Ralph Hackney was in town Tuesday and went to Newcastle on 42. While in town we were talking with him about farming and, after cross-questioning him, found out that he was the fellow who started it.

He says that he and a neighbor bought a harrow and a few other tools, and the first crop he put in with the harrow was a patch of oats, and when the oats were up about shoulder high, with great long heads on, Frank Mondell came out and saw them and pulled up a bundle and took it back to Washington and, between Mondell, Frank Burdick, and the late Clem Deaver, this country was blown to the skies as a farming country.

While Mr. Hackney is one of our old time ranchers, he admits that the range days are over, but says that any man who thinks he can make a success here at farming, and that alone, had better be sent to Evanston as soon as possible.

Hackney has about the right idea. The range days are over, but this will always be a stock country; but ranchers must grow more forage crops and provide winter shelter to make a success with stock.

We will give you more of Hackney’s ideas next week."