Seem from SWEETEST GIRL IN PARIS" Coming to the Bijou Theatre Wednesday Evening Sept. IS 1 Stories of Curbstone and Corridor Some time ago Deputy Secretary of State Andrews dropped into poetry and an attempt was made to reproduce his inspired line's in the Tribune. Between the linotype operator and an indifferent proof reader the verses came out so changed that even the author had some difficulty in recognizing the disfigured offspring of his own brain. This lead him to spin out the following: "Ain't it funny what a difference just a few errors make 1 dreamed 1 wrote a 'twas all a sad mistake! When the linotypist vivisected my poor verse And the proofreader undertaker had prepared them for the hearse They were jumbled and distorted, Altogether quite aborted Ain't it funny what a difference just a words make?" It may not be so funny but it is queer almost astounding.

And this calls attention to the confusion of the three terms, funny and queer and strange. A young lady school teacher was heard to remak: "He walked right in front of the engine and was ground to death. Isn't is funny he did not see or hear the locomotive?" Come to think of it there is nothing particularly funny about such a death. And so it is with the poem by Mr. Andrews.

The butchering of the verses is tragic enough, sufficient to call forth a responsive protest by the author, and yet he appears to regard the whole deplorable incident as funny. The following joke is contributed by a popular Mandan undertaker: "Mama," said little Elsie, "do men ever go to Heaven?" Why, of course, my dear. What makes you ask?" "Because I never see any pictures of angels with whiskers." "Well," said the mother, thoughtfully, "some men do go to Heaven but they get there by a close shave." John Hall, secretary to the state railway commission, is back from an extended trip over the state. John is a close observer of events and he says politics is warm up despite the chilling efforts of the recent posts. While in Marwarcti he went to dinner with the political leader of the town and heard the Ittle daughter of the house lisp the following: "Father's a republican, Ma's a suffragette.

A democrat's the only man Fur Uncle Jim, you bet. Aunt's a prohibitionist, Says that drink's a crime And our new baby, he is just Insurgin' all the time." Reverting to the peculiar way we Americans have of applying terms recalls the old joke about Noah Webster. Mrs. Webster caught the dictionary maker hugging a maid servant behind the library door. "Why, Noah!" "I am surprised." "Oh, no, you are not, my dear," answered the constroer of "You are astonished.

It is I who is surprised." How Byron Fought Fat. Poetry and a too pronounced plumpness do not harmonize well, and no one was more widely awake to this fact than Lord Byron. Many were the means he adopted for ridding himself of his unwelcome "adipose deposit." In a letter to his solicitor he says: "I wear seven waistcoats and a greatcoat, run and play cricket in this dress till quite exhausted by excessive perspiration, the bath dally, eat only a quarter of a pound of butcher's meat in twenty-four hours. By these means my ribs display skin of no great thickness and my clothes have been taken In neatly half a yard" Hestraint. "So you think a woman bas a of humor?" "Yes." replied Miss Cayenne.

"But she has schooled herself to suppress it Common politeness forbids a woman to laugh every time her husband says or does something Star. Considerate. Hamm-Do you recognize the profession? Ticket Man-Yes. but If you'll stand out of the line quietly 1 won't give yon awn Blade. U.

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Ask us about it. Also nave block of fine residence lots on Fourth Street and will sell you a lot and build the house to suit. A large shipment of Red and White Oak for interior house finishing just received, Figure with us before you buy. It means money saved, better goods, and no waits, as everything is made right at home. Independent Dealer in Lumber and Building Material H.

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Also Pigeon Chop Suey, Noodles and other Chinese Dishes or Night C. S. TUCK, Prop. 116 Fifth St. Bismarck, N.

f). Pleasant rooms for renting, with board if wanted. Timet Is the first consideration when you are about to deposit money. This bank, with its resources, its long successful history and its management offers a conservative banking experience covering onethird of a century. It's reliability is proven by its regular growth, and years of square dealing with scores of friends.

The same careful attention is given small large deposits, while the same security that made us a National Depository is offered you. Bring your bank- ing business, large or small Bismarck, N. D..