HELGE FARSTAD
Boosts Corson County
in Dakota Farmer

Helge Farstad, one of the leading farmers of the Watauga vicinity, writes his experience as farming in Corson County in the Dakota Farmer. He shows what a farmer can do in this County on a small start if he has the backbone to follow it up. Mr. Farstad came to Watauga from Roberts County in 1910 with practically nothing but horses, machinery and a little feed and today he is considered one of the leading farmers of Corson County. A few years ago he had the misfortune to lose his large barn by fire.
“I bought a relinquishment in this county in 1910 and filed on it that year but did not do a great deal of farming until 1912. In the spring of 1913 I broke 40 acres which I sowed to oats, corn and other grains and had a fair crop even on the sod. In or about 1915 the government passed a law allowing additional homesteads to be filed on. I then bought another relinquishment and paid $1,050.00 above the government price for it. Some thought that I made a bad investment but I can not see that I did. I now have 140 acres under cultivation on the last quarter.
I kept on buing land until now I own 900 acres and last spring I planted 100 acres of wheat. It was a late spring and I had a lot of work to do and, therefore, I got it in late, but it averaged 22 bushels to the acre. Besides this I had barley and oats, which averaged about 45 bushels to the acre. Altogether I had 250 acres into crop, small grain. I did all the work myself and my little girl of 16 drove the binder during harvest while I did the shocking.
I was a renter near the state line in Roberts County before coming here. All I had when I arrived here was my horses, machinery and a little feed. I sold some of the horses and bought some cattle in their place and I believe I made a good investment by buying the cattle. I have been selling from 15 to 30 head of cattle each year and I am wintering 65 head which I own now. Horses, of course, at the time of my arrival, were worth a little money and I keep on raising some of them, sold some and have 16 head of horses on hand now.
When I first came here I lived in a common shed and had a sod barn. Now I have a modern house, good barn and outbuildings.
Trees can be raised here if cared for in the right way. I have a good grove of poplars planted in 1915. I feel that anyone who can not make a success here had better not try to do so any other place either; of that I am assured.
We have a good live community club here and anyone wishing any information regarding this vicinity can write to the president of the community club and all letters will be cheerfully answered.”